September
SJPD to hold indoor yard sale at former Mint City Free Methodist Church
On Friday, September 7 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. the St. Johns Police Department will be holding an indoor yard sale at 409 S. Whittemore Street on Business 27, the former Mint City Free Methodist Church.
The City purchased the former church building earlier this summer to renovate and move the police department. The previous owners left many items behind, so rather than just throw it away SJPD is having a sale in the hopes that some of it can be re-used.
Most items will be priced like a garage sale, but there are a few larger items and antiques that are available to bid on. There is a wide variety of items – toys, baby swings, toy boxes, kitchen items, office chairs, desks, file cabinets, antique side tables, two long and two short church pews, lots of books (some quite old), older televisions, a piano, other church-related and religious theme wall hangings, a large wood pulpit, and other misc. items.
The CCAC rail car moves to its permanent home
by Maralyn Fink
Volunteers from the Clinton County Arts Council spent Sunday afternoon moving the Sault Ste. Marie rail car from its long-time location in a field south of Mt. Rest Cemetery to its permanent home at the restored Depot.
The Sault Ste. Marie was the first car that was brought to St. Johns in 2005. It was also in the weakest condition, having been built in 1902 and then having its steel undercarriage removed in 1938 when the rail company switched to all steel cars. It sat on cinder bricks in Mackinaw City for decades, and then served as a ticket office for the ferry, an antique shop in Alanson, and finally ended up in a field unattended in Traverse City.
According to Stuart Burt, Mark Kalis, son Dan and Sarah regularly move railroad cars. Normally they are caboose which are about 35 ft long. The Sault Ste Marie is roughly 70 ft long. Mark says that a railway car this size normally weighs in at about 60 to 70 thousand pounds. The Marie as she sits probably comes close to 30 to 40 thousand pounds, but it hasn’t been weighed officially, and that is a best guess at the weight.
Kaye Pilmore, long-time Director for CCAC, Elaine Twichell, acting director while Kaye was laid up with multiple surgeries, and Chris Cook, a major train enthusiast, rescued it, along with the other cars sitting down on the tracks. The Marie was put at a DPW site, after having the roof protected, for about 7 years. Then the City needed the land it was on, and it was moved to the area by the greenhouse. After the exteriors of the cars by the depot were restored, thw all-volunteer Railroad Crew started the exterior of the Marie.
The major obstacle in moving her was the need for the undercarriage. Our wonderful trucker friend, Mark Kalis, said he wouldn’t move it again before that was taken care of because he was sure she would have crumpled in the effort. So, Gary and Jenny McCampbell and Mark went to Wisconsin in 2016 to get an old undercarriage, which had to have many modifications, done expertly by a retired welder in Ovid, Dick Thornburg. They also took a trip to Wisconsin again in 2017 to get the 6-wheel trucks for Marie to sit on.
The last thing needed now is to arrange with North Side Towing to get Marie put up on her trucks with the other cars.
Briggs District Library to celebrate 20 years
On Tuesday, September 25 the community will celebrate 20 years since the formation of the Briggs Library and moving to the current location on Railroad Street.
As part of the celebration, the library will be holding prize drawings each hour throughout the day, and then hosting an ice cream social starting at 6:00 p.m., followed by a special entertainment program at 7:00 p.m.
The entire community is invited to join in celebrating this milestone, as we reflect on our past and look toward the future.
October
City Commission approves F.C. Mason site plan
On Monday evening the City Commission approved the site plan and the OPHRA abatement for the old F.C. Mason site. The next step will be approval from MEDC to assist in funding this project.
Developers are hoping to begin demolition in November. Now it becomes a race against winter; and as we all know, winter can come on quickly in Michigan.
Marching Redwings earn straight firsts again
Congratulations to our St. Johns High School Redwing Marching Band on receiving the highest ratings at this week’s band competition in Owosso. The streak continues.
St. Peter Lutheran School to celebrate playground opening – October 5
The playground at St. Peter Lutheran School is officially done. They would like to invite everyone in the community to join us in a opening celebration October 5, 2018 at 6:00 p.m.
They will be having an inflatable obstacle course, bounce houses, and food. There will be a small fee of $5 per child for endless fun on the bounce houses and obstacle courses. There will be a separate bounce house and obstacle course for children 5 years and under. They will also be grilling hot dogs, chips, and water for $1 a piece.
