Page 6 — Thursday, May 27, 2021 — The Hastings Banner
Commission on Aging wrestles with ‘digital divide’ during pandemic
Rebecca Pierce
Editor
Tammy Pennington, executive director of
the Barry County Commission on Aging,
offered a senior-eye-view of the pandemic for
the county commissioners Tuesday as she
discussed the past year’s challenges for her
organization.
At the county board meeting, she provided
an annual report that was quite different from
those she offered pre-pandemic.
One of the challenges she described was
trying to bridge what she called “the digital
divide.”
With many of their programs shut down by
the COVID-19 pandemic, “we matched older
adults with other programs that were available
online,” Pennington said. “We increased our
Facebook presence. We created a Twitter
account. We established our first YouTube
channel.”
They even tried Zoom.
What they found was “a lot of resistance
from older folks” to the move to digital and
online programs.
The pandemic’s impact was significant.
“It has really isolated folks,” Pennington
said.
They sought to offer “extras,” she said,
ranging from grocery shopping to a Pen Pals
program, to games like word search, and hol-
iday favors from pet blankets to make & take
craft projects, along with three parking lot
parties.
Pennington reviewed the COA’s response
to the pandemic with the following statistical
report on what the organization is still offer-
ing:
- Meals on Wheels – 17 active volunteers
- Congregate Drive-Thru
- Senior Meal Choice
- Homecare Services, including
Assessments - MMAP Counseling
- and Senior Center activities, including
parking lot exercise, line dancing, painting
group, healthy aging memory group, Iron
Rails railroading group and adult day service
returning next Tuesday.
In fundraising, the “Trail Mix” walk took
place last Saturday at Charlton Park, complete
with dogs, she noted.
And, in January, COA kicked off Active
Choices, a new phone-based, self-paced well-
ness program. Thus far, six participants
enrolled and remain committed to the six-
month program.
They also have been working collabora-
tively with the Barry-Eaton District Health
Department to call seniors and help anyone
who wants to get a vaccination.
They are not yet offering congregate meals,
bingo and indoor parties, she noted.
Pennington’s presentation concluded with
comments from every commissioner, who
thanked her and her organization for every-
thing they have done – and continue to do –
for seniors in the county.
In other business, the commissioners:- approved awarding a contract to the Barry
Conservation District for recycling coordina-
tor services for 12 months, as recommended
by the Solid Waste Oversight Committee. In
the 4-2 vote, Commissioners Ben Geiger and
Vivian Conner opposed the action. The con-
tract, for a total of $18,000, is to be billed at
$4,500 every three months.- approved appointing Barry County
Administrator Michael Brown as the autho-
rized representative for the county pertaining
to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
They directed Brown to submit a request for
funding though the U.S. Department of
Treasury ARPA Submission Portal. - approved the county’s taxable value
report, including a Headlee rollback. The roll-
back, which excludes new property, requires
an adjustment whenever the increase of tax-
able value exceeds the rate of inflation. - approved a 2-percent wage increase for all
part-time court screeners and Control One
Cadet employees who are not covered under
the collective-bargaining agreement recently
ratified with the corrections officers unit, cor-
rection command unit, and county courthouse
employees association. The wage increase
will run this year through 2025. Commissioner
Bruce Campbell, whose wife, Sandra, is a
court security screener, abstained from voting
on this action. - adopted a resolution to approve, ratify and
confirm issuance of sewage disposal bonds
not to exceed $2.3 million to finance the cost
of the Middleville sanitary sewer system. In
this project, the county is pledging its full
faith and credit for repayment of the bonds.- approved the county’s Inmates
Administrative Services Contract with Blue
Cross Blue Shield insurance which provides
discounted rates for medical costs incurred by
inmates in the county jail. This is not an insur-
ance policy, County Administrator Michael
Brown noted. It is an agreement that is priced
competitively, allowing the county to pay 11
percent of the costs incurred to Blue Cross
Blue Shield. - appointed commissioners to serve on
Commission on Aging Board of Directors in
the following rotation: Jackson in June,
Campbell in July and Smelker in August.
Area
Obituaries
1699 W. M43 Highway,
Hastings, MI 49058.945-1351 North M-43 Hwy.
Hastings
945-1301 W. Green St.
Hastings
945-This information on worship service is provided by The Hastings Banner, the churches
and these local businesses:HASTINGS FREE
METHODIST CHURCH
"We Exist To Be An
Expression Of Who Jesus Is
To The World Around Us".
2635 N. M-43 Hwy., P.O. Box
8, Hastings. Telephone 269-
945-9121. Email hastfmc@
gmail.com. Website: http://www.
hastingsfreemethodist.com.
Pastor Brian Teed, Assistant
Pastor Emma Miller, Worship
Director, Martha Stoetzel.
Sunday Morning Worship:
9am and 10:30 a.m. Due to the
current health crisis, our
nursery is remains closed.
Weekly activity bags for chilren
are available in the 9 a.m.
service and Kid's Church is
available in our 10:30 service.
