Relay For Life is May 18-19
Relay For Life of Clinton County will be at the Clinton County Fairgrounds May 18th and 19th from 2:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 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.
Here is a sneak peek of some of Relay Store items that will be available.
Survivor and caregiver dedication will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Friday with dinner following. Luminaria ceremony at dusk, about 9:30 p.m.
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
Don’t miss the fun in St. Johns on Saturday, May 12
Eat Healthy Eat Local Festival is May 12
The 2018 Eat Healthy Eat Local Festival will take place on May 12th, and will be located in beautiful downtown St. Johns
Six city streets and one parking lot will be filled with local vendors specializing in healthy food, natural remedies, nutrition, and physical/mental wellness.
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Springtime Community Festival for Everyone
The 16th Annual Chamber Springtime Community Festival will be held at the CC RESA Building across from McDonalds and Burger King and will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For mom and dad there are craft vendors to visit between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Kids of all ages will enjoy the Touch-a-Truck. Throughout the entire day kids can make free crafts inside the RESA Building.
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Spring Fling!
Clinton Avenue will be alive with a combination of downtown businesses and area artisans offering locally made goods.
Martha Reeves highlights Concert in the Park Series
The 15th annual Concert in the Park summer music series is set and ready to go with another great lineup in 2018. Concerts are held every Wednesday evening, June 13 through August 29, at the William E. Tennant Performance Shell in the St. Johns City Park. The music begins at 7 p.m., rain or shine.
“St. Johns is definitely the place to be on Wednesday evenings in the summer,” says Bill Tennant, concert coordinator. “We have outstanding performers lined up again this year for our mid-Michigan audiences. The quality of performers along with the great variety of music makes this one of the best series in the state of Michigan.”
The highlight of the summer will be the return appearance of the Motown legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Martha Reeves on her actual birthday (July 18). “We are going to throw Martha a birthday party that she won’t forget,” says Tennant. “She is a great international icon and to have her sing and spend her birthday in St. Johns is truly special.” The Jack Clarkson Band will be joining Martha for this special concert.
A quintet of the series’ most popular groups return from last year, beginning with The Sea Cruisers who open the 2018 season with their outstanding renditions of “good old rock and roll” hits (June 13); Matt King and his tribute to Elvis (August 29); Toppermost and their tribute to the Beatles (August 22); local favorite Homegrown Productions will be back with another musical review entitled, “Swinging on a Star” (June 20); and the amazing award winning Detroit area Blues Band, The Flying Latini Brothers (August 16).
The Ben Daniels Band is a new addition to the summer concert series (June 27). Ben is the son of actor Jeff Daniels and performed at the Wharton Center on their series this past year. They will bring a nice musical blend of acoustic Americana blues, jazz and rock.
Also new to the Concert in the Park series is the Life Support Band (July 4). “This year the 4th of July falls on a Wednesday,” says Chuck Biewer, concert production director. “We are coordinating our efforts with the St. Johns Rotary Club in co-sponsoring this performance. The excellent ‘Life Support Band’ has been a regular for the annual 4th concert for a few years.” The great St. Johns fireworks display will follow the concert.
Four additional groups will be returning to the shell after varying years of absence from the series. The Mid-Michigan Festival Orchestra under the direction of Rodney Page will bring their special light classical/pops sounds (July 25); the Saline Fiddlers, the outstanding fiddling youth (Aug. 15); the engaging/fun barbershop chorus, Capitol City Chordsmen, with their beautiful harmonies (Aug. 8); and the Meridian Concert Band with their wonderful program (July 11).
“Bring a chair, a blanket and head to the beautiful St. Johns City Park to partake of a wonderful feast that will fill your musical palette with many delights throughout the summer,” Tennant says.
The St. Johns Lions Club will have food available with all the proceeds going back into the community. There is no admission charge; donations greatly appreciated to help pay for the series that is sponsored by the City of St. Johns and Clinton County Arts Council.
Summer Kids Art program coming soon
The Clinton County Arts Council will be hosting its summer art classes in mid-June. The art program and projects will be instructed by local artist, Amber Steffen. Classes feature an arts-and-crafts project geared towards teaching children basic art skills and crafting techniques. These projects are perfect for children ages 6-9 and 10-13 years old. Projects include Fluid Painting, Yarn Ornament and Wall Curtain.
Classes will be held June 14, 15 and 16 and then also June 21, 22 and 23. All classes are $15 each and will be held at the Train Depot.
Registration can be completed easily online at www.clintoncountyarts.org/classes or simply stop into the Art Gallery to sign up. The website also outlines each project along with dates and times available.
These art projects help kids gain confidence and learn to creatively express themselves in a supportive environment. Let your child discover what kid of art they love.
This activity is supported in part by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowments for the Arts.
Host families needed
By opening your home to a foreign exchange student you will have an opportunity to personally shape the image of America that your student will carry home. Host families are responsible for room, board, love and guidance. The student will have spending money for school expenses, clothes and personal expenses.
Cisco is a 17 year old boy from Spain who is waiting for a host family for the coming 2018-19 school year. His dream is to come to America. He has played soccer for 11 years, handball for 10 years, skiing 5 years, likes painting and drawing and studying architecture. He enjoys reading adventure books, computers and technology, basketball and listening to music, likes watching and going to sporting events. He has one brother. Describes himself as a humorous, sociable, optimist, ambitious, friendly, and responsible boy. His favorite subjects at school are math, physics, chemistry and technology.
Cultural Academic Student exchange also has students from Mexico, Brazil, Belgium. Germany. France, Thailand, China and Vietnam. You can contact Pat Blundy at 616-527-379 or email pblundy3321@gmail.com for more information.
Love to garden?
Love to grow flowers but don’t have the space, money or time for a big garden?
The Mint Country Garden Club has the perfect solution for you. As community service projects, the club plants and maintains the flower beds in the courtyards at Hazel I. Findlay and Mt Rest Cemetery. Residents and/or visitors truly appreciate seeing these cheerful flowers.
Please consider rewarding yourself with volunteering for these community service projects. You do not have to be a Garden club member, but you are welcome to join. All supplies are provided though you can select your own choice of flowers. You also set your own volunteer times.
For information and to sign up please contact Lynne Gregory, President, Mint Country Garden Club at 989-224-8780 or email llgenie@aol.com.