AgroExpo 2019 Promotes Technology, Education and Networking
On August 13 and 14, over 2700 attendees gathered at the fourth annual AgroExpo, the largest agriculture trade show in Michigan. Held at the North Central Research Station in St Johns, the two-day event provided agricultural demonstrations, speakers, and exhibits.
The show focused on providing resources for production farmers. The demonstrations on sprayers, remote soil testing operations, and drones exhibited the latest technology in agriculture. The speakers offered education on current issues like risk management, increasing yields, nutrition, insurance, and estate planning, and listeners were also able to receive CCA and RUP credits. The 130 vendors met with the attendees to highlight their products and services, as well as answer questions.
New this year was the addition of the FFA student competitions. The FFA Crop Management Challenge gave FFA students the chance to plant a plot, plan its growth, present it to the judges, and answer questions. The FFA Tractor Operators Contest featured students demonstrating their knowledge about zero-turn lawnmowers, standard lawnmowers, and a tractor with a trailer, and then maneuvering the machine through a narrow course.
Congratulations to winners Caleb Hackett (Centreville – 1), Micah Sprague (Durand – 2), Dakota Sutter (Chesaning – 3), Colton Schwartz (Centreville – 4), and Garrett Cook (Perry – 5) for the garden tractor competition, Tracy Slieff (Durand – 1), Travis Swift (Cedar Springs – 2), Garret Andrejack (Corunna – 3), Colby Shettler (Byron – 4), and Colin Munsell (Fowlerville – 5) for utility tractor, and Brian Frye (Byron – 1), Daniel Sprague (Durand – 2), and Jonathan Sayles (Bay-Arenac CC – 3), Marc Hendzel (Perry – 4), and Travis Swift (Cedar Springs – 5) for zero-turn. Crop Management Challenge results will be announced at the Great Lakes Crop Summit in January 2020.
“I really enjoyed having the FFA students here this year,” said Dale Ruff, AgroExpo Event Coordinator. “It was a great addition to the show to have first their crop competition, and also their driving competition. The attendees enjoyed watching them, too. Driving that equipment isn’t always as easy as it looks.”
Organizations like the IQhub and the Michigan Foundation for Agriculture provided educational opportunities for children attending the show. The booths featured hands-on activities for kids that were both farm and entertainment-focused.
The crowd of food trucks, the Ford, Chevrolet, and Ram truck test drive opportunities, the flyovers, and the general attitude of the attendees gave the entire show a jovial atmosphere.
“We’re already planning for next year,” said Burt Henry, AgroExpo Industry Relations and Promotions Manager. “We talked to the vendors and the attendees, and we’re always looking at how we can make it more valuable for everyone. We’re really thankful to everyone, including the sponsors, for making it great. With everyone’s input, next year it’s going to be even better.”
The 2020 AgroExpo is scheduled for August 11 and 12.
Elvis closes out SJ Concert in the Park season
Concert in the Park audiences who’ve loved Matt King’s Elvis Presley Tribute Show the past 10 seasons are waiting for the “Hound Dog” to return again. King “is” Elvis in the Aug. 28 season finale at the William E. Tennant Performance Shell located in the St. Johns City Park. The show begins at 7 p.m.; no admission charge.
“We’re pleased to have Matt King back again as Elvis,” says Performance Shell Committee Chairperson Bill Tennant. “Our audiences love him, and his appearance is a perfect ending to the summer schedule.”
A Michigan resident, King has travelled all over the United States and Europe entertaining audiences with his unique ability to bring to the “King” to life via his moves, mannerisms, looks and costuming – and, of course, that distinctive voice. He took first place at the 2014 Windsor King Festival, and also captured first in the 2014 Midwest Elvis Competition. Those honors are in addition to numerous similar top-place finishes at Elvis events around the United States.
Concert in the Park is sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the City of St. Johns with support from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Concerts are held each Wednesday evening; rain or shine. The St. Johns Lions and Lioness Club staff a concession stand offering light refreshments.
For information visit the CCAC web site http://www.clintoncountyarts.org/ or the William E. Tennant Performance Shell page on Facebook.
Displays featured at Museum
On display in the Paine-Gillam-Scott House with the 2019 “Police and Fire Exhibit”, is a
Fireman’s Uniform and Hat worn by a fireman from Ovid Fire Department in the 1920s. The “Hats and Accessories” exhibit includes a pair of lady’s long gloves with gold metal studs and a very unusual hat.
There are many more items in both exhibits and other related artifacts in the Swegles General Store and the Carriage house behind the house. The Museum is open Wednesdays, 2-6 p.m. and Sundays, 1-4 p.m. Closed on Holiday weekends.
