First Congregational announces new worship time
First Congregational Church of St. Johns will be changing the Sunday morning worship service time to 10:00 a.m. effective June 5.
Fireworks reminder
As the weather warms up we wanted to remind everyone of the City ordinance regarding fireworks. The ordinance prohibits the shooting of fireworks within the city limits at any time except the day before, day of, or day after a national holiday.
Patrons of the Shell Buttons on sale
Area residents can show their support of the William E. Tennant Performance Shell Concert in the Park summer series by purchasing and wearing 2016 POTS (Patrons Of The Shell) buttons, designed by local artist, Marti Cooper.
The weekly summer music series began June 15 and concludes Aug. 31. There is no admission charge for Concert in the Park shows that begin at 7 p.m.
POTS buttons are $25 each, available at the Clinton County Arts Council Gallery, 215 N. Clinton Ave., downtown St. Johns. POTS 13th season patrons are encouraged to wear their buttons each Wednesday throughout the day showing their support of the summer series.
In addition, patrons who wear their buttons at the St. Johns Big Boy Restaurant on any Wednesday throughout the rest of the year will receive 10 percent off their entire bill.
The Shell Committee hopes to see a lot of the 2016 buttons worn around town on Wednesdays throughout the summer, drawing attention to the concert that evening.
St. Johns Concert in the Park 2016 Schedule
St. Johns City Park Performance Shell
Wednesday evenings, 7 p.m.
June 15: Classic Rock, The Sea Cruisers
June 22: Local Country, The Louis Longoria Band
June 29: Barbershop Chorus, Mountain Town Singers
July 6: Great Evening of Folk, Blue Water Ramblers
July 13: Real Motown, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
July 20: Orchestra Pops, Mid-Michigan Festival Orchestra
July 27: Canadian Roots/Ragtime, My Sweet Patootie
Aug. 3: Eagles Tribute Band, Motown Eagles
Aug. 10: The Music of Ireland, Monday’s Supper
Aug. 17: Beatles Tribute Band, Toppermost
Aug. 24: All Brass, Capital City Brass Band
Aug. 31: Elvis Impersonator, Matt King
A tree falls on Mead St.
by Barry Bauer
Last weekend’s gusty winds and a bit of tree rot brought this tree down at 307 N. Mead St.
Briggs District Library News
S.A.M. in the Summer – Summer programs offering fun, hands-on participation in Science, Art & Math for children going into grades 1st thru 6th. June sessions will be about Art: Thursday, June 16th, 3-4 pm for (1st/2nd grades), Thursday, June 23rd, 3-4pm (3rd/4th grades), and Thursday, June 30th, 3-4pm (5th/6th grades). Registration is required and open at this time. Dates for Science in July and Math in August will be available at a later date.
Adult Documentary Series – Explore our world with documentary features on the first and third Wednesday of each month starting at 7:30p.m. On June 15 we will show “Batkid Begins,” the incredible and touching true story about the efforts of the Make A Wish Foundation and the city of San Francisco to grant a five-year-old boy’s wish of becoming Batman’s sidekick for a day. Registration is now open for this free program.
Coloring Programs – The Library will be offering two different coloring programs this summer. The first is a family program for all ages that will meet the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 6:30-7:30. The first two sessions will be held on June 9 and June 23. The second program is for teens and adults and will meet monthly. The first session is Saturday, June 11 from 12:30-2:30. Registration for both programs is required and is now open.
The Breakfast Club – The Breakfast Club is a new summer program for ‘tweens and teens in grades 4-8. This special book club mixes stories, book discussion, crafts, activities, and a light breakfast! We will meet Wednesday, June 15 from 10:30-11:30a.m. when we discuss “Fortunately, the Milk” by Neil Gaiman, a hilarious story of space, time travel, and missing milk. Registration is currently taking place.
