Popular Grand Rapids Band comes to St. Johns February 26

The Wilson Collective is excited to announce its third concert of the year on Friday, February 26, featuring the popular Grand Rapids indie-folk band “Olivia Mainville and the Aquatic Troupe.” Opening acts include the Owosso indie-pop band “Great Lakes Feather Company,” and St. Johns’ own Aidan Pope of the alt-country band “The American Automobile,” performing a solo set of songs on the program.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. in the historical Wilson Center Auditorium in St. Johns.

“Olivia Mainville and the Aquatic Troupe,” known for their energized dynamic performances and their gargantuan musical talent, recently released their acclaimed debut album “Maybe The Saddest Thing” last December. The versatile band identifies as Midwest gypsy swing rock and indie-folk, incorporating different instruments, such as violin, accordion, trumpet, and omnichord, into their carefully constructed songs.

Band members include Mainville, Andy Fettig, Bleu Quick, Libby DeCamp, and Ian Burke. The troupe has been touring Michigan seemingly nonstop with such groups as the popular folk band “Caravan of Thieves.” The Grand Rapids band has performed at the popular Wheatland Festival and Blissfest in Harbor Springs, along with notable venues such as “The Majestic” in Detroit, and “The Ark” in Ann Arbor.

“We are very excited about bringing such a unique band to St. Johns,” says Bill Tennant, one of the supporters of the concert, and a co-founder of the Wilson Collective. “We’re hoping that students and adults alike come out to hear this outstanding group as well as the opening musicians.”

The Owosso band “Great Lakes Feather Company” will open the show with their unique blend of indie-pop, rock, and elements of electronic music. “We’ll be performing a combination of songs from albums and EP’s I have made over the last five years,” says bandleader Miles Winchester. His long-time collaborator and friend, who performs under the title of “Young Linners,” will accompany him. They are part of the bustling Shiawassee music scene and are influenced by synthpop, hip-hop, and 90’s alt-rock with a nostalgic appeal.

Singer-songwriter Pope of the band “The American Automobile,” will perform a set of solo acoustic folk songs. “The songs are completely new,” says Aidan, when talking about his set. “My band is currently in the process of recording them for our first album”. Pope is influenced by artists such as Simon Joyner, Wilco, and Galaxie 500 and is also one of the co-founders of the Wilson Collective.

Admission to the concert is $6 at the door. The Wilson Center Auditorium is located at 101 W. Cass St., near downtown St. Johns and across from the Clinton County Court house.

For more information about The Wilson Collective and/or upcoming concerts and events, please visit the Wilson Center Auditorium web site at: www.wilsoncenterauditorium.org and/or the Wilson Center Auditorium Facebook page

Theatre Department earns awards

Check out the award winners from Regional competition. Excellence awards were earned for lighting design, lighting execution, program design, pit orchestra, acting ensemble, and acting for the role of Molly. They claim it was their best performance of this show to date.

The Regional competition was held at Avondale High School in Auburn Hills last Saturday. Students presented a free performance for the community on Wednesday evening.

Coffee and Conversation with the Superintendent

Take advantage of an informal opportunity to ask questions and hear information from St. Johns Public School Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin. Topics to be discussed include the financial health of the district and the district’s Facilities Committee report.

The event will take place on February 29, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at The Wheel Inn 1825 S. US 27 St. Johns, MI 48879.

For more information, please go to http://www.sjredwings.org/facility-committee-/

Helping You to Move Through Your Grief – Beginning March 3

Grief Recovery is a bereavement support group that will start meeting on the 1st, 2nd, and 4th week of March.

The first meeting will be on March 3rd from 7-8 pm at Sparrow Clinton Hospital, 3rd floor Conference Room.

If you choose to, you may bring a friend to help support you during your healing process. We encourage you to utilize and participate in the therapeutic value of this group.

For more information, call Maralyn at 989-224-7963 or Dick at 989-224-7237.

