Fire destroys downtown building – with an album by Barry Bauer and others

The St. Johns Fire Department responded to a fire about 4 a.m. on Monday in a building is attached to LeVeck’s Power Equipment on North Clinton Ave. The building was said to be unoccupied, and no one was injured.

Fire departments from the city of DeWitt, DeWitt Township, Ovid Township, Fowler and Maple Rapids and the Clinton Area Fire Authority provided support.

The building was built by Oliver Montague in the late 1930s to house his farm implement business. In the more recent past the structure had been a car and snowmobile dealership.

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SJPD targets illegal drug activity

According to Chief Kyle Knight on Friday, November 13, 2015 the St. Johns Police Department arrested a 17 year old St. Johns resident for breaking and entering a downtown St. Johns business and possession of methamphetamine. This arrest came as the result of information gathered from some concerned individuals as well as good police work.

Later on the same day, the St. Johns Police Department executed a search warrant on an apartment in the 300 block of north Clinton Avenue for a possible meth lab. Upon executing the search warrant, remnants of a meth lab, components to manufacture methamphetamine, and methamphetamine were located. The lone occupant of the apartment, a 30 year old St. Johns resident, was arrested for various charges.

Both the 17 year old and 30 year old were lodged at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office awaiting arraignment on multiple charges. The St. Johns Police Department was assisted by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office and the DeWitt City Police Department.

In addition to these arrests, over the past few months the St. Johns Police Department executed two search warrants within the city for illegal marijuana grow operations.

As a result of these investigations over 100 marijuana plants were seized and charges were pressed against three St. Johns residents. Also, recently officers from the St. Johns Police Department stopped three separate vehicles that resulted in subjects being arrested for possession of methamphetamine.

The officers at the St. Johns Police Department have been aggressively pursuing illegal drug activity within the city and surrounding area in attempt to discourage activity of this nature near St. Johns. To assist with this endeavor, Chief Knight encourages anyone with information to help his department continue this task to call the St. Johns Police Department at 989-224-6721 or 911 and pass the information along.

Feast on November 26 – You are invited

Again for the 6th year a group of area churches with major support from community members, businesses, and service organizations is hosting the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at noon and at 1:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day in downtown St. Johns in the dining area at the First Congregational Church, across from the courthouse. Make reservations for yourself, friends or family group by phone (989-224-2636), text message (2316339471), email
first.congregational.church.sj@gmail.com, or by clicking the online form http://tinyurl.com/48879thanksgivingdinner.

Free Will Offering

Community Thanksgiving Worship Service – Tuesday, November 24

Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck of Lowe and Maple Rapids UMC, and Pastor Ellen Zeinert of St. Johns First UMC are providing a Community Thanksgiving Worship Service on Tuesday, November 24th at 7:30 pm. Lowe will be hosting the event, they are located at 5485 W. Lowe Rd.

The St. Johns Community Band will be performing. Anyone is welcome to attend, financial donations or canned items will be given to the Basic Needs Center and the Food Pantry at the New Haven Church of the Brethren in Middleton.

Upcoming events at the Wilson Center

All-Ages Rock Concert set for November 20

The Wilson Collective is sponsoring its first All-Ages Rock Concert of the year in the Wilson Center Auditorium, 101 W. Cass St., St. Johns, on Friday, Nov. 20 starting at 7:00 p.m. Featured performers include indie folk artist, Aidan Pope of St. Johns – DeWitt native Hailey Wojcik performing an electric rock set – concluding the program will be a 5 piece 90’s style indie rock band, Januzzi Watchmen featuring St. Johns resident, Dan Davenport. There will be a $5 admission charge.

Mark your calendar

– December 4th (7:30 pm)- Christmas Variety Show: Produced by Homegrown productions. This annual show will include a variety of drama and music related to the Holiday Season. $10 tickets sold at the door.

– December 5th (7:30 pm)- Christmas Musical Production: The Lansing’s starlight Theatre’s wonderful production of Nuncrackers. The nunsense Christmas Musical in St. Johns this evening only. This delightful comedy will put you fully in the holiday spirit. Tickets are $25 – this is a fundraiser for the auditorium.

– December 11th (7:00 pm)- Community Christmas Concert: Come and enjoy the annual Community Christmas Concert. Participants include the St. Johns Community Band, the Dewitt Community Concert Band, the Mint City Singers and Vivo Contando, and the community children’s choir. There will be a free will offering.

For more information please contact the Wilson Center Auditorium located at 101 W. Cass St., St. Johns. http://wilsoncenterauditorium.org/

Builders Club holds install officers

St. Johns Kiwanis sponsored Builders Club opened a new year recently with a special inaugural meeting conducted at the Middle School library. Highlight of the session, chaired by Kiwanian Gary Carpenter, was the installation of officers. These students comprise the leadership team for the club during the 2015-16 academic years.

