December 2021: Dr. Neidlinger to retire

During December 2021, MysteryVisits Communications provided this press release on behalf of Oaklawn ... 

~ Thomas Neidlinger, M.D., to retire after more than 43 years of medical practice ~ 

MARSHALL, Michigan — After more than four decades of service to patients throughout the region, Thomas Neidlinger, M.D., is to retire from his family medical practice at the end of December, Neidlinger and Oaklawn officials have announced.  

Appointments scheduled with Neidlinger after Dec. 31 will be cancelled. Patients may call Dr. Erin Rockwell, D.O., at Oaklawn Medical Group – Marshall Primary Care, or another Oaklawn Medical Group provider, to establish care as a new patient.

Dr. Jamie Longhurst, D.O., Neidlinger’s associate at Neidlinger Family Practice since early 2019, is transitioning into private practice. Appointments scheduled with Longhurst after Dec. 31 also are being cancelled and may be rescheduled after her practice opens in 2022. 

Patients with walk-in needs are being directed to Oaklawn After Hours Express at 1174 W. Michigan Ave. during that facility’s regular hours — 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

“Dr. Neidlinger’s service to Oaklawn and the Marshall community is legendary,” said Gregg Beeg, Oaklawn’s president and CEO. “We’ve long been proud of our professional association and we wish him well in his retirement.”

Neidlinger, the senior member of Oaklawn’s medical staff, has been long recognized for his focus on professional medical excellence. In 2012, Neidlinger was designated Oaklawn’s Physician of the Year, the second physician so honored. He has served on the Oaklawn Board of Directors and on the Marshall Board of Education while remaining active as a community volunteer. 

In the years since Neidlinger joined Oaklawn in mid-1978, he has delivered an estimated 3,000 babies — sometimes in the hospital’s emergency room, once in a hospital elevator and once in an automobile in the hospital’s parking lot, he said. 

“They just come when they want,” Neidlinger said with a chuckle, admitting that living just three blocks from the hospital made it easier at times to be on the scene when needed.

“Often I wouldn’t even drive down there,” he said. “It was almost quicker to run.”

Neidlinger completed undergraduate studies at Michigan State University and earned his medical degree from the University of Michigan. He completed his family-practice residency at the Grand Rapids Medical Education Center and is certified by the American Board of Family Practice. In recent years, Neidlinger Family Practice has occupied Suite 2A in the Wright Medical Building. 

Neidlinger and his wife, Darlene — a nurse trained in her native Muskegon — met in 1975 as medical professionals in a Grand Rapids emergency room. When they married in early 1978, one of the wedding guests was Rob Covert, Oaklawn’s former chief executive officer and president, who was actively seeking physicians to come to Marshall. 

“Rob was energetic, persuasive and very helpful,” Neidlinger recalled. “We had looked at several locations but Marshall really seemed to want us.” 

Neidlinger credited Covert for convincing the young physician and his wife of two months to make the move, adding that the community’s own attributes played a significant role. 

Neidlinger was born in Tecumseh, raised in Onsted and had been a resident of rural Jackson. As a result, he said, Marshall felt familiar and a good fit.

“I liked the size of the community — the friendliness and wholesomeness. And, of course, the historical background was appealing,” Neidlinger said.

“The hospital was in need of a family-practice base,” Covert recalled. “Fortunately, (the Neidlingers) liked the environment of Marshall — the beautiful downtown and the small-town atmosphere, and they saw an opportunity here.”

“I’d been hesitant, not knowing anyone” in the town, Darlene Neidlinger said. “But we got an amazing welcome from the community and the hospital had a lot to do with that. Along with my work with (Calhoun County) Visiting Nurse Service, that made it a lot easier and helped me to acclimate to the move.”

Forty-three years after the Neidlingers settled in Marshall, Covert expressed his personal congratulations to the physician on his retirement.

“He has had a wonderful career that benefited his patients, the town and the hospital,” Covert said. “He helped us establish a high standard of quality — out of the gate and over time. He demonstrated that quality himself and insisted on it from other physicians, and he and his family have been a wonderful addition to the community.”

Such assessments as Beeg’s and Covert’s stem from the Neidlingers’ range of effort —as individuals and as a couple — extending beyond their professional work to their volunteer service.

Darlene Neidlinger became an active member of the Oaklawn Auxiliary and served as its president. She said the couple’s focus on their children — all now grown — led them toward involvement in varied activities beyond the hospital.

“We put down roots,” Tom Neidlinger said. “This is where our four children were born and educated. It’s been a great town to raise kids. They had a good education and they were safe.” 

Those activities included service on the Marshall Public Schools Board of Education — which each served as president — as well as leadership with local Cub Scouts, coordinating travel for local sports teams, helping with blood drives and board and committee service with the Marshall Community Foundation and Marshall Historical Society. 

“What I did was for my family and for my kids,” Darlene Neidlinger said. “The hospital was vital for the health of the community, but my biggest joy was serving on the school board, where I felt I could make a real difference. Whatever our kids were doing, that’s what Tom and I wanted to be a part of.”

