SCH Auxiliary selects leaders for upcoming year
Members of the Sparrow Clinton Hospital Auxiliary held their annual installation meeting on May 18, naming officers and leaders for the coming year.
Outgoing President Shelley Redman was recognized for her service. Redman served as co-president from 2014-16, sharing that position the first year with Gay Baker and the second year with Angie Beals. Co-presidents for the current year are Angie Beals and Kim Kellogg.
Shelley Gunther, 2015 Auxilian of the Year, announced Gay Baker as the 2016 Auxilian of the Year. Baker received special recognition from her peers for her dedication to volunteer leadership and service through Auxiliary projects.
The Auxiliary’s incoming officers include Brianna Hardaker, president-elect; Diane Zuker, recording secretary; Darice Duckworth, treasurer; Shelley Gunther, corresponding secretary; and Gay Baker, historian.
Executive board members for 2015-17 are Carey Harris, Dee Phinney, and Roxanne Wilkins. Executive board members for 2016-18 are Kay Devereaux, Karen Gillespie, and Alice Kus.
The Sparrow Clinton Hospital Auxiliary’s mission is to promote the goals and objectives of Sparrow Clinton Hospital through service to the hospital and its patients, positive public relations, effective use of the time and talents of its members, and support of hospital Caregivers.
The Sparrow Clinton Hospital Auxiliary breaks for the summer and reconvenes in September. New members are welcome. To learn more about the Auxiliary, call Shelley Gunther at 989.224.6137.
Sparrow Clinton Hospital Auxiliary members Angie Beals, Kim Kellogg, Brianna Hardaker, Diane Zuker, Darice Duckworth, Shelley Gunther (back left), Gay Baker, Carey Harris, Dee Phinney, Roxanne Wilkins, Kay Devereaux, Karen Gillespie, Alice Kus, and Nancy Mino celebrated their installation as officers with SCH President and CEO Ed Bruun at their May 18 gathering.
City Manager placed on leave of absence
The City of St. Johns recently completed a 12 month investigation regarding the administration of and adherence to city policies and procedures. As a result of this investigation City Manager Dennis LaForest has been placed on a 30 day leave of absence without pay commencing June 1.
The investigative findings revealed that certain policies were not followed. As a result of these findings, it has been determined the St. Johns City Commission will review all policies and revise/delete and generate new policies for all city employees, elected and appointed officials which will include ethics and donation policies for the City of St. Johns.
Deputy City Manager David Kudwa will fulfill the responsibilities of City Manager during the period of suspension.
Sherman running for re-election
Clinton County Prosecuting Attorney Charles D. Sherman announced that he is running for re-election. Sherman started as an assistant prosecutor for Clinton County 35 years ago and has been the elected Prosecutor for the past 28 years. “The first responsibility of Government is to keep our communities safe. The prosecuting Attorney, as the chief Law Enforcement Officer of the county, leads this fight. I have dedicated 35 years to make Clinton County a safe place to live and raise our families. I want to continue being the voice for the victims of crime”
The Clinton County Prosecutor’s office has a total staff of eleven including five attorneys, but the Elected Prosecutor handles his own case load as well. “I have personally tried over 200 jury trials and handled thousands of cases, and argued in front of the Michigan Court of Appeals and The Michigan Supreme Court” Sherman has also been active State wide in The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, serving on their board of directors since 1991 and acting as President of the association in 2004. He has also served on many State task Forces such as The Law Enforcement Information Network, the Automated Fingerprint Identification System, the State Bar Task Force on Eyewitness identification, and the State Task Force to seek funding sources for the State Court system, and has frequently testified in front of State House and Senate hearings on legislative matters to improve the criminal justice system. He has been on the Executive committee of the Clinton County Republican Party for 28 years.
Sherman graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1977 and Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1981. He passed the State Bar exam in 1981 with the highest score of all applicants State wide.
Married to his wife Jill for 39 years, they have 3 grown children and four grandchildren and currently reside in Fowler. They are members of First Baptist Church in St. Johns.
