Student Art Exhibit between St. Johns and Japan on display
Lukas Payment from Oakview Elementary School studys a picture of a Tanuki, which is a clever character in Japanese folk lore. The picture above it is of a red panda at Potter Park Zoo. Both pictures were done by fifth-grade students: one in Konan, Japan and the other in St. Johns.
Walk into Briggs District Library from now through May 5, and you will see artwork everywhere you look: about half of it done by elementary students in St. Johns, and half done by elementary students in Konan in Shiga Prefecture, Japan; there are also about 20 pieces up near the ceiling in the east portion of the library, done by Konan junior high students.
As you stroll through the library enjoying the artwork, you will learn something about the Japanese customs through pictures of their buildings, statues, outside activities, plants and animals and even some of their food – including watermelon! Since it isn’t always easy to read the tags below the art, the quick way you can distinguish the Konan art from the St. Johns is that the St. Johns art is all backed with black construction paper to frame it. You will also see what techniques the St. Johns students have been studying in their art classes. Both groups have done very impressive work.
St. Johns and Konan have had a friendship city relationship since 1995, as part of the Michigan-Shiga Sister State relationship, currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. There will be a delegation of about 45 community members from Shiga traveling to Michigan September 5 – 12 on a Goodwill Mission. They will be staying for 3 days and nights with families at their homes as part of that trip, forming strong ties and great memories. Those interested in hosting a delegate of the Goodwill Mission should go to www.mishiga.org.
Special blood drive in memory of St. Johns Red Cross volunteer – April 2
A longtime volunteer with the American Red Cross has passed away at age 79. Judith A. Minner of St. Johns died Feb. 19 following a courageous battle with cancer. She volunteered for the Red Cross for more than 20 years and most-recently served as the co-chair for the St. Johns Knights of Columbus blood drive.
A special blood drive in memory of Judith will be held Monday, April 2 from 11:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 1108 North US-27 in St. Johns.
“Judith was so dedicated and had a great passion for helping save lives,” said Tony Gerheiser, account manager for the Great Lakes Blood Services Region. “We want to honor her tireless efforts to make the Knights of Columbus blood drive a success. She was a joy to be around and treated each and every blood donor as if they were a family member.”
Judith worked as a cosmetologist for 10 years before spending 50 years as a registered nurse at Sparrow Clinton Hospital in St. Johns. She was a member of the Sparrow Clinton Hospital Auxiliary, Victims Support Team and was vice-chairman and board member of Court-Appointed Special Advocates.
“The Knights of Columbus blood drive won’t be the same without Judith,” said Gerheiser. “However, we will keep her in our memory and encourage the community to donate in her honor.”
Help in the fight against cancer
Tuesday April 10: Relay For Life of Clinton County is hosting a Meet and Greet on Tuesday April 10th at 5:00 pm. Please join us at the UAW Hall in St. Johns, MI for light refreshments and one-on-one conversations with members from the Relay Leadership Team. Everyone is welcome, we are here to answer your Relay related questions. A team rally meeting will follow at 6:00 pm.
Saturday, April 28: Gther at Swany’s Pub in downtown St Johns where a percentage of the day’s sales will benefit Relay For Life of Clinton County. There will be raffle baskets, a euchre party and some great food specials. Please RSVP to Amy to reserve your spot for euchre prior to 4/28 if interested in playing, registration begins at 8:00 pm and cards will start at 8:20 pm. For more information or to dedicate a table to a loved one for $10, please contact Amy Winn at 517.204.0565 or Amy197602@yahoo.com.
Have you seen a Love Rock? If you spot one take a picture of yourself with the rock and share it to our Facebook page and hide the rock again. Let us know who you Relay for. Two great places to find Love Rocks are Fifth Third Bank in St Johns and Knob Hill Tavern in DeWitt, but you will find them hidden around the county at schools, churches, and businesses.
Relay For Life would like to recognize Dana and the great employees at Swany’s Pub for hosting this year’s Community Give Back / Stick A Fork In Cancer event on March 26th. If your business is interested in hosting a Stick A Fork In Cancer event or any other sponsorship questions please contact Amy.
May 18, 19: Relay For Life of Clinton County will be at the Clinton County Fairgrounds from 2:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Stop by for a lap, enjoy others from the community, check out the on-site fundraisers, silent auction, live entertainment, a live bake sale at 7:30 pm, and a cruise-in on Saturday.
Survivor and caregiver dedication at 6:00 pm on Friday with dinner following. Luminaria ceremony at dusk (9:30 pm). To register for the survivor and caregiver ceremonies and/or dinner please contact Grace Kozak at grace.kozak@cancer.org or 517.664.1355. For more information visit www.relayforlife.org/clintoncountymi.