Tom Neidlinger said he’ll learn eventually what’s in store for him in retirement.

“I’ll go to the gym, I hope,” he said. “We also hope to travel and see our children and grandchildren. I’d like to see the beautiful country out West and see what’s out East, too. Once things settle, maybe I can find a volunteer gig.” 

Darlene Neidlinger won’t disclose all of the plans she has for her husband in retirement, but suggested there might be some chores for him around their house and garden.

“We’ll be doing some things together,” she said. “And we’ll always consider ourselves part of the Marshall community.” 

November 2021: Renewed anti-virus effort urged

During November 2021, MysteryVisits Communications provided this press release on behalf of Oaklawn ... 

~ Overwhelmed by pandemic, Oaklawn officials urge renewed community effort ~ 

MARSHALL, Michigan – Medical staff at Oaklawn and nearby hospitals are facing burnout and insufficient patient beds even as they strive to provide care to afflicted COVID-19 patients while the pandemic continues in Michigan.

"Our emergency department and nursing supervision teams have been sounding the alarm the past few weeks," said J. Summer Liston-Crandall, M.D., Oaklawn's chief medical officer. "It has been incredibly difficult to transfer patients requiring higher levels of care to other hospitals in the region."

"We are pulling staff from other departments when able to help assist with the emergencies and COVID-19 patients at the hospital," said Theresa Dawson, Oaklawn's chief nursing officer. "Our hospitalists are rounding in the emergency department when they can to help care for patients being boarded because of a lack of available beds. Other hospitals are not accepting transfers because of the volume at their own facility."

Liston-Crandall and Dawson expect to meet with leaders of other regional hospitals to develop a coordinated plan for such transfers.

In recent days, regional healthcare coalitions have renewed a statewide effort to urge Michigan residents to join the fight against the virus.

Members of Oaklawn's senior leadership team, including President and CEO Gregg Beeg, have been working with Region 5 representatives to shape a regional strategy focusing on the COVID-19 surge. Calhoun is one of nine southwestern counties that make up the Michigan trauma network designated as Region 5; the others are Allegan, Barry, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Branch.

"The largest and most distressing challenge we are experiencing is getting patients appropriate care," said Allison Field, D.O., who serves as medical director of Oaklawn's emergency department and after-hours clinics.

"Our volume is at record high rates and we are doing our best to provide everyone with the best care possible," she added.

Just prior to Thanksgiving, Oaklawn's medical staff admitted record high numbers of COVID-19 patients to the hospital. The highest number of such patients – 20 – was recorded Nov. 22, Dawson said.

"The week before in Calhoun County, there was an average of 129 new positive cases each day," she said.

"All surrounding hospitals are full, so if a patient has needs that exceed the resources Oaklawn can provide, we have difficulty getting them transferred to a higher level of care," Field said. "This leads to extended patient stays in the emergency department as well as longer wait times, as we have only so many beds in the emergency department."

Oaklawn officials are further alarmed by the prospect that the pandemic's scope could lead to a reduction in medical staff.

"Our staff are exhausted and burned out," Beeg said. "We need the community's help to alleviate the current surge and to prevent future surges. Some staff are choosing to leave the industry altogether and vacant job openings are proving difficult to fill. Less staff and higher patient volume leads to stress on the system."

Oaklawn medical staff stressed that community members can assist the effort. Calhoun County's vaccination rate was reported as 48.4 percent on Nov. 22, Beeg said – a figure he described as extremely low.

"Our community needs to educate themselves on the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine," he said. "The majority of COVID-19 patients needing hospitalization or dying are unvaccinated individuals. Many of these hospitalizations and deaths could be avoided had the patients been vaccinated."

"Even though we have seen breakthrough cases, vaccinated individuals are much less symptomatic and less likely to require hospitalization than those who are not," Field said.

Proper masking of the nose and mouth also helps prevent the transmission of disease, she said.

About a dozen medical staff members comprise Oaklawn's incident-command group, which meets twice weekly to focus on COVID-related challenges, and a vaccine committee meets weekly to discuss community-education issues, Beeg said.

"There are so many ongoing efforts to combat this virus and everyone is working diligently in their respective role to aid in efforts," he said. "The lesson is that getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, washing hands and social distancing can help alleviate the stress on the hospitals regionally."

Additional information is available online at oaklawnhospital.org/covid-dashboard.

October 2021: A life and legacy celebrated

~ Celebrating the life and legacy of William Gillette in a new way ~ 

Since moving to Connecticut from Michigan in early 2020, an opportunity arose to lend some time volunteering on behalf of one of the state's more fascinating destinations -- Gillette Castle State Park.

The popular tourist destination at 67 River Road is nestled atop the “Seventh Sister” hill and is situated in the towns of East Haddam and Lyme along the Connecticut River. 

Its centerpiece is the retirement home of William H. Gillette, the first actor to become internationally famous for his performances as Sherlock Holmes.

Therein lies our connection -- and fascination -- with the subject, because we've been responsible for bringing the master detective to life ourselves. In fact, Gillette is the only actor to surpass the number of years -- as well as performance hours -- that we've spent in that particular role. 