Mason Peters, treasurer; Jordon Holland, vice president; Annabelle Thelen, co-secretary and Madaline Welch, president.

The Builders Club is open to all middle school students interested in learning about community service and experiencing the benefits derived from participating in projects of general and personal service. Missing from the photo is Abigail Woodruff who will share secretary responsibilities.

MMDHD announces annual award winners

Ithaca, Stanton, St. Johns- Mid-Michigan District Health Department held its annual district-wide meeting on November 6, 2015, at which longevity awards were announced.

Longevity awards, in recognition for years of service, were presented to:

Twenty-Five Years of Service:

Health Officer Marcus Cheatham (presenting), and Cathy Smith.

Twenty Years of Service:

Lynda Farquharson, Pat Wall, Health Officer Marcus Cheatham (presenting), and Jenniffer Efaw.

Fifteen Years of Service:

Duane Schneider, Laura Hunt, Jamie Sawdy, Katie Allen, and Health Officer Marcus Cheatham (presenting).

Health Officer Marcus Cheatham (presenting), and Rex Hoyt

Ten Years of Service:

Health Officer Marcus Cheatham (presenting) and Carol Siedlik

Five Years of Service:

Back row, left to right: Ruby Suarez, Molly Smith, Jessica Gallop, Laura Simon, Tammara VanDop, Sue Corrigan, Peggy Fox, and Megan Schulz. Front row, left to right: Ross Pope and Health Officer Marcus Cheatham (presenting). Not pictured: Hazel Hall.

Black Friday Sale to open Holidays at Hospital Gift Shop

Sparrow Clinton Hospital Gift Shop volunteer Bertine Thelen sits with some of her Christmas friends awaiting a special Black Friday sale planned for the day after Thanksgiving.

Volunteers at Sparrow Clinton Hospital Gift Shop have planned an event filled holiday season with an opening Nov. 27 – “Black Friday” – that surpasses any previous special offering or sale. Shoppers on that busiest of days will receive a full 30% off the total amount of purchase on all regular priced merchandise, whether general, seasonal or holiday. Also included are items of clothing, unique gifting selections and charming novelty pieces.

Gift Shop Volunteer Gay Baker explained that continuing from “Black Friday” through Dec. 18, shoppers may have their name among those who might find an addition to their shopping bag in the form of a holiday surprise. Indeed, the spirit of the holidays abounds at Sparrow Clinton Hospital Gift Shop.

Toys for Tots Campaign underway

The Marine Corp Toys for Tots campaign has begun in Clinton County. The Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, which is the sponsoring organization for Toys for Tots in Clinton County has delivered over 36 collection boxes to businesses throughout the county that will collect toys through Tuesday, Dec 15 for Clinton County children.

For anyone donating a toy, please consider this. The campaign always gets lots of games, generic baby dolls, Barbie dolls, generic cars and trucks, footballs and basketballs. Some of the most popular items requested this year are anything Frozen, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Spiderman and MSU. We are also always in need of things like craft kits for older girls, current CD’s, DVD’s and books from recent movie releases, sports apparel (hats and shirts), fishing or hunting items, Easy Bake Ovens, etc.

If you place a toy in one of these boxes you can be assured the toy will go to a child that lives in Clinton County:

In Bath: Bath American Legion and Bath Township Office
In DeWitt: Bridge Street Hair, DeWitt City Police, DeWitt Township Police and Fire (both locations), Hometown Pharmacy, Lake State CrossFit and Mercantile Bank.
In Fowler: Dollar General, Journey Federal Credit Union and Main Street Pizza;
In Ovid: Dollar General, Journey Federal Credit Union and Main Street Pizza;
In St. Johns: Barber’s Floors and More, Big Boy, Briggs Public Library, Bruno’s Bar, Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, Dollar General, Emerald Golf Course, FirstMerit Bank, Grace Haven Assisted Living, Journey Federal Credit Union, Mercantile Bank, Pauli Ford, Peebles, Quest Software, Sparrow Clinton Hospital, St. Johns Police Department, Tractor Supply, Walgreens and Walmart.
In Wacousta: Watertown Charter Township.

If your family needs assistance with clothing, food and toys for the holidays, please register with Capital Area Community Services at 989-224-6702. If you need assistance with just toys and you are not registered with another agency, call Clinton County Toys for Tots at 989-224-7248 or email ccchamber@4wbi.net.

If you have any questions about the Toys for Tots campaign, toys needs or toy distribution, contact Brenda Terpening at the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce at 989-224-7248.

New Christmas event at the Depot – Friday, December 11

Join the City of St. Johns Recreation Department at its first ever Christmas Event on Friday, December 11, 2015. Children have the opportunity to explore the St Johns Railroad Depot at 107 E. Railroad Street, including the real life outdoor railroad cars and small model train exhibit. Admission includes: kid friendly food including popcorn, hot chocolate, and pizza, crafts, and movies. Santa will also be making a special appearance.

