January
Delavan name Paine-Gillam-Scott House Museum Volunteer of the Year
Carolyn Delavan, 2017 Paine-Gillam-Scott Museum Volunteer of the Year, received the coveted bejeweled belt award at the annual Clinton County Historical Society Christmas dinner from William McCarthy, Acting Director of the Museum. Mrs. Delavan, a two year volunteer, handles many tasks and is very versatile.
Rowlan Smith was recognized by the Vice-President of the Historical Society, Julie Peters, for being her right-hand person in 2017 at the Archives. Mr.Smith also volunteers weekly at the Museum, and is much appreciated. Other volunteers were recognized for their individual skills needed for the daily operation of the two organizations.
Former resident takes his life
Thirty-one-year-old Ryan Martin of Potterville, formerly of St. Johns, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the parking lot of the now-closed East Olive School after hours of negotiation with police, according to a statement from the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident led officials to close roads near the school for several hours Wednesday afternoon and evening. Sheriff’s deputies were called to the school shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday after Martin called dispatch to say that he was suicidal and had a handgun with him, police said. A Clinton County negotiator spoke with Martin for several hours before he shot himself.
Martin was a military veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, a traumatic brain injury and depression, according to police. He was enployed by the State of Michigan in their IT Department and served on the Potterville Fire Department and was a member of the Potterville City Council.
East Olive Elementary has been closed since June, and no children or staff were on scene at the time of the incident.
A Tribute in honor of my brother-in-law, Thomas W. Beechler
courtesy of Jon J. Ricker
Long-time St Johns residents will remember the Beechler name as a well-known family in both the business and residential community stretching back to pre-World War II. As owners and proprietors of the Clinton Theater in downtown St Johns, Tom’s parents, Bill and Gerry, operated the town’s entertainment hub for many decades until its closing. Tom and his sisters were raised in St Johns and were often seen helping their parents on movie nights.
Front row, l. to r.: Canum, Bashore, Sandy Briggs, Tom Beechler, Wiseman, Moon, Terry Bacon.
Throughout his school years, Tom was an avid athlete. He was particularly passionate about basketball, and his name was always prominent in the Rodney B. Wilson High School game recaps.
Post high school, Tom attended college and then joined the US Army serving his country in Germany until his discharge. During this time he married his high school sweetheart Carol Ricker, my sister, and returned to St. Johns in September 1959 to live and start their family.
Over the years Tom and his dad could be regularly seen at Walker’s Cafe for breakfast, and Tom also enjoyed the occasional gathering with friends at Bruno’s after a hard day at work. He was a life-long employee of Federal Mogul Corporation until his retirement.
Tom and Carol’s three children, Robin, Scott and Rhonda were born and raised in St Johns and lived there until the company relocated them to the Blacksburg, Virginia plant in the early 1970s.
An overt University of Michigan supporter, Tom was always there for a friend-in-need and always approachable to those that knew him well. He passionately loved his family, basketball, Michigan and his many life-long friends from St. Johns. He will be dearly missed by all – but certainly not forgotten by all those who’s lives he touched.
Condolences can be sent to the families at: 1758 Sawmill Hill Rd NW Willis VA 24380.
SJPS Board begins search to replace superintendent
The St. Johns Public Schools Board of Education has officially begun their search for a new superintendent. A special board meeting was held Tuesday night to plan the search. The Board developed a tentative timeline for the search to replace departing Superintendent Dedrick Martin.
February
City receives grant for Spray Park improvements
The City of St. Johns was awarded the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant in 2016 which has allowed us to move forward with renovations to the spray park bath house.
Renovations began in January, 2018 and include three family universally accessible bathrooms, a new pitched roof and updated windows and doors. An anticipated completion date is the end of May, weather permitting.
SJHS Theatre takes first place in district festival
Saint Johns Competition Theatre competed at their district festival at Chesaning on Saturday, where their production of The Crucible took first place.
March
Investors plan to revitalize F.C. Mason building
FCM Development, a group of investors headed by Ken Harris, is currently outlining a plan for revitalizing a Saint Johns landmark, the F.C. Mason building. Most recently Harris is credited with restoring the old St. Johns Furniture store on Clinton Ave. and making it into a hotel.
This historic piece of property, the F. C. Mason building, located one block off Clinton Ave. in downtown Saint Johns, started life as a grist saw mill. It has served as a planning mill, lumber mill, flour mill, and manufactured natural gas plant. The red brick structure that sits at the corner of Railroad and Spring Streets was built in 1898. Since 1908 it has housed the FC Mason Company, a manufacturer of farming implements.