Gillette, a Hartford native, died in 1937 after a lengthy theatrical career. The state eventually took over ownership of his home and surrounding estate. 

The goal of the timeline project was to create a chronological timeline that would be easy to read and yet provide as much insight as possible into Gillette's life and extraordinarily long career.

If you'd like to look at the project, it's now online at the website of the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park, and may be viewed here: "A Gillette Timeline"

We proposed the project in late 2020 and, over several months of negotiations and research regarding what should be included, we worked with several volunteers connected with the Friends to finalize the text and place it online for others to see.

We also proposed a secondary project that we hope will come to fruition during 2022. When we visited Riverside Cemetery near Farmington, Connecticut, to visit the graves of Gillette and his wife Helen, we discovered that their headstones had grown stained and discolored over time. With the assistance of other Friends volunteers, and with permission already granted by the cemetery supervisors, our small band of Gillette fans intends to clean the headstones during the coming spring, and it's hoped that the headstones eventually will look almost like new. 

October 2021: Lynette Robinson joins Oaklawn

During October 2021, MysteryVisits Communications provided this press release on behalf of Oaklawn ... 

~ Lynette Robinson returns to Oaklawn in new role as a family nurse practitioner ~

MARSHALL – Perhaps it's not too surprising that some of the young students in the Union City middle-school biology class were reluctant to dissect a cow's heart.

Not Lynette Robinson. The teen-ager – then known as Lynette Weeks – went right to work, mesmerized by what she saw as the “magic” of how the heart functioned.

“A lot of my classmates were afraid to touch it, but I found it absolutely amazing and interesting,” she recalled. “I never shied away from anything like that.”

In time, the young woman's self-igniting fascination with all things scientific led to an interest in the healing arts.

Now, with more than two decades of experience, she returns to Oaklawn, where she began her medical career as a nurse but now as a family nurse practitioner. Primarily, Robinson will be seeing patients at Oaklawn Medical Group – Obstetrics & Gynecology, in Suite 3D of the Wright Medical Building at 215 E. Mansion St. Appointments may be made by calling (269) 558-0702.

Robinson also will provide services at Oaklawn Medical Group's After Hours Express – Marshall, 1174 W. Michigan Ave. No appointments are necessary at this walk-in location. Additional information for this office are available by calling (269) 789-4390.

Robinson grew up on a couple of rural acres near Union City as part of a family where factory work was the norm. Encouraged in her studies by her paternal grandmother, an avid reader, the young woman developed a respect for books and the knowledge they contained.

Her curiosity and drive led her to excel in such high-school classes as chemistry, biology and the physical sciences, and she was inducted into the National Honor Society.

“Originally, I thought about becoming a physician,” she said, “but as I grew older I realized that I wanted to have a family, and the time involved in study would be a challenge if I wanted to have time with them. I decided that I still could make a difference in people's lives as a nurse.”

After graduation from Union City High School, Robinson enrolled at Battle Creek-based Kellogg Community College, from which she received an associate's degree in nursing in 1998.

As a new registered nurse, Robinson launched her medical career in Battle Creek, after which she came to Oaklawn's intensive-care unit, where she worked with patients until late 2001. Her later professional experience included work at Battle Creek Health System, Brookside Surgery Center, The Oaks and The Legacy, all based in Battle Creek.

Robinson returned to school to earn a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Chicago-based Chamberlain University in 2019. She went on to earn a master of science degree in nursing with a speciality as a family nurse practitioner from the same university in 2020. Since then, she has worked as a nurse practitioner for PACE of Southwest Michigan and Albion-based STG International Inc.

Robinson is certified as a registered nurse by the state of Michigan and as a family nurse practitioner by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. She also is certified in basic life support and advanced cardiac life support.

Robinson and her husband of 22 years, Steve, have three children – Hunter, 21; Cole, 19, and Skylar, 18. The family reside near Battle Creek.

“Family is important to me,” she said. “I was very close to my grandparents, who were my babysitters, so I like to do things together with my children and husband, such as family vacations.” She also likes to read psychological thrillers and mysteries, as well as walk four miles daily whenever possible.

Robinson added that she's eager to return to Oaklawn, where she had started her nursing career 19 years ago.

“I had three rotations while I was first with Oaklawn, and I had great experiences at every single site,” she said. “Everyone was wonderful and it was a great environment. So, I really wanted to end up at Oaklawn because I had been so happy there, and everyone had been so supportive.”

When hospitalization was required for her grandparents, they received “great care” at Oaklawn, she added.

“That's another reason I have faith in Oaklawn as a health facility,” she said. “It just feels like coming home.”

October 2021: Marcia French joins Oaklawn

During October 2021, MysteryVisits Communications provided this press release on behalf of Oaklawn ... 

~ Marcia French joins Oaklawn's Marshall Primary Care as a family nurse practitioner ~ 

MARSHALL – Marcia French doesn't hesitate when asked what inspired her to pursue a medical career.

“My mother is a registered nurse who got her bachelor's degree at Michigan State University,” she says. “That's the track I took, too. She worked part-time when I was growing up and she loved her career. That drove me to want to follow in her footsteps.”