Doors open at 5:15 PM; the program starts at 5:30 PM with the movie starting at 6:30 PM. The movie will last 1 hour and 30 minutes. Advance tickets required.

Admission is $10. Children 4 and Under are Free with a paid adult.

Deadline to register is December 8th, 2015 or until full. Registrations are available at the City Offices and their website at http://cityofstjohnsmi.com/Departments/ParksandRecreation.aspx. Call 989-224-8944 ext. 228 or email rfaivor@ci.saint-johns.mi.us for more information.

Pizza provided by Deano’s Pizza of St. Johns. Like us on Facebook.

Auxilians say thanks

For those of you who joined in on the fun at our newest “Bingo & Bags” fundraiser – we thank you! What an absolutely perfect day!

Thank you to the many, many generous sponsors, thank you to the individuals who purchased tickets and filled every seat in the room, thank you to Bill Brewbaker for being our enthusiastic bingo caller, thank you to Julie Tenlan the owner of The Sweet Life of Cakes & Cookies, who created and donated a beautiful cake purse to one of our lucky winners, and thank you to our hardworking Sparrow Auxiliary volunteers/board members who put in their own special touches to make the event so memorable.

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Become a donor – Wilson Center Auditorium

Fundraising is now in full swing with the Wilson Center Auditorium Renovation Committee seeking people, businesses and organizations who are willing to help restore this mid-Michigan historical gem here in St. Johns.

For a donation of $250, you can sponsor a seat having your name or that of someone else permanently engraved on a seat plaque. For donations of $500 or more, you can have your name engraved on a special plaque being located in the auditorium lobby instead of sponsoring seats.

Please give as much as you can and help spread the word to help in this community effort. We hope that you will become involved in this exciting project. http://wilsoncenterauditorium.org/

Please download this form.

Something for Everyone at Dec 5 Christmas Festival

Saturday, Dec 5 the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce will hold its 13th Annual Christmas Festival at the CC RESA Building, across from McDonalds.

The festivities start at 8 a.m. with a Breakfast with Santa, Craft Show and Festival of Trees display. The breakfast will cost $6 for adults, $4 for children 12 and under, and children 2 and under will be free. The breakfast ends and Santa will be leaving at 10:30 a.m. The breakfast will include scrambled eggs, silver dollar pancakes, sausage links, various cereals, muffins and beverages.

Children will have the opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap to share their Christmas list and of course parents should bring their cameras to get lots of photos. Tickets for the Breakfast with Santa are on sale at the Chamber of Commerce office, which is located in the CC RESA Building at 1013 S US 27 in St. Johns and at Big Boy of St. Johns. Unless a sellout occurs before the event there should also be tickets available to purchase the day of the breakfast.

The Craft Show will showcase over 85 booths selling homemade crafts and various merchandise. Throughout the day the Chamber will raffle off items donated by vendors, along with dozens of items provided by the Chamber.

When you arrive at the festival you will have a chance to look over many theme decorated Christmas Trees. You can vote for your favorite tree with a donation. The tree that collects the most donations will decide which charity receives the money collected from all of the trees. If your family, group or business would like to enter a tree in the Festival of Trees, call the Chamber office today.

Another popular event of the day for kids (of any age) is the Make It and Take It Crafts from 12 to 3 p.m. Kids can make everything from candy treat bags to ornaments to Christmas monsters. The cost for all crafts will be between .25 and .50 each. If you want to make the crafts at home later, just come between 12-3 p.m. and purchase the kits.

If you have any questions about any of the events scheduled during the Christmas Festival, call the Chamber of Commerce at 989-224-7248.

Win Money after St. Johns Santa Parade

After the St. Johns Santa Parade, which is scheduled for Friday, Dec 4 at 5:45 p.m. the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce and the St Johns Downtown Principal Shopping District will be giving a cash prize to one lucky winner.

Leading up to the parade various businesses and individuals in the community will be selling 50/50 Raffle Tickets. After the parade one lucky ticket will be drawn and the ticket holder will win 50% of the ticket sales. The ticket will be drawn in the gazebo on the depot lawn at the north end of Clinton Avenue.

Tickets are on sale at the Chamber of Commerce (1013 S US 27) and the downtown PSD office (in the courthouse). To find other ticket locations near you call the Chamber of Commerce at 989-224-7248 or the Downtown Principal Shopping District at 989-227-1717. The tickets are selling for just $5 each.

If you have any questions about the raffle, contact the Chamber at 989-224-7248 or the downtown offices at 989-227-1717.

FDA Food Advisory – SpaghettiOs Original Recalled

Campbell Soup Company (NYSE:CPB) is voluntarily recalling 14.2 ounce cans of SpaghettiOs Original due to a potential choking hazard posed by pieces of red plastic found in a small number of cans. This plastic material is from parts of the can lining which may peel off.