Play-Doh Play Time – Children ages 4 to 6 (independent). Choose between 2 sessions on Thursday, July 7th : 11:00 am – Noon OR 2:30 – 3:30pm. Children will be able to make & take home what they creatively produce with Play-Doh. There will be different “instruments and additional items” available for them to help their creative spirit. Registration is required and opens on Thursday, June 9th.
Kids, Cartoons and Crafts – It is lunch and a movie this summer at the Library. Children ages 5-9 can join us for a showing of “Bugs Bunny’s Wild World of Sports” on Wednesday, June 22 from 11:30-12:30. We will also work on a small craft and play a game. Participants are welcome to bring a light lunch with them, but a snack will be provided if they choose not to. Registration is required, and is now available.
Summer Reading “Get Set, Go. . .KICK -OFF! – The summer fun begins with our official Kick-Off on Monday, June 13th, 4-7:30 pm. It will take place at the Rotary Park & Train Depot across from the Briggs District Library. There will be inflatables, face painting, live demonstrations, Jersey Giant sub slices and water for purchase & a registration table to sign up for the Summer Reading Program. This kick-off is free of charge. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The entertainment is being sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Garden Buddies – The Rae Johnson Children’s Garden will be where you can learn what it takes to grow the food you love to eat. Children that will be entering grades 2-6 can join us for a program that will meet on Wednesdays in June and July. On June 8 and June 15 we will meet from 6:30-7:30p.m., and from June 22-July 27 we will meet from 9:00-10:00a.m. Registration for the Garden Buddies program in now open.
Junior Readers – “WIN IT IN A MINUTE” Library Edition – Monday, June 27th from 7:00 to 7:45 pm
Challenge yourself to set a personal record in a library edition game. Open to Grades 2-4. Registration is currently taking place. Questionnaire available at circulation desk or online.
Summer Reading Story-times – Summer Storytimes will include stories, music, movement, snacks and FUN! Registration is open for all of the following story-times: Lapsit (ages12-24 months) – Friday mornings, 10:30-11am, June 10 – July 15 *No July 1 session. Toddler (ages 2-3) – Wednesday mornings, 10:30-11am, June 8 – July 13. Prime Time (ages 3-5) – Tuesday nights, 7-7:30pm, June 7 – July 12. Pre-Reader (ages 4-6) – Thursday mornings, 10:30-11am, June 16 – July 21.
******
Contact Information:
Library Director: Sara Morrison
Phone: 989-224-4702 * Fax: 989-224-1205
E-mail: director@briggsdistrictlibrary.org
Street address: 108 E Railroad * Saint Johns, MI 48879
Bill to block a rapist’s paternity action sent to Governor
A rape victim may soon be able to stop her rapist from being legally acknowledged as the father of a child resulting of the rape under a Sen. Rick Jones bill on its way to the Governor’s desk.
“Rape is usually not about sex; it’s about control and power. That is part of the reason why it’s so sickening that a rapist would seek access to a child conceived in his rape of the mother,” said Jones, R-Grand Ledge. “I sponsored this bill to ensure that a rapist will not be recognized as the father of a child resulting from his criminal act and that he will have no say in the child’s upbringing.”
Legislation enacted in 2012 to give biological fathers more rights to their children included a reform to provide certain people, such as an alleged biological father of a child born to a married woman, a chance to be acknowledged as the child’s father.
The Michigan Senate on Tuesday enrolled Senate Bill 858, which would make an exception in the law for a situation where a child was conceived as a result of rape or criminal sexual conduct and the biological father then seeks to be acknowledged as the father.
Under the bill, a mother who provides clear and convincing evidence that a child was conceived as a result of a rape can bring an action to revoke an acknowledgement of parentage of an alleged father.
“While parental rights can already be terminated after conviction of rape, women often don’t press charges against their assailants,” Jones said. “This measure would enable a victim to block her rapist’s parental claims using a similar standard to those already used for domestic abuse. I am proud that the Legislature has stood up for survivors of rape, and I look forward to seeing this legislation signed into law.”