Taking that example to heart, French launched her own career as a nurse several years ago. She recently earned her degree as a family nurse practitioner and, in that capacity, now is working alongside other Oaklawn Medical Group staff at Marshall Primary Care in Suite 1E of the Wright Medical Building, 215 E. Mansion St. Appointments may be made by calling (269) 781-3938.

As a girl growing up in Charlotte, the former Marcia Matwiejczyk could witness firsthand how much her mother enjoyed her work as a nurse at the Barry-Eaton District Health Department, based in Charlotte.

“My brother and I would go in multiple times to see my mom, and we saw the positive work environment,” she said, adding that she can't recall a time in her life when she didn't believe she would pursue a similar career in promoting good health.

“From middle school on, health and wellness have been important to me – exercise, eating healthy and so on,” she said, crediting her mother for encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

“She lived that lifestyle herself and that's always been my mentality,” French said. “So, to work in a field where I could encourage other people in the lifestyle also was a drawing factor.”

Her high school studies – particularly a course in anatomy and pathophysiology – allowed her to prove to herself that she found the biological sciences enjoyable and that she had an aptitude for pursuing them.

After graduation from Charlotte High School, French followed her mother's path and enrolled at Michigan State University, from which she graduated with a bachelor of science degree in nursing in 2007.

“As I grew older, I realized that was attractive to me about nursing was that there are so many specialties and so many different places to work,” she said. “I liked the variety that it could offer.”

French's professional career provided her with nursing experience at Carson City (Michigan) Hospital, Charlotte-based Barry-Eaton District Health Department and McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital.

Then, in 2017, the tragic loss of her husband of 12 years in an accident created a sudden new situation.

“There was a huge change in my life, along with the grief,” she said, “and it's what brought me to nurse-practitioner school when it wasn't something that I'd actually been planning.”

French joined Oaklawn as a registered nurse earlier this year while completing those studies at from Spring Arbor University, and recently earned her master of science in nursing degree as a family nurse practitioner. She is licensed in Michigan as a family nurse practitioner, is certified in basic life support and is a member of the Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners

Now married to Marty French, the couple live near Charlotte with a combined family of six children. They include Ethan, 13, Lola, 11, Weston, 9, and Mason, 7, who are her children from her first marriage, and Marty's children Jacob, 18, and McKenzie, 14.

When she's not at her medical work, Marcia French now finds herself involved in plenty of enjoyable activity with her family.

“I love to run and do cross-fit every day.” she said. “We have a cottage in Lake City, where we do boating and water sports. In winter, it's snowmobiling.”

French added that she's looking forward to her new work at Oaklawn.

“I was fortunate enough to get a clinical rotation there while in nurse-practitioner school,” she said. “I saw the teamwork and how well people work together. That team aspect really drew me to want to find out more – and it all fell into place.

“I know a lot of people who have had babies here, and they all had a good experience,” she added. “The patient population that Oaklawn Medical Group serves is another drawing factor. Plus, I like being with a small local hospital.”

October 2021: Help sought for Oaklawn Hospice

During October 2021, MysteryVisits Communications provided this press release on behalf of Oaklawn ... 

~ ‘Tour of Tables’ alternative fundraiser to seek financial assistance for Oaklawn Hospice ~ 

MARSHALL – Over the years, an autumn evening of fanciful fun and conviviality has been the best way to describe Oaklawn's annual Tour of Tables fundraiser – although the cause was a serious one.

This year, the ongoing pandemic has challenged organizers to be creative and find an alternative way to seek financial assistance for Oaklawn Hospice Services and the families that have relied on its compassionate care.

“Because of the continuous rise in COVID cases, we will not be holding our typical 'Tour of Tables' event this year,” said Jenna Ellis, Oaklawn's development manager. “Instead, we've invited our community to participate in a 'non-event' fundraiser intended to help people celebrate their lost loved ones while still doing something enjoyable.”

The substitute event, called “Stay Home for Hospice,” is to be observed Nov. 18 and Ellis said participants actually are being advised to do just that – stay at home.

“We encourage you to utilize your free evening to celebrate a lost loved one doing something they enjoyed,” she said. “Maybe you put together their favorite puzzle, watch their beloved movie or dine on a meal you shared together.”

As part of the fundraiser, participants are being encouraged to share their activities via Twitter and other social-media programs, using the Oaklawn designation @oaklawncares, she said.

Tax-deductible donations also are being accepted through Dec. 1, she said, adding that they may be made by credit card or check payable to “Oaklawn Hospital” with a notation designating Oaklawn Hospice as the recipient. Such donations may be delivered to Oaklawn's development office at 116 E. Prospect St., Marshall, MI 49068.

“We'd like to encourage participants to donate in the amount they'd typically spend during a normal 'Tour of Tables' event,” Ellis said.

Additional information is available by contacting Ellis at jlellis@oaklawnhospital.com or (269) 789-7494.

