Life in Michigan is, well, kind of like Russian roulette, but with the weather. Nobody knows what will happen next. This last week of January has been unpredictable, from 40 degrees to arctic temperatures. Through this all, though, my amazing employees here at OERTHER'S have faithfully pushed on and allowed us to remain open so no animal has to go hungry or driveway unsalted.
So if you have been thankful we were open during this time, let the employees know, because I can only tell them so many times.

​Stay safe out there and lets cross our fingers the next weather shift is into spring! 

​A few weeks ago I celebrated my 54th birthday and discovered the most desired secret: how to look young forever. 

The Tuesday before my birthday I took my mother to see an old friend, this woman was also with her daughter. When they found out my birthday was that Thursday they began to try and guess my age. The highest age they guessed was 45!  I’m not telling you this to rub it in (especially since I actually just dyed my hair for the first time since I’ve been over 40), but because this rollercoaster of a year had started to take its toll and I felt old. They wouldn’t believe that I was actually turning 54. 

So, I’m writing this to tell everyone that I found the secret to looking young forever, I know some people won’t believe me, but here goes nothing. Laugh all the time. That’s right, it is that simple. You can ask anyone that knows me and they will tell you I love to laugh. When life doesn’t go your way, laugh it off. Instead of letting an issue fester and grow, laugh about it and move on. We have so many options in life and we can choose to react to any situation in any way. You don’t have to get mad and better yet, you don’t have to stay mad.  Life is so short.... wouldn’t it be better if you laughed all the time? I definitely think so and apparently so does my face. 
Surround yourself with people that make you laugh and trust me, not only will you feel better but you’ll stop aging. 

“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person.” – Audrey Hepburn 

I’ll always laugh with you,
Kathleen

We'd love if you'd leave a review for us on Google, Yelp, Facebook or by emailing us at oerthers@gmail.com!
​

A business is built on a dream and survives on customers, but what can make or break a business is its employees.
I have been blessed over the years with some amazing employees. Employees that go out of their way to help customers receive the best service possible. These employees have worked tirelessly helping to improve my business and support the events held at OERTHER’S.

My current and past employees are more than just employees; they become part of our family. My current employees work extremely hard.
 
Joe Caron is the manager of Spruce Street Landscaping.  Thanks to him, I can rest easy knowing that while I’m focused on OERTHER’S, the landscape customers are still being taken care of.  I look forward to another great year with him and our landscaping crew.
 
Our flowers don’t look amazing without help, and that’s why Dora Presecan is here first thing in the mornings, she keeps our flowers watered and looking fresh. 
 
Roger Fast keeps our friendly image afloat with his contagious smile and happy personality. Roger stays in and waits on all the lovely costumers.
 
Gretchen Peters takes a huge burden off my shoulders and does all of my advertising, while at the same time, waiting on costumers if we get busy. I’m blessed with the best.

My husband Mark is the biggest blessing of all. He always supports my crazy business ideas. He’s my handyman and jack of all trades. We all work hard to make this business an inviting happy place where costumers look forward to coming back to shop!  

John Tesh was on the radio the other night and, as I was searching for that perfect song that makes you want to burst out  singing, something he said made me pause. They (whoever they are!) had taken a survey with children asking them to name different types of phones and different types of vegetables, and the one they struggled with. was naming vegetables!   I couldn’t think about my perfect song any more, this was much more important. (You think I’m joking; I’m not.)

When you are driving down the highway, do you see those billboards that say children learn by watching, so make healthy choices?  Well, this time that obnoxious board was right. I did some research and discovered ‘Powerful Plants’!  ‘Powerful Plants’ vegetable and flower seeds are a fun new way to encourage kids to plant their own gardens and teach the importance of a garden.
As 'Powerful Plants’ put it perfectly:  "Look up. Look down. The power is all around you…It’s up to you to use it now”.  The packets come to life through a phone app and talk to you about what type of vegetable it is and also gives some fun facts! 

We just got our first shipment in so make sure to stop by with or without the children and have some fun!  
​
 “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow”  -Audrey Hepburn

Thanks for being part of our family.
Kathleen

From Kathleen....

Ah, the Pumpkin Something... one of the two main fundraisers here at OERTHER’S.

At this event we raise money to help benefit M.A.C.S (Marshall Area Community Services). One thing M.A.C.S does is help give food and clothing to those with less of a stable income. During the Thanksgiving season M.A.C.S. also buys turkeys for its families. At OERTHER’S,  as part of the fundraiser, we sell one foam turkey for $10 and we hang it on the wall with your name or a message you write.  All of this money raised helps make someone’s Thanksgiving easier! This year the community worked together to buy 40 turkeys! With just the foam turkey sales we raised $400 which is approximately 40 whole frozen turkeys! Then we held the Pumpkin Something on the 17th of October, and yes, I know, Michigan vs Michigan State game and yes, extremely cold. But, something extremely amazing happened! Even with all those obstacles the event faced, it was a roaring success! The community of Marshall came out to show their support and was able to raise over $2,500 to benefit those less fortunate.
​
This is why Marshall is great and I am blessed to own a business here.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” –Dr. Seuss