Our worship center is set up for
social distancing. Aftermath
Student Ministries: Sunday 6
p.m.ST. ROSE OF LIMA
CATHOLIC CHURCH
805 S. Jefferson. 269-945-
4246 Pastor Father Stephan
Philip. Mass 4:30 p.m.
Saturday. Mass 8 and 11 a.m.
Sunday.HASTINGS
BAPTIST CHURCH
309 E. Woodlawn, Hastings.
Matt Moser, Lead Pastor.
Sunday Services: 9:15 a.m.
Sunday School for all ages;
10:30 a.m. Worship Service;
Senior High Youth Group 6-
p.m.; Young Adults 6-9 p.m.
Wednesday, Family Night
6:30-8 p.m., Kids 4 Truth
(Children Kindergarten-5th
Grade), 6:30-8 p.m. Middle
School Youth Group; 6:
p.m. Bible Study and Prayer.
Call Church Office 948-
for information.WOODGROVE
BRETHREN
CHRISTIAN PARISH
4887 Coats Grove Rd. Pastor
Randall Bertrand. Wheel-
chair accessible and elevator.
Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Worship Time 10:30 a.m.
Youth activities: call for
information.CHRIST THE KING
PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH (PCA)
328 N. Jefferson Street.
Worship 10 a.m. Nursery
provided. Pastor Peter Adams,
contact 616-690-8609.LIFEGATE
COMMUNITY CHURCH
301 E. State Rd., P.O. Box 273,
Hastings, MI 49058. Pastor
Scott Price. Phone: 269-948-- Website: http://www.lifegatecc.
com. Sunday Worship 10 a.m.
Wednesday Life Group 6:
p.m.
PLEASANTVIEW
FAMILY CHURCH
2601 Lacey Road, Dowling,
MI 49050. Pastor, Steve
Olmstead. (269) 758-
church phone. Sunday
Service: 10 a.m.WELCOME CORNERS
UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH
3185 N. Broadway, Hastings,
MI 49058. Phone 945-2654.
Worship Services: Sunday,
9:45 a.m.SOLID ROCK BIBLE
CHURCH OF DELTON
7025 Milo Rd., P.O. Box 765,
(corner of Milo Rd. & S. M-
43), Delton, MI 49046. Pastor
Roger Claypool, (517) 204-- Sunday Worship Service
10:30 to 11:30am, Nursery and
Children’s Ministry. Wednesday
night Bible study and prayer
time 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
Worship
Together
...at the church of your choice ~
Weekly schedules of Hastings area churches
available for your convenience...
Fiberglass
ProductsPlease join us for a Celebration of Life
honoring Herbert Hesterly (age 87) who
passed away with his family surrounding
him on May 22, 2021.
Visitation will be held at Hope United
Methodist Church, 2920 M-37, Hastings, on
Friday May 28, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The service will be held immediately
following at 1 p.m. The service will be
livestreamed and can be viewed at http://www.
facebook.com/GirrbachFuneralHome.
Herb was known for his kind and outgoing
nature. He was most known for his love of
striking up conversations with people from
all walks of life everywhere he went. He
loved baseball and was inducted into the
Softball Fast Pitch Hall of Fame. Other
things he loved included singing - both with
his brothers and with the church Praise
Team, his time at Hastings Mutual Insurance
Company; however, his ultimate love was
his family.
The son of Charlie and Hildred Hesterly,
he was the youngest of six kids. He was a
devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather
and great-grandfather who always put God
and his family first.
He is survived by his wife, Jane (Jordan)
Hesterly; his children, Kimberly (Hesterly)
and Brent Hassevoort and Scott Hesterly,
Grandchildren Daniel Payne, Jr. and Jessica
and Thomas Plochocki Jr.; great-
grandchildren, Ashley, Sarah, Bailey, Bryce
and Ryan; brothers, Ron and Mary Hesterly
and Byron and Betty Hesterly, and many
nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his sisters,
Virginia Tousley and Doris Blair, and his
brother, Verdan Hesterly.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been set
up at Hope United Methodist Church in
Hastings.
Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home.
To leave an online condolence visit http://www.
girrbachfuneralhome.net.Herbert HesterlyJoyce E. Faught passed on May 11, 2021.
Her children Jon ( Jill) Faught, Kelley
(Rick) Collett, Brandy (Donald) Cousins,
Brooke (Johnny) McClain. She had 11
grandchildren and many great grandchildren.
She was known as the Candy Granny to
all. She will be missed by many.Joyce E. Faughtlawn maintenance contractor, instead of two.
“I think we need to give everyone a legiti-
mate chance to bid on this,” Mayor David
Tossava said.
The council unanimously voted against the
Tate’s proposal and instructed that both con-
tracts be put out for bids.
In other action, the council:
- After its regular business session, went
into a closed session with City Attorney
Stephanie Fekkes to discuss a mediation set-
tlement agreement. After returning to the
public meeting, the council voted to ratify it.