Giant LAFCU letters garner Michigan Innovation Award

LANSING, Mich. – LAFCU has won the 2016 Innovation Award from the Michigan Credit Union League for its 6-foot-tall letters that are part of a marketing campaign aptly titled “Down to the Letter.”

Larger than an average person, the huge blue letters were first introduced in a TV commercial with a team of 12 LAFCU employees constructing them, exemplifying teamwork and LAFCU’s 80-year history of building strength and integrity. The commercial began airing in late September. They are also being placed at numerous events in LAFCU communities, gaining considerable recognition.

“The LAFCU letters have become a fun way to call attention to our name change, our history, our services and our mission,” said LAFCU CEO Robin Frucci. “The letters are our big, friendly ambassadors, and we are thrilled the campaign was chosen by the MCUL to receive the 2016 Innovation Award.”

The mid-Michigan credit union changed its name from Lansing Automakers Federal Credit Union to LAFCU in 2013. The change was necessary because it had replaced its federal charter with a state charter, which prohibits the word “federal” in a credit union’s name.

The LAFCU letters have appeared at several events including Jazz on the Grand in Lansing, Oktoberfest in Owosso, Urban Air in Eaton Rapids, and most recently, the Phil Denny & Friends Christmas Collective in Lansing.

Bernard Feldpausch: the epitome of selfless service

by Rhonda Dedyne

A lifetime writing about people, places and events has provided me with many opportunities to meet individuals who have had a positive impact on our mid-Michigan communities. Bernard Feldpausch, who passed away February 11, is one of those people. It’s impossible to count the number of lives he touched during his 91 years of selfless service, or measure the effect Bernard’s integrity as a successful business owner of Bee’s Chevy-Olds and Bee’s Sports had on multiple generations.

Compassionate and caring, Bernard was tenacious in the many projects he and like-minded community leaders championed through the decades of the mid-20th century into the new millennium. His genuine concern and honest humor made it impossible to say no to Bernard when he had an idea he wanted to share with others. I can attest to that, as can many others who had the sometimes dubious honor of being on Bernard’s telephone chain. How we all will miss those calls and the sound of his voice, mixing a funny story with a request for help with this or that project – always for the benefit of the most vulnerable among us.

Young people held a special place in Bernard’s heart. In the early 1960s, he helped organize and sponsor the Clinton County Soap Box Derby that was held in downtown St. Johns. Over 5,000 spectators watched the 53 entries in that debut race. Those numbers were multiplied many times over in subsequent years, providing countless hours of positive interaction between youth and adults.

Similarly, when St. Johns Youth Baseball teams needed a new home in the late 1960s, the organization looked to Bernard for help. He responded by donating land on Townsend Road from acreage he had purchased to build his new Bee’s dealership – and the ball fields were finished and in use before his own facility opened in 1969. Additional fields, lighting, concession stand, parking and other improvements over the years benefited from Bernard’s generosity.

Providing educational opportunities for area youth were also high on Bernard’s to-do list. When Bee’s relocated to the current location on BR-127, the “old” dealership building on Higham Street west of Clinton Avenue became the home of Clinton County Shared Time Vocational Programs coordinated by the Clinton County Intermediate School District. Students learned valuable on-the-job skills in food services, automotive repair and maintenance, data processing and cosmetology through classes that were available to students from across the county. The collaborative arrangement had a positive impact on thousands of young people enrolled in the program that received state and national recognition.

A desire to help individuals with unique needs, the elderly and the under-privileged prompted Bernard’s involvement in the development of the county-wide transportation system we know today as Clinton Transit. In his typical never-say-quit fashion, Bernard worked with other community leaders to establish the inaugural fleet of Community Resource Volunteers “Blue Buses” that provide low-cost/no-cost transportation to county residents. Although Bernard hasn’t worked on the busses in recent years as he once did, Clinton Transit offices remain at the Higham/Brush street location.