The affected 14.2 ounce SpaghettiOs Original product has a date of February 22, 2017 which is stamped on the base of the can, and a UPC code of 51000 22432 printed under the bar code.

The issue was identified after the company received consumer complaints.

This recall affects 355,000 cans and is limited to the United States.

This product should not be eaten. People who have bought the affected product should return it to the store where it was purchased for an exchange or full refund. For more information call 1-866-535-3774 between 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday or visit Facebook/SpaghettiOs. Campbell Soup Company apologizes for the inconvenience.

Baker now enrolling

Baker College of Owosso is enrolling students for 2016 winter quarter, with on-ground classes beginning Monday, Jan. 11. Online courses start Thursday, January 7. Registration continues through the first week of classes.

“As Michigan’s career college, Baker College focuses on preparing students from start to finish to succeed in the career of their choice,” said Aaron J. Maike, president of Baker College of Owosso. “Our trained academic advisors can provide job-specific information that will help students select the career that’s right for them. Then, faculty and staff mentor and support students through the educational process. The happy result is the college’s 97 percent employment rate of available graduates.”

Bachelor’s, associate and certificate career programs offered at the Owosso campus include agriculture technology, automotive service technology, welding, criminal justice, medical insurance specialist, diesel service technology, pharmacy technician, medical assistant, marketing, management, accounting, nursing, radiologic technology, medical laboratory technician, automotive service management, and elementary and secondary teacher preparation.

Baker College of Owosso students have access to financial assistance, including scholarships, grants, low-interest loans and work-study programs. For more information, contact Mike Konopacke in the admissions office at
mike.konopacke@baker.edu, 989.729.3350 or 1.800.879.3797. Students may schedule an appointment via the Baker College website: www.baker.edu.

Veterans Day, 2015 – an album by Barry Bauer

Veterans Day Speech 2015
By Keith E. Mino, Jr., Ph.D.

I would like to begin by thanking you for joining us for this morning’s Veterans Day celebration. We celebrate this important day every year on the same date and at the same exact time for a very important reason. Many of you are familiar with the significance of the date and time of this ceremony but many of you are not.

It is critical for us to convey this important information to our youngest citizens so that they will become fully aware of the importance of the day and continue to celebrate it after we have departed this scene. They need to be prepared to pick up the torch which we will pass on to them, by either serving proudly and unselfishly in America’s Armed Forces, if called upon to do so, or by continuing to honor and fully appreciate the dedicated service and sacrifice of those who do serve.

Preserving this tradition is very much a part of being an American. As Americans, we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to those who have served in our Armed Forces and we must never fail to extend that gratitude to them.

The history of this important day began at the conclusion of the First World War. World War I came to a conclusion on November 11, 1918, when an armistice was signed at eleven o’clock in the morning, effectively establishing an end to four years of war. In order to recognize the sacrifices of those who lost their lives in that “War to End All Wars”, it was decided that the time and date of the signing of the armistice would be celebrated annually as Armistice Day.

Armistice Day became a national holiday in 1936. World War I had been so horrendous and had cost so many lives, absolutely nobody, could fathom another war ever being fought. Unfortunately, World War II and then the Korean War made it abundantly clear that the “War to End All Wars” had not ended war at all and therefore, it no longer made any sense, to celebrate it on November 11th as the “War to End All Wars.”

Thousands and thousands of brave Americans were called upon to continue the ongoing fight for liberty and freedom in World War II and Korea. The purpose of the day was broadened to recognize all who had ever served in our nation’s Armed Forces in 1954, when the day was designated as Veterans Day.

Since Veterans Day was established in 1954, thousands of Americans have served in various wars and conflicts around the globe and many are still serving, as we gather here this morning. On this important day we also celebrate their brave and unselfish service to our nation. May God watch over them and bring them home safely to us when their work is done.

Every year, on the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, citizens across America gather to recognize those who have served our country as members of the Armed Forces. This annual celebration is rich with historical significance. Those who are honored on this important day, through their unselfish sacrifices, have repeatedly stepped forward to establish, protect and preserve freedom, wherever and whenever that essential human right has been placed in jeopardy. Their motivation has remained unaltered throughout our history.

Simply put, they have loved America and what America represents, strongly enough, to place themselves, in harm’s way, when their country needed them to do so. In the process, many of them sacrificed their lives and those who survived were also forever changed, by the overwhelming adversity and horror which they experienced and so were their families.

Some gave all and all gave some. Freedom is most definitely not free and it never will be free. It comes at an enormous cost! Those who have been called upon to defend it have paid for it with their blood, sweat, tears and their lives, when that ultimate sacrifice became necessary.

On this day we celebrate the service of all who have ever worn the uniform of our nation regardless of where or when they served. Those who served in times of peace, through their dedicated and unselfish service, preserved that peace, by making themselves available to be sent into harm’s way if they were ever called upon to do so.
Those who serve in our Armed Forces, serve wherever they are sent and regardless of where they served we honor their service on this important day.