Bowers cast the lone “no” vote. - Approved the request of YMCA CEO Jon
Sporer to change the location of their
Coordinated Approach to Child Health
(CATCH) Summer Playground program from
the large pavilion at Fish Hatchery Park to the
Fish Hatchery Park Building. - Approved the request of Thornapple Arts
Council Executive Director Megan Lavell to
place free-standing easels and panels around
downtown as part of an interactive public art
display called the Bureau of Inquiry.- Approved the request of Hastings Rotary
Club Treasurer David Solmes to use the
Thornapple Plaza from 5 to 8 p.m. June 21 for
an outdoor club meeting for members and
guests. A liquor license will be required if
any alcohol is served at the meeting. - Entered into a parking agreement between
the City of Hastings and Bolthouse
Merchandising Corp. for event parking
from June 1 through May 31, 2022. The
agreement allows event parking in the north-
east corner of the lot at 200 S. Boltwood St.
The Council agreed to pay $1 for event park-
ing, provide liability insurance to BMC, place
barricades and have BMC provide at least
one-day notice before events. - Adopted a policy for a new order of busi-
ness at Council meetings as suggested by
Guetschow.
DEVELOPMENT, continued from page 1
Jesse Taylor Brown, 24, of Nashville, was convicted of an assault with intent to do great
bodily harm less than murder, which occurred on Jan, 13, 2021, in Nashville, and was sen-
tenced by Judge Michael Schipper to 270 days in jail, with credit for 92 days served. He was
ordered to pay $398 in fines and costs and placed on probation for 36 months. Upon his
release from jail, he will be on a compliance tether. He was ordered to participate in and
successfully complete the Office of Community Corrections’ Cog program for cognitive,
behavioral-based group treatment, participate in relapse prevention, have no contact with
the victim or her children, and comply with all the terms in his pre-sentence report. Charges
of second-degree aggravated domestic violence and aggravated assault were dismissed at
his sentencing.Michael Delner Crumpton, 43, of Portage, was convicted of possessing a controlled
substance, methamphetamine, on Oct. 5, 2020, in Johnstown Township, as a fourth-time
habitual offender and sentenced by Judge Schipper to serve 38 months to 120 months in
prison, with credit for 64 days served. He was ordered to pay $398 in fines and costs. A
charge of larceny in a building as a fourth-time habitual offender was dismissed at the time
of his sentencing.Joshua Jacob Duffield, 26, of Kalamazoo, was convicted of indecency on June 23, 2019,
in Orangeville Township, and sentenced by Judge Schipper to serve 31 days in jail with
credit for one day served. He was ordered to pay $1,126.64 in fines and costs. Three charges
of multiple incidents of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, involving force or coercion,
were dismissed at sentencing. He was placed on probation for 60 months. He was ordered
to participate and successfully complete the Office of Community Corrections’ Cog pro-
gram for cognitive, behavioral-based group treatment, if deemed appropriate, as alcohol is
an issue. He will be placed on SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring)
for up to 12 months and must comply with all terms in the pre-sentencing investigation
report.Bryan Paul Anthony, 39, of Delton, was convicted of aggravated domestic violence,
aggravated assault, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated between May 1 and 3, 2020,
in Hope Township, as a third-time offender and was sentenced by Judge Schipper to 24
days in jail with credit for 24 days served. Charges of assault with intent to do bodily harm
less than murder, fourth-degree arson, and unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle;
first-degree home invasion and assault with a dangerous weapon were dismissed at sentenc-
ing. He was ordered to pay $398 in fines and costs and receive 12 months of compliance
monitoring to be released to work and for treatment only. He will be placed on SCRAM
(Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring) and was ordered to have no contact with
the victims.Martina Marie Haynes, 35, of Kalamazoo, was convicted of uttering and publishing a
$550 check on Feb. 9, 2020, in Hastings Township, and was sentenced by Judge Schipper
to pay fines and costs of $398. A charge of false pretenses of less than $199 was dismissed
at the time of sentencing.Justin Albert Hoffman, 36, of Caledonia, was convicted of domestic violence and being
drunk and disorderly on Sept. 26, 2020, in Thornapple Township, and was sentenced by
Judge Schipper to 93 days in jail with credit for 86 days served, ordered to pay $425 in fines
and costs and placed on probation for 12 months. His firearm, a 9mm MP Shield Smith &
Wesson, is to be forfeited.Stephen Blane Howard, 45, of Hastings, was convicted of being a felon in possession
of a weapon, a firearm, and committing a larceny in a building – stealing patio furniture and
steak knives, MREs and a backpack from a duplex – as a habitual offender, in October 2020,
in Thornapple Township. He was sentenced by Judge Schipper to serve 180 days in jail with
credit for 90 days served. He was ordered to pay $1,823 in fines and costs and placed on
probation for 24 months. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim and successful-
ly complete Office of Community Corrections’ Cog program for cognitive, behavior-
al-based group treatment, as well as relapse prevention. The sentence is concurrent with
sanctions against him out of Allegan County. A charge of possession of ammunition was
dismissed at the time of sentencing.