I hope everyone is doing well and you all enjoyed the holidays. I unfortunately was not able to dodge Covid for a third year and spent my Christmas as an outcast in my family room.

Well after 37 years (I think?) all good things must come to an end. Gull Lake 2023 will be our last trip to Augusta, Michigan the final tour. I'm calling on all past Gull Lake attendees to try to make it out for the finale. I made the first tee time later in the day on Wednesday because Bedford was doing maintenance to the course in the morning.

Frank once again will be making the rules hopefully they won't be on a three page word doc. Friday at Stoatin Brae will be a scramble. 

Cost of the three day two night package is $337

$357 (3 Rounds / 2 Nights) Senior + $55 (Stoatin Brae) - $75 (Rain Credit) = $337 Per Person

If you have interest, send an email to the editor of the McCarty Metro at mccartymetro@gmail.com, and he will make sure I get your inquiry. 

New on the Tik Tok platform is the former drummer for Brad Savage & The Cockroaches, Lake Speed. In just several days, he already has amassed 125 followers, and over 1100 likes of his humorous videos. Check him out and follow on Tik Tok and YouTube under Larry McCarty which he has over 12,000 views. You'll be glad you did!

Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about spring cleaning your home. Spring cleaning is important for everyone, particularly if you’re an allergy sufferer. And it’s even more important in the times of COVID-19. You owe it to yourself and your family to enjoy a clean that’s more than dirt-deep. Enjoying a healthy and home isn’t as hard you may think. Just follow our top 10 spring cleaning tips and tricks.

1. Make a Schedule - Scope out your home: What areas need the most work? Where do you skip during routine cleaning? Those are the best places to start. Regardless of where you start, having a plan will keep you focused on the task at hand. Just go room by room.

2. De-clutter - Disorganized home adds to your stress level. It signals to your brain that work isn’t done. The scientific implications of inhaling dust, combined with the stress of coming back to a cluttered work space, can take a toll. Since we’re all spending more time at home and in our home offices specifically, keeping a neat work space is more important than ever. Set aside some time to: Dust and organize your office. Look through that dreaded junk drawer (and desk drawers!). Organize your closets. You may be surprised how fresh you feel after you eliminate unnecessary stress from your life.

5. Always Work from Top to Bottom - When you think about how to spring clean your home, it’s important to start from the ceiling down. This will force debris downward and keep you from having to re-dust or re-clean your space. If you have a vacuum with an extension hose, use it to get cobwebs and dust from your ceilings and fans first. Then dust your furniture and other items before vacuuming all the dust and debris off your floors. It will save you time.

6. Walls and Windows Need Love Too - People almost always clean their floors, but they typically forget about walls and windows. Not all dust settles on the floor and other surfaces. Just use a damp towel to wipe down walls and blinds (starting from the top). Remove and wipe down the window screens outside. When it comes to the actual window, we don’t suggest using chemical cleaners. A steam cleaner with a squeegee is a great way to clean windows.

7. Don’t Be Scared of the Kitchen and Bathroom - Don’t fear cleaning your bathroom! Here are a few trouble areas people forget about: Change your shower curtain. Go through your cosmetics drawer or medicine cabinet and throw away any expired items. You should also consider installing or upgrading to a new bathroom fan. Replacing an existing fan or adding a new one can help to ensure your bathroom remains in top notch condition. They are great for ventilating moisture during showers and removing odors/vapors. Depending on the unit, it may even come with built-in lighting, automatic operation, and other user-friendly features. As far as the kitchen... Wipe down your cabinets. Go through your pantry and refrigerator. Wipe down the shelves, and throw away any old items. If you have stainless steel appliances, be sure to use gentle cleaners or a steam cleaner to avoid scratching or other issues.

8. Don’t Forget About Your Air - Replacing furnace and HVAC filters is one of the most important and overlooked parts of spring cleaning. In fact, replacing a standard filter with a more robust one with a high MERV rating will help keep you healthier as you enter spring. It will catch smaller, irritating particles. Air conditioner ducts build up dust during winter, and upgraded filters catch unwanted particles so they don’t enter your space. It’s an inexpensive way to make sure you’re breathing clean, healthy air. The best way to ensure healthy spring air void of allergens, indoor chemicals or odors is with an air purifier. If anyone in your home suffers from allergies or wakes up stuffy during allergy season, adding an air purifier to his/her bedroom will help.

9. Have Severe Allergies? Protect Yourself - Cleaning will more than likely unsettle all the winter dust on furniture and fixtures. If you suffer from allergies or are using heavy-duty cleaners, be sure to read the labels. For safe spring cleaning, wear rubber gloves, masks, scarves and even hairnets. Protective clothing will help guard against skin irritations and allergic reactions.

10. Let Spring Cleaning Set a New Tone - If your space feels dark and heavy, you can make small changes to help make it light and fresh for spring. Adding new colorful pillows or art are great ways to change up your space. Replacing items like bedding, towels, table linens, and even window treatments are other ways to transform your rooms for spring and warm weather ahead.