Songs, Skits and Christmas Spirit this weekend
Join Homegrown Productions in its tenth celebration of “Christmas in St. Johns” at 7:30 pm on November 30 and December 1 at the Wilson Center, 101 W. Cass St. Going back to the first Christmas show, this is a gift to the Clinton County community. There is no admission charge, but donations will be gratefully accepted.
St. Johns Community Band presents annual Christmas concert on Tuesday, December 4
The St. Johns Community Band will present its annual “Community Christmas Concert” on Tuesday, December 4 starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Wilson Center Auditorium.
There is no admission charge, but donations will be graciously accepted. The Wilson Center Auditorium is located at 101 W. Cass St. in downtown St. Johns, just south of the Courthouse.
Emmy-Award Winning Kitty Donohoe In Concert Friday, December 7
The Wilson Collective is excited to announce its upcoming concert featuring Ann Arbor based singer-songwriter and Michigan Emmy recipient Kitty Donohoe. The internationally acclaimed musician will be presenting a special concert in St. Johns on Friday, December 7 starting at 7:30 p.m. in the beautiful, historic Wilson Center Auditorium.
Kitty, who lived in St. Johns early in her career, has gone on to become a highly respected performer. She will be presenting her mix of folk, Irishy and Canadianish music along with some holiday favorites. Fellow musicians Len Wallace on accordion and multi-instrumentalist David Mosher on fiddle, mandolin and guitar will join Kitty on this special concert.
“Kitty is one of those rare singer-songwriters whose music seems to resonate with everyone,” says Bill Tennant, concert coordinator. “I’ve been following her career for many years – she continues to keep her music fresh and relevant as she explores new avenues of self-expression.”
General Admission seating to the concert is $10 with 50% of the proceeds going into the Wilson Center Auditorium lighting project. The Auditorium is located at 101 w. Cass St. in downtown St. Johns, just south of the courthouse. Tickets will be available at the door.
Mint City Singers to be at Wilson Center December 14
The Mint City Singers will be in concert at the Wilson Center Auditorium on December 14, 2018 beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The December show will include standards such as Bye, Bye Blackbird, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, and You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To, plus the holiday favorites White Christmas and You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch!
The group is directed by Ellen Hoard with Jeff Richards on Piano, Scott Harding on Percussion and Jenny Wilcox on Flute.
Clinton County 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 collection boxes to businesses throughout the county that will collect toys through Monday, December 17 for Clinton County children.
Here are some of the popular toys requested by younger kids this year: Slime Kits, Paw Patrol, Legos (boys and girls), PJ Mask toys, Shopkins, Disney and Elmo Dolls, Fingerlings and Dinosaurs. For the older kids ideas include Art supplies, craft kits (to make jewelry or fleece for pillows and throws, etc), CDs, DVDs, books and Gift Cards.
If you place a toy in one of these boxes you can be assured the item will go to a child that lives in Clinton County:
In Bath: Bath Township Office
In DeWitt: Biggby Coffee (in the DeWitt Meijer), Bridge Street Hair, DeWitt City Police, DeWitt District Library, DeWitt Township Police & Fire (both locations), Mercantile Bank and Verizon Wireless.
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 East Lansing: Mercantile Bank;
In Elsie: Dollar General
In St. Johns: Big Boy, Briggs Public Library, Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, Dollar General, Journey Federal Credit Union, Mercantile, Peebles, Quest Software, 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 Caring and Sharing at 989-224-1010. 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.
FISH Like a Girl workshop to offer women introduction to fishing
On December 8 girls aged 13 and over are invited to participate in FISH Like a Girl (FLAG), a workshop aimed at empowering women to participate in outdoor recreation, and connect them and their families with nature and environmental stewardship through fishing. The workshop takes place at Rayla Elementary School, 5645 School St., Haslett, Michigan, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Participants in the FLAG workshop will learn fishing basics including setting up and using a fishing rod; identifying Michigan fish species; learning fish biology; discovering where to go fishing; learning fishing rules, regulations, ethics and safety; and learning what to do once you have caught a fish (handling, releasing, cleaning and cooking). Included in the workshop fee of $40 is a rod and reel, tackle box with tackle, curriculum and lunch the day of the workshop. All participants will be invited back in the spring for a fishing event.
