St. Johns Concert in the Park summer series begins June 15
Motown superstars Martha Reeves and the Vandella’s highlight this year’s Concert in the Park series where music soars every week at the William E. Tennant Performance Shell in the St. Johns City Park. Concerts start at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, beginning June 15 through Aug. 31.
The 2016 schedule may be the strongest ever according to Concert in the Park organizers, noting the performance of the award winning Motown group is a “major coup.” Martha and the Vandellas take the stage on July 13; rain moves the music to the Wilson Center Auditorium in downtown St. Johns.
First-time artists in this year’s line-up include the Blue Water Ramblers who will deliver a great evening of folk music on July 6; Motown Eagles, an Eagles Tribute Band from Detroit playing familiar tunes from the 1970s at the Aug. 3 show; and Irish musical artists, Monday’s Supper, performing Aug. 10. The ultra-talented musicians include former St. Johns area resident Nellie Schrantz.
Six of the series most popular groups from previous years are back again. The Sea Cruisers kick off the summer shows June 15 playing classic rock hits, followed by the Louie Longoria Band performing country tunes at the June 22 show. The Mid-Michigan Festival Orchestra, a full pops orchestra under the direction of Rodney Page, will present an evening of light classical and pops music July 20. My Sweet Patootie plays July 27, adding fun to their musical performance of Canadian Roots and Ragtime. A pair of all-time series’ favorites, Toppermost and Matt King, always bring concert-goers to their feet. The Beatles Tribute Band ‘twists and shouts’ at the Aug. 17 show, and King’s “Elvis” ends the season Aug. 31.
Also part of the 2016 line-up are two groups who are making a return to the Shell stage: the award-winning barbershop chorus from Mt. Pleasant, Mountain Town Singers, is back June 29 after a eight-year hiatus; and the Capital City Brass Band from Lansing returns after a three-year absence to play the Aug. 24 show of all brass music.
“This is our 13th season and audiences have been increasing each year,” says committee chairperson Bill Tennant. “With the talent we have coming this year, we’re expecting a huge audience every week. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the music.”
There is no admission charge; donations are accepted. The Shell Committee is also selling 2016 Series Buttons designed by local artist, Marti Cooper. Buttons are $25 each, available at each concert event and at the Clinton County Arts Council Gallery, 215 N. Clinton Ave in downtown St. Johns.
The St. Johns Lions and Lioness Club staff a concession stand each week, offering light refreshments; all concerts are held rain or shine.
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.
For information on Concert in the Park check out the Clinton County Arts Council on FaceBook, call (989) 224-2429, or visit http://www.clintoncountyarts.org/
Sea Cruisers open 2016 Concert in the Park season June 15
Mid-Michigan favorites, The Sea Cruisers, bring their own style of rock and roll to the St. Johns City Park Performance Shell June 15 in the opening show of the 2016 Concert in the Park summer music series. Music from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s will have everybody dancing and singing along beginning at 7 p.m.; no admission charge.
The Sea Cruisers’ extensive song list covers everything from artists like Fats Domino and Ray Charles, to Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. There are always a few surprises during the evening, like a great tune that you’ve forgotten or one of the Cruisers jumping off the stage and joining the audience.
The Sea Cruisers include the Dove brothers, Don, lead vocal and drums, and Kenny, vocals and guitar. Dick Ventura plays bass and sings, and Kerry Nicholoff plays guitar and sings. Sea Cruisers’ CDs will be available for purchase at the show.
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 that offers light refreshments.
For detailed information on the Concert in the Park series visit the CCAC web site, http://www.clintoncountyarts.org/ and check out the St. Johns City Park Performance Shell page on Facebook.
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
Village of Fowler Groundbreaking
by Maralyn Fink
On Tuesday of this week the Village of Fowler broke ground for the construction of a replica of the Depot that was in their town for many years. It will be built on the site of the original depot.
It reminded me of the dedication of the Mural of the Depot that was hung on the north side of Becker Furniture last year because the weather did not co-operate then either. A very cold and windy day is what happened Tuesday for this event.
As of now, Rhonda Feldpausch told me that they are unsure of a completion date at this time; but they have been assured that it will be this year, likely the fall. The building will have a pavilion with outdoor seating, men’s and women’s bathrooms and a room dedicated to historical items.
The work is being done by Kurt Thelen wearing the tool belt of K & J Construction.
I will be visiting at different times to capture on in photos the progress that is made.
Congratulations to the Village for making this happen. I think this is just awesome and that you take pride in keeping things of the past in your community. As this is my heritage home town, I may have some of my dad’s things they might want pertaining to the Depot for their historical room.
Thanks, Rhonda, for your help; and I will be visiting you now and then.
Greg Halfmann,Trustee; David Klein,Trustee; Vernon J. Thelen, President; Rhonda Feldpausch Clerk; Roy Smith, Trustee
Briggs District Library Garden Program starts with the basics
April showers bring May flowers, but the children of the St. Johns area will be the tending to the new blooms throughout the summer. Briggs District Library’s new program, Garden Buddies, begins June 8 and offers children the chance to learn what it takes to grow the food we eat and the flowers we love.