Funds raised during the event will go directly to support Oaklawn Hospice’s comprehensive healthcare program, which works to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of persons with life-limiting conditions and their families, Ellis said.

September 2021: Erin Rockwell joins Oaklawn

During September 2021, MysteryVisits Communications provided this press release on behalf of Oaklawn ... 

~ Oaklawn physician Erin Rockwell's fascination with medicine began in childhood ~ 

Erin Rockwell can trace her connection with her medical career with unusual clarity: It began with her birth.

“I was born six weeks premature, at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor,” she said, adding that medical attendants worked at length with specialized equipment to assist her heart and lungs until those organs could function independently.

“That equipment could be found only in California and Ann Arbor,” she said. “I took that fact as a divine inspiration – that God had given me a purpose to help other people and that I've got things to do on this planet to help people.”

That's exactly what Rockwell has been doing for several years as a doctor of osteopathic medicine, and now she has joined the Oaklawn Medical Group's medical staff in that capacity.

Rockwell will work initially at the Oaklawn Medical Group's Beadle Lake facility at 14231 Beadle Lake Road, Battle Creek, where appointments may be made by calling (269) 962-0441.

As she became aware of her medical past, the former Erin Darlington seemed to waste no time planning her future.

“At a young age, I told my parents I wanted to be a doctor,” she said, adding that at age 5 she enjoyed playing with a toy doctor's bag.

“I was putting Band-aids on everybody,” she said. “I had a toy stethoscope and would listen to people's lungs, and test their reflexes with the little hammer.”

Fully accepting that Erin was interested in medicine, her parents encouraged her toward high-school courses that focused on the sciences, including biology and chemistry.

After graduation from Northville High School, Rockwell went on to Hope College in Holland, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry and psychology in 2005.

“At one point, I had a long conversation with my uncle, who's an occupational medicine physician in the state of New York,” she said. Erin told him that she wanted to be a mother, a wife and a daughter – in short, aiming for a full family life – and asked how professionals could balance all that in the medical field.

“We talked three or four hours, and he went through all the steps,” Erin said. “He talked about the ins and outs and even got me in touch with different people to interview. The more I talked to them, the more I realized that I wanted to go into medical school. That was very formative for me.”

With such encouragement, Rockwell went on to earn her degree as a doctor of osteopathy from Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2011. She completed her residency in family medicine at the University of Wyoming in 2014.

Since returning to Michigan, Rockwell has been employed through the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System in an outpatient practice, working with patients of all ages, and has participated in guidance programs for nurse managers, senior services and substance-abuse prevention programs.

Rockwell now comes to Oaklawn after three years with a home-based medical practice, during which she visited patients in Lansing and surrounding areas and worked closely with home-health and hospice services.

Rockwell is licensed to practice medicine in Michigan and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She is a member of the American Academy of Home Care Medicine.

Rockwell and her husband of six years, Nathan, a corrections officer in Adrian, reside in Chelsea. The couple have one young son.

During her spare time, Erin Rockwell enjoys family time, reading, travel, baking and cooking.

“I'm mildly obsessed with gardening, and I grow flowers and vegetable all from seed,” she said. “I also like to play music with my family. We often get together to do that.”

She also believes she's found a good home in Oaklawn, where she expects to work with patients at all stages of life.

“Oaklawn is a very good fit because it's a small community hospital, and I believe I have a good rapport with the people there,” she said. 

September 2021: Property rebirth under way

The following press release was prepared by MysteryVisits Communications in late August 2021 on behalf of Capital for Change Inc. of Wallingford, Connecticut ....

~ Groundbreaking launches property-rebirth plan to improve Hartford’s North End ~ 

HARTFORD, Connecticut – A new effort to ensure access to affordable housing was launched Thursday at a groundbreaking event hailed by developers as a rebirth for the former Barbour Gardens apartment complex.

Heritage Housing Inc., the property developer, joined representatives of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Connecticut Department of Housing, City of Hartford, the office of U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), PNC Bank, and Capital for Change Inc. to celebrate the milestone and inspect the renovations.

Since the 1960s, the site at 383 Barbour Street has played an important role in the city's effort to provide affordable housing. But years of neglect and deterioration had pushed it toward desolation, culminating in the relocation of all residents from the buildings in 2019.

Over several years, a team effort among Connecticut-based organizations generated a renewal plan for the building that, on completion, is expected to have a positive impact on its North End neighborhood.

The $10.54 million renovation is being undertaken by Norwalk-based Heritage Housing Inc. and is part of a larger $37 million acquisition and renovation project encompassing five separate affordable housing properties in Hartford.

The developer anticipates re-opening an extensively upgraded, 74-unit complex in early 2022, including 48 units offering Section 8 assistance and 26 units of additional affordable housing.

“Many developers would walk away from a challenging property like this,” said David McCarthy, Heritage Housing's founder and president. “But we live and work in Connecticut, too, and my view is that -- if you work in the field of affordable housing and witness degradation as in Barbour Gardens -- you should do something to help.”

Brian Robinson, senior vice president for originations and capital markets for Columbus,Ohio-based National Affordable Housing Trust (NAHT), spoke at the event on behalf of Wallingford-based Capital for Change Inc. NAHT is a joint venture of San Francisco-based Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) and Washington, D.C.-based Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future.