Examples of Bernard’s selfless nature are visible in countless other organizations that have touched the lives of many families: Clinton Area Care Center, Clinton (Sparrow) Memorial Hospital, St. Joseph Catholic Church and School, and the Knights of Columbus to name a few. He received numerous honors over the years including the Clinton County Area Chamber of Commerce Bill Patton Award that is given annually to an individual who demonstrates continued commitment and dedication to the betterment of the community, and the Honorary Paul Harris Fellow by the St. Johns Rotary Club.

While Bernard accepted the awards with grace and thanks, personal recognition was never important to the true gentle man and gentleman. My calling him a “gentleman” would have garnered a humorous reply of some sort from him, I know that for sure. He once said that he most loved “God, people, automobiles and airplanes – and in that order,” which was undoubtedly true. Although, he may have added honey bees to the list or any other creature of God’s natural world that he loved so much.

Every conversation with Bernard always included some mention of nature: pairs of geese that he and Adeline watched on the pond; the beauty of changing seasons; bees and the vital role they play in agriculture and the continuation of food sources to sustain the human species.

Another constant in our conversations were bits of wisdom which popped up as part of the stories he enjoyed telling, usually dating to his youth and often involving his father. I call them “Bernie-isms.” Examples follow:

Bernard didn’t like to wear a hat when he was young which frequently resulted in his being chastised by his dad – at least that was Bernard’s version of what preceded this “Bernie-ism.” After once again being scolded for being hatless in the cold, working outside on the farm, Bernard’s dad said to him, “Well, I’ve finally figured out why you don’t need a hat – An empty barn doesn’t need a roof.” That was classic Bernard – poking fun at himself and making someone else laugh in the process.

Other “Bernie-isms” were more serious and practical:
“All the knowledge in the world is nothing if you don’t have common sense, too.”
“There are no perfect people in this world – and we are one of them.”
And this one, paraphrased from his father when Bernard was attempting to get his first job, “If you’re going to get this job and keep it, you’d best do more than what’s expected of you.” Good advice for anyone, at any age.

In what turned out to be my final visit with Bernard and Adeline in the past few months, I reminded him about the time he took me flying in his beloved airplane so that I could take aerial photographs of the US-27 bypass around St. Johns.

That flight in the autumn of 1995 was memorable not because of the bypass, but for the photos I took of my parents farm on Forest Hill Road in Riley Township where we spotted my Dad walking up the farm lane to the house. Bernard tipped a wing down, saying hello. Of course Dad had no idea at the time who was flying in that plane, but it was special to me – and to Bernard. A smile crossed his face when I re-told that story one last time.

Bernard’s life is a wonderful example of service above self. It is an honor to call him my friend.

https://picasaweb.google.com/110845930262453987007/16bernard?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Mark Your Calendar

CASA Spaghetti Buffet

Wednesday, February 24 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at St. Johns Big Boy

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Kindergarten Registration – March 15 – 17

St. Johns Public Schools offers all day, everyday kindergarten. Children who will be 5 years old on or by September 1, 2016 are eligible to attend school in the fall.

Please visit the web page www.sjredwings.org to get school updates and information.

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Annual Spring Wetlands Conservation Banquet – April 15, 2016

The Clinton County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited (DU) will host it’s 35th Annual Wetlands Conservation
banquet on Friday April 15, 2016. The event will once again be held at Smith Hall on the 4-H Fairgrounds in St Johns.

Leonard to hold office hours

State Rep. Tom Leonard today encouraged people to join him for office hours scheduled during March.

Rep. Leonard, R-DeWitt, said office hours will place on Friday, March. 11 at the following locations:

· In St. Johns at the Big Boy, 1408 S. U.S. 27, from 8 to 9:30 a.m.; and

· In Ithaca at the Hearthstone Oven Bakery and Café, 126 S. Pine River St., from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

No appointment is necessary. Those unable to attend may contact Rep. Leonard by calling 517-373-1778 or toll free at 877-859-8086, via email at TomLeonard@house.mi.gov or through his website at www.RepLeonard.com.

