My
FREE
Local singer launches debut albums Cool Cars return | Chefs share summer eats
amston
MY STORIES
MY LIFE
MY COMMUNITY
Take a walk in the park New features add to city attraction
Passion to help One girl’s initiative another child’s aid
Jubilee hits 40 Q&A with chair of longtime festival
HISTORY: Mitch Lutzke examines area ties of 1890s political movement
SUMMER 2011 MyWilliamston.com
Contents
10
GOODWILL
My Own Bed
14
Girl’s foundation benefits children in other countries. FACES AND PLACES Memorial Day photos
Covering Williamston and surrounding communities. Summer 2011 Volume 2, No. 3
CONTRIBUTORS Michele Brussow Benjamin Eichler Mitch Lutzke Bruce A. Pollock Will Whelton
COVER STORY
On the right path
Finishing touches underway at McCormick Park LOCAL DISH Q&A: Jubilee talk with Sandy Bowden-Whelton ...4 40 years: Jubilee honors Red, White and Blue ........5 Start your engines: Enduro race returns .......................5 Jubilee schedule: Packed week of festival events ......5 Making music: Area singer records CDs . ....................6 Cool Cars: New weekly event downtown................7 Summer eats: Recipes for outdoor hosting ................8
26
COLUMN Good Reads: Book ideas from Michele Brussow......9 Also: Mitch Lutzke examines city’s political history ......13 Benjamin Eichler explains the wisdom of wit ...........27 IN EVERY ISSUE Calendar .........................20 Advertiser index .............25 ONLINE EXTRA: See photos of the 2011 Flamingo Fest MyWilliamston.com/FlamingoFest
Find us online at MyWilliamston.com
Past issues online at issuu.com/yeetown
On the Cover
A couple takes a stroll in McCormick Park. Photo by Bruce A. Pollock
One year of My Williamston magazine!
For advertising information, email contact@MyWilliamston.com My Williamston is published quarterly by Yeetown Designs, a division of Yeetown, LLC. Yeetown is a gift shop that features only Michigan-made cards, gifts and food. It is located at 110 E. Grand River Ave. inside historic Keller’s Plaza in downtown Williamston. © Yeetown Designs, a division of Yeetown, LLC
Miss an issue? Read past editions online at issuu.com/yeetown 2 | My Williamston | Summer 2011
SUMMER STYLES
Discover Our Passion For Beauty & Design a full service hair salon in downtown williamston 517.655.9095 find us on facebook
We Carry The Full Line Of REDKEN Haircare Products
Summer 2011 | My Williamston | 3
Local dish
Q &A
MEET SANDY BOWDEN-WHELTON Who: President of the Red Cedar Jubilee committee and organizer of visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus after Holiday Light Parade. Background: Sandy has served on Williamston’s city council and planning commission. She first joined the Jubilee committee as its publicity chair 30 years ago and worked her way up to president. Other interests: Sandy enjoys spending time with her family, including watching her grandchildren. She helps organize the annual golf tournament that supports the Police and Kids program, which she helped start, and she remains active with other events in the community.
