Grace Haven honors veterans
This week the folks at Grace Haven Assisted Living recognized residents who those that have served our country by establishing a Wall of Honor. Other residents, the local Police, and local EMTs attended the unveiling of the Wall.
Summer of Giving already underway
Oh Mi Organics has teamed up with Briggs District Library for their Summer Of Giving Community Donation Drive. Beginning on July 10 they are collecting the following items:
Week 1: July 10 – 15
Bathroom Supplies
(Toilet Paper, Shampoo, Soap, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Body Wash, Deodorant)
Week 2: July 17 – 22
Kitchen Supplies
(Paper Towels, Dish Soap, Trash Bags, Plastic Baggies, Disinfecting Wipes)
Week 3: July 24 – 29
Laundry Supplies
(Laundry Pods, Fabric Softener, Bleach, Dryer Sheets)
Week 4: July 31 – August 5
Baby Supplies
(New Baby Books, Puffs Cereal Snacks, Pouches of Baby Food, Baby Shampoo, Baby Lotion, Baby Body wash, Diapers, Bottles)
Week 5: August 7-12
Paper Products
(Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Facial Tissue)
Week 6: August 14 – 19
School Supplies
(Pencils, Crayons, Markers, Notebooks, Folders, Pencil Cases, Pens, Backpacks)
Items will be distributed to the St. Johns Baby Pantry, Beacon of Hope, Safe Center, and Basic Needs Center.
You can donate items at Briggs Library or Oh Mi Organics, and at both locations you’ll receive a free chocolate for you contribution. For more details or questions, call Briggs Library (989)224-4702.
An Evening of the Finest Vocal Music coming to the Park July 19
A wonderful evening of vocal music is planned for Wednesday, July 19 starting at 7:00 in the William E. Tennant Performance Shell in the beautiful St. Johns City Park. Five extraordinary musicians, Jeff Richards and Friends, will take the stage and present a varied program, everything from showtunes to classical, jazz to opera, gospel to folk… some of your favorites. A grand piano is being brought in from Reeder Pianos for this special occasion.
“This is a concert I’m so looking forward to,” explains Bill Tennant, Concert in the Park committee chair. “This program has been put together especially for our St. Johns series – the only time it will be performed. The five musicians are outstanding – the music they selected is superb – all adding up to an extraordinary evening of the highest level.”
Jeff Richards was born and raised in St. Johns. His piano studies were with Diantha Witteveen, Jean Hull and Deborah Moriarty at MSU. He had a successful career as an accompanist in Chicago, coming back to St. Johns when he retired. He is currently the music director at St. Joseph Parish, also serving as the accompanist for the Mint City Singers, the Laingsburg Community Singers and the Steiner Chorale.
Michaela Stiles, a soprano who was raised in Williamston, began her vocal studies at Hillsdale College where she graduated in 2021 with a degree in economics. She currently studies voice performance at Florida State University where her recent opera roles included Papageno from Mozart’s Magic Flute.
Heidi McNaughton, a mezzo soprano from Flint, found her love of singing early in elementary school. While in HS, she received top honors in statewide competitions. Heidi has sung internationally with several groups and is currently a soloist at both St. Martha and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish.
Joey DiMenno is a mezzo soprano from Nashville, Tennessee. She became a church cantor starting in middle school and continues in that role today at St. Martha Parish. She received a BM in vocal performance from the University of South Florida and a MM with a focus in opera performance from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and has sung with several opera companies.
Steven Easterling, a tenor from Flint, is a voice teacher, choral conductor, and elementary music teacher in the Laingsburg Community School District. He holds a BA in vocal performance from UM, also studying at MSU, and receiving his MM in Education from CMU. He currently conducts the Laingsburg Community Singers, the Mint City Singers and the Steiner Chorale.
The concert in the Park series is co-sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the City of St. Johns. The concerts are open to the public free of charge – donations are graciously accepted. The Lion’s Club food trailer will be available this year and as always, all concerts are presented rain or shine.
So, set your GPS to: 801 W Park St, St Johns. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy!
The CCAC receives funding from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
4H and Youth Fair begins July 29
The Fair opens on Saturday, July 29 with a Dog Show. The Poultry Show, Dairy Goat and Market Shows, the Tractor Pull and Performing Arts judging round out Sunday’s offerings.
Monday, July 31 kicks off with the Horse Clinic followed by the Prospect Beef Show, the Horse Show, the Antique Tractor Pull and the Sheep Show.
Tuesday, August 1 includes the Swine Show, another Horse Clinic by the Rabbit Show and the Horse and Pony Fun Show 6:00 pm Beef Show. The Beef Show and the Draft Horse Show round out the evening.
Wednesday, August 2 features the Dairy Show, Pocket Pet Show, a Horse Clinic, the Canine Hour of Fun, Musical Performances by parents playing musical instruments, the Dog Agility Contest and the 4-H Livestock Sale.
Thursday, August 3 is Kid’s Day. Activities include Livestock Judging Contest, Pedal Pull, Horse Speed Show, Dairy Management Contest, Young Farmers Scavenger Hunt, Face Painting, Magic Show, Sweepstakes Showmanship and Still Exhibit Auction. The Fair Awards Program closes out the 2023 Fair.
Mosquitoes… More Than Just a Nuisance
Almost everyone in the world has been bitten by a mosquito. Although most types of mosquitoes are just nuisance mosquitoes, some types of mosquitoes spread viruses that can cause disease.
Some mosquitoes like living near people, while others prefer forests, marshes, or tall grasses. All mosquitoes like water because mosquito larvae and pupae live in the water with little or no flow.
Recently 2 mosquito pools from Bay and Barry counties (2 total; 1 pool in each county) tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEE). Human cases of EEE disease are rare but can cause serious illness, and in some cases death. There are no vaccines to prevent EEE infection in people and no specific treatments for EEE disease.
“This testing information confirms the virus is here in mosquitos in Michigan,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the United States, with a 33% fatality rate in people who become ill.”
How to Protect Yourself Against Mosquito Bites
Use insect repellent: When used as directed, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Use an (EPA)-registered insect repellent with one of the following active ingredients:
– DEET
– Picaridin
– IR3535
– Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
– Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
– 2-undecanon
Cover up: Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Keep mosquitoes outside: Use air conditioning or window and door screens. If you are not able to protect yourself from mosquitoes inside your home or hotel, sleep under a mosquito bed net.
Registration now open for Dog Daze of Summer coming up August 19
On Saturday, August 19 Uncle John’s Cider Mill will host a fun fundraiser for Giving Paws.
All proceeds from the event support Paws on the Ground spreading dog joy in our community. Dog Pack Volunteers have complete background checks, training and ongoing support. The dogs have vaccines and license verification and even their own trading cards. They also have an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with our Dog Houses (service locations).
All paid registrations will include sunglasses and a dog bandana and lots of fun.
The cost is $20 per individual* or $50 for a family* (per household). If you have more than one dog, please add $5 for each additional dog, and each will get a bandana.
Registration fee can be paid online or by check to Giving Paws 323 N. Clinton Avenue, Suite 100, St. Johns or the day of the event.
Donations for sponsorships and registrations can be done online.