The rail car is right on track now
by Maralyn Fink
On Wednesday I made my way to the Depot with one eye open to watch the transfer of the rail car Sault Ste. Marie get put upon the track. Luckily there was no rain, so everyone was thankful for that.
It was very interesting to watch all of the preparation that goes into this project. Everything needs to be precise with the team coordinating together.
Everything came together smoothly, and a memory was made of how this is done. Congratulations to the team and depot members who were there!
Clinton-Gratiot Habitat for Humanity Gala is October 11
A women’s road bike with a $900 retail price will be one of the silent auction items available at the DreamBuilder’s event “A Night at the Hop” taking place at Smith Hall in St Johns on October 11th 6-9 p.m. Be there or be square!
Tickets can be purchased at www.habitatclinton.org.
Briggs District Library plans Garden Tuck-In
Join folks at Briggs District Library as they wrap up another successful season in the Rae Johnson Children’s Garden.
They will prepare the garden for winter and then celebrate with food on the fire.
This free family program takes place on Saturday, October 27, from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Visit the website for more information and to register today.
First Congregational Church to host Spiritual Gifts class
The First Congregational Church Spiritual Gifts class will be held Tuesdays 7:00 – 9:00 PM Starting October 9. The class, facilitated by Bill Rockwell and Melanie Lounds, is designed to help you discover and learn to use the gifts that the Lord has given you. Many in our congregation have found the class so helpful that they have taken it several times.
For more information or to express an interest in participating, call 989.224.2636 or email First.congregational.church.sj@gmail.com.
Lowe UMC Craft Show and Bake Sale will be Saturday, October 20
Lowe United Methodist Church is holding a Craft Show and Bake Sale, Saturday, October 20th from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
They have over 20 vendors with items ranging from Lularoe, knit and crochet items, essential oils, lavender items, Scentsy, ThirtyOne, local honey and so much more. The CRAVE food truck will also be on site.
The Church is at 5485 W Lowe Rd. St. Johns.
2018 Wildlife Habitat Grant recipients share more than $1 million
More than a dozen conservation organizations, units of government, landowners and nonprofit groups have been awarded a total of $1,037,600 in DNR Wildlife Habitat Grants for projects to be completed by Sept. 30, 2020. These grant dollars will support projects to enhance large wetland complexes, winter deer complexes, mast-producing food sources, forest openings, oak savannas and small-game habitat.
The successful applicants, the counties in which their habitat projects will take place include the Clinton Conservation District which has been awarded two grants in the amount of $36,000 and $32,700.
The Wildlife Habitat Grant Program began in October, 2013 and is funded with a portion of the revenue from hunting and fishing licenses sold each year. The program is cooperatively administered by the DNR’s Wildlife Division and Grants Management Section. The grant program’s main objective is to enhance and improve the quality and quantity of game species habitat in support of a specific goal from the DNR Wildlife Division’s strategic plan.
Learn more about the Wildlife Habitat Grant Program at michigan.gov/wildlife or michigan.gov/dnr-grants.
Senior Center Rock-a-Thon seeking sponsors
The Clinton County Senior Center will be holding their 16th Annual Rock-a-Thon on Thursday, October 11.
They are seeking Chair Sponsors ($50), along with many other opportunities. This fundraiser is their
opportunity to raise money for their winter heat bills.
For more information, contact Brenda at 989-224-7248.
Soup kitchen makes stops in area next week
His Cup Runneth Over, a mobile soup kitchen, will be making a stop at
– First Congregational Church, 100 Maple Ave, St. Johns 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, October 9 and at
– Beacon of Hope/First Baptist Church, 512 S. US 27, St. Johns, from 5:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 9 and at
– Suntree Apartments, 1100 Sunview Dr., St. Johns, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, October 11, and at
– The Meadows of St. Johns, 2265 W. Parks Rd., St. Johns, from 3 pm to 5 pm, Thursday, October 11.