Compiled by My Williamston staff
A word with Sandy Bowden-Whelton 1. When you first began working on the Red Cedar Jubilee, did you expect it to become the staple in the community it has or are you surprised by its growth? I have been on the committee for 30 years. Every single year I am terrified that no one will show up, but every year people come. Many high school and family reunions are planned during the week. We will also have some new events this year. We are bringing back our enduro race, better described as a bump and run. The cars are not totally destroyed as in the derby. This event went over very well last year in spite of us not being able to acquire many derby cars. 2. Are there any special events planned for this year’s Jubilee? This is our 40th year and also the 10th anniversary of 9/11, so our theme is “Honoring our Red, White and Blue.” The red is for the firemen and women, the white is for the emergency medical technicians, and the blue is for our police officers. They will all be our grand marshals and honored at the Citizen of the Year Dinner. 3. How time-consuming is the Jubilee for you and the other committee members who volunteer time throughout the year? Jubilee for me personally is an all-year job, but I would never give it up. Spending time with all the wonderful service groups and sitting at the tent talking to people I have not seen all year is
4 | My Williamston | Summer 2011
far too rewarding. The Jubilee committee is actually a very small group of people. Most of them, like myself, have been with the committee for years. It is very hard work setting up, tearing down and preparing for all the different events throughout the week. We are usually working in very hot weather, or rain and thunderstorms. Even though many people know my name, these 10 or 12 people go unnoticed and they are truly the backbone of this festival. 5. The Red Cedar 5K Run/Walk was added to the list of events last year and run in honor of your late husband, Ken Whelton. How touching was that for your family to welcome an event to Jubilee week that honored your husband, who also played an important role in making Jubilee what it is before he died in August 2009? Last year, Jubilee was extremely difficult for me. I was scared to death not having my soulmate by my side. So when Drew Payton came to me and said he wanted to do a 5K and honor Ken, I absolutely went to pieces. Here was a young man, still in school, who came down with the church members every year and helped us set up and tear down, and he respected Ken so much that he wanted to do this. There is no way to express my family’s feelings about such a heartfelt act. 4. How much feedback do you get from people about what the Jubilee means to the community? Even though the businesses say
they don’t get as much traffic as they would like, the service organizations truly benefit from this week. It is Jubilee events that add to the funds the organizations put right back into our own community. The Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, scouts and churches are able to do marvelous things for our community and the scholarships are amazing. The Jubilee committee alone gives out two $3,000 scholarships to Williamston students. 8. Aside from the Jubilee, you organize the visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus after the Holiday Light Parade each year and help with countless other activities in the area. What is it that makes you want to be so involved? Easy question! Williamston means everything to me. I once was asked to give a speech at an event in Kalamazoo. It was about various hometowns. Ken and I went around town and he took pictures of people and places. We put together a slide presentation. Several people came up to me later and said they could feel the love, and I’ve passed that on to my children. Kristin Horstman, who is very involved with many organizations. And Will, who was an editor and writer for the Enterprise and is still asked to write for the school and My Williamston magazine, even though he is now an editor in public relations for MSU. My daughterin-law, Bon, is a teacher at St. Mary School. And, my son-inlaw, Mike, is an outstanding contractor who I often rope into many of my events.
LOCAL DISH
40th Jubilee honors emergency responders
With the 40th Red Cedar Jubilee falling in the same year as the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, finding a theme was easy for Jubilee president Sandy Bowden-Whelton. The theme of “Honoring our Red, White and Blue” is a thank you, Whelton said, with red for firefighters, white for emergency medical technicians and blue for police officers. “I’m a big fan of NIESA and the police,” Whelton said. “I love them both very much and work hard to help both. I think they’re heroes, and when you think heroes, you think of 9/11. Who wasn’t affected when watching police and firemen running in there and not coming out? Our guys are not going into skyscrapers, but they still run into burning buildings to save people.” Representatives of the Williamston Police Department, and firefighters and EMTs from the Northeast Ingham Emergency Services Authority (NIESA) were selected to serve as grand marshals of the Jubilee Grand Parade. The parade is held the Saturday of each Jubilee week and is led by the grand marshals and also includes the citizens of the year. Those citizens are representatives of each of Williamston’s service organizations, with two members of each group and two from the Jubilee committee then selecting a Citizen of the Year from the pool. “It’s a process, but they narrow it down
Popular enduro returns to festival
Photo courtesy of Red Cedar Jubilee
Tractors drive down Grand River Avenue during the 2010 Red Cedar Jubilee’s grand parade. to one person,” Whelton said. “Then I talk to the person who nominated them and they have to make sure to get the person to the dinner. They don’t know they’re selected until the dinner.” The Citizen of the Year Dinner kicks off Jubilee activities each year on the Monday during the week with a dinner at Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. “None of the honorees know they’re being honored, but they love it,” Whelton said.
Every dollar earned has added importance for the Red Cedar Jubilee committee as companies have cut donations amidst a sluggish economy. The slowdown has even affected the Jubilee’s demolition derby, as fewer people have been willing to buy a car with the sole intention of demolishing it. That led Tommy Pratt to come up with an enduro race. “The purpose of a demolition derby is for everybody to smash into each other until the last car’s running,” Pratt said. “This is more a competitive race where you’re allowed to bump and hit others, but there’s a number of laps you’re racing.” Pratt said the benefit of an enduro is cars can be used at multiple events since they’re damaged, but not destroyed. The event is one of the Jubilee’s most profitable draws, so committee president Sandy Bowden-Whelton was nervous when it had a slow start last year. The crowd was late to arrive, but Whelton said it ended with more people than room allowed for inside the fence.
