Award-winning Brass Band to perform at the Shell June 22
The Capital City Brass Band, a national award-winning band, will perform on the St Johns Concert in the Park series. Their concert will take place on Wednesday, June 22, starting at 7:00 p.m. in the William E. Tennant Performance Shell in the beautiful St Johns City Park.
“I’ve watch this band grow and improve over the years into the outstanding professional sounding group it is today,” says Bill Tennant, series coordinator. “The band is made up of some of the best brass players in the state – if you’ve never heard a British style brass band perform, you owe it to yourself to head up to the Shell for this incredible performance.”
The Capital City Brass Band (CCBB) was formed in 2001. It has expanded and matured over the years to adopt to the standard instrumentation of the classic British brass band, which has enabled it to enter brass band competitions starting in 2011. The CCBB has been awarded many honors since then, including several first-place awards in national competitions held throughout the United States.
Jim Otto is the current conductor of the CCBB, first conducting the group in 2016. He had a stellar career as a band director in Michigan public schools for 37 years. He did both his undergraduate and graduate work at the University of Michigan, earning his Master’s degree in Brass Winds Performance.
Music for this concert represents some of the best brass music – everything from Classical favorites to music from Pirates of the Caribbean and West Side Story. The program will also feature two outstanding soloists, including euphonium player, Nathan Wood, a doctoral student at MSU and Oliver Barron, a cornet player studying at UM.
“The CCBB have an amazing program scheduled for St Johns,” continues Tennant. “It will have great appeal to everyone attending on the 22nd. This concert is a must!”
The concert is sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council (CCAC) and the City of St. Johns. It is open to the public free of charge but donations are gratfully accepted.
All concerts are presented rain or shine. The Lion’s Club food trailer will be available this year. Social distancing and safety precautions are strongly encouraged. The CCAC receives funding from the Michigan Arts & Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Police chief returns from leave
A large number of St. Johns residents attended the regular June 13 meeting of the City Commission.
Sarah Morrison from the Briggs District Library delivered her annual report, but many of the people in the crowd were there to learn more about the reinstatement of St. Johns Police Chief David Kirk. Although many in the community had not been aware of it, Kirk was just coming off a six-week paid leave of absence. In his absence Lieutenant Eric Verlinde served as Acting Chief.
According to City Manager Dave Kudwa Chief Kirk’s leave was not related to any law enforcement incidents in the community. The City has used the six weeks to evaluate how the police department can provide a healthy work environment for officers and staff.
City Council passes Pride Month resolution
An identity is beginning to take shape, fostered and nurtured with hard work, cohesion, hope and resiliency … and also with a little help from an unforeseen source. The LGBTQ+ community of St. Johns was united in its effort with the St. Johns City Council to recognize and proclaim the month of
June as Pride Month. The approval came at a June 13 City Commission meeting.
The St. Johns Call-In Coalition, an organization native to St. Johns that advances the culture of equity, diversity, inclusion and safety within the community, submitted a Request for Resolution Proposal
asking the city council to acknowledge June as Pride Month as an expression of support for the LGBTQ+ community of St. Johns.
The endorsement came following a public hearing which included several LGBTQ+ residents explaining the significance of June being the month that the LGBTQ+ movement began in the United States with the Stonewall uprising on June 28, 1969. Coalition members spoke of their mission and primary purpose related to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. No opposition was present during the hearing.
The resolution passed by a unanimous vote from the City Council. A resolution generally states a position or policy as a formal expression of opinion or intention by the City Council. See a copy of the resolution.
Call-in Coalition sponsoring Pride Fest June 18
The St Johns Call-in Coalition has scheduled its first event for 2022 on Higham Street between Clinton and Brush in downtown St. Johns on June 18, 2022 from 12 p.m.- 4 p.m.
As they prepare for their 2nd annual St Johns pride fest and additional community events, your support would mean the world! they are raising money for continued community education in order to create a well rounded, inclusive and healthy St Johns for you and your family.
Visit their Facebook page SJ Call-In Coalition for their mission, vision and additional community events. sjcallicoaltion@gmail.com
Soap Box Derby, 2022 and First Responders Mural
by Maralyn Fink
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Mint Festival Pageant expands age categories
Calling all girls ages 8-20 in Clinton County! The St. Johns Mint Festival Pageant is passing along some updates to pageant age groups:
– Little Miss Mint: ages 8-10 (age as of Mint Parade, August 13)
– Junior Miss Mint: ages 11-15
– Mint Queen: ages 16-20
The committee is also extending the application deadline to July 21. For more information contact stjohnsareachamber@gmail.com or the Mint Festival Office: 989-224-3219.
Lowe and Maple Rapids UMC schedules Bible School June 28, 29
Lowe and Maple Rapids United Methodist Church will be holding their Annual Vacation Bible School June 28 and 29 at Lowe UMC. Check in will start at 5:30 p.m. and Bible School will run from 6-8 p.m.
Pre-Registration by June 20 is highly recommended and can be done by calling the church at 989-224-4460 or by registering online at https://forms.gle/eVHiuo4CG5nnUQcE7.
This is a Free event open to all youth entering Kindergarten – 6th grade in the fall. Kids will get a T-shirt, enjoy a snack, create some fun crafts, play games and learn a bible lesson.