Brian Robinson, senior vice president for originations and capital markets for Columbus, Ohio-based National Affordable Housing Trust (NAHT), spoke at the event on behalf of Wallingford-based Capital for Change Inc. NAHT is a joint venture of San Francisco-based Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) and Washington, D.C.-based Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF).

“We are proud to be part of this collaborative effort with like-minded partners, providing a meaningful and impactful investment that will transform this neglected building with unacceptable living conditions into a home for 84 families who can have an affordable, quality place to live in Hartford,” Robinson said.

“Renovating the Barbour Gardens apartments is cause to celebrate,” said Nandini Natarajan, chief executive officer and executive director of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA).

“CHFA financing and low-income housing tax credits in this property – and the four other Heritage Housing properties soon to be renovated – will improve the quality of life for residents and preserve a total of 206 affordable housing units in the City of Hartford,” Natarajan added.

The renovated complex will include a new community room and office, features that had been absent earlier, McCarthy said. Unit interiors will be entirely redone, including new plumbing, HVAC, fire protection, safety features, in-unit laundry connections, roofs and windows.

“This is going to address every deficiency in the building,” McCarthy said. “We’re also consolidating some of the smallest units into larger ones, to accommodate larger families,” he said.

Founded in 2017, Heritage Housing has worked to redevelop sites in Connecticut, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Vermont, and Michigan. The company became interested in Barbour Gardens in 2018, but faced several months of uncertainty in the wake of HUD’s Section 8 termination.

By 2019, the former Barbour Gardens had become so infested with mold and vermin that tenants’ health and safety were threatened. Local community groups led by the Center for Leadership and Justice (formerly the Christian Activities Council) organized a residents' effort to make public officials aware of the unsafe conditions. As a result, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development terminated the site’s Section 8 contract and all tenants eventually relocated. Left unoccupied, the property faced a blighted future.

As complications ensued, Heritage Housing cancelled its purchase contracts a number of times, but continued to consider the site's potential for improvement.

“We just kept working on solutions,” McCarthy said. “In many ways, people had just turned their backs on this property, and we didn’t want to do that. We want to do projects that are beneficial to the state of Connecticut, our home state.”

McCarthy commended the staff of Capital for Change for its persistence in working with his company as well as the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, the U.S. Department of HUD, the City of Hartford, the Hartford Community Loan Fund and New York-based Local Initiatives Support Corporation. Their combined effort helped shape a financial package that made the purchase and renovation feasible.

As part of that effort, in late 2019 the staff of Capital for Change closed on a $2.3 million predevelopment/acquisition loan that prevented the property from going into foreclosure. At the same time, McCarthy worked to secure permanent financing, including low-income housing tax credits.

“A project such as this is core to our mission – to broaden access to affordable housing for underserved communities,” said Carla Weil, director of commercial lending at Capital for Change. “The project is transformational for this neighborhood, with which we're familiar because the site is close to others where we’ve also invested.”

The level of financial support from Capital for Change for the project was significant, Weil said, adding that any concerns the organization’s staff might have had were reduced when they considered Heritage Housing’s track record and personal persistence.

“We had a great deal of confidence in the developer and their commitment to the changes they were proposing,” Weil said. “So, we determined that this project was important for us to support.”

The new $37 million financing package repaid the Capital for Change acquisition loan and provided funds to renovate all five properties, including Barbour Gardens. The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority provided a $20.9 million first mortgage and authorized $13.9 million of low-income housing tax credits, which were purchased by PNC Bank. The U.S. Department of HUD renewed four existing Section 8 contracts and – working with Heritage Housing and the City of Hartford – provided new Section 8 assistance to the Barbour Gardens property.

More information about Heritage Housing Inc. may be found online at HeritageHousingInc.com. More information about Capital for Change is available online at CapitalForChange.org and the organization's Facebook page, “Capital for Change, Inc.”

Capital for Change's mission is to provide flexible, creative and responsive financial products and services to benefit low- and moderate-income persons, and minority and otherwise underserved individuals, businesses and communities. Its programs and products broaden access to affordable housing, energy efficiency and job opportunities.

Capital for Change Inc. was created in 2016 through the mergers of the Community Capital Fund, Connecticut Housing Investment Fund and the Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund, shaping an organization with a statewide history of service stretching back to 1968.

August 2021: Oaklawn holds Hospitality Classic

During August 2021, MysteryVisits Communications provided this press release on behalf of Oaklawn ... 

~ Runners, walkers gather in Marshall for 2021 Oaklawn Hospitality Classic ~ 

MARSHALL, Michigan – Adam Foreman and Meghan Currie were named the first-place male and female winners Aug. 28 during the 2021 Oaklawn Hospitality Classic.

With a time of 17 minutes and 27 seconds, Foreman – a resident of Marshall – scored the top speed during the race. Currie, an Albion resident, came in with a time of 21 minutes and 35 seconds.

