St. Johns Concert in the Park 2016 Schedule
It’s official. We have lived through another winter. And we know this because the Concerts in the Park are coming.
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
Combination concert is Friday, April 29
The Mint City Singers and Vivo Cantando Children’s Choir will present their spring concert, O Music, on April 29 at 7:30 pm. The concert will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 200 East State Street, St. Johns, Michigan. Admission is free.
Each choir will be featured alone, and in combination to create a multigenerational singing experience. A wide variety of music, including traditional spiritual, choral anthem, patriotic, musical theater, and popular song will be performed.
Both choirs are non-auditioned groups, and invite new members to join in the fall. The Mint City Singers is a branch of the Clinton County Arts Council, which receives financial operating support from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Chorale coming to First Congregational Church – May 1
Get ready for big sound and gentle harmonies on Sunday, May 1 at 11:00 in the worship being led by the Lansing Chorale.
This is a golden opportunity to invite others you know who will thrill to the music and message.
Special Olympics Area 28 Golf Outing – June 11th
Mark your calendars June 11, 2016 for the 20th annual Special Olympics Area 28 (Clinton County) Golf Scramble at the Emerald Golf Course – Continental breakfast, 18 holes with cart, luncheon, raffles, prizes… all for only a $65 entry fee.
We are looking for golfers and sponsors to make this outing a success. The money raised helps pay for equipment, uniforms, transportation and much more.
Area 28 wants to reach out and include as many children and adults with intellectual disabilities in Special Olympics as possible. In order to do so, we need community support.
Area 28 Athlete Julie Ashdown and Terri Wagner
Sponsorships are also available. All sponsors names will be posted at the golf scramble.
Platinum Sponsor: $100 or more. Gold (Hole) Sponsor: $75-$99. Silver (Tee) Sponsor: $50-$74. Bronze (Cart) Sponsor: $25-$49.
Donation/Item Sponsor: $_____ (Item value or $ under $25).
Special Olympics Michigan is a year-round sports training and athletic competition program for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Athletes are given continuing opportunities to develop new skills and physical fitness; boost self-confidence; and build relationships with family and friends.
All Special Olympics programs and activities are provided at no cost to the athletes and their families. There is no state or federal funding. Area 28 is run strictly by volunteers and relies upon the generosity of contributions.
Although sports is the “vehicle”, the ultimate goal of Special Olympics is to help persons with intellectual disabilities participate and receive respect as members of their communities. Please help our athletes reach this goal! Your support is very much appreciated.
For further information, to reserve your team or to become a sponsor, please contact Area 28 Representative Robyn Monville at 989.224.7021, or Area 28 Director Debbie Cornell at 517.669.7704 or via email at somia28@frontier.com.
CCEA Young Entrepreneurs competition winners announced
Award recipients of the sixth, Clinton County Economic Alliance Young Entrepreneurs Competition (YEC) were honored at the Lansing Community College March 21st Board of Trustees meeting. LCC President Brent Knight presented Lansing Community College (LCC) scholarships to the following students:
1st Place and a $1,000 LCC scholarship to Christine Scheffler of St. Johns High School with “Dog Gone”, for her hot dog cart project;
2nd Place and a $500 LCC scholarship to Jenna Cody of St. Johns High School with “Struck by Eros Wedding Planning, LLC”, a virtual, wedding planning company project; and,
3rd Place and a $250 LCC scholarship to Brooke Ragucci of DeWitt High School with “Brooke’s Barkery”, a bakery for dog’s project.
Sponsored by LCC, this is the sixth year for the YEC. The competition is organized and administered by the Clinton County Economic Alliance (CCEA) and Kelly Williams, teacher of Business Management & Entrepreneurship at Clinton County RESA. Each student entrepreneur in the competition submitted a business plan for a new venture to be located in Michigan that either made a product or provided a service.
Business plans were received from 12 students who live and/or attend high school in Clinton County with eight applicants invited to present their plans to a judging panel. The distinguished group of judges who provided insight and encouragement to each student following their presentations included: Tom Donaldson – Small Business Development Center at LCC; Mike Bills, MB Strategies, LLC; and, Clinton County Commissioner Adam Stacey. Mr. Donaldson has participated in this event since the beginning.