Soup, bread, fruit and dessert will be served to all who come free of charge. For more information call 989-533-9535 or 989-544-5764
Briggs District Library News
Fall Family Storytime – Join us on Monday, October 22nd from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for an evening of stories, games, crafts and cookie decorating with a side of ice cream to celebrate the fall season on the farm. No library card is needed for this free family program, but registration is required by Friday, October 19th. Note: This program will be held at Lowe United Methodist Church, 54885 W. Lowe Rd, St. Johns.
Connections – Patrons needing help with OverDrive/Libby, RBDigital, or any of the library’s other e-services will be able to come to the library for drop-in tech help each Wednesday from 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Tales to Tails – 15 minute sessions for children ages 6-12 to practice reading aloud to Ruger, a certified therapy dog. Ruger will be at the library the following Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30: October 11, October 25, November 8 and December 13. Registration is required and is open now.
Trick or Treat at the Library – Join in the spirit of Halloween by visiting the library on Wednesday, October 31! Come in your costume between 3-5 p.m. and select a treat for yourself. All ages welcome.
Library Closure – The Library will be closing at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday October 31. The drop box on the Library porch will be available for returns throughout this closure.
Chef’s Surprise – Budding chefs ages 7-10 can join us Tuesday, October 9th from 6:00-7:30 when we learn to make some delicious after school snacks. Registration is required for this program and is open now.
Garden Tuck-In – Help us wrap up another season in the Rae Johnson Children’s Garden by getting the garden ready for the winter and celebrating with food on the fire. We will be meeting at the library on Saturday, October 27th from 2:00-4:00 p.m. for this family friendly event. Registration is required and is open now.
Cartoon and Craft– Children ages 6-9 can join us on Monday, October 29th from 6:30-7:30 when we’ll make a delicious Halloween snack and watch a short cartoon. Registration is required and is open now.
Holiday Program Entertainment – Children age 7-12 can join us on Monday evenings, November 5-26 from 7:00-7:45 to practice a cardio drumming routine that will be performed on Thursday, December 6th during our holiday program. Registration is required and begins Monday, October 8th.
Turkey-Time Tales – This Thanksgiving program is for independent listeners ages 3-6 years old. It will be an evening filled with terrific turkey tales, a Thanksgiving craft, snack and game. So put this date on your calendar…Wednesday, November 7, 6:30 – 7:30. Registration is required and opens Wednesday, October 10th. Join us for a “gobblin” good time!
Chapter Chatter – “Out & About” – Independent listeners ages 6-8 are invited to join us out and about town. Plans are in the works to visit 4 different sites “out & about” to be announced at a later date. These programs take place on Tuesday evenings, 7-7:45, November 6th – 27th. Registration is required and opens on Monday, October 9th.
Bookaholics Book Club – Join the group on Thursday October 18th from 6:30-7:30 p.m. as we discuss American Fire by Monica Hesse. This work of nonfiction true crime tries to understand what would make an auto mechanic and his girlfriend crisscross the county, setting more than 80 fires in rural Virginia. Copies are available at the circulation desk.
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Contact Information:
Library Director: Sara Morrison
Phone: 989-224-4702 * Fax: 989-224-1205
E-mail: director@briggsdistrictlibrary.org
Street address: 108 E Railroad * Saint Johns, MI 48879
Leonard to host office hours
Speaker of the House Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt, will host office hours to meet with local residents and discuss their concerns about state government. Speaker Leonard represents Michigan’s 93rd District.
The coffee hours will take place on Friday, Oct. 12, from 8 – 9:30 a.m. at Big Boy, 1408 Old U.S. 27, St. Johns.
Local residents are encouraged to bring comments, questions and concerns about local government and anything else happening in the community. Residents with questions about the coffee hours, or those who cannot make it, can contact Speaker Leonard’s office at 517-373-1778 or by emailing TomLeonard@house.mi.gov.