Other top male runners in the event were Jesse Howell of Marshall, whose time was 19 minutes and 52 seconds, and Jeff Klingler of Coldwater, coming in at 20 minutes and 5 seconds.

Other top female runners in the event were Kelsie Letts of Marshall, who ran the course in 23 minutes and 9 seconds, and Alison Thomas of Portage, whose time was 24 minutes and 12 seconds.

The overall event paid tribute to Oaklawn's “frontline heroes” who've worked long hours during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic to maintain the health and safety of the communities Oaklawn serves, said the event's coordinator, Sarah M. Jack.

Under a sunny sky and conditions that Jack described as hot with a high temperature of 90, the 5k race was conducted throughout downtown Marshall beginning at the Fountain Circle, observed by approximately 50 spectators.

That race drew 199 participants and was followed by a mile-long “fun run” that involved 73 others. Corresponding virtual events brought the total involvement for the event to 286, Jack said.

Oaklawn's Hospitality Classic, which traditionally has been held annually in May, was delayed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Last year's event was conducted online because of similar safety concerns.

This year's event did not include a 10k race and, because of the schedule change to summer, events connected to the school-based 100 Lap Club were cancelled.

Participants in this year's event ranged in age from 3 to 75. Most were from communities throughout Michigan, but other runners and walkers came from Indiana, Colorado and Georgia.

George Youngdahl of Marshall sang the National Anthem at the onset of the day’s activities, accompanied by a color guard from Marshall's Scout Troop No. 373.

The day included several activities, community celebrations and musical offerings, including performances by Motor City Soul and Fire Lake and a coney dog-eating contest sponsored by the Copper Athletic Club.

Eaton Corp. was the overall event's top corporate sponsor. John Lubis, engineering manager at Eaton Corp., expressed thanks to the Oaklawn volunteers who assisted during the day as well as to Marshall's public-safety personnel.

Among those volunteers was Oaklawn President and CEO Gregg Beeg, who handed out bottles of water to race participants at the finish line.

“We’re very grateful for all of the community’s ongoing support, and for all of the help from the volunteers,” Jack said. “They really pitched in to make this one of the most enjoyable events that we can share in Marshall.”

Full race results may be found at www.runsignup.com by clicking on the “Find a race” button. The website also allows visitors to follow many race events, including participants' statistics and times.

In past years, the Hospitality Classic's 5k course record for males was set by Duane Daughtery in 1997, with a time of 14 minutes and 56. The 5k record for females was set by Jenny Goodpaster in 2000, with a time of 17 minutes and 19 seconds.

Oaklawn plans to host the event again in May 2022, the month during which the event normally is scheduled, organizers said. Those plans are expected to begin soon and include the 100 Lap Club program among area schools.

September 2021: Improvements at Gillette Castle

During September 2021, MysteryVisits Communications provided this press release on behalf of the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park ... 

~ Second part of multi-phase improvement project completed at Gillette Castle ~ 

EAST HADDAM, Connecticut – Visitors to Gillette Castle State Park might have a tough time spotting the most recent dramatic change at William Gillette's eccentric, century-old home that serves as the park's centerpiece. 

Everything atop the “Seventh Sister” hill seems as rustic as ever. However, those with eyes as sharp as the eagles that fly nearby might note that a century of deterioration is being halted around the structure's sheltered vehicle entrance – also known by the French term “porte cochere.”

The recent work on the building's north elevation ended the second phase of the state's three-phase capital-improvement effort at the park, funded through a $1.993 million allocation in 2019 by the bonding commission. The funding also will pay for additional work in 2022 on the building's west and south elevations, to restore its verandah and resurface its terrace.

Many years of deteriorated masonry conditions had caused overhead stones to fall from the underside of the building’s main portico entrance, posing a potential hazard to park visitors, said John “Jack” Hine, the park’s supervisor.

“It was necessary for the state to engage with engineers from CME Associates Inc. to find a solution to hopefully last another 100 years,” Hine said.

Baltic, Conn.-based Mattern Construction Inc. was awarded the contract as low bidder and began work in late May, with work wrapping up in late August. Stones that Gillette's own construction crews had set in place in the early 20^th century were removed, labeled and meticulously preserved, Hine said.

The painstaking process called for disassembling the portico stone by stone. Each stone was marked with a number and transferred to a nearby staging area, where they were laid out in the exact same location and orientation.

“By mid-June, during the demolition phase, engineer Mike Culmo determined that the original columns supporting the portico roof were structurally sound enough to support a heavily reinforced concrete roof structure,” Hine said. “That resulted in a reduced scope of work that equated to a significant cost savings to the state,” he added.

“The State Historic Preservation Office wanted to ensure that the finished product was identical to the original structure,” Hine said, crediting Mattern's superintendent Rodney Young and project manager Noah Brenckle for the task's successful completion.

“They ensured that every stone was documented, marked and then replaced in its exact location in the original structure,” Hine said. Modern methods and materials were used under the stone facade to increase the structure’s longevity, he added.

Each stone cast into the roof slab was cleaned and the joints repointed, followed by work on a retaining wall at the portico's front. Final steps included installation of a zinc-coated copper roof and soldering of all seams.

