Soapbox Derby coming back to St. Johns
If you were around St. Johns in the 60s and 70s, you may remember the Soap Box Derby races that took place in early June of each year on Clinton Avenue in downtown St. Johns. The races started in 1963 in St. Johns, and the last one was held in 1975.
Dan Matson, a St. Johns native and past derby racer, has decided the races should come back. Matson, along with others like Chris Patterson and Jeff Feldpausch, would like to invite people who are interested in seeing the races come back to attend a meeting on Monday, July 23 at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at Bob’s Auto Body, which is located at 1005 N US 27 in St. Johns. For your comfort, please bring a chair.
The plan is the first race will be in June of 2019 on Clinton Avenue in downtown St. Johns. It will be open to boys and girls between the ages of 7-17.
Mid-Michigan Festival Orchestra performs July 25 at Concert in the Park
Summer breezes will carry the diverse sounds of the Mid-Michigan Festival Orchestra when the group performs July 25 at the William E. Tennant Performance Shell in the St. Johns City Park as part of the weekly Concert in the Park series. There is no admission for the event that begins at 7 p.m.
The Mid-Michigan Festival Orchestra was formed in 1985, and is comprised of talented musicians from Clinton and Shiawassee counties along with the greater Lansing and Flint areas. This year’s program features popular and light classical music that has a wide audience appeal.
Rodney Page, former orchestra director at St. Johns Public Schools, returns again as conductor.
The variety of the program fits the style of the director whose talents span the musical spectrum from violin to vocal percussion and classical to freestyle rap. As a creative, classically-trained violinist and pianist, Page has accrued thousands of hours of performance experience in diverse venues. His unique and energetic style whether as a conductor, performer or DJ has touched audiences for more than 20 years.
Among the selections on the July 25 program is “Danzan,” from Page’s 2016 EP “Inevitable.” He wrote and arranged the piece for full orchestra and it was performed by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ‘Dream Orchestra’ in January 2018 as a part of Lansing’s MLK Day Celebration Luncheon.
“The piece is an Afro-Cuban Jazz selection for full orchestra,” Page says, adding that during the middle of “Danzan” he will play a short, electric violin jazz solo.
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 William E. Tennant Performance Shell page on Facebook.
Health Department announces ACE Award winner
The Mid-Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD) is pleased to announce that Mary Wallen, Hearing and Vision Technician, was chosen by her peers to receive the ACE (Achievement, Character, Excellence) Award for the period April through June.
Marcus Cheatham, Health Officer presents Mary Wallen, Hearing and Vision Technician, with her well-deserved ACE Award
ACE Award recipients are chosen by their colleagues and have proven to demonstrate achievement, character and excellence in all they do at MMDHD.
Wallen received multiple nominations from co-workers who appreciate her professionalism and leadership in the Hearing and Vision program. She
is described as someone who takes great pride in her work and who is a great asset to the agency.
Mid-Michigan District Health Department thanks Wallen for her dedicated service to public health and congratulates her on winning the ACE Award.
Paine-Gillam-Scott House Volunteers welcome the Scott Family
Clinton County Historical Museum, Paine-Gillam-Scott House Volunteers welcomed the Scott Family to their ancestral home. Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Spouses came from Florida and New York to visit Dr. Edwin and Linda Scott’s home and office.
Dr. and Mrs. Scott’s son, Edwin Scott lived in the house and graduated from Rodney B. Wilson High School. Edwin Scott last visited his former home when he attended his 50th class reunion. The family visiting the museum are descended from Edwin Scott.
Dr. Scott is buried in Mt. Rest Cemetery and the family spent time at his grave site. Many stories, artifacts and pictures were shared by the Scott family and the Museum volunteers. Dr. Walter Scott was in the World War I medical core. The museum has information about Dr. Scott in the 2018 exhibit honoring the World War I Clinton County veterans.
Residents of Clinton County should plan to visit the historical museum including the general store and carriage house. The annual exhibits depend on the donation of artifacts, photos and documents from Clinton County. Contact them at PGSmuseum@gmail.com.
Mint Festival Tournaments
It is that time of year again! The 2018 St. Johns Mint Festival will be here before you know it! The
Co-ed Kickball Tournament will be held on Saturday, August 11th and Sunday August 12th at the Main Field in St. Johns City Park. This year, we will be adding middle school and high school co-ed divisions. The format will be a double elimination tournament, guaranteeing each team two games with trophies awarded to the top two teams and shirts being provided to the top teams.
Is kickball not for you? Then come out and how off your smooth jump shot in the Mint Festival 3 on 3 tournament on Saturday, August 11th and Sunday, August 12th (depending on the number of teams), where teams will be guaranteed at least two games and will play in a double elimination format. This fun event is open to men and women ages 10 and older. The age group winners, will receive a team trophy and individual shirts. Runner ups in each age group will receive a team trophy. We will also hold a Three Point Shootout competition on Saturday August, 11th for anyone 15 and above and is a part of a 3 on 3 team for an added fee. Winner of the shootout will receive a trophy.
Registrations forms and the price of each tournament are available at the City Offices and website at http://cityofstjohnsmi.com/Departments/ParksandRecreation/MintFestivalTournaments.aspx. Call the City of St. Johns Recreation Department at 224-8944 ext. 228 or email bblackmon@ci.saint-johns.mi.us for additional information. Check it out on Facebook at St Johns Recreation.
Most Holy Trinity Parish Festival, Fowler -July 26 – 29
Thursday:
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm Classic Car Show, downtown Fowler
Friday:
9:30 am – 5:30 pm Fowler Downtown Sidewalk Sales
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Social Tent Happy Hour (1/2 off drinks)
6:30 pm – 9:30 pm Euchre Tournament (in the Social Tent)
7:00 pm – 11:30 pm Adult Social Tent (drinks, pulled pork, pizza)
7:00 pm – 11:00 pm Las Vegas Tent (Blackjack, Let it Ride, Money Wheel)
Saturday:
7:30 am 5k race – sign up at https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Fowler/MostHolyTrinityFestival5K
8:00 am Volleyball Tournament. Register at http://www.mhtparish.com/parish-festival.html
4:30 pm Mass
7:00 – 8:30 pm Touch-A-Truck (on Kent St. in front of church), up to 100 free bicycle helmets will be fitted and given away for free – provided by Sparrow Hospital
Dusk Family Movie Night at Fink Field (if rain, movie will be canceled)Sunday:
8:00 am Boys and Girls 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament. Register at http://www.mhtparish.com/parish-festival.html
10:00 am Mass
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Purchase home-baked delicacies at the Country Store
11:00 am – 7:00 pm Inflatables
11:00 am Food Court opens (hamburgers, pulled pork, pizza and BBQ chicken)
11:30 am “Board Games” Parade
12:00 pm Children’s Games & Dunk Tank
1:00 pm Bean Bag Toss
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Bingo in Msgr. Koenigsknecht Hall
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church
5:00 pm Mass
6:30 pm Raffle Drawings for cash prizes totaling $6,000 and quilts and afghans.
A complete schedule of events, contact information, and registration for Volleyball and Three-on-Three Basketball can be found at the parish website: http://www.mhtparish.com/parish-festival.html
Further questions: please contact the Parish Office at 989-593-2162.