Arts Council continues traditional Holiday Open House
The Gallery is a Clinton County Arts Council gem in the heart of St. Johns business district, but at Christmas it glistens temptingly with an array of gifting hints ranging from seasonal and general wall art to enchanting works from the hands of local artists.
Come Tuesday December 8, all of these attractions will be on display during the Council’s annual open house from 6-8 p.m.at special discounts to members and non-member alike without diminishing the artist’s normal commission amount. Along with price concessions – 10% and 20%, non-members and members, respectively – there will be complimentary gift wrapping and refreshments served throughout the evening.
It will also be a perfect time to meet CCAC President Jason Butler along with Director Ashley Garijo Jackson, both of whom are in the first year of their assignments.
Meanwhile the Gallery is taking on the spirit of the season in preparation for the event with timely decorations and displays. Plan now to visit the Gallery at 215 N. Clinton Ave. during the open house and experience the excitement of the season.
CCAC receives periodic grants from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
For additional information on this event or other Arts Council activities, calls may be made to the Gallery at 989.224.2429
Wilson Center hosts weekend of holiday music – Dec. 4-5
A pair of musical shows courtesy of Homegrown Productions provide a great opportunity for area residents to get in the holiday spirit, Dec. 4-5, at the Wilson Center Auditorium that’s located across from the Clinton County Courthouse near the downtown business district.
Youth are the focus of the fifth annual Christmas variety show created by Homegrown Productions that begins at 7:30 p.m., Friday evening following the Santa Parade in the downtown area. St. Johns’ favorite performers are featured in the evening of holiday stories and songs.
There is a special opportunity for the little ones to be part of the show by playing and singing along with “Tunes and Tales by Trish,” led by Patty Kjolhede. Christmas standards, songs that revere the meaning of the season, and the popular audience sing-along round out the Friday production.
Tickets are $5, available at the door; no charge for youth age 10 and younger.
A special encore performance of the holiday musical, “Nuncrackers,” brings the talented cast to the Wilson Center stage December 5, after its successful run at the Starlight Dinner Theatre in Lansiong. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.
“Nuncrackers” is one of seven musicals written by Michigan playwright Dan Goggin and featuring the somewhat zany, and occasionally irreverent, Little Sisters of Hoboken. St. Johns residents Beth Webb, who played Mother Superior, and Susan DeRosa, co-producer of the Starlight Theatre production, are founders of Homegrown Productions and members of the Wilson Center Auditorium Renovation Committee.
“We saw this as a great opportunity to cooperate with Linda Granger, Artistic Director of Starlight Dinner Theatre,” DeRosa says. “The other adult actors and technical crew were willing to help us with this fundraising effort. We’re bringing in a few local children to fill in for actors who could not make this performance.”
Diana Lett, who lives in Laingsburg, Laura Croff, LeAnn Dethlefsen and Rick Dethlefsen will reprise their stellar roles, along with Beth Webb.
Tickets for “Nuncrackers” are $25; call (989) 224-8982 for reservations. Funds from both shows benefit the Wilson Center Auditorium Renovation Project that committee members hope to conclude in 2016. For detailed information on the Wilson Center fundraiser and upcoming shows at the venue check out the Wilson Center Auditorium Facebook page or visit: http://wilsoncenterauditorium.org/
Shop with a Cop
On Thursday, December 10, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting the Shop with a Cop Program. This wonderful event has been made possible over the years due to Wal-Mart’a sponsorship and participation.
There will be 40 students from area schools Christmas shopping accompanied by Officers from the Clinton County Sheriffs Office, Mounted Division and Officers from several other local police agencies.
The Officers will be meeting at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, located at 1347 East Townsend Road, 81. Johns, Michigan, at 5:30 p.m. They will then proceed by police vehicles to the Wal-Mart Store here in St. Johns at 6:15 pm. Shopping usually takes about one hour.
You are welcome to come and meet us at Wal-Mart at 6:15 p.m. We will be parading with lights and sirens as they enter the service drive, and they will enter the store through the south door.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town – December 4, 5
Santa will arrive in St. Johns Friday, December 4 at 5:45 p.m. for the downtown St. Johns Santa Parade of Lights.
After the parade Santa will receive the key to the city and then the downtown and Chamber of Commerce will award one lucky winner a cash prize from their 50/50 raffle drawing. Call the Chamber (989-224-7248) or Downtown (989-227-1717) to find out where to purchase your ticket.
Then on Saturday, December 5 Santa will be at the Chamber’s Breakfast with Santa at the CCRESA Building, 1013 S US 27 in St. Johns from 8:00-10:30 a.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under. Children 2 and under are free. Bring your cameras for lots of pictures.
In addition to the Breakfast there will also be a Craft Show and Festival of Trees (8:00-10:00 a.m.) and Kids Make It and Take it Crafts (Noon-3:00 p.m.)
Happy 70th Anniversary – Forrest and Doris Swatman
If you see Forrest and Doris on December 2, 2015, be sure to congratulate them.
Such a great team!
Christmas at the Museum
Christmas decorations are in place at the Paine-Gillam-Scott House Museum.
Plan to visit the museum to see the antique decorations reflecting years past. Toys, dolls, a cedar tree in the parlor, Christmas tree decorations, natural greens and even a sled with Santa grace this beautiful house.
The County School Exhibit for 2015 continues through the holiday season along with the permanent Native American Exhibit and the Military Room Exhibit.
The museum is open through Sunday, December 20th on Wednesdays from 2-7pm and Sundays from 1-4pm. For further information, please call (989)292-9096 or (989)224-2894. You may also contact the museum via email at
PGSMuseum@hotmail.com.
Beginning December 21, PGS House Museum will be closed until May, 2016.
Annual Toys for Tots Concert – December 12
The King of Country “Louie Longoria” and The King of Rock n’ Rock “Steve “Elvis” Hunt” will put on their 8th Annual Concert to benefit Clinton County Toys for Tots.
The Concert will be Saturday, Dec 12, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the VFW Post 4113, 2497 N US 27, St. Johns.
Admission is $10 or a new unwrapped toy of equal value. Special thanks go to Mckenzie Crosby Insurance Agency.