Commercial trucking school opens
by Maralyn Fink
Congratulations to Tri-Area Trucking School for opening a new commercial driver’s training program in the old Kmart building on US-127 BR.
A special thanks to Dru Mitchell of Clinton County Economic Alliance for all of her efforts to bring this program to our area. The training program meets a huge need for our community, and we appreciate the Ross Education team for their investment in the St. Johns area.
Tri Area Trucking School is approved by Michigan Works! to accept students that are eligible for an Individual Training Account Authorization through the Career Education Consumer Report. They are also an authorized vendor with Michigan Rehabilitation Services.
For more information https://www.triareatruckingschool.com/.
Elite brass band performing in St. Johns
Mid-Michigan’s newest British-style brass band, the Mountain Town Brass, will perform a concert entitled, “A Salute to America and Beyond” on Sunday afternoon, November 4 at 2:00 p.m. This wonderful concert will take place in the historic Wilson Center Auditorium in St. Johns.
Mountain Town Brass, formed in 2016, is an elite 30-piece brass ensemble in the virtuosic British brass band tradition. The group successfully blends impeccable musical virtuosity with an enjoyable audience-friendly ambience. Members of the band are all exceptional brass players from university, professional and community circles from virtually every corner of the state. The band is now based in centrally located St. Johns, rehearsing every Sunday evening in the Wilson Center Auditorium.
“Mountain Town Brass is an amazing brass band,” says Bill Tennant, concert coordinator. “The incredible literature they’re performing and the level of playing are both exceptional. If there’s one concert to put on your calendar this fall, this would be it.”
Highlighting the 100th anniversary of the birth of Leonard Bernstein, a playful setting for brass of the rollicking “Overture from Candide” sets the course to the “South Pacific” with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s favorite score. The moving “American Civil War Fantasy” coupled with traditional marches from Great Britain and America will inspire and entertain.
Two soloists will highlight Sunday’s concert. Cornet soloist Matt Taton, from Mt. Pleasant, will perform the virtuosic, “Hailstorm” with Lansing trombonist Christian Gilbert performing Gordon Langford’s beautiful, “Rhapsody for Trombone.”
Mountain Town Brass is under the baton of Music Director Dr. Travis Scott from Detroit. Dr. Scott is the instructor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Windsor. He holds degrees from the University of Akron, the University of North Texas State and Michigan State University and is highly regarded in the world of brass performance!
Admission is free. Donations will be accepted to help defray concert costs and help towards the ongoing Wilson Center Auditorium renovation project. The auditorium is located at 101 W Cass St in downtown St. Johns, just south of the courthouse.
Work of the Heart needs volunteers
You can make a difference for the cherished foster and adoptive children in our program. Volunteers are needed to make the Annual Holiday Party and Store a great success for the Work of Heart children.
This event takes a lot of preparation, and they need your help. The event will be held on Saturday, December 8th, 2018 at the CCRESA Conference Center in St. Johns across from McDonald’s/Kroger shopping center.
Between now and then a lot of things must be done to prepare. If you could help in any way, whether in be preparing a craft or activity ahead of time, or helping with the children on the day of the event, please contact Peggy Hollingworth ASAP at hollin43@msu.edu or 989-224-5296.
Offered through Clinton County MSU Extension, the Work of Heart program provides education and support to enable foster and adoptive parents to provide a safe, nurturing and healthy environment for the children in their care. The program also provides supportive, educational and recreational programs for the children in foster care and those who have been adopted out of care.
Senior Center to hold Craft Show and Bake Sale
A Craft Show and Bake Sale will be held at the Clinton County Senior Center on November 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Gift Shop will also be open with glassware, books, puzzles, decorations, etc.
The Craft Show benefits the Clinton County Senior Center. Bake Sale proceeds go to Clinton County Meals on Wheels. This will be held at the Senior Center at 201 E Walker Street, St. Johns.
Spaces are available for other vendors for $20 with a table and 2 chairs provided. Email Brenda at ccchamber@wbi.net for more information.
Singers on the Grand coming to St. Johns November 10
Front Row: Don Farnum, Katy Brandon-McDonough, Charlie Martin, Dorothea Floeter-Martin, Gloria Wilcox Second Row: John Ross, Jessica Leese, James Hall, Dan Templin, Kelly Sandula-Gruner, Kaley Rahl Third Row: Bill Holda, Pete Murthum, Dave Sincox, Bill Atkin
For 20 years, the popular “Singers on the Grand” have been entertaining mid-Michigan audiences with their up scale high quality shows. This year will be no exception as the group of 10 gifted singers accompanied by their talented 6-piece “Grand Band” kick off their 21st season in St. Johns with “The Wonder of Music.” The show will be performed in the beautiful/historic Wilson Center Auditorium on Saturday, November 10 starting at 7:00 p.m.
Under the direction of Katy Brandon McDonough and Charlie Martin, the collaborative ensemble provides a wide array of music performed as solos, duets, small groups and the close harmonies of a ten-voice chorus. This special program will include music from the best of Broadway, jazz standards, classic pop and spirituals. This year’s show will also include musical tributes to Duke Ellington and Stevie Wonder.
“What a great opportunity for our community to experience this wonderful program,” states Bill Tennant, venue coordinator. “It’s one thing to have an excellent chorus singing with a piano, but this group comes with it’s own back up band! It’s great music, done well – the ‘Singers on the Grand’ will have you tapping your toes and singing all the way home!”
Performing members of the group include Bill Atkin, James Hall, Jessica Leese, Kathleen Leyrer, Charlie Martin, Dorothea Martin, Katy McDonough, Kaley Rahl, Kelly Sandula-Gruner, Dave Sincox, and Dan Templin. The “Grand Band” instrumentalists include Bill Holda, Don Farnum, Daniel Rahl, Pete Murthum, Rick Peterson, and John Ross.
Of special note, this year’s season is dedicated to the group’s founder Libby Brandon, who helped choose much of the music for this year’s show before passing away in August.
General admission tickets for the show are only $10 and can be reserved by calling 1-800-838-3006, purchased on line at: sotg.brownpapertickets.com or purchased at the door. The Wilson Center Auditorium is located at 101 W. Cass St. in downtown St. Johns just south of the Court House.
For more information, visit the “SingersOnTheGrand” Facebook page or online at: wilsoncenterauditorium.org.