Official State tree to be harvested October 28
The official State Christmas Tree Harvest will take place on Friday, October 28 at 9:00am. A ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. near M-21 across the street from Wieber-Green Law Firm.
Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer will be on hand for the ceremony as will the Redwing Marching Band and the Fowler Band. At the appropriate time someone will announce that everyone should say “Cut that tree.”
At that point all the public will be removed from the area as the trees being lifted. There will be approximately 45 to 50 crew members on site to make this happen.
According to St. Joseph Church’s Dave Klein, the State of Michigan will have the tree moving company use the church and school’s State Street parking lot to position a very large crane. This crane will lift the tree above the house next to the parking lot, swing the tree across the parking lot and M-21; and then the tree will end up being placed on a semi trailer which will be parked next to the St. Joseph property in the neighbor’s parking lot.
The state of Michigan is having two outside porta bathrooms and a 20×10 tent which will be set up in the West neighboring parking lot. This tent will be used for breakfast/coffee and goodies from Cupcakes and Kisses and there will be a lunch served from the Crave Shack. This is to accommodate the large crew.
Tree Harvest Details
• M-21 will be closed during this whole process.
• Consumers Energy will cut power to adjacent neighboring residential and commercial businesses until noon.
• The crane will arrive between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m.
• The tree and the crew should all be out of St. Johns by 4:30 to 5:00 p.m. that day.
The tree will be transported to the Capitol with help from the Michigan Association of Timbermen, the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, and DTMB’s Christmas tree crew. At the Capitol, local Boy Scout troops will continue the tradition of untying the tree. The HI-Ball Company of Lansing will provide a crane and crew to hoist the spruce into place near the intersection of Capitol and East Michigan avenues.
Call-In Coalition hosts a different kind of Forum
courtesy of Tim Hulliberger, SJCIC Steering Committee member
Featured candidates included Kathie Elliot, Matthew Boak and Scott Dzerka – album courtesy of Tess Link
A different dynamic was witnessed at the October 13 Candidate Forum that went against the trend of “us versus them” politics.
The event, sponsored by the St. Johns Call-In Coalition and held at Clinton County RESA, brought together St. Johns city residents for a night of respecting differences that included constructive inquiry of city council and school board candidates. Their names will appear on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.
Over 30 residents addressed their concerns about city and school issues and upcoming proposals. More voices were expressed through the coalition’s live stream Facebook page in the 1 1/2 hour event.
Organizers would like to thank the candidates who participated as well as the coalition members who made this non-partisan event a huge success. We also thank Jen Branch, CCRESA career development director, for allowing us the use of the conference room. As usual, Jen has been very accommodating for the coalition’s needs.
More than ever we need to make space for honest conversation that allows people to better understand each other’s lived experiences. That space – that middle ground – was present throughout the forum. Residents left better informed and prepared to cast their votes.
The St. Johns Call-In Coalition consists of city residents who foster and advance the culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Singers on the Grand presents Tapestry: the 1970s Revisited
Join your friends at the Wilson Center Auditorium on Saturday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m. The 12 singers and 8 band members will take you on a musical journey through your favorite songs of the decade.
Enjoy iconic music from the 1970s like songs from Carole King, Stevie Wonder, Queen, ABBA, Earth Wind & Fire, John Denver, Joni Mitchell, The Carpenters, The Village People, Barry Manilow, and many other favorite performers.
Don’t miss the opening performance of their 2022-2023 season; purchase your tickets today.
General admission seating. Tickets are $15 and available online, through any ensemble member or at the door.
The Wilson Center Auditorium is located at 101 W. Cass St. in Saint Johns.
New speed signs installed
The St. Johns Police Department recently had two new speed signs installed by the City of St. Johns DPW.
One sign is located on Townsend Road, and the other on Walker Road. Both of these signs are battery powered with solar chargers. The signs will monitor speed and traffic volume and also allow the SJPD to change the speed to important messages when needed.
Currently both signs are set to show your speed in green if you are traveling at or under the speed limit. If you are going over the speed limit your speed will show in red. Depending on the speed, it also may activate a strobe and a “Too Fast” message.
It’s 2022 Toys for Tots Season
The Voice for Clinton County’s Children is again hosting Toys for Tots.
Donation toy boxes are currently being distributed. If you would like to host a box, please contact the organizers.
Please note, donated toys received after December 9 may or may not go out this year; extra toys are stored until next year.
Families who need help with toys will register online beginning November 1. Families will register to shop at Santa’s Remote Workshop December 13, 14 or 15.
Volunteers are needed at the workshop and meal trains to support the Top Elves.
All information for donors, families, and volunteers is available on the website VoiceForClintonCountyChildren.org< or by contacting us at 989-763-3300 or clintoncountyadvocacy@gmail.com.
Paint Pouring Class coming up in November
A Paint Pouring class at the Art & Soul Gallery will be held on Wednesday, November 16 from 6:00 – 8:00.
Here you will learn how to apply chemical and color theory to pouring paint. You will learn how to combine oil, flotrol, ink and paint to create cells and to prevent your colors from muddying. You can do up to three 8″ x 8″ pour paintings.
Due to drying times, the paintings will be made on the 16, but pick up will be the following week.
The cost of the class will be $25.