Coordinated by Project Friends Involved in Sportfishing Heritage (Project FISH), a program providing fishing education and skills to adults and youth throughout Michigan, the FLAG workshop is supported through the Michigan State University (MSU) Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; Meridian Township Parks and Recreation; Bosch Community Fund; Michigan Department of Natural Resources; Future Angler Foundation; and Take Me Fishing, the marketing arm of the Recreational Fishing and Boating Foundation (RBFF).
“MSU has been dedicated to creating new natural resource leaders for ages and Project FISH has specifically been doing fishing education programs in communities for 20 years now,” said Mark Stephens, MSU Project FISH coordinator, “There is nothing like spending time on the water with friends and family for the lifelong activity of fishing. There is a lot you can learn about a person when spending time on a bank, pier or boat that you wouldn’t learn otherwise.”
According to RBFF, research shows kids are more likely to go fishing with their moms – a direct contradiction of the idea that fishing is a boys’ club – yet a 2017 study revealed that only 19.3 percent of women and girls thought a fishing participant looks like them.
For questions or to register, contact Stephens steph143@msu.edu or 517-432-2700) with your name, address, contact information and any food restrictions. Make checks payable to: MSU Project FISH, 480 Wilson Road, Room 13, East Lansing, MI 48824. You may also register online at https://commerce.cashnet.com/msu_3804. Participants aged 13 to 15 must be accompanied by a female adult. Register by December 1.
Briggs District Library News
Holiday programs – HO! HO! HO! It is that time of year again! There will be music, stories, g a.m.es, crafts and refreshments! There will be a jolly man in a red suit that will visit with each child. Hand st a.m.ps given at the door determine the order in which each child will visit with Santa. This is a great photo opportunity so make sure to bring your c a.m.era with you. You are invited to enjoy our Holiday programs on Thursday, December 6 (6-8 p.m.), Friday, December 7, (6:30-8:30 p.m.) or Saturday, December 8 (10:30-noon). The Library will be closed from 5:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday December 7th to set up for the Holiday program. It will reopen at 6:00 p.m. and remain open until 8:30 p.m. for the program. Registration is not required for any of these Free programs.
Tween program – Tweens ages 9-12 can join us on Tuesday, December 11 from 6:30-7:30 for cookie decorating and Christmas crafting. Registration for this free program is now available.
Christmas Cartoon and Craft – We will be watching a short cartoon and making a holiday snack at our next Cartoon and Craft program. Children ages 6-9 can participate in some holiday fun on Tuesday, December 18 from 6:30-7:30. Registration for this free program is now available.
Pre-Reader Storytime “New Year New Books!”– Join us for brand new books and lots of fun. Some of the titles are: “Attack of the 50-Foot Fluffy”, “The Ugliest Dog in the World”, “Rot, the Cutest (potato) in the World”, “Crash, Splash or Moo!” just to n a.m.e of few. Mark your calendars for Thursday evenings, 6:30-7 p.m., January 10th – February 14th. Registration is required and begins December 13th. Hope you can join us for fun, music, g a.m.es, snacks and new tales!
Makerspace – Tweens ages 8-12 can attend a new evening makerspace program on Monday, January 7th, starting at 6:30 p.m.. We will supply all the materials needed to make a Terrarium, and tweens can spend as much time creating as they would like during this program. The program is finished when the individual has finished their project. Registration is required and begins on Monday, December 10th.
Chef’s Surprise– Budding chefs ages 7-10 can join us Wednesday, January 2nd, 10:30 – Noon, where we will learn to make some of our favorite warming comfort foods. Registration is required for this program and begins Wednesday, December 5th.
Connections – Patrons needing help with OverDrive/Libby, RBDigital, or any of the library’s other e-services will be able to come to the library for drop-in tech help each Wednesday from 2:00-3:00 p.m..