Among his supporters are Attorney General Bill Schuette, State Senator Rick Jones, State Representative Tom Leonard, Sheriff Wayne Kangas, St. Johns Police Chief Kyle Knight, past Representatives Scott Hummel and Alan Cropsey and Chairman of the Clinton County Republican Party Larry Meyer. The primary election will be held August 2nd.
Memorial Day Parade – an album
by Barry Bauer
Dayna Bancroft receives Baker scholarship
Baker College of Owosso officials have announced Dayna Bancroft, of Ovid, is the recipient of the 2016 Ed Kurtz Leadership Scholarship award.
Ryan Truemner, Baker College of Owosso director of financial services, congratulates Dayna Bancroft, of Ovid, the recipient of the $2,500 Ed Kurtz Leadership Scholarship. She is earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing and expects to graduation in 2018.
The $2,500 scholarship is awarded annually to a Baker College of Owosso student who demonstrates academic achievement and either a commitment to community service or a successful balance of work, family and school obligations.
“Dayna exemplifies the spirit of the Ed Kurtz Scholarship through her drive to achieve her educational goals while remaining a dedicated parent, wife and community volunteer,” said Aaron J. Maike, Baker College of Owosso president.
Bancroft is earning a 3.76 GPA in the Bachelor of Science nursing program and plans to graduate in 2018.
She is married and the mother of three young sons and actively participates in their school and athletic activities. Most notable is her commitment to the Ovid-Elsie Youth Football (OEYF) program where she has served as secretary for the past three years. Among her achievements with OEYF was chairing the organization’s largest fundraising project. She also assists with matters requiring diplomacy and professionalism and is known for her optimistic and cheerful attitude.
SMG earns recognition for outstanding immunization rates
The Mid-Michigan District Health Department presented Sparrow Medical Group St. Johns with an award for Outstanding Immunization Rates and Michigan Care Improvement Registry Documentation (MCIR). The presentation took place at the spring meeting of Vaccines for Children and the Michigan Care Improvement Registry.
MCIR is a lifespan immunization registry that coordinates vaccination information on Michigan citizens of all ages. The registry benefits health care organizations by consolidating immunization information from multiple providers into a comprehensive immunization record that allows providers to view up-to-date Patient immunization histories in one system.
SMG St. Johns ranked among the top three practices in Clinton, Gratiot, and Montcalm counties for up-to-date immunization rates among its Patients. The St. Johns practice achieved 71 percent Patient immunization as compared to the state average of 65 percent.
Sparrow Medical Group St. Johns provides primary care and coordinates access to specialty services through consultant staff. Primary care physician services include Family Practice, Pediatrics, and internal Medicine. The practice is located in the Professional Building attached to Sparrow Clinton Hospital at 901 South Oakland Street in St. Johns.
City Recreation camps begin June 20
Summer Camps start June 20, 2016. Sign up deadlines for the first day of each camp week is the Thursday, the week before. There are many different themes from sports to pirate day camp and include activities like games, hikes, and crafts. Afternoon campers will get to go to Sleepy Hollow on Wednesdays to experience a new activity like archery or geocaching.
For a complete listing of recreation programs with descriptions, dates, and prices please visit the city website.
If you are interested in signing up for any of our programs, the registration forms can be picked up in the City Offices or downloaded off our web site. Registrations forms must be dropped off or mailed in with payment. Any questions can be answered by calling the Recreation Department at 224-8944 ext. 227 or 228 or by emailing
rfaivor@ci.saint-johns.mi.us.
Join us in celebrating the 100th birthday of Laura “Maxine” Mosher. We will be hosting a little open house with food and cake for her on June 5, 2016, from 1 pm to 4 pm. 
The mid-Michigan credit union donated $2,000 to the scholarship fund and $4,000 is the estimated total to be donated by Lansing Lugnuts fans in the first two years (2015-2016) of LAFCU Launch, an in-park promotion. About $2,000 was raised last year. Following the game at each LAFCU Fireworks Spectacular, fans donate $1 for each tennis ball they wish to “launch” onto the field to try and win a $25 VISA card.
Briggs District Library is hosting the Eleventh Annual Authors Night at the Emerald Golf Course Tuesday on May 17 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.