Skeeter Van Atta

Skeeter Van Atta, 72 years old

Born Jan. 30, 1951

Passed Nov. 29, 2024 at home

Survived by his wife Mary Van Atta; children: Stacy Coin (Scott), Cad Van Atta (Ashley), Stevie Lyn Fordyce; 7 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; brothers: Mike, Harry, and Rick Van Atta.

Preceded in death by parents: Gene & Wanda Van Atta; sister: Kathy Greenhill; oldest son: Randy Van Atta.

A private service was held and there will be a celebration birthday bash on Jan. 30, 2025 at the Williamston Eagles #4091 from 5-9pm.

Skeeter Van Atta was quite the character and if you met him, you remembered him.

There are thousands of funny, daredevil, and adventurous stories that have been told about him. During his life there were a few constants which include his love of Harley Davidson motorcycles, total pride in whatever job he was doing, his friends, and beer.

He grew up farming and that love of running equipment took him into his lifetime career of 40 years as an Operating Engineer, running heavy equipment. He was very proud of all his work but in particular digging and creating all the ponds around Soaring Eagle Casino, and when Tiger Stadium came down, he was operating the last piece of equipment out when it was done, smoothing out the ground as he backed out. He was always first on any job site to ensure all was ready to go for his crew.

He spent many years officiating the Webberville Tractor Pulls. He was very passionate about it and was great at making something out of nothing as he did with a broken-down transfer sled, bringing it back to life for the club.

He was a lifetime member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and took pride in serving in various roles at the Williamston club for several years.

He could be a hard man but always had time to help friends and family whenever he could. He cherished them and would often jump in the truck, grab some beers, and go visiting.

He has been a farmer, truck driver, heavy equipment operator, horse hauler, bartender, bouncer, boss, brother, father, husband, and friend. He will be missed by all. Ride on brother.

 Livingston County Health Department to offer free Radon Test Kits

    January is National Radon Action Month – a fitting time to test for radon, a health risk that may be present in many Livingston County residences. This January, Livingston County Health Department (LCHD) is offering free radon test kits at their Environmental Health Division office, located at 2300 East Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI, 48843.

About radon

    Radon is a radioactive gas that can build up in the air of homes and buildings. It comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Radon enters buildings through openings in the foundation floor or walls. When radon builds up to high levels in the home, it can be harmful to people’s health over time. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year are related to radon.

    “About 40% of homes in Livingston County have high radon levels, according to a study by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy,” said Heather Blair, Environmental Health Director at LCHD. “You can’t see, smell, or taste radon, and it doesn’t cause any warning symptoms like headaches or nausea. The only way to know if radon levels are high in your home is to test.”

Where to get a radon test kit

    LCHD has short-term radon test kits available free of charge throughout January. Test kits can be picked up at LCHD’s Environmental Health Division office, located at 2300 East Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI, 48843.

    Free kits may also be picked up at participating local city and township offices, while supplies last:

• City of Brighton

• Brighton Township

• Cohoctah Township

• Conway Township

• Deerfield Township

• Village of Fowlerville

• Genoa Township

• Green Oak Township

• Hamburg Township

• Hartland Township

• City of Howell

• Iosco Township

• Marion Township

• Oceola Township

• Village of Pinckney

• Putnam Township

• Tyrone Township

• Unadilla Township

    Test kits are free at LCHD throughout January but will be available for purchase the remainder of the year. Residents can also buy radon test kits at local hardware stores and home improvement centers. After testing The EPA recommends fixing homes with radon levels higher than 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) to prevent the build-up of the gas indoors. Installing a radon mitigation system in the home can reduce radon levels. These systems can be installed by qualified contractors.

    More information For more radon information, contact LCHD at (517) 546-9858, or the Michigan Indoor Radon Program at 1-800-RADON-GAS. Radon information can also be accessed online at https://milivcounty.gov/environmental-health/air-quality/radon/ or www.michigan.gov/radon

 Euchre returns to Williamston Eagles Club with Jan. 10th & 17th dates

Euchre returns in 2025 at the Williamston Eagles Club on Friday, January 10th, and again on Friday January 17th. Registration begins at 6:30 pm and play starts at 7pm. Cost is $10 per person and you don't need a partner to join the fun. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places, along with last place booby prize! Kitchen is open from 5-7pm.

The club is at 835 High Street in Williamston. Call the club at 517-655-6510 after 3 pm for more information.

 Michiganders encouraged to start year with Smart Food Safety Resolutions

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is encouraging food safety be prioritized as part of New Year's resolutions. Proper food handling and preparation can prevent foodborne illnesses and keep families safe.

“New Year’s resolutions are often about fresh starts and new opportunities for healthy choices,” said MDARD Director Tim Boring. “Improving food safety practices is a great place to kick-off a happy, healthy 2025 for you and your loved ones.”

Here are five simple food safety practices to utilize as part of healthy habits in 2025:

Wash Your Hands Regularly Handwashing is the first line of defense against food borne illnesses. Always wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling food, especially raw meat, poultry, and seafood.

Avoid Cross-Contamination Keep raw meats separate from ready-to-eat foods. Use separate cutting boards for raw proteins and other ingredients such as fruits and vegetables. Make sure to always clean utensils and surfaces after use.

Use a Food Thermometer to Cook Foods to Safe Temperatures Use a food thermometer to ensure foods are cooked to the proper internal temperature. Just because it “looks done” doesn’t mean it’s cooked properly. For example, poultry should reach 165°F, while ground beef requires 160°F.