Tales to Tails – 15 minute sessions for children ages 6-12 to practice reading aloud to Ruger, a certified therapy dog. Ruger will be at the library Thursday December 13 from 6:30-7:30. Registration is required and is open now. Ruger will be available on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month in the upcoming year. Registration for 2019 is currently taking place.
Library Closure – The Library will be closed from 5:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday December 7th to set up for the Holiday program. It will reopen at 6:00 p.m. and remain open until 8:30 p.m. for the program and the Festival of Lights. The Library will be closed on December 24, 25 and 26 for the Christmas Holiday and on December 31and January 1 for the New Year’s Holiday. The drop box on the Library porch will be available for returns throughout these closures.
For more program information or to register, visit the library’s website www.briggsdistrictlibrary.org or FAacebook page or call (989)224-4702.
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Contact Information:
Library Director: Sara Morrison
Phone: 989-224-4702 * Fax: 989-224-1205
E-mail: director@briggsdistrictlibrary.org
Street address: 108 E Railroad * Saint Johns, MI 48879
Leonard announces December office hours
Speaker of the House Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt, will host office hours to meet with local residents and discuss their concerns about state government. Speaker Leonard represents Michigan’s 93rd District.
The coffee hours will take place on Friday, December 14, 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. at Big Boy, 1408 Old U.S. 27, St. Johns, MI
Local residents are encouraged to bring comments, questions and concerns about local government and anything else happening in the local community. Residents with questions about the coffee hours, or those who cannot make it, can contact Speaker Leonard’s office at 517-373-1778 or by emailing TomLeonard@house.mi.gov.
Moolenaar announces December office hours
Congressman John Moolenaar announced office hours to be held by constituent relations representatives at locations throughout the Fourth District. The purpose of the office hours is to help residents in need of assistance with a federal agency, like the IRS and the VA.
December 6
1:30 -2:30 PM at DeWitt City Hall, Large Conference Room, 414 East Main Street, DeWitt, MI 48820
December 7
11:30 AM-12:30 PM. Carson City Public Library, 102 West Main Street, Carson City, MI 48811
MMDHD Calendar – December 2018
Family Planning Clinic Schedule
The Mid-Michigan District Health Department’s Family Planning Clinics provide confidential care to men and women in need of contraception and reproductive health services. Charges for services and supplies are based on income. The Family Planning Clinics are scheduled as follows:
Mid-Michigan District Health Department, 1307 E. Townsend Road, St. Johns, MI 48879
December 4: 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
December 11: 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
December 18: 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m..
****New Clinic in Shiawassee County***
December 13: 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
In the basement of the District Court Building, 110 E Mack St/. Corunna
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (989) 224-2195, Option 5, Monday through Friday.
Hearing and Vision Screening Clinic
Vision screening is required for all children entering kindergarten. The Mid-Michigan District Health Department offers free vision testing, as well as hearing screening tests for all children ages 3 to 21. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (989) 227-3125, Monday through Friday.
WIC Benefit Pick-Up Schedule
Pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants and children up to 5 years old may be eligible for free food through the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program. The Mid-Michigan District Health Department WIC Benefit Pick-up Clinics are scheduled as follows:
December 5,
December 10: Mid-Michigan District Health Department, 1307 E. Townsend Road in St. Johns, from 9 a.m. to Noon and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
No clinic in December: at Valley Farms Baptist Church, 1141 E State Rd, Lansing
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (989) 224-2195, Option 5, Monday through Friday.
“In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”
Immunization Clinic
The Mid-Michigan District Health Department Immunization Clinics are to be held as follows:
Mid-Michigan District Health Department, 1307 E. Townsend Road, St. Johns, MI 48879
December 3: 8 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
December 10: 8 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m
December 12: 8 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
December 17: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
December 20: 8 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Immunizations will be available for adults and children eight weeks of age through adulthood, appointments are preferred. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (989) 224-2195, Option 5, Monday through Friday.