The building has been sitting neglected and deteriorating, gradually losing the charm and character it was built with. Currently the property is under contract with FCM Development whose sole aim is to breathe new life into this building. The FCM Development group says they are dedicated to saving historic buildings by re-purposing them to meet the needs of the current times. They would like to design a development project that serves the needs of the community while also being a cost effective business venture.
Group spokesman Ken Harris says, “We see the historic brick building as best suited to residential housing, and one of the outbuildings as ranch style apartments. Other add-on structures are too deteriorated and will need to be demolished. We will save what can be saved and re-purpose what is salvageable. Certainly some of the area will have to be used as parking for the residential housing. We are currently working with the City on a development plan.”
St. Johns selects Mark Palmer as next Superintendent
The St. Johns Board of Education has extended an offer to current St. Johns High School Principal Mr. Mark Palmer to serve as their next Superintendent. The board voted unanimously to offer Palmer the position and enter into contract negotiations after completing second-round interviews Monday night. Members of the Board are scheduled to meet with Mr. Palmer within the next week to begin contract discussions.
Board President Scott Darragh told Palmer of the Board’s offer via speakerphone during the meeting, which was immediately followed by enthusiastic applause from the audience of over 25 who were in attendance. Mr. Palmer responded to the offer with, “I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve as Superintendent. I am almost speechless”. Palmer’s statement was followed by applause from the crowd.
Mr. Palmer has served as High School Principal for the St. Johns Public Schools for the past eighteen years. Prior to this work he was the High School Assistant Principal for the Lake Orion Schools for three years. Mr. Palmer has a Masters degree in K-12 Administration from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor’s degree in History from Central Michigan University.
SJPD bids hail and farewell
The St. Johns Police Department hire a new officer and promoted two officers after the recent retirement of Lieutenant Robert Wilkie.
Congratulations to Lieutenant Robert Wilkie on his retirement from the St. Johns Police Department. Lt. Wilkie retired after 28 years of service.
Oh Mi’s Grand Opening
by Maralyn Fink
On Saturday I attended the Grand Opening of Oh Mi at their new location on Higham St., the former Reminder building.
There was a large turnout for this event, and it was elbow to elbow inside the store.
They carry a large selection of candy and food, t-shirts, coffee etc. What was real interesting was the flooring, where people had signed paper bags early on, and this was put down as a unique floor. Everyone seemed to enjoy the event.
April
St. Johns Councilman Eric Hufnagel recognized
The Michigan Municipal League honored 25 graduates of its 2018 Elected Officials Academy during the League’s annual Capital Conference in Lansing March 21, 2018.
Weather-related fatality on M-21
On Wednesday morning an Ionia High School senior was killed and two others were injured in a head-on crash on M-21 just west of Francis Road in Bengal Township.
Sharon Jury from St. Johns was driving a 1996 Jeep westbound on M-21 when an eastbound 2003 Chrysler lost control on the slushy road, crossed the center line and was struck broadside at the passenger door by Jury’s vehicle. This eastbound vehicle was driven by a 16 year old male from Muir. The female passenger, 17 year old Kaylee Marie Taylor from Ionia, died at the scene.
According to Lieutenant Jeff Clarke of the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, the other two people were transported by Clinton Area Ambulance to Sparrow Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Clinton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Fowler Fire and Rescue, Clinton Area Ambulance and Clinton County Central Dispatch.
Agency’s permanent home to serve Abused Children
courtesy of Kelly Schafer, Executive Director, The Voice for Clinton County’s Children
Five years ago conversations and planning began to implement a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program and then add a CAC (Child Advocacy Center) to serve Clinton County’s abused and neglected children.
In June 2014, Clinton County’s first CASA Advocates were appointed to foster care cases. Our program currently has 15 active CASA Volunteers who visit their appointed child or sibling group every 7 to 10 days and report back to the court how the children are doing throughout their foster care experience. In November 2017, our CAC began services. Our CAC provides forensic interviews of children who have experienced abuse; our CAC team includes Child and Adult Protective Services, Family Advocates, Law Enforcement, Medical Professionals, Mental Health Services, and the Prosecutor’s Office.
One year ago, April 2017, our agency moved into beautiful office space located at 1207 N. US 27 in St. Johns. Through amazing donations of time and financial support, the building was transformed to a welcoming facility.
Wieber Green P.C. announces the addition of new associate
Wieber Green P.C. would like to announce the addition of their new associate attorney, Adam Dreher. Adam hails from Ypsilanti, Michigan where he returned after serving 5 years in the United States Army as a Cavalry Scout. His time in the army was split between Fort Hood, Texas and two combat tours to Iraq. Adam served as a gunner on a Humvee and a Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle within the 7th and 12th Cavlary Regiments while assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division. Adam was honorably discharged in March of 2008.