Refrigerate Promptly Keep perishable foods safe by storing them in the refrigerator within two hours. Ensure your refrigerator is set to 40°F or below.

Teach Food Safety to Others Share these tips with family and friends to promote safe food handling practices. Food safety is a shared responsibility, and knowledge is a powerful tool in preventing illness.

By adopting these resolutions, Michiganders can take meaningful steps to protect themselves and their families from foodborne illness.

For more tips and resources regarding food safety,go to www.foodsafety.gov/ or www.Michigan.gov/foodsafety.

Fowlerville District Library

Upcoming Events

Monday – Wednesday: 9:30 am to 7:00 pm

Thursday: 9:30 am to 8:00 pm

Friday: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm

Saturday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Sunday: Closed

For any questions, or to register for programs, call us at 517-223-9089

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KIDS & FAMILY

Family Storytime (Ages 1-5)

For families with “littles” to learn, play and grow through a variety of stories, songs, rhymes, movements, and activities. Playtime and crafts included! 

Begins on Jan 7, Tues ● 10-11am

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Toddler Storytime (Ages 0-3)

A storytime for the “littlest littles” to learn, play, and grow through a variety of stories, songs, rhymes and movements that appeal to short attention spans. 

Begins on Jan 8, Wed ● 10-11am

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Kids Club (Ages 6-12)

All the fun of Lego Club, but with more! Now you can play a game, complete a craft or activity, and still build with your favorite bricks. 

Thursdays ● 4pm

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Graphic Novel Book Club

Read the book and then come to discuss it. Snacks provided. Books are available at the front desk and are yours to keep. Next meeting, we will discuss ANT STORY by Jay Hosler. 

Monday, Jan. 24 ● 4-5 pm

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Book Boxes (All ages)

Fill out the online form by visiting the events page on our website. Let the librarians pick a surprise selection of books for you. Register the first two weeks of every month to get next month’s box, which will be ready to pick up the first of the following month.

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Reading Dragons (All Ages)

Game on! Read to earn creature cards to collect and play games! Can you collect them all? Stop by the library to grab a reading log and a starter set to begin your adventure

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Live Homework Help

Free with your library card! Log on to HelpNow, click “Live Help”, Enter subject and grade level and enter the online classroom for expert assistance. You can find a link on our homepage.

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TEENS

Dungeons & Dragons (Ages 12-18)

Come play D&D 5th Edition! No prior experience needed.

Wednesdays ● 2:30-5pm

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Switch Free Play (Ages 10-18)

Open gaming time with the library's Switch.

Fridays ● 2:30-5 pm

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January Create! (Ages 13 and up)

Join us in the month of January for a Maker’s Space Open House. Make your visions a reality. What will you create? 

Tues ● 4-5 pm

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ADULTS

Find Your People at the Library

We are thrilled to continue this popular working group to explore the Ancestry Library Edition and other valuable genealogy resources. Bring your laptop or use one of our computers. Registration Requested.

Tues, Feb 21 ● 1-2:30 pm

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Jam Session (Adults and teens)

Open Jam Sessions are becoming a monthly tradition here at the library. Led by community members who love to learn, share and connect; all levels, instruments and genres are welcome! Newcomers are encouraged to lead tunes when they feel called. Song leads call out chords and changes. Questions? Email kjdamerow@gmail.com, OPENJAM in the subject line. 

Tues, Jan 21 ● 5:30 – 7:00pm

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Cardmaking (Adults)

Greet your friends and loved ones with beautiful homemade greeting cards-made by you! You will make four different cards to take home. All supplies included. Registration is required. 

Thurs, Jan 23 ● 6:30 pm & Fri, Jan 24 ● 11am

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Scrapbooking (Adults)

Make the most of your memories and join us for a fun day of scrapbooking your favorite photos. Stay the whole time or for just a few hours. Everyone gets their own table. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is required. 

Sat. Jan 18 ● 10:30 – 3:30

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Shelf Indulgence Book Club (Adults)

We’re excited about the new format for our monthly afternoon book club. Members will take turns facilitating the discussions. Come and enjoy some literary camaraderie! Register to get a free copy of the book, while supplies last. Registration begins one month before each scheduled meeting. Next up we will discuss OTHER BIRDS by Sarah Addison. 

Thurs Jan 16 ● 2pm

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Sewing (Adults)

Bring your sewing machine and learn from a master seamstress. All levels of skill are welcome. Registration is required. 

Wed, Jan 15 ● 5:30-8pm & Friday Jan 10 ● 10-2pm

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Beaded Forks (Adults)

Join us for some wire bead wrapping to make a beautiful addition to your party table. The small size is perfect for an olive dish or charcuterie spread. We’ll make this in time for Superbowl weekend. Registration is required. Supplies are limited. 

Thurs, Jan 9 ● 6 pm

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Civil War Enthusiasts – Gettysburg Address

Owen McMaster will be here to deliver the Gettysburg Address and will take a deep dive into the significance and lasting consequences of the “271 Words that Changed History”. 

Wednesday, Jan 22 ● 5:30 pm

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FDL Oral History Project

Record your history with us as we capture the memories and stories of our residents. Call to schedule an audio interview, which can be done by a family member or staff and can include video.

Recordings will become part of the FDL historical collection.

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A Friendly Reminder

We are happy to be fine-free, however after 3 months the item will be withdrawn from our system and can no longer be returned. A library lost/replacement fee will be applied to the account. Please return your items on time so that others can enjoy them too.