RED CEDAR JUBILEE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS MONDAY, JUNE 20 Citizen of the Year Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. TUESDAY, JUNE 21 Senior Citizen Dinner, 5 p.m. Community Center. Reserve space. Beatles Revue, 7 p.m. American Legion Band Shell, McCormick Park. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22 Lions Club Food & Beverage Tent, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Deer Creek Park. Kids' Parade, line up at McCormick Park,5:30 p.m.; step off, 6:30 p.m. Western band concert, 7 p.m. Kids' Games, 7-9 p.m. Deer Creek Park.
THURSDAY, JUNE 23 Lions Club Food & Beverage Tent, open 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Alumni Luncheon, noon. Community Center. Reserve space Lawnmower Races, 7 p.m. Deer Creek Park Senior Band, Music of the Good Times, 7-9 p.m. Deer Creek Park. FRIDAY, JUNE 24 Sidewalk Sales at downtown businesses. Lions Club Food & Beverage Tent, 11 a.m.-midnight. Deer Creek Park. Registration for 5K run/walk, 2-6 p.m. Deer Creek Park.
Craft Show & More, 3-7 p.m. Lot behind Wood & Sons Corn Bin and the Sun Theatre. Enduro Race, 7-10 p.m. Deer Creek Park. SATURDAY, JUNE 25 Sidewalk Sales at downtown businesses. Memorial 5K Run, 8:30 a.m. This year's race honors Paul Nilsson. Taylor Smith Memorial Cruise In, 9 a.m. Craft Show & More, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Lot behind Wood & Sons Corn Bin and the Sun Theatre. Lions Club Food & Beverage Tent,
11 a.m.-midnight. Deer Creek Park. Chicken BBQ, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. McCormick Park. Presented by Williamston United Methodist Church. Jubilee Grand Parade, line up at old fire station, 11:30; step off,12:30 p.m. Sunrise Rotary Club Duck Drop, 2 p.m. Putnam Street Bridge. Tractor Pull, 2 p.m. Community Center. Auction Benefiting Habitat for Humanity, 3 p.m. Deer Creek Park. SUNDAY, JUNE 26 All-You-Can-Eat Farm Breakfast, 8-11 a.m. Deer Creek Park. Presented by Boy Scout Troop No. 63.
Summer 2011 | My Williamston | 5
LOCAL DISH
Lifelong musician records debut albums Music has always been a part of Kate Van Allsburg’s life. Growing up in a musical family, she learned piano and guitar at a young age, and according to a story her dad loved to tell, she sang before she spoke. She then studied music in college and began using her talents to teach. A private music teacher for about 18 years, the Williamston resident is now enjoying musical success in another way. She’s completed her first solo album, “A Celtic Pilgrimage,” and is working on a debut CD with her group Keepin’ Thyme. “I enjoy what I do,” Van Allsburg said. “I’m really, really lucky that I’m able to perform and teach and just do music.” Van Allsburg’s latest ventures, and the prospect of future ones, began with an unplanned meeting two years ago with producer Dan Haviland. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” she said of recording an album, “but it kind of landed in my lap.” As Van Allsburg recalls, Haviland was at Tuesday Books where he was displaying his Native American wood flutes for an event in town when co-owner Beth Phelps summoned Van Allsburg to the downtown shop. “So I ran down there and I met Dan,” she said. “He put a flute in my hands and I started playing it and just really enjoying it.” Pete Porciello, a local piano player, then wandered into the shop and met Haviland that day. Later that month, Porciello, and Van Allsburg and her husband, Scott, went to Haviland’s house in St. Johns where they discovered his music studio. The group was hanging out and making some small recordings when Porciello said to Van Allsburg, “You really want to go into that (sound) room, don’t you?” “And I said ‘yeah,’ ” Van Allsburg said. “So they put me in the sound room and Dan said, ‘Don’t be afraid of the microphone’ because he didn’t know (I sang). Pete started playing ‘Summer Time’ and I started singing. After that, it avalanched. It was just way fun.”
