Clinton Transit providing a lift to Local Festivals
Clinton Transit is offering convenient transportation to local events this summer. The public transit agency provides curb-to-curb service throughout Clinton County, which means residents have safe and easy transportation to upcoming local events like the St. Johns Mint Festival and the DeWitt Ox Roast.
During the Mint Festival in St. Johns from August 12-14 residents can use the Blue Bus to arrange a ride to many of the events around town, like the arts and crafts vendors at the city park, free concerts at the William E. Tennant Performance Shell or a visit to the Pain Gilliam Scott Museum downtown. The following weekend visitors to the DeWitt Ox Roast can count on Clinton Transit for a lift to activities at Riverside Park, the Maple Leaf Carnival, or vendors and live entertainment in Downtown DeWitt.
Community events and festivals are a means of connection and socialization. For those who may be experiencing a lack of mobility or social isolation, a ride to these types of events is a ticket to a happier, healthier, social lifestyle. According to the National Institute on Aging, access to social opportunities for older adults helps counteract real health risks of social isolation and loneliness, like cognitive decline and depression. Clinton Transit is proud to make a positive social impact by keeping people connected.
“We’re looking forward to helping people explore our area, connect with friends, and enjoy fun entertainment during upcoming events like the Mint Festival and Ox Roast,” says MaLissa Schutt, Clinton Transit’s Executive Director. “Especially for older adults or individuals with unique mobility needs, these community connections are incredibly valuable for overall health and well-being.”
Residents looking for a ride to either local festival can easily schedule the Blue Bus by phone, on their website or through the new mobile app. As an added benefit, Clinton Transit also offers walk-on service during select hours at popular locations including the Meijer and Four Seasons Apartments in DeWitt, Kroger and Suntree Apartments in St. Johns, and the Bath Community Cente.
For more information on the Blue Bus, visit mybluebus.com.
Mint Festival Schedule
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More information https://www.mintfest.org/
Artist Spotlight
On Friday, August 19 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. the Arts Council will spotlight individual artists who have exceptional talent and skill, and have a body of work to showcase.
| Debbie Fehrenbach
Debbie is a contemporary jeweler and metal smith. During the spotlight, she will demonstrate her mixture of traditional techniques to achieve her signature, unconventional style. |
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| Richard Lahmann
Richard is a multifaceted artist utilizing glass, stone work and music. During this spotlight, he will be discussing his colorful glass working techniques. Lend your ear during refreshments to hear a sample of his uplifting piano music. |
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| E. J. Kipp
E. J. is a print maker specializing in woodworking, etching and linocut. During the spotlight, he will be illustrating his creative process as he recreates Michigan wildlife. |
This event will be free and open to the public. It is being held at the Art and Soul Gallery, 215 N. Clinton Ave, Saint Johns, MI. For more information, call 989-224-2429.
Big Band, Fifties and Motown Greats featured on upcoming concert
The musical group Frendz will be returning to St Johns with a new two-hour program on Wednesday, August 17 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Performance Shell in the St. Johns City Park. They will present a fast-paced review of music through the decades including big band swing, fifties rock, and Motown greats.
From Glenn Miller’s In The Mood to Elvis hits, to Motown’s Dancing in the Streets, this group will move your soul and get dancers out of their seats with many moving tunes from the decades of youth. In this performance by Frendz you will hear many of the great tunes you grew up with over the years.
“Frendz is made up of some of mid-Michigan’s best professional musicians,” says Bill Tennant, chair of the Concert in the Park committee. “These performers have performed with symphony orchestras, on national tours, performed with the likes of Chuck Berry, Debbie Reynolds, The Temptations, Lee Greenwood and Stevie Nicks, have worked in Nashville, on cruise ships, in national Broadway shows… you name it. This evening promises to be a lot of fun!”
Performing on the concert will be guitarist/vocalist Don Sovey, bassist/vocalist Don Sare, vocalist Alexis Stark, sax/ clarinetist Bronnie Brown, and drummer Tim Thelen. New to the group this year is jazz vocalist Kat Jones on vocals and hand percussion.
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 gratefully 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.
Museum to be open for Mint Festival
The Museum will be open for the Mint Festival on Saturday, August 13 from 10:00 to 4:00 and on Sunday, August 14 from 1:00 to 4:00.
Several people with notable careers from Clinton County are featured in the seasonal exhibit room and the general exhibit room upstairs features displays of women’s fashions through the ages of the house. Also upstairs is the Drs. Office, Military Room and Calendar Hall which covers the history of St. Johns from the beginning! The General Store and the Carriage House are full of interesting displays, many having their origins in Clinton County.
If you have not visited in the last couple of years, you will find upgrades in most display rooms.
The Museum is run completely with volunteers and public donations. All artifacts have been donated, and new donations should have local Clinton County provenance.
Check it out at 106 Maple in St. Johns west of the Courthouse Square and pgsmuseum.com. Email is pgsmuseum@gmail.com and phone is 989.224.2894 or 989.292.9096.
Berkemeier’s Playlist of a Lifetime featured at Brown Bag Concert
On Friday, August 19 at noon the Brown Bag Concert series continues by presenting singer/guitarist/songwriter Steve Berkemeier. Sponsored by St. Johns Area Community Fund with gifts in memory of Forest and Doris Swatman, the series takes place at The Rotary Pavilion near the depot on Railroad Street in St. Johns.
Berkemeier has over 20 years of experience engaging crowds all over Michigan. He performs with both the 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars plus the occasional harmonica. Steve has lived a life immersed in music beginning with his early childhood thru the ever-changing play lists of his eight siblings floating thru his family home. The expansive progression of great music makes up the soundtrack of his life and he shares his soundtrack with us.
His show includes popular and classic songs from the folk, classic rock and country genres, covering such artists as James Taylor, John Denver, Simon and Garfunkel, Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, CCR, Jim Croce, Gordon Lightfoot, etc.
A gifted storyteller, Berkemeier relates personal stories to set up several of his original songs while providing the audience with fascinating insights into many popular cover songs he performs and the artists who made them famous.
Grab take-out lunch from any participating downtown food/drink purveyor and sit back for an hour listening to the music of our life from a real entertainer.
Check Steve out at https://www.facebook.com/steveberkemeiermusic.
St Johns Area Community Fund is a nonprofit working with donors dedicated to make the St. Johns Area a better place to live and work for all.
IQ HUB to feature Native American culture August 18
Please visit the IQ Hub on Thursday, August 18, 2022 to learn more about Native American Ways.
Organizers are excited to have Tonya and Steven from the Elijah Elk Cultural Center for Living Culture and Traditions Seventh Generation Program demonstrating how to make Native American drums and how to make Native American dream catchers.
The program is free for the public. They will be at the IQhub from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will be explaining the importance of the drums and dream catchers to their culture.
f you’d like more information, please check out the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/iqhub. You may also look up the Elijah Elk Cultural Center for Living Culture and Traditions Seventh Generation Program at this link: http://www.sagchip.org/sevengen/#.YurUT3bMI2x