Trail Underpass Mural Project announced
The Clinton County Arts Council (CCAC) is so excited to announce the “Legendary Artists Passage” community mural project. This mural project will take place under Business 27 in St. Johns along the Fred Meijer CIS Trail.
The mural project is structured to be educational while also aiming to promote local talent and engage the community by turning empty walls into huge public canvases and the results will have a lasting effect on our local neighborhood.
The CCAC has contracted with muralist, Tamara Brown (Tea) of Tea Time Art, LLC., who will paint the north side of the underpass. Eight groups and/or organizations will need to register by November 30, 2018 to paint 8’x10’ sections on the south side.
Each group, such as 4H groups, churches and schools, will select a historical artist from a list such as Michelangelo, Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh. As a team; they will research the artist and sketch a design that represents that artist’s timeline in history and/or style of work. The groups will work closely with Tea to scale their design. They will have the opportunity to fundraise the cost of $400 each between now and April 2019.
Mural installation will take place between May – July, after prep work is completed by volunteers.
2018 SJHS Homecoming Court named
Front Row L-R: Freshmen Representative Cami Hufnagel, Sophomore Representative Morgan Eiseler, Junior Representative Lexi Martens, Senior Court Ann Marie Falor, Brantae Luttig, Jaden Hafner, Jordyn Jones, and Mikaila Kaczander.
Back Row L-R: Freshmen Representative Braylon Thelen, Sophomore Representative Edwin Aparicio, Junior Representative Mitch Gifford, Senior Court Kyler McNamara, Gabe McClain, Alexander Pervine, Reece Armbrustmacher, and Bobby Goerge.
Builders Club readies depot for spring
The St. Johns Middle School Builders Club, a service and leadership organization sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, planted 400 plus daffodil bulbs at and around the depot ground last Saturday morning.
Real Men Wear Pink
by Maralyn Fink
Men In Pink with Darlene Hufnagel of the Cancer Society invited Curt Keck from Keck-Coleman Funeral Home in St Johns to represent the St Johns area. This is a fundraiser for the Cancer Society thru the month of October. Curt must wear something pink thru this time frame.
When we asked Curt why he agreed to volunteer for this event, he said, “Breast cancer affects everyone – it doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman. That’s why I’m stepping up to fight breast cancer with all I have.
“Since I’m in a position to make a difference within my community, I believe I have an obligation to do so. By raising money and awareness through Real Men Wear Pink, I’m helping to save more lives from breast cancer.”
There is also a fundraising account, and Curt has pledged to earn $2500.00 Dollars. He is the only candidate in the St Johns area.
Reception held for Mayor Beaman
by Maralyn Fink
On Monday evening after the City Commission Meeting, I attended the reception for Dana Beaman in honor of his retirement after being our Mayor for 25 years. He received a Declaration from Vice Mayor Heather Hanover for his service.
Mayor Beaman has done a fine job for the City of St Johns in many different capacities. He will still remain in his position as a Pharmacist at MSU.
November
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.
East Olive Community Center to celebrate Grand Opening – Saturday, November 3
It’s Official! Join organizers for the Grand Opening Celebration of the new East Olive Community Center on Saturday, November 3 for an afternoon of fun and games.
There will be various carnival games, arts and Crafts, pumpkin painting, hay rides, Story time, indoor big screen movie and many other activities for families.
The idea for the East Olive Community Center emerged as area residents grieved the loss of their beloved little school. As they faced the doors closing for the last time, they realized the power of the building wasn’t just in educating the children. The power was in bringing the community together, so they decided not to say goodbye to the community, to the friends and neighbors brought together by the school. Using the school as an anchor, organizers formed a nonprofit organization to provide educational and recreational events and programming as well as services that benefit and improve the health and well-being of the broader Olive and Victor Township communities.
The Center is located in the former East Olive Elementary School building located at 2583 Green Road east of St. Johns.
St. Johns Lions Club celebrates 70 years community service
by Maralyn Fink
On Wednesday evening I went to the Main Street Café to visit Lions Club members as they celebrated the 70th anniversary of their founding.
Charter night for the St. Johns Lions Club was held October 13, 1948 at the Steel Hotel. The headline in the newspaper article at the time of the club’s formation noted that “27 St. Johns Business and Professional Men Apply for Membership,” to the International Service Club known as Lions International. They received their charter on December 8 of that year during a banquet held in Niles Hall at the Methodist Church. The first President was L. Russell Steffens.