‘‘
Photo by My Williamston staff
Kate Van Allsburg plays one of her many wooden flutes made by Dan Haviland. She played one of the flutes in her solo album, “A Celtic Pilgrimage.” Haviland offered Van Allsburg studio time in return for a percentage of CD sales, and the two began work on the solo album, a 16-track disc comprised mainly of traditional folk tunes. Scott designed the album sleeve, and takes care of duplicating the CDs and packaging them for sale. “That was music I grew up with and it indicated my cultural heritage so that’s why we called it ‘A Celtic Pilgrimage,’ ” Van Allsburg said. “My family started in Scotland and moved over and ended up over here. There are pieces that my mom and grandmother would sing when I was young.” Van Allsburg said working with Haviland
at his studio, called Sweet Grass Studio, is an enjoyable experience. “Dan is incredible,” she said. “He has a wonderful ear for adjusting things how they should balance. And if you’re not in the right mood when you arrive to record, he knows how to get you in the right mood, and he’s not in a rush.” One CD morphed into another, and now Van Allsburg is working on “On the Mhors and in the Heather,” an album by Keepin’ Thyme that Haviland also is producing. Keepin’ Thyme, “a Celtic and related music foursome” according to the album sleeve, comprises Van Allsburg, who offers vocals and guitar, flute player Amy Oeseburg, cello player Gary Coles and Sylvia Coles on hammered-dulcimer. Van Allsburg joined the group about 15 years ago in the same vein of chance that led her to Haviland. She and Scott were at an out-of-town festival watching Keepin’ Thyme perform when the band’s guitarist had to leave for an emergency. “The group was continuing on, then Sylvia (Coles) asked if anyone there played guitar and my husband grabbed my arm, throws it up in the air and I filled in,” Van Allsburg said. “Then they found out I could sing and they asked me to join the group.” Van Allsburg said Keepin’ Thyme performs at weddings about three times a year, which is what prompted the group to record. They also play at other locations throughout the year, such as Hospice of Lansing’s Stoneleigh Residence and Woldumar Park. “The group gets asked for CDs all the time for demos for weddings,” she said. “Then we realized we could make this a full one and people started putting in orders for it.” The debut album, which Van Allsburg said will be released in the next few months, features both Celtic and folk music, and includes a song called “Michigan Saturday Night,” written by Michigan folk musician
QUOTEWORTHY
Just $30 can give a kid their own bed. When people know that, they say, ‘Really? I can buy a bed with just this money in my purse?’ ” — Madison Casteel, 12, founder of the My Own Bed project. Read more on page 10
6 | My Williamston | Summer 2011
LOCAL DISH Judi Morningstar. Morningstar also put words to the traditional piece, “South Wind,” another song on the disc. A Christmas CD by Keepin’ Thyme is next on the music agenda. When Van Allsburg’s not recording, she’s at her home studio, awash with an assortment of musical instruments, including several of Haviland’s wood flutes. There, she gives voice and instrument lessons to about 60 or 70 students of all ages and experience six days a week. Van Allsburg said she began to teach privately at the suggestion of her voice teacher
while studying at Michigan State University and has been gaining students ever since. Her business grew considerably during the seven years she and her husband, Scott, owned the current Gracie’s Place location, where she taught music and Scott taught art, until they sold the building in 2007. The couple left the building but took with them the spirit of it. Van Allsburg said renowned local artist Jane McChesney sums up their home nicely, calling it a living studio. “There’s no room that’s not done with music and art in this house,” Van Allsburg said. “It’s just what we do, so we live it.”
WHERE TO BUY “A Celtic Pilgrimage,” featuring a mix of traditional folk songs, is available for sale at the following stores: Tuesday Books, Williamston Yeetown, Williamston Michigan Untapped, Charlotte CDs also are available at Van Allsburg’s music studio in Williamston. Call (517) 449-5528 for more information.
Cool cars in Williamston
Monday nights are reserved for car enthusiasts throughout the summer in downtown Williamston. Brian Stiffler thinks the city’s historic buildings make a perfect backdrop for classic cars and was disappointed when weekly shows stopped a few years ago. That led Stiffler to organize Cool Car Nights, which will be held 5-7 p.m. Mondays through September in the City Hall parking lot. “I just want to bring people downtown,” said Stiffler, whose family owns Ellie’s Country Kitchen. “You come downtown and you never know what you’re going to see.” Stiffler said local businesses have donated gift certificates that will be given away each week and Six String Place will provide music.