Members of our Armed Forces have always been there when we needed them. When those brave men we now refer to as our Founding Fathers made the decision to fight for independence from England, they faced an enormous task. They knew that entering into a war with a world power like England would require tremendous sacrifice.

They knew that many who stepped forward to answer the call to fight for freedom would not live to enjoy that freedom. They were well aware that thousands of them would die on the battlefields where that revolution would be fought.

They knew that they were out numbered and that the weapons they would be carrying into battle were inferior to those the British would be using and yet they bravely and unselfishly marched into battle with their heads held high.

Their perseverance, in pursuit of freedom and their heroism in the face of adversity, has over the years, served as a shining example for all who have subsequently, worn the uniform of our nation. Our brave men and women in uniform have consistently demonstrated that same spirit of love for their country and willingness to fight for freedom over the past 239 years.

When their country called upon them to do so, they left the comfort and security of their homes and marched into battles and duty stations around the globe. They made the conscious and unselfish decision, that preserving and protecting freedom was worth everything they may be called upon to sacrifice, including life itself.

By putting on the uniform of our nation and doing everything they were called upon to do, they have given us the greatest nation in the world. They have given us a nation, which has served as a perpetual beacon of hope for humanity.

Throughout our history they have heroically and unselfishly made known to the world, that freedom is worth fighting for and that you can count on America to protect and preserve freedom wherever and whenever it is threatened.

Brave Americans have marched into battle in the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the first Gulf War and the war, which is presently being fought throughout the Middle East. They have also fought in numerous other conflicts around the globe.

The world knows that America’s armed forces will be there if the need arises. We have kept our promises for the past 239 years. Members of our Armed Forces stand prepared as part of the “Arsenal of Democracy”, to do whatever they are called upon to do to protect and preserve freedom.
Fully realizing that freedom is not free, they have always been there to pay whatever price is deemed necessary to get the job done and they will march into the fray in the future, whenever they are called upon to do so.

During the Battle of 1812 Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer and part time poet witnessed the bombardment of Ft. McHenry, which was positioned to protect the Port of Baltimore from attack. All Americans know that Key documented his experience when he committed what he saw, to writing, in the form of the “Star Spangled Banner”, our National Anthem.

As dawn broke he observed that “Old Glory” was still flying and proudly wrote that it continued to wave “O’er the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.” When one considers the unselfish and heroic sacrifices of those who have given everything they had to defend America’s freedom it is clear that Scott could have easily modified his poem to read “O’er the Land of the Free because of the Brave.”

It is truly, because of those who stepped forward to wear the uniform of our nation that we are free and continue to this very day, to be a beacon of hope for the entire world.

As we celebrate Veteran’s Day 2015, we must renew our pledge to never forget what our veterans have sacrificed for us. We must always cherish their spirit of unselfish patriotism and the heroic sacrifices they have made and continue to make, on our behalf. They have given us a gift we must never take for granted. Freedom is not free and it never will be free.

Let us never forget the significance of the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month and collectively thank God on that date and hour that such brave and unselfish veterans were there for America and for the world when their courage and tenacity were needed.

May God Bless our Veterans and may God continue to Bless America! Thank you so very much for the support you have consistently demonstrated for our Veterans. Please remember to always reserve a place in your heart for them. They have earned it! Thank you so very much.

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Seeking funds for Wilson Center Auditorium renovation

Fundraising is now in full swing with the Wilson Center Auditorium Renovation Committee seeking people, businesses and organizations who are willing to help restore this mid-Michigan historical gem here in St. Johns. This auditorium has great acoustics, sightlines and intimacy. It will become a viable entertainment venue for mid-Michigan residents for many, many years to come.

We have accomplished a lot so far, but we do have a ways to go. We hope that you will become involved in this restoration project with a tax deductible donation.

For a donation of $250, you can sponsor a seat having your name or that of someone else permanently engraved on a seat plaque.

For donations of $500 or more, you can have your name engraved on a special plaque being located in the auditorium lobby instead of sponsoring seats.

Please give as much as you can and help spread the word to help in this community effort. We hope that you will become involved in this exciting project.

Please download this form.

City Manager’s Newsletter

City Commission Recognizes The Problem Of Homelessness: At its November 9th public meeting the St. Johns City Commission unanimously adopted a resolution proclaiming November 14th through the 22nd “Homeless Awareness Week”. As was indicated by Commissioner Eric Hufnagel in his introductory remarks, homelessness is a pervasive problem in our society, and occurs even in small, relatively affluent towns like St. Johns.