FOMR schedule Maple River Cleanup – April 14
The Friends of the Maple River (FOMR) are planning their 12th Annual Maple River River Cleanup and Logjam Removal Day on Saturday, April 14th. Volunteers are needed to pick trash, old tires, and debris found along the edge of the Maple River; along roads near the river; and at bridges and river access points on the river. The FOMR are also hoping to put 3 or 4 crews on the river to remove obstacles that block river enthusiasts from floating the river in canoes, kayaks, and small boats.
Anyone interested in helping on this environmental conservation project is asked to meet at 9:00 am at the Elsie Dam located on Island Road, one mile west of the Village of Elsie. The trash pickup and log jam work will run from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Work crews will be organized, assignments made, and supplies provided (trash bags and water).
Volunteers should wear the appropriate clothing for the weather conditions, heavy duty footwear or boots, and gloves.
Volunteers wishing to help with log jam, tree, and brush removal will need a jon boat, canoe, or kayak, waders, and a saw or chainsaw. This work will only take place if the river is at normal levels or lower. State law requires a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person in a water craft for river travel.
The FOMR are hoping to clear a navigation path as far up the Maple River as possible (somewhere between Owosso and Ovid), to where it empties into the Grand River at Muir – only removing enough obstacles to make a path that allows the paddler to stay in their watercraft. We do not want to clear the river, only enough (about 5 ft.) to allow safe passage. Logs, brush, and other natural materials in the river make excellent habitat for wildlife and fish, plus it provides a challenge for paddlers, adding to the enjoyment of the trip. Keeping the river open is a major objective of FOMR and we can use your help. We have been able to open certain sections, but not the entire river. Our club is slowed in this endeavor by lack of enough physically able members to complete the entire task. The invasive Emerald Ash bore is killing Ash trees that continue to fall across the river, and low water in the spring allows us to work, as high water hinders our efforts.
The first crack at this project will be at the annual cleanup Saturday, April 14th when we will be sending work crews on and along the river, weather and water level pending. If there is anyone who would like to volunteer to keep a section (between bridges) of the river open during the paddling season (April – October) on their own, or anyone with questions, please contact FOMR member, Jack Nutter at 989-862-5541.
As always, check the website http://www.friendsofthemapleriver.org/ or find them on Facebook @ Friends of the Maple River to stay in touch with what FOMR is up to. For more information or to become a member, donor or supporter of FOMR, contact them at:
email: FOMR_info@friendsofthemapleriver.org
Blue Cross Winter Warm Up program
Approximately 600 runners this past Sunday, March 25, gathered for the Blue Cross Winter Warm Up 5K Run/Walk event at Hawk Island Park. During the pre-run program, Pete and Mary Donald were recognized as the St. Johns team’s Community Ambassadors.
Their coach says, “The St. Johns coaches are honored to present the 2018 Healthy Lifestyle Ambassador Award to Pete and Mary Donald. Pete and Mary participated last year and continued their commitment to health as they were seen all over town walking together after the program concluded last year. They brought humor and a willingness to help each session. This year, Pete and Mary embraced a multi-generational Winter Warm Up as they were joined by their daughter Alyson and two very entertaining grandchildren, Eleanor and Henry. Congratulations to Mary and Pete for modeling fitness with family and friends.”
Information on the overall program can be found here: www.mibluesperspectives.com/bluecrosswinterwarmup.
Join experts at premiere Michigan location to watch spring bird migration
Ducks Unlimited, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will host the Maple River Migration Tour Saturday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Maple River State Game Area. Attendees can park at the southwest corner of South Baldwin Road and Crapo Road in Washington Township, east of US-127.
Visitors can join waterfowl experts as they watch the skies during spring migration and take a self-guided tour of the Maple River State Game Area’s conservation success story. Learn how Ducks Unlimited and the DNR have conserved nearly 800 acres at this vital waterfowl migration route since 2011 and how this conservation work benefits wildlife of all types.
Along with the tour, there will be a photo contest, giveaways for kids and opportunities to talk to the experts about habitat and waterfowl.
The Maple River State Game Area stretches from south-central Gratiot County through northwestern Clinton County and into northeastern Ionia County. Due to its central location in the state and its accessibility off U.S. 127, it is a popular destination for recreational activities including hunting, trapping, fishing, birdwatching and hiking.
Participants are reminded to dress for the weather. More information about the tour is available at
http://www.ducks.org/conservation/glar/michigan/maple-river-migration-tour-set-for-april-7
For details about the event, contact Steve Wyckoff at (616) 446-0555 or DNR Rose Lake Field Office, 517-641-4903.