Williamston Inn 1133 W. Grand River Road • williamstoninn.com
(517) 655-3773 • Peaceful rural setting • Quaint rooms • Free WI-FI Just 7.5 miles east of Michigan State University Summer 2011 | My Williamston | 7
LOCAL DISH
taste of summer
Local chefs’ menus for outdoor entertaining
Recipes by James Sumpter, Executive Chef at Gracie’s Place in downtown Williamston
Recipes by Alan Ogard, Executive Chef at Red Cedar Grill in downtown Williamston
Menu: Molasses Brined Pork with Port Rhubarb Sauce; Grilled Asparagus Salad and Aderkase Potatoes. Serve with Rock & Vine Malbec 2008 Lake County, Ca.
Menu: Honey Bruschetta (appetizer), Barbecue Baby Back Ribs, and grilled corn on the cob and onions. Serve with Cabernet Sauvignon, Finca El Origen, Mendoza, Argentina, 2009
Mollasses Brined Pork Tenderloin Will brine up to 10 pounds pork tenderloin 2 quarts Dr. Pepper 1 ½ cup molasses ¼ cup salt Whisk together all ingredients, soak pork for 2 ½ hours. Rinse with cold water, then allow pork to rest in refrigerator for 6 hours. Grill charcoal over medium heat away from the hottest spot on the grill. Cook pork tenderloin until internal temperature reads 125 degrees at the thickest point to reach medium temperature (135 degrees for medium-well and 150 degrees for well). Allow pork to rest on a cutting board or plate for 5 minutes, slice widthwise. Port-Rhubarb Sauce 2 pounds rhubarb (8-10 stalks) bottle ruby port wine ½ teaspoon black pepper Pour wine into small sauce pot and bring to a simmer. Allow to simmer over low heat until volume reaches half. Add the rhubarb and continue to simmer for 10 minutes. Wine should be level with rhubarb. Allow to cool to room temperature the blend in blender until smooth. Reheat when ready to use, may be prepared ahead one day.
Grilled Asparagus Salad 2 bunches asparagus 2 ounces parmiggiano reggiano 4 beets 4-6 ounces spring mix 2-3 ounces truffle oil 2 lemons Sea salt Black pepper Cover beets in foil individually and roast in oven at 400 degrees for 50 minutes. Refrigerate beets overnight to cool, then peel and slice or cut into eighths. Coat asparagus in truffle oil, sea salt and pepper. Grill asparagus in one layer over hot place of grill for four or five minutes turning once. Cut lemons into quarters and grill over hot place for one minute, turning once. Arrange beets in center of platter and lay asparagus against them. Place lemons and handfuls of greens around platter. Shave parmesan all around. Enjoy. Aderkase Potatoes 5-6 Russet potatoes ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 12 cloves garlic 1/3 pound blue cheese Cut potatoes into 12-16 large pieces. Toss with all ingredients except cheese. Place on a large sheet of aluminum foil and fold up into a tight pouch. Place on low heat area of the grill. When potatoes are almost done add the cheese and continue to cook until finished.
8 | My Williamston | Summer 2011
Honey Bruschetta Honey Tomatoes (recipe below) Thinly sliced Ciabatta bread, drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper, and slightly toasted. Ricotta cheese Thinly sliced fresh basil Balsamic Reduction (recipe below) To assemble: Place a slice of toasted Ciabatta on platter. Spread ricotta cheese on top. Place three honey tomatoes on bread. Drizzle with balsamic reduction. Sprinkle fresh chiffonade basil on top. Honey Tomatoes: 8 ounces grape tomatoes 1/4 cup olive oil Salt and pepper 1/4 cup honey Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place grape tomatoes on baking sheet in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast tomatoes for approximately 10-12 minutes until the tomatoes start to slightly blister. Remove from oven. Toss lightly with honey while still warm. Balsamic Reduction: 2 cups balsamic vinegar Place 2 cups balsamic vinegar in saucepan (not aluminum). Bring to a boil. Turn down heat to mild simmer. Simmer on low until vinegar has reduced to a syrupy stage, approximately 15 minutes. Test it with a spoon. Reduction is done when it coats the back of the spoon.