The resolution as adopted points out how difficult homelessness can be for individuals and families, how important it is for members of local communities to support organizations that provide shelter, clothing and meals, and how crucial it is to establish affordable housing for those in the lower socio-economic strata. The resolution also recognizes the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness for its efforts in bringing this pressing problem to the attention of communities like ours through Homeless Awareness Week. Support groups specifically mentioned in the resolution include the Safe Center, Capital Area Community Services, St. Vincent DePaul Society, the Department of Health and Human Services, CEI Community Mental Health, and Beacon of Hope Family Care Center. The City Commission encourages all citizens to consider supporting these organizations as they provide services to the less
fortunate members of our communities.

Fire Truck Purchase: The City Commission approved the purchase of a new pumper/tanker fire truck for the St. Johns Volunteer Fire Department. This new piece of equipment will replace Engine 31, a 1990 Spartan Motors fire truck that has seen better days and has many recurring maintenance and repair issues. The new equipment is a 2,000 gallon capacity truck with CAFS, which uses a mixture of compressed air foam and water for fire suppression. This technology provides the equivalent of 10,000 gallons of firefighting capacity. These trucks are built to order and take 9-12 months for delivery.

In other Fire Department business, at its November 9th meeting the City Commission reappointed Dean Mazzolini to a two year term as Fire Chief per the City Fire Code.

Leaves – The End Is In Sight: City of St. Johns crews are out in the neighborhoods picking up and disposing of leaves that have been raked to the curbside by city residents. Because this is a labor-intensive effort, and requires both manpower and equipment, we recommend that leaves are either mulched or placed in paper lawn bags for curbside pickup. Raking leaves into the public street is a violation of City Code and could result in the responsible party receiving a civil infraction citation. The City provides packets of free leaf bags for residents. These bags can be picked up at the city offices, the city library or at the DPW site. Residents can also transport their leaves and other yard waste to the DPW compost site. The composting of the leaves accelerates when paper yard waste bags are utilized. A special thank you to those volunteer groups who have been assisting residents with the disposal of their leaves. It is through this type of volunteer efforts that make St Johns a great place to live.

A Resolution Proclaiming November 14-22 as Homeless Awareness Week

Whereas, for more than twenty years, the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness and its partners have actively promoted Homeless Awareness Week throughout the state of Michigan; and Whereas, the purpose of the proclamation is to educate the public about the many reasons people are homeless including the shortage of affordable housing in the City of St. Johns for very low income residents; and to encourage support for homeless assistance service providers as well as community service opportunities for students and school service organizations; and

Whereas, there are many organizations committed to sheltering, providing supportive services as well as meals and food supplies to the homeless including: The Safe Center, Capital Area Community Services, St. Vincent
DePaul Society, Department of Health and Human Services, CEI Community Mental Health, Beacon of Hope Family Care Center; and

Whereas, the theme of Homeless Awareness Week 2015 is “Bringing America Home,” and

Whereas, the St. Johns City Commission recognizes that homelessness continues to be a serious problem for many individuals and families in and around the City of St. Johns; and

Whereas, the intent of Homeless Awareness Week is consistent with the activities of The Safe Center, Capital Area Community Services, St. Vincent DePaul Society, Department of Health and Human Services, CEI Community Mental Health, Beacon of Hope Family Care Center.

Now Therefore Be It Resolved that the St. Johns City Commission hereby proclaims November 14- 22, 2015, as Homeless Awareness Week.

Be It Further Resolved that the St. Johns City Commission encourages all citizens to recognize that many people do not have housing and need support from citizens, and private/public nonprofit service entities.

Rock Concert and Open Mic Nights coming – Beginning November 16

The Wilson Collective, a program that presents All-Ages Concerts and Events, will be sponsoring two programs during the coming week in the Wilson Center Auditorium.

The first in a series of Open Mic Nights at the Wilson Center onn Monday, November 16 starting at 7:00 p.m. “We want to present people with an opportunity to share with others – to do their thing,” says Rachael Short, one of the co-sponsors of the event along with Bill Tennant. “We’ve been talking about doing something like this in our community for over a year now; It’s nice to finally get it up and running.”

Come and tell a story, sing a song, recite a poem, talk about a piece of art, act out a monologue, do a TED type talk, show a video – just about any creative activity you’d like to do. “The microphone will be available for up to 10 minutes per person,” says Tennant. “We’re looking for writers, musicians, artists, actors, storytellers, etc, both students and adults to share in a friendly setting.”

There will be a $5 donation fee at the door, which will go towards the renovation of the auditorium. Listeners and presenters are both welcome. The Wilson Center Auditorium is located at 101 W. Cass St. in St. Johns.

The second event will be an All-Ages Rock Concert, featuring 3 sets of performers. This special concert will take place on Friday, November 20 starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Wilson Center Auditorium. “We want to make contemporary music available to all, especially teens who normally aren’t able to attend live performances,” says Aidan Pope, one of the promoters of the event. “The concert also presents area performers with a place to perform. This is important to performers like myself.”