The address is 106 Maple St., St. Johns, Michigan on the West side of the Courthouse. Tours are welcome. Call 989-224-2894 for further information or email pgsmuseum@gmail.com. Also visit the webpage: PGSMuseum.com or check out Facebook for Paine-Gillam-Scott Museum, St. Johns, Michigan.
Wilson Center Auditorium receives major grant
The Wilson Center Auditorium Renovation Committee is pleased to announce that it has been approved for a $52,000 matching Impact Grant from the Capital Region Community Foundation to replace the lighting system, which was last updated in 1964.
“Receiving this grant was music to our ears,” says committee chairperson Bill Tennant. “Our committee was ecstatic when we received the news. After coming this far with the project, this grant was our only real chance of completing the work. We’re grateful to the Community Foundation and to their review committee who saw our proposal as a wonderful opportunity for our community to experience continued cultural growth.”
With some funding already secured, the next step in receiving the $52,000 grant is to raise $20,000. This will be accomplished through a new crowdfunding campaign through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. If the campaign reaches its goal of $20,000 by Sept. 20, the project will win a matching grant made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. The $40,000 total will then give the renovation committee the required amount, with funds already in place, to match the $52,000 Impact Grant! For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/wilson.
The idea to renovate the 1925 Wilson Center Auditorium, a mid-Michigan gem, started during St. Johns’ 2006 Sesquicentennial Celebration when profits from a historical pageant provided the seed money to start the auditorium improvements.
Since 2009, donations from Clinton County residents and businesses, along with shared proceeds from many productions, and the hard work of an all-volunteer committee have made possible the restoration up to this point. The auditorium now boasts authentic color schemes of the 1920s; 400 refurbished theatre seats with more comfort and leg room; an upgraded sound system and a projector; new stage curtains, and more. This brings us to today, the final phase of the project – that of replacing the extremely limited and antiquated lighting system.
This campaign will put the finishing touches on a high quality performance space in downtown St. Johns. Updating the current lighting system is essential to the success of this project. By fully restoring the Wilson Center Auditorium, the future is bright, enhancing arts and cultural opportunities, attracting people to the community, not only as visitors, but also as permanent residents, stimulating the local economy. This project also honors the past – those who played an important part in the auditorium’s history.
For more information, please visit: wilsoncenterauditorium.org and/or the Wilson Center Auditorium Facebook Page.
About Community Foundation
The Community Foundation is passionate about creating vibrant, thriving communities throughout Michigan’s capital region. The Foundation serves donors who have unique charitable goals and want to invest in the long-term success of their communities, supports area nonprofits with grants and personalized coaching, and leads innovative projects that drive community growth. The Community Foundation (also known as the Capital Region Community Foundation) is a tax-exempt public charity that serves the charitable needs and enhances the quality of life for people in Ingham, Clinton and Eaton counties.
Class of 1974 to hold reunion September 14
We’ve Got Lots, We’ve Got More after 45 years. Were still the Class of 74!
– Reunion : Saturday. September14, 2019 5 p.m. until your curfew.
– Eating approximately 5:30 -6 p.m. [also hot dog roast in evening at the bonfire]
– Beckie Price outdoor reunion Headquarters 6219 W. Cutler Rd. DeWitt MI.
– $15.00 per-person Hog Roast,Chicken and all the fixens, drinks, paper products included
– BYOB
– Classmates, men and women, wishing to start the day with a round of golf call the Emerald 989-224-6287 to set up a tee time.
For more information, Class of 74 Event page and Facebook or 517-930-4180.
Rep. Filler invites residents to town hall meeting on road funding
State Rep. Graham Filler has announced a town hall meeting with special guest Rep. Jack O’Malley on Wednesday, Aug. 28 to discuss road funding in the state of Michigan.
Rep. O’Malley serves as chair of the House Transportation Committee and has spent his first eight months as a state legislator studying solutions to the issues plaguing Michigan’s roads. Earlier this year, his committee held a series of hearings on the discrepancy between road funding levels and construction quality.
“Improving the roads in our state is one of the Legislature’s top priorities as we sit down to negotiate the state budget,” Rep. Filler said. “I want to hear from you on this issue and I encourage everyone to attend.”
The town hall will take place at the DeWitt District Library, 13101 Schavey Road in DeWitt. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and discussion will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with time allotted for questions. The event is open to the public, and there is no cost to attend.
For more information, please contact Rep. Filler’s office at (517) 373-1778 or GrahamFiller@house.mi.gov.