Root Doctor brings their powerful sound to St. Johns July 29
St. Johns will get a visit from the doctor at the next Concert in the Park event, which will take place on Wednesday, July 29 starting at 7:00 p.m. in the William E. Tennant Performance Shell in the St. Johns City Park.
“Root Doctor will be bringing a huge dose of the blues to our outdoor series that is sure to cure whatever ails you,” says Bill Tennant, concert coordinator. “This amazing group, led by the incredible Freddie Cunningham, will bring a diverse mix of classic soul and R&B alongside traditional blues that will leave you feeling a whole lot better than when you arrived – exactly what a doctor’s visit is supposed to do!”
Root Doctor had its humble beginnings in the open mic scene of the late 1980’s in Lansing and have been going strong ever since. They have wowed music-lovers across the state and beyond for over three decades with their solid reputation for engaging live shows, exhibiting their powerful soul-blues sound. The group has performed with many of the nation’s top performers including Ray Charles, Buddy Guy, Little Richards and others.
The group is led by the heart and soul of Root Doctor, the dynamic and powerful voice of Freddie Cunningham. Freddie is originally from Clarksdale, Mississippi.
James Williams, also known as the “Tower of Groove,” lays down the important heartbeat of the Root Doctor sound on his electric bass. James grew up in Gulf Port, Mississippi.
Bill Malone, born and raised in Detroit, is one of the newest members of the group. His vocals and jammin’ guitar licks add greatly to the overall sound.
Chris Corey, the keyboardist, was born and raised in Lansing. He is a Central Michigan University graduate who spent most of his time in Phoenix honing his musical skills, before moving back to mid-Michigan in 2000.
Austin Howard, raised in the Flint area, is the drummer, joining Root Doctor just last year. He graduated from the renown Berklee College of Music, also doing some graduate work in jazz at Michigan State University.
The weekly concerts are being presented under strict safety guidelines that have been established by the State of Michigan, the City of St. Johns and the “Concert in the Park” Committee. During these unprecedented times, the guidelines must be followed if the series is to be continued each week.
Wearing of Masks and Social Distancing are both required this year.
A decision will be made each week on whether the next concert can take place. Please check the Performance Shell Facebook Page or the Clinton Count Arts Council’s Website at
www.clintoncountyarts.org before coming each week. Also, please note that the Lions Club Food Trailer will not be at the concerts this summer. Concerts are held each Wednesday evening, rain or shine.
“Concert in the Park” is sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the City of St. Johns. The Clinton County Arts Council receives support from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Volunteers needed to help restore rail cars
Clinton Northern Railway is looking for volunteers to continue the restoration of two very old rail cars. If you know which end of a scraper, hammer or paintbrush is the business end, you are highly qualified.
The two cars in particular are a 44-passenger sleeper car (1902) and a 1903 Railroad Post Office (green in color).
In good weather they will be stripping old paint, replacing rotting wood, and then resurfacing it. In less than favorable weather they plan to work on the insides which is even more of challenge, but fun.
If interested, please call Gary or Jenny McCampbell at 989-224-6134.
Benson Scholarship winner announced
Congratulations to Sydney Padgett on receiving The Harold Benson Scholarship from The Clinton Area Care Center.
“I am pleased to inform you that you have been chosen as a recipient of the Harold Benson Scholarship,” spokesman Steve Hill told Sydney.
“Your application was very impressive and the Board of Directors felt you were an excellent choice for the scholarship, Hill continued. “We Wish you well on your future educational endeavors.”
Sheriff’s Office K9 Smokey receives donation of body armor
Clinton County Sheriff’s Office K9 Smokey has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Smokey’s vest was sponsored by Matthew Cummings of Livonia, MI and embroidered with the sentiment “In memory of Earl and Marie Schmidt”.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 is U.S. made, custom fitted, and NIJ certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 3,970 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.
The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old, actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.
Clinton County Youth Showcase is August 3-5
As a replacement for the Clinton County 4-H Fair this year, the Clinton County Youth Showcase will be held at Tom’s Western Store Arena in Ovid on August 3-5 with Youth Virtual Livestock Auction on Wednesday.
This showcase offers the opportunity for youth to exhibit their projects and learning in a virtual environment.
If you have questions, please contact: Corissa Harris, Clinton County, harri446@msu.edu.
Keep an eye out for ticks
It’s summertime in Michigan, which means more and more people are outside enjoying our beautiful State. The more time we spend outside, the more likely it is that we’ll come into contact with ticks.
The Mid-Michigan District Health Department is reminding residents that while ticks are tiny, they can pack quite a punch, especially the blacklegged/deer tick, which can transmit Lyme disease.
Symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain, and a bull’s-eye rash at the site of the bite. If not properly diagnosed and left untreated, infection can spread to the joints, the heart and the nervous system.
The best defense against Lyme disease is prevention. If possible, avoid shady, moist areas in wooded and grassy locations, as these are the preferred hiding spots for ticks. If you do need to venture into these areas, walk on well groomed trails and avoid contact with overgrown grass, brush and leaves.
Other prevention tips include:
– Apply repellent containing DEET or Picaridin to exposed skin, following manufacturer’s instructions.
– Spray clothes with permethrin, which kills ticks on contact.
– Wear enclosed shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt.
– Tuck pants into socks or boots.
– Use tick prevention products on your pets
After returning from potentially tick-infested areas, check yourself and your pets for ticks and shower immediately to wash off and find ticks that may be on you. Ticks can attach to any part of the body, but are commonly found in the hairline, ears, waistline, groin, armpits and sock line.
If you find a tick attached to your skin remove it promptly to decrease the chance of infection. Using fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Slowly and gently pull upward with steady, even pressure. After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the area and your hands with soap and water and apply an antiseptic to the bite wound.
If you experience a fever, rash, or muscle or joint aches within several weeks of removing a tick, be sure to see your doctor. Patients treated with appropriate antibiotics in the early stages of Lyme disease usually recover quickly.
If you find a tick and would like to know what kind it is, visit Michigan.gov/lyme, where you can view photos of ticks commonly found in Michigan. Expert tick identification is available free of charge for Michigan residents through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). You can either email a picture of the tick to MDHHS-Bugs@michigan.gov, or you can mail the tick to the MDHHS for identification. Free tick submission kits are available from your local health department.