The program takes place in the Rae Johnson Children’s Garden just behind the Library. This program was made possible through a generous donation by Johnson’s family after she passed away last summer. She was a frequent patron of the Library and an avid gardener, as well as an educator in Lansing Public Schools. The memorial garden at the Library combines these three of her passions in a community-focused program for children.
Garden Buddies kicked off on May 25 with prepping, weeding and planting seeds for peppers, marigolds and other types of plants. Registration for the program remains open, and children in St. Johns School District and the surrounding areas entering grades 2 – 6 are eligible to participate. Garden Buddies will meet each Wednesday beginning on June 8 through July 27 at 108 E. Railroad Street in St. Johns.
In addition to Garden Buddies, the Library has summer programs for patrons of all ages, including a Summer Reading Program, Bookaholics Book Club, Documentary Features, Book Sales and more.
Briggs District Library, formerly Briggs Public Library, nurtures and supports a lifelong love of reading for the residents of the St. Johns School District. The Library creates a friendly space for patrons to access information, explore their interests and, of course, enjoy a good story. The expansion of the service area beyond the city of St. Johns to include all of the St. Johns School District allows the Library to serve more patrons without requiring an out of service area fee.
Save Some Summer for Art June 20-24th
The Clinton County Arts Council is holding a series of art classes for the young talent in Clinton County. Save Some Summer for Art will have three art classes for varying ages held at the St. Johns Depot from June 20-24th. Students will receive two hours of instruction for five days on the class of their choice. Registration fees include instruction and supplies, which may be picked up from the CCAC Gallery located at 215 N. Clinton Ave.
CCAC has been able to hold a summer art program for many years, thanks in large part to Sparrow Clinton Hospital, and will continue to do so this year with the wonderful classes taught by Annette Blair, art teacher for Pewamo-Westphalia Schools. The classes range from beginner to advanced and cover a broad range of media. The class choices are as follows:
· Monkey Business: Fun with sculpting, Students will explore basic sculpture techniques using Sculpey Clay. Ages 5-9. 9 – 11 am.
· Beginning Drawing Skills: Students will learn the basics of drawing, including sighting techniques and exercises. Ages 8-14. 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
· Landscapes with Acrylics: Students will learn advanced color theory and atmospheric perspective. Ages 13 – 19. 2:00 – 4:00 pm.
Class size is limited to 15 and students should plan to attend all five days. Those interested should contact the gallery at (989) 224-2429 for registration information.
The Clinton County Arts Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to Clinton County through the support of its artists and art enthusiasts. We are honored to receive funding in part through the MCACA and NEA.
Come to Eat and to Meet your Clinton County Historical Society
The CCHS Board, Archives and Paine-Gillam-Scott Museum volunteers would like to get to know you and share a little about what we do and try to answer any questions you may have. Wayne Summers will speak about the One Room Schools book update project. Please bring any pictures or documents you may have from a Clinton County one room school for us to scan and possibly use in the new book. Your photo will not be kept, just scanned and returned to you that night.
Join them on Tuesday, June 21, 6:30 pm at AgroLiquid, 1130 S. DeWitt Rd., St Johns (corner of M-21 and DeWitt Rd.) Bring a dish to pass and your own place setting. Drinks will be furnished. We hope to see you there.
Make a difference this summer and help the community
Looking for volunteer opportunities this summer? The Clinton County Arts Council may be the perfect fit, with opportunities in train car restoration, gallery operations, and involvement in community art projects! This is a perfect opportunity for students, teachers, retirees and others who have some time off during the summer to make a big difference by pitching in on these community projects.
If you know how to swing a hammer, apply a good coat of paint and follow directions, the Railroad Crew of Clinton Northern Railway Museum would like to have you join them in restoring a special part of history in this area. They are currently working on three railcars sitting by the depot, and a fourth one off-site.
The Crew is looking for volunteers available Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 9am – 12pm from May – October, weather permitting. If you are intrigued, stop down to the cars by the depot some Tuesday or Thursday morning to meet the guys and see what they are doing. If you would like to talk to somebody first, please call Ken Osentosky at 989-224-3310.
For those who aren’t into construction and repair, but are still interested in spending time at the Railway Museum, consider showing people through the Depot or taking people on tours of the rail cars on Sunday afternoons, 1 – 3 pm, May through October. Interested parties should contact Jenny and Gary McCampbell at (989) 224-6134.
Another volunteer opportunity is in the Art Gallery downtown St. Johns, 215 N. Clinton. The volunteers assist customers, as well as the Executive Director with running the gallery. It is a wonderful opportunity for someone who enjoys art and is curious about gallery practices. Volunteers should be willing to use a computer to complete basic tasks. Morning shifts are from 10am – 2pm Tuesday through Saturday; afternoon shifts are from 2pm – 5:30pm Tuesday through Friday. If interested, please contact Ashley Jackson at the gallery, (989) 224-2429 or clintoncountyarts1@gmail.com.
The Community Spray Park Mural also will have several tile-painting events throughout the summer that require a number of volunteers to assist with registration and record-keeping, setting up and tearing down paint tables, and making sure those painting have what they need. Interested parties should contact Tracie Davis traciedavis@tinybydesign.com.
All of the above activities are part of the community offerings of Clinton County Arts Council (CCAC), which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. The Arts Council is grateful to currently have grant funding from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts for a portion of its operating costs.