Baby Back Ribs With Pomegranate Barbecue Sauce 2 slabs of baby back ribs. Rib Rub: Mix these ingredients together: 1/2 cup Lawry’s seasoned salt 1/2 cup Old Bay seasoning 1 tablespoon granulated garlic 1 tablespoon onion powder 1 teaspoon Chipotle powder Rub dry rub onto ribs, place in 325 degree oven for three hours, remove and let rest. Pomegranate Barbecue Sauce Reduce 2 cups of pomegranate juice to about half, remove from heat and let cool. Add: 1 cup ketchup; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; splash of Tabasco sauce Spread barbecue sauce on ribs and finish on the grill. Cook until the ribs have a nice glaze on them. Place corn on the cob, in the husks, on the grill. Turn often so they won’t burn. Remove after 15 minutes; remove husks, spread with roasted red tomato butter and salt. Place green onions on grill and cook until they caramelize, which takes approximately 10 minutes.
Leisure GOOD READS
Reading with Michele Brussow
A variety of books to unwind with this summer Summer is here. What better way to relax and unwind than with a great book? Pick one of these titles for a fun and flirty beach read, a humorous romp, a mystery that is just as scorching as the temperature outside or an absorbing read about the lakes that surround us. THE SPELLMAN FILES Lisa Lutz, 353 pages (hardcover) If you love the witty dialogue and adventurous capers found in the Stephanie Plum series, pick up “The Spellman Files” by Lisa Lutz or “Foxy Roxy” by Nancy Martin. “The Spellman Files” introduces readers to an endearing, laugh-out-loud hilarious character named Izzy Spellman. At age 28, Izzy is still taking orders from her parents, who also happen to be her employers in the family investigation business. Izzy narrates the novel with a unique voice and clever wit as she stumbles from one madcap adventure to another. FOXY ROXY Nancy Martin, 320 pages (paperback) “Foxy Roxy” is the first in a series featuring Roxy Abruzzo, a character who is part Antiques Roadshow pundit and part Dirty
Harry crime fighter. Roxy is an antiques dealer with a penchant for getting mixed up in some comical situations, usually resolving them in her brash, tough-talking signature style. THE LAKE, THE RIVER & THE OTHER LAKE Steve Amick, 384 pages (hardcover) We Michiganians love our lakes in the summer, and two great reads put them at center stage. Steve Amick’s “The Lake, the River & the Other Lake” is a fictionalized account of a small town nestled in Michigan’s Gold Coast during the summer of 2001. This is dark humor at its finest, with poignant moments woven into the finely nuanced voices of eccentric local characters who all share a common feature: dislike for the visitors who bring sorely needed tourist dollars to their resort town. COMPANY MAN Joseph Finders, 592 pages, (paperback) Mystery lovers will want to check out the tight plot and gripping action in Joseph Finders’ “Company Man.” The setting is a
fictional small town in Michigan, caught in an economic downturn when the largest employer lays off half its workforce. Hometown boy Nick Conover, CEO of said company, is being threatened by a disgruntled former employee. He is forced into confrontations on the corporate front when he suspects that board members are plotting against him, and on the home front when family secrets send his son Lucas into a tailspin. The suspense propels readers through each page before reaching a satisfying and adrenaline-soaked conclusion. THE LIVING GREAT LAKES Jerry Dennis, 320 pages (paperback) “The Living Great Lakes” by Jerry Dennis explores the Great Lakes experience from the perspective of travels on a canoe, a schooner and a racing yacht. The author eloquently blends history, economic insights, travel dialogue, adventure and geography through his narration of both his childhood and his adult experiences. This is a mustread for anyone who enjoys page-turning nonfiction, whether you’re a native Michiganian or someone who has “discovered” Michigan as a second home.
Michele Brussow is the head librarian at the Williamston Library, which is a Capital Area District Library. Contact Brussow at (517) 655-1191 or brussowm@cadl.org.
