This week’s Mystery Photo
Where is this?
Can you tell us where this is located? Drop us a line at mail@sjindy.com.
610 N. Lansing St.
The current owners are Randy and Darlene Shelton.
Previous owners include Griffin/Pease, Alan Havens, and Ronald Weber.
A Look Back – CNB Plant Tour
by Barry Bauer
Central National Bank president of St. Johns, Harold Wellman, (left) and Central National Bank vice-president, Robert Thompson, (right) talk to Bill Bissett, Federal-Mogul’s heat treat operations manager.
Bill came to the St. Johns plant along with all of Mentor, Ohio plant’s steel parts business after Federal-Mogul closed the Ohio plant.
The move failed because there wasn’t much money in steel parts because of lack of secondary operations which added to the price of the part. Eventually the steel parts business disappeared from the St. Johns plant.
Central National Bank did a series of tours of the locally located factories and we’ll have more photos.
Random Notes – A lifetime of service is legacy of Bill Richards
by Rhonda Dedyne
It’s impossible to know how many people Bill Richards helped during a lifetime of service that involved a wide range of organizations across Clinton County and beyond its boundary lines. His passing August 17 leaves a void – but not really.
All those people Bill aided over the past decades are continuing to build up the structures he helped create: Community Resource Volunteers, Clinton Transit, Clinton County Arts Council and on and on and on. They are giving his words of encouragement, smiling his smile and emulating his always helping hands – the circle keeps going.
A story that published on Indy in March of 2015 came to mind yesterday when Guven Witteveen emailed the news of Bill’s death. I recalled his reaction at the surprise open house that was organized by friends and associates to recognize and honor his years of community service – to say he was surprised is an understatement.
We reprint that story here knowing that in all of the months that have passed since March 2015, not a day went by that Bill didn’t continue to positively impact the lives of people from all walks of life. We say with the Gospel writer, “Well done, good and faithful servant . . . enter into the joy of thy Lord.”
Rest in Peace.
******
When Bill Richards walked into his surprise open house last Saturday, I happened to be standing by the meeting room doorway at Agro-Culture Liquid engaged in conversation with Guven Witteveen. It’s a safe bet that Bill knew something was afoot – a full parking lot and commotion in the Liquid foyer no doubt tipped him off. Still, it was obvious he was totally surprised by the number of people who were standing and applauding in the room when he entered.
As the bankcard commercial slogan goes, the look on Bill’s face was “priceless.”
Guven’s photos, video and commentary of the event that are part of this week’s St. Johns Indy capture the emotions of Bill and his many admirers more accurately than words can portray. Still, a writer must write – which means I’d like to offer a few additional comments about a true community servant whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with and writing about for so many years.
Actually, to be honest, this is the first time I’ve ever written about Bill himself. The story ideas he would contact me about always centered on programs or initiatives and the people who were participating and learning new skills. In St. Johns, that meant a visit to whatever Community Resource Volunteers office Bill was occupying at the time. Usually the visits involved talking with and taking photos of young people who were immersed in projects and activities, quite often hands-on lessons that made science come alive. They were having fun learning – as simple as that.
Those vivid memories from times past flashed in my mind during a presentation of cards and letters from fifth-grade students to their mentor and friend. The comments of this current generation of Bill’s science kids truly demonstrated that the students are still having fun learning – and so is their teacher.
The same spirit was evident in a tribute given by individuals who have an equally special place in Bill’s heart and soul – the fine individuals from Peckham Inc. It’s safe to say that the non-profit organization which today is one of the largest vocational community rehabilitation programs in Michigan would not exist without Bill’s passion for all people – no one has limitations in Bill’s world where anything isn’t just possible, it’s doable. There were more than a few teary eyes – and even more smiles – when they displayed their gift: a pair of large, framed photo montages showing Bill with Peckham students, workers, staff and volunteers.
As Guven noted in his commentary, it’s entirely possible that Bill has touched the lives of 6 million people – at least – through his many and varied interactions: CRV, Peckham, Clinton Transit and its forerunner the CRV Blue Bus fleet, Michigan Ski for Light, Higgins Lake retreats, Clinton County Arts Council, Kiwanis and Rotary International, St. Johns Public School Board of Education, St. Johns Area Chamber of Commerce Bill Patton Award winner, CAPIT Unity Award. The list goes on and on – and, thankfully, it’s still growing.
It’s impossible to know what future lives remain to be touched by Bill – through all of us – in new programs, community service projects and educational opportunities.
Thanks, Mr. Richards.
Letters – Reader has questions about the Sugar Bowl
Nearly 20 years ago my husband and I had occasion to be in St Johns. We found the “main street” charming and took a walk down it.
We came across a storefront which looked to have been a candy or ice cream parlor from the turn of the century. A counter, display cases and table and chairs were left seemingly as they would have been over 100 years ago. It was absolutely beautiful. We were curious about the place but as we lived out state we never did find out what it was or what had become of it.
Upon learning that my niece will soon be taking a position that is located in St Johns, it revived our memory of that quaint place.
Does anyone in your organization have an idea what this place was, what it was called or what became of it?
