Fowler buildings destroyed by fire
Three businesses in downtown Fowler were destroyed Saturday in a fire that took several hours to contain.
According to the Dallas Township Fire Department, the blaze on Main Street started around 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning. The Candle Shack, Becker’s Bridal Mothers Studio and Quality Carpet were destroyed. A fourth business had smoke and water damage. One of the buildings had an apartment upstairs that housed a family. One firefighter was treated for minor injuries. No one else was hurt in the fire.
Fire departments from St. Johns, Ionia, Delta Township, DeWitt Township, Maple Rapids, Hubbardston and other surrounding areas responded. Investigators say hot cooking oil ignited the fire in a candle shop.
It too several crews more than 12 hours to completely extinguish the fire.
Chamber names award recipients
Congratulations to the 2018 Clinton County Chamber of Commerce Award Recipients.
John Thelen, pictured hwew with Co-President Dave Hunt and Chamber Ambassador Dean Hartenburg, was the recipient of the William Patton Award.
In the late 1980’s the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce developed an award to honor a highly respected businessman in the community Mr. William Patton. The award each year is passed on to someone that confirms to the same high standard of conduct and honor that Mr. Patton lived by in regards to community service, professionalism, religious involvement and highest standard of moral character and conduct.
Jason Denovich, pictured with Co-President Hunt, was the recipient of the Community Volunteer of the Award.
Clinton Area Ambulance Service adding on to their building
by Maralyn Fink
As many of you have seen as you drive by Clinton Area Ambulance building on South Oakland, there is construction going on. They are building on to better serve our community.
I have stopped different times to follow the progress. The project has been concluded for the winter now.
Clinton Area Ambulance Service was formed in 1973 to fill a void left by a local funeral home which could no longer provide ambulance service due to more stringent state EMS legislation. Volunteers educated themselves to become licensed EMT’s and volunteers built and maintained the present day ambulance garage.
Backpack Program feeds local kids
This holiday season 1,238 food items were donated during music programs presented by St. Johns Public School students. These food donations will be given to students right here in St. Johns.
The local program, Compassion in Action, meant expressly for St. Johns students was started by Superintendent Mark Palmer and his wife back when he was principal of the High School. Band Director Roy Davis started collections for the project at his concerts last year.
The purpose of the program is to provide supplemental weekend food to students in need at St.Johns Public Schools while spreading compassion throughout our community.
Compassion in Action food donation suggestions:
Peanut Butter
Pudding Cups
Macaroni and Cheese individual cups (the kind you add water only)
Spaghettios
Canned Vegetables and Fruit
Juice Boxes
Applesauce cups
Granola Bars
Graham Crackers
Ravioli
Raisin Packs
Crackers
“Compassion in Action ” began in May, 2016 and distributed 20 food backpacks to students at Gateway North Elementary School. Due to the incredible generosity of the community, local businesses, school partners and families it has continued to grow.
Please make checks payable to: Gracepointe Wesleyan Church , 715 S. Washington St, Owosso, MI 48867. Please write “Compassion in Action ” in the memo section. No cash donations please.
Please contact Mark or Denise Palmer at compassioninaction2016@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to become a program partner.
Museum names Volunteer of the Year
Ethelyn Walker is the 2018 Volunteer at Paine-Gillam-Scott House Museum. She is a docent extraordinaire and is at the museum Wednesdays and Sundays to share the history of the museum with guests.
Decorating the annual Christmas tree is one of her favorite things to do.
The Clinton County Historical Museum is closed for the season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.
First Congregational Church to present special program
The public is invited to First Congregational Church in St. Johns on Sunday, December 23 at 11 a.m. to hear Dr. Jacob Atem, co-founder of the Southern Sudan Healthcare Organization.
At age 7 Atem saw smoke and fled into the forest. He knew what this meant. His family was being attacked, their village burned. Along with several other Sudanese boys, Atem began a foot journey of more than a thousand miles to a refugee camp in Kenya. Hungry, preyed upon by lions and crocodiles, hunted by militia forces, only about half of the boys survived. Known as the Lost Boys of Sudan, their story has been told through books, plays and film.
Atem was fortunate. He found a stable home in Michigan, learned English, and pursued his education. Today his is completing his post-doctoral work at Johns Hopkins.
Atem is the co-founder of the Southern Sudan Healthcare Organization. Its mission: “To provide healthcare services, medical supplies and education to uplift the people of South Sudan and
bring hope to where it is lost.” Currently SSHCO serves 3,000 Sudanese each month, most of them children.
Last spring, to support the work of the SSHCO, 70 students of St. Johns High School formed a Sudan Club. Under the leadership of advisors, Barry Palmer and Cindy Klaus; and club officers Gretchen Olson, president; Katie Ernst, vice president; Reagann Myers, treasurer; and Megan Voisinet, secretary, the group has raised more than $2,000 through donations, T-shirt sales and bake sales. The goal is to raise $5,000 by this time next year.
Atem’s purpose in returning to Michigan is to tell the story of his life’s journey from Sudan to Michigan, and beyond, along with sharing his faith and his passion for the mission of the SSHCO. All are invited to welcome Atem, hear his story and meet him personally.
This logo, designed by St. Johns High School senior Madi Kotowicz and is imprinted on T-shirts being sold to raise funds for SSHCO.