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Soaring gas prices prime East Lansing for commuting alternatives

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In recent weeks, Americans have felt the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and other dynamics at the fuel pump. According to AAA gas price data, Lansing residents can expect to pay an average of $3.81 per gallon of regular unleaded fuel, down from last month’s average of $4.14 but far above last year’s average of $2.82. 

THE PROBLEM WITH GAS

A lack of commute options forces many into costly alternatives. When gas prices go up, it ultimately reduces how much workers are taking home. Trent Delongchamp, a Chandler Crossings resident and Michigan State University sophomore, says he now pays $85 per tank of gas to fill his 2011 Ford Expedition. 

“I drive from my apartment to campus three days a week there and back, and also work Mondays and Fridays,” said Delongchamp, “I feel like I don’t make as much profit from my work anymore because I have to budget more for the insane gas prices in Lansing.”  

Scott Stewart, an East Lansing DoorDash driver has been forced to adjust to higher gas prices. 

“I have to be a lot more picky with the orders I take, making sure that the pay per mile is high [enough] so I can actually make money on it,” Stewart said. “So I end up taking fewer orders, making less money per day.

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Rock and Roll: Former teacher spreads joy throughout Mason

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You see rocks practically everywhere you go: the beach, a playground, Mount Rushmore. But, have you ever seen a rock painted like a pickle or a sunset? 

The Facebook group, MasonRocks!, has more than  1,700 followers who share the adventures and discoveries of painted rocks all around Mason or some that have traveled across state lines. 

Andrea Cecil

Andrea Cecil

Lorri McCalla

Lorri McCalla
Few of many rocks that Cecil and McCalla have painted over the years. This shows a small impact that the Facebook group has on the community. Former teacher Andrea Cecil started the group seven years ago after she found a ladybug rock while traveling in Northern Michigan and the corresponding Facebook group to go with it. 

“I started it in Mason while I was still teaching. So, I put a bunch out and I had students at the school I was working at paint them.

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Mason

Ashes to go: Mason church puts on drive-thru Ash Wednesday 

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Gabriella LopezPastor Johnson and Vlasic carry out the supplies needed to serve their congregation. This includes ashes, hand sanitizer and packets with information about the Lenten season. Everyone has heard of a fast food drive-thru or coffee drive-thru, but All Saints Lutheran Church in Mason is bringing ashes to the drive-thru world. You even get a packet to take home! 

The second Ashes To Go event began last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the church’s limited in-person opportunities. 

All Saints Lutheran Church is active in the community, participating in Mason’s Down Home Days which brings companies and organizations to downtown Mason. Each vendor gets a booth; the church decided to advertise a CROP Hunger Walk. 

About 30 people from the churches around Mason (including All Saints Lutheran Church) participated in the walk that raised awareness to end world hunger. 

Gabriella LopezPastor Erick Johnson prepares to give blessings on Ash Wednesday at All Saints Lutheran Church in Mason.

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Men set up their table

Ashes to go: Mason church puts on drive-thru Ash Wednesday 

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Everyone has heard of a fast food drive-thru or coffee drive-thru, but All Saints Lutheran Church in Mason is bringing ashes to the drive-thru world. You even get a packet to take home! 

Gabriella LopezOesterle receives her ashes and blessing from pastor Johnson with her friend Barbra Wilhem. Gabriella LopezPastor Johnson and Vlasic carry out the supplies needed to serve their congregation. This includes ashes, hand sanitizer, and packets with information about the Lenten season. Gabriella LopezMember and Chairperson Pete Vlasic stands in his place of worship before the start of the Ashes To Go event.

Cover of book "Monster"
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Battle of the books: Mason schools change 8th grade novel

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“Lord of the Flies” is out as the only novel Mason 8th graders read and “Monster,”  about a 17-year old Black amateur filmmaker on trial for murder, is in. The Mason School Board discussed this and other language arts changes on Feb. 14. 

Cover of book “Monster”

Curriculum Director Matt Stuard introduced the change. The other English unit, A Moral Compass unit, did not have a novel. Teachers Laura Lewis and Cindy McCormick said “Monster” by Walter Dean Myers was a good fit for the moral compass  unit and reflected the diversity of the student population. 

Stuard said, “I would say that this wasn’t necessarily because of the work of the DEI committee.

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Roses are red, violets are blue, Tammy has the flower for you

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One of the many arrangements that Mason Floral offers. From dancer to dance teacher to flower shop owner, Mason Floral owner Tammy Weber always knew she had a skill for the arts. With the only floral shop in Mason, Michigan, she feels responsible for meeting the floral needs of the Mason community. 

Weber was involved in dance and gymnastics throughout her childhood. The passion continued into her adult life when she went to Lansing Community College, taking dance classes along the way. 

Further down the road, Weber had her daughter and enrolled her into Fusion Dance Center in Lansing, Michigan. This dance studio was where Weber could finally put those dance classes to great use. 

“I really hit it off with the owner [Theresa Pitman] and she was great with my oldest daughter,” said Weber.

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Warm Tuesday grace period leads to snowy surprise

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A warm, partly cloudy Tuesday was a dream come true after months of cloudy winter weather. “The calm before the storm” turned out to be just a grace period for East Lansing residents. East Lansing City Manager George Lahanas declared a snow emergency from 6 a.m. Feb 2. until the same time on Feb. 4.