“Mattern Construction is thrilled with the results of the project,” said Brenckle, the project manager. “We feel confident that this structure will be cherished and enjoyed by the coming generations.”

“As the park’s representative for the state, I am very pleased that we have a finished product that holds true to William Gillette’s vision and again will last for generations to come,” Hine said.

The work was part of a multi-phase funding package approved by the State Bonding Commission for improvements at the park, which is nestled between the towns of East Haddam and Lyme along the Connecticut River. The overall project has included reconstruction in 2020 of a large retaining wall and handicap-accessible staircase.

“Any significant improvement to the Castle is, by its nature, a major benefit to the park and a boon for all of its visitors,” said Lynn Wilkinson, president of The Friends of Gillette Castle State Park, a nonprofit, all-volunteer group dedicated to the preservation, conservation and educational activities of the castle and its grounds.

“The state of Connecticut and its Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) have demonstrated their commitment to the park and its historical preservation by directing the necessary funding to this project,” she said. “Such support is deeply appreciated.”

The organization's mission includes the preservation, restoration and conservation of the historic and unique structure and its scenic grounds. Memberships help to finance park and structural improvements while preserving the estate and Gillette's legacy. More information about the park and Gillette may be found on the Friends website at www.gillettecastlefriends.org.

August 2021: Sara Smith joins Oaklawn

During August 2021, MysteryVisits Communications provided this press release on behalf of Oaklawn ... 

~ Sara Smith, D.O., joins staff of Oaklawn Obstetrics & Gynecology ~ 

MARSHALL, Michigan – When Sara Lang Smith was about 7 years old, she stepped in bravely to help her mother when others couldn't quite handle the challenge.

“My mom had surgery to have a benign tumor removed,” she said. “She needed changes in the dressing to keep it clean and care for it. My father was getting queasy, but I thought it was the coolest thing in the world, so I helped take care of the dressings.

“I was the only one in the house who could help my mom without falling over and passing out,” she said. “From the fourth grade on, any time that anyone got injured, I was curious about how they healed.”

Now, as a professional physician, the Traverse City native still is helping people, most recently by joining Oaklawn's medical staff as a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology.

Smith now is seeing patients at the Oaklawn Medical Group's new Obstetrics & Gynecology office in Suite 3D of the Wright Medical Building at 215 E. Mansion St. Appointments may be made by calling (269) 558-0702.

Smith said she always has been fascinated with the biological mechanisms connected with the human body and the healing process.

Smith came to represent the third generation in her family to work in the medical field. Her mother is a former physical therapist and her maternal grandmother had served as a nurse in Grand Rapids.

“My grandmother was very brave and tough and I respect her a lot for what she did in her profession,” Smith said.

After graduation from Traverse City Central High School, Smith attended Grand Rapids-based Walker Medical Instructional Services, graduating from its certified nursing assistant program in 2013. She received a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry that same year from Hope College.

Smith pointed to a formative experience that occurred in 2011, under a program though Hope College's nursing department. She went on a medical missions trip to Querétaro, Mexico, touring several hospitals and witnessing live births at a women's hospital.

“Learning about the discrepancies in health care between our two countries was very eye-opening,” she said. “It helped me to understand why it's important to help people.

“After that experience, I was determined to go into health care, help provide care to all and do my best to help patients regardless of their insurance situation or other circumstances.”

Smith also undertook work in health-care education and research in Peru.

“Those medical missions solidified my passion for women’s health as I encountered many preventative diseases resulting from a limited access to health care,” she said. “From those experiences, I have a passion for providing the best care for my patients.”

Smith went on to earn her degree in 2017 as a doctor of osteopathic medicine from Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine, recently completing a residency program in obstetrics and gynecology at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital. She also served as a clinic instructor in the university's department of osteopathic surgical specialties.

Smith is certified and trained in DaVinci robotic surgery and said she looks forward to working with Oaklawn's own DaVinci equipment. She also is certified in basic as well as advanced cardiovascular life support.

She is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, the American Osteopathic Association and the Michigan Osteopathic Association. She also is a member of DOCARE International, a nonprofit medical outreach program that brings health care to underserved communities in remote areas of the Western Hemisphere.

Smith' husband of four years, Joseph Smith, works in the hardware field in Warren. The couple are in the process of moving their residence from Chesterfield to the Marshall area.

Smith said she and her husband enjoy “pretty much any activity on the water,” including boating, kayaking and fishing. These activities include deep-sea fishing in Florida and fishing trips with her family in Alaska. She also enjoys hiking, exercising and playing recreational sports.

Smith said she had driven through Marshall over the years but only recently has come to know the community better while planning to move there with her husband.

“I love the downtown area,” she said. “It's very charming. Its reminds me of Traverse City when I was growing up there. I also love the festivals and the different things the community does. It seems like a great place to raise a family.

“I also love the feel of Oaklawn,” she said. “That was a huge draw to me. It's also closer to the majority of our family. I feel you could really make a difference, get to know your patients and be a part of the community, so I'm very excited to start contributing.”