Congratulations to all graduates of the Class of 2018
City acquires building for Police operations
The City of St. Johns has recently acquired what was the former Free Methodist Church building located at 409 S. Whittemore St., Business US-27, in the City of St. Johns for the purpose of housing police operations.
The city has recognized for several years that the current police department building established in 1981 was no longer meeting operational needs for the department, and physical limitations prevented the possibility of remodeling or expanding it to accommodate the needed modifications. With that in mind, a new facility or relocation was placed as a priority on the city’s critical infrastructure plan.
A search for potential sites which took into consideration square footage recommendations from two former studies completed by the city in 2002 was re-initiated in late October of 2017. Several properties were toured and considered prior to a formal presentation being made to the City Commission regarding the S. Whittemore St. property. In the end the selected building was uncannily close to the square footage recommendations and was able to be purchased at a fraction of the cost of a similarly sized new building.
Cooperative efforts are ongoing between the Police Department, City Administration and the newly formed Law Enforcement Advisory Committee to create a strategic transition plan into the building. It is hoped that the transition to the new facility will be complete and operational by September of 2018.
Sea Cruisers open 2018 Concert in the Park season June 13
Mid-Michigan favorites, The Sea Cruisers, bring their own style of rock and roll to the William E. Tennant Performance Shell at the St. Johns City Park for the opening June 13 show of the 2018 Concert in the Park summer music series. Music from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s will have everybody dancing and singing along beginning at 7 p.m.; no admission charge.
The Sea Cruisers’ extensive song list covers everything from artists like Fats Domino and Ray Charles, to Elvis, the Beatles and Eric Clapton. Band members include the Dove brothers, Don, lead vocal and drums, and Kenny, vocals and guitar. Dick Johnson plays bass and sings, and Kerry Nicholoff plays guitar and sings. Sea Cruisers’ CDs will be available for purchase at the show.
Concert in the Park is sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the City of St. Johns with support from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Concerts are held each Wednesday evening; rain or shine. The St. Johns Lions and Lioness Club staff a concession stand offering light refreshments.
For detailed information on the Concert in the Park series visit the CCAC web site, http://www.clintoncountyarts.org/ and check out the St. Johns City Park Performance Shell page on Facebook.
SJHS teacher named Speech Coach of the Year
Red geraniums, white tulips and America’s longest porch served as the backdrop of a crowning achievement for St. Johns High School teacher Jacklyn Charneski as she was awarded the MSCI Theatre Coach of the Year.
The Coach of the Year awards take place each year in conjunction with the Michigan Speech Coaches Incorporated (MSCI) Mackinac Conference and Tournament. The annual awards ceremony was held this year Saturday, May 19, 2018 as the culminating event to a weekend that celebrated all that was great about speech activities in the State of Michigan at the beautifully historic Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.
After a weekend filled with speech, interpretation, and debate competitions, as well as professional development seminars, the conference ended with a special awards ceremony in the theater of the Grand Hotel. Approximately seven hundred audience members, consisting of MSCI board members, parents, students and alumni, were on hand to celebrate the award and applaud Charneski for her outstanding achievement.
Jackie Charneski is a teacher and theatre director at St. Johns High School, which is part of St. Johns Public Schools in St. Johns, MI.
In presenting the award to Charneski, Ms. Heather McKaig, Trustee for MSCI, praised Mrs. Charneski for her outstanding direction and talent for nurturing the young thespians of St. Johns High School. Each year her students learn the “ins and outs” of theatre, whether that be on stage or off, and they regularly perform at a level of excellence. Mrs. Charneski has instilled in her students the value of teamwork and the idea that the best theatre is a collaboration of great ideas working together to bring magic to the stage.
After receiving the award Mrs. Charneski said, “I was honestly shocked. There are so many coaches around the State of Michigan whose experience and leadership I admire that I did not expect to be recognized in this way myself. It is very humbling to receive such an honor in a group of such talented and dedicated coaches. It is also exciting to receive recognition for my hard work and advocacy for theatre education. I feel very blessed to have my husband as an incredibly supportive assistant coach, such creative and talented students, and the tremendous support for the arts present in the St. Johns community.”
Charneski went on to say, “I feel that speech activities are one of the most relevant extracurricular opportunities for high school students to participate in prior to furthering their education and beginning a career. All careers require excellent communication skills, and it seems as though oral communication is becoming a lost art as more and more students spend their free time behind screens. I see my forensics and theatre students develop their leadership skills, creativity, problem solving, and teamwork. The competition aspect of theatre and forensics is motivating, helping students refine their work to make it the best it can be to show case to other students and the judges. The competition also allows students to connect with each other through seeing common interests in their peers and expressing appreciation of each other’s work.”
Jackie Charneski had a very successful time with the St. Johns Competition Theatre. They have advanced to MIFA One Act State competition three times in the past 6 years. She said, “I feel that my biggest success as a coach has been transforming our program into one with increased student ownership and student leadership every year.” She has served as the director of competition theatre and director of forensics for the past six years, and have served on the MIFA theatre committee since 2014.
To learn more about the Michigan Speech Coaches Incorporated visit, www.michiganspeechcoaches.org.
City officials cut some ribbons
The ribbon cutting for the family restrooms in the Spray Park bathhouse was held on June 1 before the Spray Park officially opened for the season. There are three fully accessible family style bathrooms on the west end of the bathhouse that will be open while the Spray Park is open. A ribbon cutting was also held for the new restrooms in the Trailside Park next to the FMCIS Trail.
Special Olympics Area 28 Golf Scramble is June 16
Mark your calendars June 16, 2018 for the 22nd 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 $70 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.
They will also raffle off a handmade Hunter’s knife made by a local craftsman, who is also a parent of an Area 28 athlete. Tickets are $5 each.
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 area28@somi.org.
2018 Mint Festival Pageant Accepting Applications
Applications to participate in the 2018 St. Johns Mint Festival Pageant are now available. The pageant is scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, 2018.
The pageant will include three age groups of girls: Little Miss Mints candidates must be between the ages of 8-10 on the day of the pageant, Junior Miss Mint candidates must be between the ages of 12-14 on the day of the pageant and Queen candidates must be between the ages of 16-20 on the day of the pageant.
Girls participating in the pageant will be expected to participate in practices & events in the evenings the week leading up to the pageant, and if selected to the Royalty court the girls are expected to participate in approximately 15-20 parades throughout the year.
Applications for the Mint Pageant are available at www.clintoncountychamber.org/mint or the Chamber of Commerce office and must be received at the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce office by Friday, June 15 by 4:00 p.m. The Chamber office is located at 1013 S US 27 in St. Johns in the CC RESA Building across from McDonalds.
If you have any questions about the pageant or the Mint Festival in general, please call the Chamber of Commerce at 989-224-7248 or email them at ccchamber@4wbi.net.