Adam attended Eastern Michigan University for his bachelor’s degree, graduating in 2010. Then he attended Michigan State University College of Law graduating in 2014. During his time in school, Adam focused on litigation by competing on EMU’s mock trial team, where he competed at the national championship in 2010, and on MSU’s trial advocacy board, where he competed across the country. Adam also earned a certificate in trial practice while in law school, and received the highest honors in criminal trial skills.
After graduating from MSU, Adam married his wife Rachel and the two have one son named Daxton and a dog named Paco. The four enjoy spending time together by getting outside whenever they can, and by pretending that Adam knows how to sail.
Adam’s focus will be family law and criminal matters.
Take a look at the new St. Vincent dePaul store
by Maralyn Fink
The Society of St. Vincent DePaul – St. Joseph Conference was organized in November of 1942 at the request of Fr. Dion – Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Monsignor Sheridan from Flint visited St. Joseph Parish, along with a group of men from the Lansing Diocese on November 11, 1942. The Conference was officially recognized by the International Confederation of the Society of Saint-Vincent de Paul through a letter of aggregation dated September 9, 1946.
The Conference recently completed 75 years of service to this community in November of 2017. Over the years they have provided over a million dollars in assistance to the housing, food, clothing, and other basic needs of people of Clinton County. The Conference continues to provide many forms of assistance to people in the Clinton County community. Members of the Society of St. Vincent dePaul (Vincentians) work in teams to call on individuals and families in need. Their work is quiet and discreet, confidentially aiding families in need.
In the spring of 1996, the St. Joseph Conference was asked by Hugh Banninga – former Volunteer Coordinator with the Clinton County Department of Social Service Office, to take over its Clothing Center located in downtown St. Johns.
After considerable thought and prayers, John Thelen (past president and current Executive Director) stated, “we decided if we don’t take this over, who will?” St. Vincent officially began operating the St. Vincent de Paul Store on June 1, 1996. The late Vincentian Arlene Lounds played a vital role in organizing the conference’s efforts in making this a successful endeavor. Arlene worked tirelessly on a volunteer basis to manage the St. Vincent dePaul Store. After Arlene’s death, Dolores Houser and Pat Snyder stepped up to build on the foundation that Arlene began, recruiting other volunteers to operate the store.
As time has passed, the store moved from the head of Clinton Avenue (where Dominos is located) down to the corner of Clinton and Higham Streets (where Unique Reflections is located), and again to the location of the Basic Needs Center. In 2012 they moved to their current location in the Southpoint Mall at 1009 S. US-27 in St. Johns.
To meet the current needs of families in the area, the board decided to explore a larger facility in the Southpoint Mall to be able to generate the needed resources to serve those in need. John Thelen was the Conference President at that time and evaluated the property at the Southpoint Mall in the summer of 2011.
The downtown location was approximately 2,200 square feet. The Southpoint Mall location was 8,400 square feet. Thelen recalls a couple of board members saying, “what are you going to do with all that space?”
After the Southpoint Mall space was renovated by the Clinton County R.E.S.A. Building Trades Program, St. Vincent’s moved to the mall location in January of 2012.
The Clinton County community continues to support the ministry by their donations of gently used clothing, furniture and household items. As a result, the Southpoint Mall location soon became too small. Joseph Tomczyk, current St. Vincent de Paul President, solicited board support to expand the current location by an additional 4,200 square feet. The additional space was renovated by the morning and afternoon classes of the Clinton County R.E.S.A. Building Trades Program under the direction of Instructor-Ross Pope. The additional square footage has provided more retail space, client office and much needed storage space.
The Thrift Store is for all people looking for a bargain on good quality (in some cases new) clothing, furniture, household items, and other sundry merchandise. Stop in and see what St. Johns undiscovered boutique has to offer. The St. Vincent de Paul Store is blessed with donated items from the community. Whether shopping for a bargain or donating your gently used merchandise, you become a partner in the ministry of serving others.
The St. Vincent Store is operated by four paid staff, over 100 active store volunteers, a dozen people that pick up furniture items from donors and 30 Vincentians that are available to meet with clients seeking emergency assistance.
Last year, the St. Vincent dePaul client assistance office fielded over 900 calls and had an impact in helping 477 families obtain over $168,000 of emergency financial assistance.
St. Vincent de Paul collaborates with several area churches, the Basic Needs Center, Capital Area Community Services, Beacon of Hope (First Baptist Church), Department of Health and Human Services, Safe Center, Caring and Sharing Family Health Services, Pathways to Better Health through Mid-MI District Health Department, Michigan Works and Housing Services Mid-Michigan.
St. Vincent dePaul Store hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.