Performing on the All-Ages concert will be Aidan Pope, a senior at St. Johns High School, with a solo acoustic indie-folk set. Aidan is the leader of the band, “The American Automobile” and will be backed up on some songs by Nathan Elliott.

Next up will be Hailey Wojcik performing an electric-rock set. Hailey, a DeWitt native, just moved back into the area after living and performing in New York.

Januzzi Watchman, a 4 piece 90’s style indie-rock band will conclude the concert. This group features St. Johns resident, Dan Davenport and includes other mid-Michigan musicians Matt Berg, Jacob Jackson and Steve Swisher.

“This will be an exciting evening – a nice mix of various rock styles for our area residents to enjoy,” says Tennant. “Starting in January, The Wilson Collective will sponsor a series of additional concerts throughout the winter months. We’re hoping to inspire our community to become more vested in the local musical scene.”

There is a $5 admission charge for the concert, which will be collected at the door of the Wilson Center Auditorium, again located at 101 W. Cass St., St. Johns.

Feast on November 26 – You are invited

Again for the 6th year a group of area churches with major support from community members, businesses, and service organizations is hosting the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at noon and at 1:30 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day in downtown St. Johns in the dining area at the First Congregational Church, across from the courthouse.

Make reservations for yourself, friends or family group by phone (989-224-2636), text message (2316339471), email
first.congregational.church.sj@gmail.com, or by clicking the online form http://tinyurl.com/48879thanksgivingdinner.

The familiar feast includes free-range turkey, homemade apple pie, local squash and all the other Thanksgiving favorites. Feasting with others does more than fill you up. It satisfies the need for sharing with others.

Come one, come all. The organizers hope to boost reach their full capacity of 180 to 200 people this year. You can help by using Word-of-Mouth and extending the invitation to friends, family members and people at work.

Free Will Offering

Thanks to First Congregational Church; First United Methodist Church; St. Joseph Catholic Church; Batterbee Cakes; Big Boy; DeWitt Meijers; Gordon Foods; Kiwanis Club; Kroger; Phillips Orchards; Rotary Club; Sparrow Clinton Hospital physicians and staff; St. Johns High School National Honors Society and Good Wins Club; Wal-Mart.

Community Thanksgiving Worship Service – Tuesday, November 24

Pastor Kathy Leydorf-Keck of Lowe and Maple Rapids UMC, and Pastor Ellen Zeinert of St. Johns First UMC are providing a Community Thanksgiving Worship Service on Tuesday, November 24th at 7:30 pm.

Lowe United Methodist Church will be hosting the event. They are located at 5485 W. Lowe Rd.

The St. Johns Community Band will be performing.

Anyone is welcome to attend. Financial donations or canned items will be given to the Basic Needs Center and the Food Pantry at the New Haven Church of the Brethren in Middleton.

Win Cash For Christmas

The Clinton County Chamber of Commerce and the St Johns Downtown Principal Shopping District are going to be awarding one lucky winner a cash prize at the St. Johns Santa Parade. Until December 2 they will be selling raffle tickets in the amount of $5 for your chance to win ½ of the money collected.

Tickets are on sale at the Chamber of Commerce (1013 S US 27), the downtown PSD office (in the courthouse) and at several other businesses in St. Johns. The drawing will take place on Friday, Dec 4 after the St. Johns Santa Parade (approximately 6:15 p.m.) by the community Christmas Tree, located in the Depot lawn at the corner of Clinton Avenue and Railroad Street.

If you have any questions about the raffle, contact the Chamber at 989-224-7248 or the downtown offices at 989-227-1717.

Briggs Library News

Holiday Programs: It’s that time of year! Mark your calendars! Holiday Programs will be Thursday, December 3, 6-8p.m., Friday, December 4, 6-8p.m. and Saturday, December 5, 10:30 to Noon. There will be musical entertainment, North Pole games, holiday crafts and yummy refreshments. Santa will share tales from up north and visit with each child. No registration is required for these FREE programs. You won’t want to miss the fun!

Tween: The ‘Tween holiday program will be held Tuesday, December 8 from 7:00 – 8:00p.m. ‘Tweens ages 10-12 are invited to join the fun as we celebrate the season with a story, game, craft and snack! Registration is required and begins on Tuesday, November. 17.

Family Game Night: On Thursday evening, December 10, the Library will be hosting its annual Family Game Night! During this evening of fun for the entire family, we will have a selection of new and classic board games, party games, card games, and more available. This special event will take place from 6:00 – 7:30p.m., with registration beginning on Wednesday, November 18. There will be light snacks and refreshments available. All ages are welcome, though most games are designed for ages 3 and up.

Holiday Cartoon Program: “Kids, Cartoons, and Crafts” is the Library’s new holiday movie program that will feature a short cartoon, a craft, a game, and a snack. Independent children ages 4-8 are invited to celebrate the Christmas season on Thursday, December 17 from 6:30-7:30p.m. as we watch Mickey’s Christmas Carol. Registration for this free program is required and opens, Monday, November 23.