Briggs Library News

March is Reading Month – Briggs Library is celebrating March is Reading Month with crafts, games, and snacks inspired by your favorite characters and stories! Readers ages 3-5 can get their groove on with Pete the Cat Tuesday, March 8; readers ages 6-8 can “Shel-a-brate” Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree Tuesday, March 15. Both programs will run from 6:30-7:30p.m. Registration is required and is now open.

Comic Book Presentation – Did you know that Michigan State University houses the world’s largest library comic collection? Randy Scott, Assistant Head of Special Collections at MSU, will be at Briggs Library for a special March is Reading Month presentation on Tuesday, March 29 at 7:00p.m. to discuss this collection, the work that goes on at a comic art library, and will even bring examples of the interesting and rare items the collection houses. All ages are welcome, but the program format may not suit young listeners. Registration for this program is now available.

Lapsit Storytime – “Favorite Character Tales” There are still a few openings for children ages 12 to 24 months with adult participation. You are invited to share the wonder of stories, music, creative movement, crafts and signing with some of our favorite book friends. Choose between Friday mornings 10:30-11, Feb. 19 – Mar.18 (no session on Good Friday) or Monday evenings, 6:30-7, Feb.22 – Mar. 28. Registration is open now. It is a wonderful opportunity for the children to meet and socialize in a relaxed and fun way.

Chapter Chatter – “Through a Door” will be the theme for children ages 6-8. What will we find behind the doors that we walk through in this 4 week session? Library staff will choose stories that will be shared at each session. The fun will happen on Thursday evenings, 7-7:45pm, Feb. 25- Mar.17. The “door locations” will be announced at a later date. Registration is required and is open at this time. Like books, it will be an adventure!

Toddler Storytime – “Toddler Tails” Join in the fun with tales about animals with “tails”. Sessions are Thursdays, 10:30-11 am or 6:30-7 pm, March 24 – April 28. We will enjoy music, games, crafts and creative movement throughout the 6 week sessions. Registration is required and opens on Thursday, February 25th. We’ll have a tail waggin’ time!

Easter Bunny – Celebrate Easter at the Library with the Easter Bunny! On Tuesday, March 22 from 6:30-7:30p.m. the Easter Bunny will be hopping into the Library. There will be a snack, game, stories and a craft. Bring your own camera and take a picture with the Easter Bunny. Registration is required and opens for kids of all ages on Tuesday, February 23.

Bookaholics Book Club – The March selection of the Bookaholics is now available. We will be reading “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes, the story of ordinary girl Louisa, who takes a job working for recently wheelchair-bound Will. Will has always lived a huge life, and now he is not sure he can live the way he is, but Louisa refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. We will meet Thursday, March 17 at 6:30p.m. at the Library. Ours is an open club that is always accepting new members, so stop in and join us!

Staff Picks – If you are looking for a good book to read here is a list of titles that Library staff enjoyed or found informative in the last month. Fiction: “The Center of the World” by Jacqueline Sheehan, “Blackout” by D. Rosenfelt, “Storm Front” by R. Conroy, “After She’s Gone” by L. Jackson, “Guest Room” by C. Bohjalian, “Likely Story” by J. McKinlay and “Secret Sisters” by J. Krentz. Non-fiction: “Lights Out, a Cyberattack: a Nation Unprepared by Ted Koppel.

Baker College to move to Semesters

Baker College officials have announced that the college will transition from a quarter format to a semester format beginning fall 2017.

A traditional academic year is a nine-month period composed of either quarter- or semester-based coursework. As a quarter-based institution, Baker College currently offers three quarters of coursework, each typically 10 to 12 weeks in duration, along with a summer session. The semester calendar will offer two 16-week semesters of coursework and a 12-week summer session.

“The trend in higher education is certainly a semester schedule, especially in Michigan,” said Bart Daig, Ph.D., Baker College System president and CEO. “Our students will gain many benefits when our schedule aligns with the majority of higher education institutions.”

