Amazing Mid-Michigan musicians to be featured in Concert
The third concert in the St. Johns Concert in the Park series will feature six of mid-Michigan’s most talented musicians in what’s being billed as “a concert not to be missed.”
“You’re going to hear an All-Star cast led by Jack Clarkson perform everything from Motown, Bluegrass, Blues, Country Cajun, and Tex-Mex,” says Bill Tennant, concert coordinator. “This amazing concert has enough talent and variety to make it on your MUST list of things to do this summer.”
The concert is scheduled for Wednesday, July 15 starting at 7:00 p.m. in the William E. Tennant Performance Shell in the St. Johns City Park and features Jack and Tess Clarkson, Kathy Ford, Mocha Waller, Rodney Page and Ricky Nalett.
The Jack Clarkson Band last played at the Performance Shell in 2018 when they accompanied the great Martha Reeves. Since Martha’s 2 concerts here in St. Johns, Jack and Tess have performed with Grammy Award Winner Bobby Flores on the 9th annual Western Swing cruise on Royal Caribbean Lines. They just completed 8 months of over 60 engagements in south Texas and on Padre Island.
“Jack put this group of musicians together just for this concert,” says Tennant. “Each musician brings their unique background and style into the mix to make this concert exceptional – a one-time event.”
Jack Clarkson is from Detroit. He leads the band playing lead guitar, fiddle, mandolin and sings vocals.
Tess Clarkson hails from Wheeling, West Virginia and plays keyboards, guitar and sings lead vocals.
Kathy Ford grew up in Pikesville, Kentucky and plays keyboards, guitar and banjo.
Mocha Waller is from Los Angeles and plays saxophone and sings vocals.
Rodney Page is from Detroit and plays fiddle.
Ricky Nalett, a Lansing native, plays keyboards.
The weekly concerts are being presented under strict safety guidelines that have been established by the State of Michigan, the City of St. Johns and the Concert in the Park Committee. During these unprecedented times, the guidelines must be followed if the series is to be continued each week.
Wearing of Masks and Social Distancing are both required this year.
A decision will be made each week on whether the next concert can take place. Please check the Performance Shell Facebook Page or the Clinton Count Arts Council’s Website at www.clintoncountyarts.org before coming each week.
Please note that the Lions Club Food Trailer will not be at the concerts this summer. Concerts are held each Wednesday evening, rain or shine.
Concert in the Park is sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council and the City of St. Johns. The Clinton County Arts Council receives support from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
SJHS Auto Program to host cruise July 18
The St. Johns High School Auto Program is pleased to announce we will be hosting a cruise on Saturday, July 18.
Everyone was extremely disappointed in having to postpone the 50th Anniversary Car Show, so what better way to cure our COVID woes than social distance with a cruise?
The cruise will begin at the high school and travel through Ovid (3:50), Laingsburg (4:05), Bath (4:30), DeWitt (4:45), Eagle (5:10), Westphalia (5:15), Pewamo (5:25), Fowler (5:40) and return to St Johns.
Participants will line up at 3:00 p.m. in the St. Johns High School Parking Lot, or you may join in along the route.
The Cruise will roll out at 3:30 sharp. The tour will travel approximately 90 miles in two and one half hours. The only cost is your time and fuel
Local law enforcement will be patrolling our route – Drive slowly, Quietly, Safely!
Upon return, please patronize the many food and ice cream establishments St. Johns has to offer.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 17, 2021.
Time to think about Project Connect
It is that time of year again.
This year Project Connect is going to look different. This year’s Project Connect (back to school event) will be a road tour.
The goal is always to help the community as much as possible, but this year they also need to make sure they do everything they can to keep everyone healthy.
Due to Covid-19 organizers are breaking up the large in-person event into several smaller drive-up events.
The big change for Project Connect this year is that they are asking people to please pre-register for Project Connect. They need as many people who plan to attend to register ahead of time. This is so that they can pre-package the items for participants, know what to purchase, and what to pack to bring to our remote locations.
Please pre-register online or by phone 989-224-0328 or 517-641-5167 to ensure the sites are well-stocked. Registration Required by July 31
Open to All Clinton County Residents – Pick the location that fits your schedule.
St. Johns – Beacon of Hope Thursday, August 20, 9-11 AM
Bath – Bath Middle School Tuesday, August 11, 9-11 AM
Elsie – Ovid Elsie High School Thursday, August 13, 9-11 AM
Maple Rapids—Community Ball Field Tuesday, August 18, 6-8 PM
Celebrates 100th Birthday
Racine Dominican Sister Rita Martin (Louis Mary) will celebrate her 100th birthday on Saturday, July 25.
Sister Rita was born in Fowler, MI, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Dominican College, Racine, and a master’s degree from Webster College, St. Louis, MO. She taught elementary grades in schools around Wisconsin and Michigan for over 30 years, including Nativity of Our Lord, Detroit, and St. John, Hubbardston. S. Rita then served in pastoral ministry at St. Mary, Paw Paw, and in human resources at Boysville in Clinton, MI.
Since 1999, she has lived at Siena Center in Racine, the Dominican motherhouse, volunteering in the Senior Companion Program and serving her community in various ways. Last year Sister Rita celebrated her 75th anniversary as a Racine Dominican Sister.
Outdoor adult yoga is a go!
COVID-19 cases in Clinton County
252 cases and 12 deaths, Probable Cases Clinton County: 53 [as of July 13]
What to Consider Before Going Out
COVID-19 Risk Levels
Local orders – View updates from your local health department to better understand the situation in your community and what local orders are in place in your community. Also find out about school closures, business re-openings, and stay-at-home orders in your state.
Am I at risk? – Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. While the risk for severe illness is lower for others, everyone faces some risk of illness.
Does the activity require me to share items? – Choose places where there is limited sharing of items and where any items that are shared are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between uses. You can also choose to visit places that share, post, or announce that they have increased cleaning and disinfection to protect others from COVID-19.
For the latest updates visit https://www.mmdhd.org/novel-coronavirus/
Concert in the Park Series – 17th Season Schedule
William E. Tennant Performance Shell, St. Johns City Park, Wednesdays – 7:00 p.m.
July 8 – Jeff Richards and Friends – Great Vocals
July 15 – Jack Clarkson Band – A Dynamite Band
July 22 – Miranda and The M80S – The Best Of The ‘80S
July 29 – Root Doctor – Classic Soul, R&B & Blues
Aug. 5 – Vintage 20s – Great Roaring Twenties Band
Aug. 12 – David Shelby – Country With A Motown Twist
Aug. 19 – David Gerald – The Very Best Of Blues
Aug. 26 – Dave Bennett Quartet – From Swing To Rock
Sept. 2 – Matt King – His Award Winning Tribute To Elvis
All Concerts Will Be Held Rain Or Shine
Sponsored by The Clinton County Arts Council and the City Of St. Johns
Bring your lawn chairs and your masks – enjoy the concerts!
For concert updates each week, please visit our Facebook Page
or the CCCA website at: clintoncountyarts.org