Leonard to hold June office hours – Friday, June 10
Lawmaker will meet with constituents at two locations
State Rep. Tom Leonard today encouraged people to join him for office hours scheduled during June.
Rep. Leonard, R-DeWitt will be available for questions at the informal session. The event will take place on Friday, June 10, at the following locations:
· In St. Johns at the Big Boy, 1408 S. U.S. 27, from 8 to 9:30 a.m.; and
· In Ithaca at the Hearthstone Oven Bakery and Café, 126 S. Pine River St., from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
No appointment is necessary. Those unable to attend may contact Rep. Leonard by calling 517-373-1778 or toll free at 877-859-8086, via email at TomLeonard@house.mi.gov or through his website at www.RepLeonard.com.
Food distribution scheduled June 8
The Clinton County Open Food Distribution Project distributes food for Clinton County families in need on the second Thursday of each month at the Bath Community Center, 5959 Park Lake Road in Bath.
The next distribution date is Thursday, June 8.
Registration for distribution takes place at 8 a.m. on the site. Distribution begins around 9 a.m. and continues for approximately one hour. Participants are asked to bring their own boxes, bags, containers, wheeled carts or wagons.
Those who can benefit from this service include senior citizens on fixed incomes, families and individuals with limited incomes or working minimum wage jobs as well as those who must choose between purchasing groceries or fulfilling medical needs. Each family receives $50 to $65 worth of food.
Call Clinton Transit at 989.224.8127 or 800.800.5938 for transportation assistance. Requests for transport must be made by 2 p.m. the day before an event.
The distribution serves more than 100 families each month, so financial contributions to benefit the project are welcome.
For more information about sponsorship, donations and volunteer opportunities or future distribution dates, call the Sparrow Clinton Hospital Foundation at 989.227.3333.
Soup kitchen to make stops in area
His Cup Runneth Over, a mobile soup kitchen, will be making a stop at
– First Congregational Church, 100 Maple Ave, St. Johns 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, June 7 and at
– Middleton Community Church, 223 S. Newton St. Middleton 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, Tuesday, June 7, and at
– Suntree Apartments, 1100 Sunview Dr., St. Johns, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, June 9.
Soup, bread, fruit and dessert will be served to all who come free of charge. For more information call 989-533-9535 or 989-544-5764
CASA Volunteer Advocates Needed
CASA-The Voice for Clinton County’s Children is currently accepting applications for our next CASA Volunteer Advocate Training.
Those interested in serving as a CASA Advocate must submit a volunteer application, completely pass a criminal and personal background check, and participate in our 30-hour pre-service training.
Applicants should have ample time to visit their appointed child every 7 to 10 days (activities during visits may include playing games, playing outside, helping with homework, coloring, etc.). Our program continues to work toward our goal of having enough CASA Advocates for every Clinton County child who is in foster care.
For more information, please visit our website ClintonCountyCASA.org or contact our office at clintoncountycasa@gmail.com or 517-599-7145.
Mark Your Calendar
To celebrate 100th birthday – June 5
Join us in celebrating the 100th birthday of Laura “Maxine” Mosher. We will be hosting a little party with food and cake for her in the Fellowship Hall at the Saint Johns SDA Church, 1 to 4 PM, June 5, 2016.
******
Special Olympics Area 28 Golf Outing – June 11th
Mark your calendars June 11, 2016 for the 20th annual Special Olympics Area 28 (Clinton County) Golf Scramble at the Emerald Golf Course – Continental breakfast, 18 holes with cart, luncheon, raffles, prizes… all for only a $65 entry fee.
******
Historical Society invites you to Come to Eat and to Meet – Tuesday June 21
6:30 p.m. potluck at AgroLiquid, 1130 S. DeWitt Rd (corer of M-21 and DeWitt Rd)
******
Bike to Build 2016 is August 6, 2016
Registration forms are available on the website, www.habitatclinton.org.