Dress rehearsal for Cinderella – an album by Maralyn Fink
On Monday I returned to St. Johns High School for the dress rehearsal of the upcoming play, Cinderella.
Wow, watching practice and seeing the props was awesome. The students and Directors have been working hard for weeks now, and soon it will be Showtime.
It is hard to shoot pictures when everyone is moving, so with patience I was quick and sometimes not quick enough.
There are many people who need to be thanked for all the work they have done and the time given of everyone involved.
These include but are not limited to Don Snelling, parent for building and working on props, several parents that volunteered, set builders and painters, Dawn Flynn, Costumes, and Zane Paksi, who was Mr. Palmers right hand man, Justin Valla, Orchestra and Rachelle Short, piano leader.
The whole cast and all of their hard work will not go unnoticed when you attend this play. Lastly I need to thank Mr. Barry Palmer for taking his time and hard work for the production.
The play will be on
– Friday, November 13 at 7pm
– Saturday, November 14 at 7pm
– Sunday, November 15 at 2pm
Update: Sold Out!
Tickets are on sale, and you can also call the box office at 227-4112 to reserve your tickets.
As always, thank you Mr. Palmer and your cast and crew for allowing me to take pictures and interview you. It is much appreciated.
Until next time . . . .
https://picasaweb.google.com/110845930262453987007/151102?authuser=0&feat=directlink
Auditorium Committee receives Matching Funds Grant
The Wilson Center Auditorium Renovation Project Committee is kicking off Phase II, the final phase of fundraising, to complete this engaging project. “Phase I was completed 4 years ago. The auditorium has been the home to many concerts, plays and events over these past few years. Now it is time to complete the project,” says committee chair Bill Tennant.
The committee is addressing three major areas that need to be completed:
– the refurbishing and installation of 140 auditorium seats that will complete the downstairs main floor seating area
– the installation of a projector that can project high quality film, video and power point presentations
– finally the largest most complex task of basically redoing the entire lighting system, taking it from an antiquated backstage system that is over 60 years old to an up to date modern system.
“It is going to take $80,000 to complete all of the work,” says Tennant. “The good news is that we have $20,000 in our account, another $30,000 has been pledged to the project in a matching grant the committee has obtained, which leaves us with $30,000 to raise before the end of the year! We’re asking a lot of people to get on board with this project – we don’t want to lose those matching funds!”
An Open House is being scheduled for Tuesday, November 10 from 5:00 – 7:00 in the Wilson Center Auditorium so that the community can experience first hand this beautiful venue, seeing what has been accomplished so far and what still needs to be done. The auditorium is located in Downtown St Johns, just south of the Courthouse at 101 W Cass St.
When completed, the auditorium will be used for many concerts presented by The Wilson Collective – concerts also presented by our community musical groups, The St Johns Community Band, the Mint City Singers and the community children’s choir, Vivo Cantando – theatrical productions presented by Homegrown Productions – a film series and possible film festival – Open Mic Nights are being scheduled. It is hoped that community organizations will bring in speakers and other events. A whole host of activities will be taking place in this magnificent historical auditorium that was build in 1924.
Upcoming events are:
November 10 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Open House
November 16 7:00 start Open Mic Night
November 20 7:00 start Rock Concert
December 4 & 5 7:30 start Christmas Show
December 11 7:00 start Christmas Concert
The committee is seeking people, businesses and organizations who are willing to help restore this mid-Michigan historical gem here in St Johns.
“We’re specifically looking for sponsors for the 140 new seats that will be installed,” says committee member Tom Webb. “For $250, sponsors can have an engraved plaque put on one of the seats.” Major donors who give $500 or more can have their names engraved in a large plaque located in the auditorium lobby. Donations are tax deductable with checks being written out to the “St. Johns Foundation for Excellence” and sent to: Wilson Auditorium Project at PO Box 331, St. Johns. MI 48879.
“Once people realize that this beautiful auditorium exists, they will start to take advantage of the wonderful programming that will be presented throughout the year,” Tennant concludes. “We just need to secure the funding to receive the matching funds before the end of the year.”
City accepts donation for Spray Park
check presentation this morning from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for the Spray Park matching funds from the Patronicity campaign earlier this summer.
Craft Show in St. Johns – November 14
On Saturday, November 14 the Clinton County Senior Center will hold a Craft Show and Bake Sale between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Senior Center is located at 201 E Walker Street, St. Johns.
In addition to many homemade items there will also be gently used Christmas decorations, books, puzzles and more for sale. The Craft Show proceeds will go to the Senior Center and the Bake Sale will benefit the Clinton County Meals on Wheels program.
If you would like to donate any new crafts, or supplies that can be used to make things, please drop them off at the Senior Center Monday through Friday (except Thursday) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you need something picked up, please call 989-224-4257.
If you would like to make something for the bake sale, please call Meals on Wheels at 989-224-3600.
Big Boy to honor Veterans with free breakfast – November 11
St. Johns, MI-Both the St. Johns and Mason Big Boy will once again be honoring area veterans with a free breakfast on Veterans Day.
From 7:00 to 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 11, any veteran can stop by the Big Boy to enjoy a trip to the breakfast buffet – compliments of David Hunt, owner of the Big Boy Restaurants in St. Johns and Mason.
“It is our pleasure to honor the men and women who have served our county, whether in times of combat or peace,” said Hunt. “We are blessed with freedom and rights that so many others around the world don’t enjoy – and are also blessed with the dedication of those in uniform. This is a small gesture of appreciation to all those who have served in any branch of the military.”
The St. johns Big Boy is located at 1408 S. U.S. 27, and the Mason Big Boy is at 660 N. Cedar St.