He noted the following student benefits:
· Longer-term internships that will provide additional real-world training.
· Availability during traditional college breaks for summer and holiday employment.
· Entering the job market at the same time in the spring as most other college graduates.
· Greater ease of transferring credits and enrollment to and from other institutions of higher education.

The new schedule also better aligns with high school calendars. It allows for additional opportunities to collaborate with high schools and for enhanced support of Baker College’s many existing high school dual-enrollment, direct-credit and early middle college initiatives.

A transition committee has created a detailed implementation plan that provides a transparent and seamless process for students, faculty and staff.

“Of high importance in this transition is to not disrupt the academic progress of current students,” said Denise Bannan, Ph. D., Baker College System vice president for academics. “It will be cost- and time-neutral for them. Advisors will ensure that this will not increase the cost to complete a program nor will it increase a student’s time to graduation. Annual tuition fees and financial aid on the semester calendar will remain comparable to those on our present quarter calendar.”

For more information about the transition from quarters to semesters at Baker College, visit http://baker.edu/semesterconversion.

City Commission honors Police and Firefighters

At a recent City Commission Meeting the Police Chief and Fire Chief presented awards. From the Police Department, Officer Pierson, Officer Helms, Officer Dedyne and Officer Verlinde were recognized. From the Fire Department, Firefighter Michael Zlotek was recognized.

Officer Pierson was awarded a Departmental Citation for his role in assisting the Elsie Police Department and Clinton County Sheriff’s Department in locating, pursuing and taking into custody a suspect wanted for a stabbing, attempted murder. The suspect had fled on foot. Officer Pierson located him outside the perimeter area and followed also on foot in a chase that lasted over 20 minutes.

Officer Helms was awarded an Individual Commendation for his efforts in making our community safer. Officer Helms has handled over 100 narcotics cases since joining the department in 2011. He was also recognized my M.A.D.D. for having 25 drunk driving arrests in 2015.

Officer Dedyne was awarded an Individual Commendation for his work in the area of illegal drug activity in 2015. Officer Dedyne handled several extensive investigations involving search warrants for the seizure of illegal drugs in the community. In all he confiscated over 80 marijuana plants, 1.5 pounds of marijuana, 1 ounce of meth and an active meth lab.

Officer Verlinde was recognized by Stop Stick International for “Hit of the Month” for May 2015. On May 26, 2015 Officer Verlinde was able to deploy stop sticks on a vehicle in which the driver was wanted for domestic assault by another department within the county. The vehicle was traveling northbound on US-127 at speeds in excess of 100 mph and had already evaded the stop sticks of another officer. Officer Verlinde was able to hide his patrol car and himself in such a way that the suspect did not see them. The suspect vehicle ran over the sticks and punctured three tires. The suspect was ultimately stopped and arrested.

Firefighter Michael Zlotek was recognized with the Fire Department Director’s Award which is given yearly to the firefighter with the most volunteer hours on the department. In 2015 Firefighter Zlotek gave over 92 hours of his time without pay to the department doing things like school group tours, fire truck rides, and parades.

Kids Art Display

Young artists preparing for a showing during the “Art to Melt Your Heart” display at the Gallery, preview their work.

By group, from left are Blake Thelen, Glen Thelen, Chase Thelen, Marcia Geller and Jack Damon. Middle group, Ron Putmon, Jennifer Putmon, Annie Putmon, Thomas Putmon, Wesley Putmon. Final group; Katie Rozen, Lisa Rozen, Oakley Davis and Truman Davis.

The kid’s art display runs through the month of February.

The Gallery will be open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Gallery is closed Sunday through Tuesday.

For additional information on Arts Council activities, calls may be made to the Gallery at 989.224.2429.

Schools win grant

St. Johns Public Schools announce that their K-3 Literacy Grant application for $33,000 has been awarded by the Michigan Department of Education. With it leaders look forward to being able to provide additional literacy support for targeted K-3 students.