“Participating in the YEC provides students a better understanding of the road entrepreneurs and small business owner’s travel when they start and then grow their business,” stated Dru L. Mitchell, CCEA President & CEO. “We think it is important to nurture and develop an interest in starting a business for high school students so they understand it is one of the many career paths open to them.”
CCEA is extremely grateful to the continued support of Lansing Community College and Clinton County RESA for this valuable program, introducing young people to the idea of owning their own business.
A Community Celebration set for May 16
The Wilson Collective is presenting its final Open Mic Night of the season with a “Community Celebration of America,” beginning at 7 p.m. on May 16 at the Wilson Center Auditorium in St. Johns.
The program celebrates our veterans through various readings by youth and adults; reflections by those attending; and a Patriotic Sing-a-long. All area veterans are invited to attend along with the public.
The Wilson Center Auditorium is located at 101 W. Cass St., St. Johns, just south of the Clinton County Courthouse.
Clinton County Economic Alliance names 2016 Officers
The Clinton County Economic Alliance (CCEA) is pleased to announce the 2016 officers elected by the Board of Directors. Serving on the Executive Committee through December 31, 2016 are:
· Tonia Olson, Chairman of the Board. Ms. Olson is director of governmental and community relations with Granger;
· Chris Thelen, Vice Chairman. Mr. Thelen is the Consumer Energy public affairs area manager;
· Charles “Rusti” Owens was re-elected to the position of CCEA Treasurer. Mr. Owens is the business unit leader with C2AE.
President and CEO Dru L. Mitchell will continue as Secretary to the Board.
“CCEA would like to thank outgoing Board Chairman Chris Thelen of Consumers Energy and Immediate Past Chairman Rick Galardi, DeWitt Charter Township Supervisor, for their dedicated service to the organization and participation on the 2015 Executive Committee,” said CCEA Chairman Olson.
Additional members of the 2016 Board are: Allen Blower-Clark Construction Co., Ed Bruun-Sparrow Clinton Hospital, Dan Coss-City of DeWitt, Bruce DeLong- Clinton County Board of Commissioners, Evemarie Eyde-Eyde Co., Bruce Fandel-MAHLE Engine Components USA, Inc., Rick Galardi, DeWitt Charter Township, Colt Johnson-Michigan Milk Producers Assoc., Camie Kesler-Northway Center, LLC, Dennis LaForest-City of St. Johns, Shawn Middleton-Spicer Group, Inc., Wayne Petroelje, Ph.D.-Clinton County Regional Education Services Association, Autumn Redman-Mercantile Bank, Greg Ware-Fifth Third Bank, and Dan Wietecha-Bath Charter Township.
Our state has its share of lighthouses, both active and idle, awaiting our visit during a virtual flight around the Great Lakes shoreline as offered during a special event at the Gallery of Clinton County Arts Council (CCAC), Wednesday May 4 beginning at 7 p.m. 
The Downtown Development Association and St. Johns Principal Shopping District will sponsor their 2nd annual 5k run/walk. Also included is a 1mile run walk for the kids. 
In this Practitioner Profile, ATHA is joined by Dr. Michael VanRooyen, an emergency physician with a wealth of experience in humanitarian response. Michael has worked for a number of NGOs in over thirty countries affected by war and disaster. He is a Professor at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health as well as the Director of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative.
Come test drive a vehicle (even a Mustang!) from Pauli Ford and your St. Johns Area Community Fund will receive $20 from Ford Motor Company. Join us Saturday, April 16th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Southpoint Mall. Half of all our proceeds will go to the St. Johns Soccer Club to support their new fields. We have an opportunity to pump $6000 into our community!
For Easter I’ve included a picture from Back In The Day of my mother, sister and me. Every Easter it was the way of the time that we have a new coat, patent leather shoes and a hat. In this case I loved my white tam. Then we were off to St. Joseph Church. We did get candy back then, and then it was dinner at my grandparents farm in Fowler.
St. Johns High School senior Vincent Jandernoa has been selected as a National Merit Finalist.