While supporting traditional Lions programs, the St. Johns Lions Club also has been a driving force behind the success of a community recycling program with a 24-hour drop off self-serve center that is available to city residents and surrounding communities. In addition, the club sponsors an annual scholarship program for high school students who are invited to submit essays that are then judged on content and other factors and participates in the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway program. Over the years, the club has sponsored community events like the annual Easter egg hunt, pumpkin festival and car show and has provided financial assistance to programs that aid senior citizens, food banks, boy scout and girl scout troops and more.
For many years St. Johns was the host community for the Lions All-State Band, one of Michigan Lions’ most acclaimed youth activities. Hundreds of students from over 300 Michigan high schools have participated in the band since its inception. Performances center around the band’s appearance at the Lions Clubs International Convention, held in major cities throughout the world.
Clearly, as members celebrated this anniversary milestone on November 14, 2018 during the club’s annual holiday dinner at the Main Street Café in St. Johns, they can take great pride in their effective, 70-year history of community service. While they have enjoyed much camaraderie, gained valuable knowledge and made many friends through the organization, the members also have enriched countless lives by their good works.
City of St. Johns Biennial Election results
Mayor Dana Beaman was recognized at Monday’s City Commission meeting. He is completing his final term on the Commission after serving the City of St. Johns for twenty-five years.
On November 6, 2018 the City’s Biennial Election was held and Bob Craig was re-elected to the City Commission along with newcomer Tamara Kirshenbauer. Commissioner Craig is now in his second term serving the residents of St. Johns. Ms. Kirschenbauer is a long-time resident who recently retired from the State of Michigan. Both Commissioners express their excitement about serving the citizens and continuing all of the progress that the City has seen in the last few years.
With the retirement of long-time commission member and Mayor, Dana Beaman, the City Commission also held their re-organizational election and appointed Commissioner Eric Hufnagel as the City’s new incoming Mayor and Bob Craig as the new Vice-Mayor.
District Court celebrates 50th anniversary
by Maralyn Fink
On Friday I attended the 50th anniversary celebration at the 65th District Court at the Courthouse. The court was open for walk-through viewings of the courtrooms, offices and lockup areas.
The celebration marked the 50th anniversary of the creation of district courts in Michigan as was required by the 1963 Constitution.
“District court is known as the people’s court because millions of citizens interact with it statewide each year,”said Judge Michael Clarizio. “Our team at the 65th District Court is very proud of its service to the people of Clinton County and providing even better service in the years to come.”
Relay for Life to move downtown in 2019
photo by Breanna Graham
Organizers announced Tuesday evening that Relay for Llife, in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority, will move their venue from the City Park to the Depot area on South Clinton Avenue in 2019. The event will be held in conjunction with the DDA’s annual Eat Healthy, Eat Local celebration. The Relay will begin at on Friday May 10 and close at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 11. The closing will coincide with the beginning of the Eat Healthy, Eat Local event.
This year Railroad Street will be closed off for walkers. The relay will begin with participants moving east on Railroad Street to the Depot parking lot. From there walkers will travel north to the Rail Trail, then return west along the Trail to Clinton Avenue. Clinton will remain open throughout the event. The entire Depot area including the pavilions and surrounding open space will be used for the Relay, and a silent auction will be held in the main hall of the Depot itself on Friday evening.
December
Clairmont’s Coffee now open in downtown St. Johns
by Maralyn Fink
At Clairmont’s Coffee business partners Audie Clairmont and Amber Haubert say the focus is on creating a positive, creative environment.
After they had been open for only four days a few weeks ago, they were amazed, overwhelmed and grateful for all of the busyness, patience and support. They found that they needed to close on the following Monday due to restocking, training and regrouping to provide better service.
They have their feet back under them now and are open on the southwest corner of Clinton Avenue and Walker Street in St. Johns Monday – Friday 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. Closed on Sunday.
A Michigan must see – Tahquamenon in the winter
Rotary honors late Judge Wells
Last week the Rotary Club of St. Johns honored the late Judge Richard (Dick) Wells who was a Rotarian for 46 years. Wells passed away earlier this year on January 28, 2018.
His wife Nancy, his daughter Mindi and his two sons Brandy and Corey met with club members for lunch, and then they drove out to The Voice for Clinton County Children’s office. There the Club placed a small memorial in honor of Judge Wells. Dick was a person who lived the Rotary motto “Service Above Self”.
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.