Pre-Reader: “Reading Through the Alphabet” is the story-time theme for children ages 4-6 years old (independent listeners). This 6 week session is on Thursday evenings, 6:30-7pm, Jan. 14-Feb. 18. Story-times include stories, games, music, movement and crafts. Registration is required and begins on Thursday, December 17.

Bookaholics: The last meeting of the Bookaholics for the year will be Thursday, November 19 at 12:00p.m. at the Library or at 7:30p.m. at Bruno’s Bar, when we will discuss “The Underground Girls of Kabul” by Jenny Nordberg. This gripping nonfiction account of young girls being raised as boys and presented as such to the outside world is a powerful account of those secretly living on the other side of a deeply segregated society. Copies of the book are now available. The club will resume its regularly scheduled meetings after the holidays.

Mitten Tree: The library’s annual mitten drive will run until Saturday, December 12. Mittens & gloves must be new (home-made or store bought.) The collection is for all ages, adult or child. Items collected will be donated to charitable organizations. The greatest need is for mittens and gloves.

Library Closures: The Library will close at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday November 25 and be closed November 26, 27 and 28 for the Thanksgiving Day Holiday. The drop box on the Library porch will be available for returns throughout these closures.

******

Contact Information:

Library Director: Sara Morrison
Phone: 989-224-4702 * Fax: 989-224-1205
E-mail: smorrison@briggspubliclibrary.org
Street address: 108 E Railroad * Saint Johns, MI 48879

Free car seat installation November 17

Sparrow Clinton Hospital provides on-site car seat fitting stations in cooperation with Safe Kids – Clinton County.

This program offers free car/booster seats and replacement of damaged or recalled car seats for low income families. Recipients must be residents of Clinton County. For other recipients, a donation of $30 per seat is encouraged.

Car seat fittings at Sparrow Clinton Hospital are by appointment only. The car seat fitting station is held quarterly from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The last fitting date in 2015 is Tuesday, November 17.

Children or infants using the seats must be present during the installation to ensure a proper fit. Seats must be installed in the vehicle in which the children will regularly travel. Plan to spend at least 30 minutes per seat installation.

To schedule an appointment for the November 17 fitting station, call Jackie at 989.227.3334.

Tuesday Night Women’s Volleyball League seeking new teams

Looking for something to do as the snow starts falling and the evenings get shorter? Why not join the Tuesday Night Women’s Volleyball League to keep you warm and active?

The league plays Tuesday nights starting on January 5th at the Middle School. The City of St. Johns Recreation Department is accepting registrations and team fees for this league until Friday, December 4, 2015. A managers meeting will take place on December 15, at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $155.00 per team plus additional player and capital improvement fees. Subs are able to be added for a reduced rate to play in 5 or less matches (special rules apply for subs).

Registration packets for the 2016 City of St. Johns Tuesday Night Women’s Volleyball League are available and can be picked up between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday at the City Offices. If you have any questions about winter activities or any other recreation programs please call the Recreation Department at 224-8944 ext. 228 or e-mail rfaivor@ci.saint-johns.mi.us.

Team registration forms, rosters and waivers are available on the website http://cityofstjohnsmi.com/Departments/ParksandRecreation/AdultLeagues.aspx. Like us on Facebook.

Free estate planning seminars – make reservation by November 23

The Sparrow Clinton Hospital Foundation, in conjunction with Greenstone Farm Credit Services, hosts two 3.5-hour seminars to help farmers and family business owners create a succession and estate plan. These free seminars focus on the basics of estate planning, family dynamics, and business succession. Refreshments will be provided.

The first session is set for Thursday, December 3, at 12:45 p.m. in Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers, 3055 W M21 in St. Johns. The second seminar takes place Tuesday, December 8, at 5:45 p.m. in Greenstones Corporate Offices, 3515 West Road in East Lansing.

Both sessions feature a team of farm and business succession planning professionals who will discuss the pros and cons of various entity choices available as well as dealing with competing family interests and avoiding problems later. Other topics include gifting, establishing the correct type of trust, dealing with the possibility of disability and or long term care, and financing retirement.

Attendees will learn the process of transition of business/farm ownership and management. They will review best practices in family communications, and develop next steps in building business succession plans. A 98-page workbook entitled Planning the Future of Your Farm will be provided.

Presenting professionals include Cooley Law Professor Gary Bauer and Attorney Douglas Chalgian. Professor Bauer teaches Elder Law, Wills, Trusts, and Estates and established the Sixty Plus Estate Plannning Clinic. Chalgian is recognized as one of the leading Elder Law attorneys in Michigan.

Seating is limited. Please reserve your seats by November 23. To R.S.V.P. or ask questions, contact SCH Foundation Director Pete Shannon at 989.227.3396 or Peter.Shannon@sparrow.org.