Back in early December, St. Johns Public Schools applied for the literacy grant through the Michigan Department of Education. The grant application is to provide additional instructional time in the area of literacy for targeted students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd grade.

Now they are working quickly to implement this grant in all 5 of the elementary buildings. This grant will allow the schools to provide additional reading intervention support during the regular school day, as well as provide for some additional time outside of the normal school hours. It will provide professional learning opportunities for our staff in data interpretation.

With all grants, there are specific guidelines and requirements. This grant money must be used to provide additional reading intervention support for targeted students.

The entire administrative team is working together to implement this grant to achieve significant educational impact for St. Johns students.

Palmer named Fitness Ambassador

Congratulations to St. Johns Public Schools school nurse, Karla Palmer, for being selected as a Fitness Ambassador for the Michigan Fitness Foundation.

The Michigan Fitness Foundation’s vision is to cultivate a culture of health in order to transform and improve the health of all Michiganders

Grand Re-Opening – Saturday, February 13

Snap Fitness – St. Johns is inviting everyone, both current members and non-members, to our Grand Re-Opening Event!!
Come check out and workout at our new location for free.

**Door Prizes
**Give-a-Ways
**Goody Bags for the first 100 families
**Instructed Classes throughout the day
**Healthy Snacks and Vendors

Come meet the new local owners and your St. Johns Snap Staff at 2453 Ontario Dr, Saint Johns.

Winter taxes due – February 16

Winter 2015 property taxes are due Tuesday, February 16, 2016 by 5:00 PM. After this date, a 3% penalty is added. Postmarks are not accepted.

Summer and Winter 2015 taxes must be paid by 5:00 PM on February 29, 2016. Postmarks are not accepted. On March 1, 2016 delinquent 2015 tax amounts are turned over to the County Treasurer.

If you have questions, please contact city offices at 989-224-8944.

Briggs Library event – beginning February 25

Briggs Public Library’s Chapter Chatter will be taking place Thursday evenings from 7-7:45 pm beginning February 25th through March 17th.

Registration is open and required

Mark Your Calendar

Valentine Tea at Lowe UMC – Saturday, February 13 from 1:15 pm to 3:30 pm Reservations are not necessary.

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Bring Your Valentine to the Sons of the American Legion 20th Annual Spaghetti Dinner. – February 13 from 5:00pm To 7:30pm

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Experienced and novice anglers alike are encouraged to take advantage of Free Fishing Weekend on February 13 and 14.

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CASA Spaghetti Buffet is Wednesday, February 24 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at St. Johns Big Boy

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The Clinton County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited (DU) will host its 35th Annual Wetlands Conservation banquet on Friday April 15, 2016. The event will once again be held at Smith Hall on the 4-H Fairgrounds in St Johns.

Kindergarten Registration March 15 – 17

St. Johns Public Schools offers all day, everyday kindergarten. Children who will be 5 years old on or by September 1, 2016 are eligible to attend school in the fall.

Kindergarten Registration will be held in each of the elementary buildings this year. You are invited to bring your child with you to meet our staff and enjoy a tour.

Registration Dates and Times

Please call Mrs. Metzmaker at 989.227.4802 to schedule an appointment.

Gateway Elementary Tuesday, March 15, 2016 8:00 – 11:30
Eureka Elementary Tuesday, March 15, 2016 2:00 – 4:00
Oakview Elementary Wednesday, March 16, 2016 8:00 – 11:30
East Olive Elementary Wednesday, March 16, 2016 2:00 – 4:00
Riley Elementary Thursday, March 17, 2016 12:30 – 4:00

This is always an exciting time for students and parents as they enter school. We will do everything we can to make sure this transition goes as smoothly as possible. Please visit the web page www.sjredwings.org to get school updates and information.

Concordia honors list

Concordia University Ann Arbor officials released the Fall Honors List for the first semester of the 2015-2016 academic year.

Among the area students named to the list were St. Johns students James McKane, FR, Social Studies Secondary Ed and Michael Salminen, JR, Exercise Science.