Summer 2011 | My Williamston | 9
GOODWILL
‘A heart for people’
12-year-old’s foundation buys beds for countries in need
M
adison Casteel learned early that one person really can make a difference. The Williamston resident was in third grade when she created a foundation that bought 100 beds for an orphanage in a small village in Uganda. Now 12, she’s raising money for a similar cause in Haiti. “I am humbled to know that she has this amazing heart,” her mom, Amy Casteel, said. “She’s earnest and she’s passionate about (helping others) and I don’t think it’s something that you can teach. She just has a heart for people and I think it’s cool.” It was a meeting four years ago with a unique house guest that sparked Madison’s humanitarian interests and sprung her into action. Madison’s dad, Eric, worked with a missionary organization that was hosting a conference in Michigan for nonprofit leaders from around the world. One of those leaders was Bishop Hannington Bahemuka, who traveled from Uganda for the conference and stayed at the Casteels’ home. When the organization hosted a dinner in Grand Rapids, Madison, was talking with Bahemuka when Amy Casteel watched him tell Madison she was going to change the world as he gave her an African blessing. “I thought that was cool, then we sat down and one of the people who we were having dinner with said, ‘You know, they don’t do that lightly. That’s not a greeting. There’s meaning there,’ ” Amy Casteel said. “And they’ve had this amazing relationship ever since.” Bahemuka showed the family pictures from his village, which had been invaded by rebels from the Democratic Republic of Congo, leaving people dead in the streets, children without parents and disease in a once idyllic village. Suddenly, the village had 50 orphans, many with AIDS, and was left to rebuild. “I realized that in a lot of the slides, there were like five kids in one twin bed,” Madison said. “I don’t even have someone
Above, Madison Casteel, right, and Haley Nichols, sell their handmade goods during a First Friday event in Williamston. My Own Bed helped buy beds for orphans in Uganda, shown below.
MY OWN BED What: A project started four years ago to raise money for orphaned children in struggling nations. Donations: The group accepts funds during First Friday events in front of Yeetown. Mail checks to Williamston Free Methodist Church/My Own Bed at 4400 N. Williamston Road, Williamston, MI 48895. Online: themyownbedproject.weebly.com
else sleeping on my queen bed, so that’s not fair. A few months after, we decided to raise money to help.” With that, My Own Bed was born. Madison began collecting donations, hanging up signs and selling baked goods she prepared herself to raise the money needed for each orphan to have their own bed. She also spoke to groups, such as the
Williamston Sunrise Rotary Club, which then donated money. “We donate to a lot of different things and donated to that at the time because it really hit home,” said Beverly O’Malia, a director on the club’s board. “I have kids and grandchildren and to know that there’s kids out there who don’t have a bed to sleep in is sad.” Madison raised so much money that not
Photos courtesy of the Casteel family 10 | My Williamston | Summer 2011
only did the village buy all 100 beds it needed, the leaders also had enough money to buy a herd of goats. Milk from those goats was crucial to the orphans, Bahemuka told Madison. “He actually sent Madison a picture of a little kid who was an AIDS orphan and had to have a certain amount of nutrition for the drugs to work,” Amy Casteel said. “He said because of the funds that she provided, this kid was able to live because they were able to provide him the milk he needed from the goats. He said, ‘You saved his life.’ Isn’t that incredible? So she knows it makes a difference.” The village, which is currently building a second orphanage, can buy a new mattress for about $30, which Madison realized here is the average cost of two music CDs. “Thirty dollars is like the average people carry in their purse,” Madison said. “Just $30 can give a kid their own bed. When people know that, they say, ‘Really? I can give a kid a bed with just this money in my purse?’ You can’t do that here, but you can do that there.” When Eric Casteel visited Uganda, he presented the money his daughter had raised directly to Bahemuka. “They had the groundbreaking ceremony for the new orphanage,” Madison said. “It was
Madison Casteel and Bishop Hannington Bahemuka. like seven hours long and I remember my dad telling me that someone pointed at him, saying, ‘See that guy with the camera. Now let me tell you about his daughter.’ And that was about me, so that was really cool.” Having met her goal, Madison put the My Own Bed project aside for two years.
“It was just a box in the corner of my room,” Madison said of the project’s hiatus. “Then after the recent Haiti earthquake, me and my parents came up with a plan. We realized that Uganda didn’t need a whole lot of help right now. “After the Japan earthquakes, the Red Cross, which was putting a lot of their money into Haiti, are now putting a lot of their stuff into Japan. So Haiti’s getting a lot less, which means they need some more from other people.” My Own Bed is back in full force. She and some of her friends, namely Haley Nichols, are regularly making items, such as pipe cleaner rings, pillows and baked goods, to offer in exchange for donations during festivals in town. Madison and Haley have been a fixture during First Friday events in front of Yeetown for the past year. Similar to the Uganda donation, Amy Casteel said all funds raised will go directly to the people in Haiti who need it most. “We take the money right to the people,” she said. “No administrative costs. Everything that’s raised gets handed right to a person on the ground.” My Own Bed operates under the umbrella of Williamston Free Methodist Church’s
National Brands with Hometown Service In operation for more than 100 years
Williamston True Value Hardware
Meeting your everyday hardware and home maintenance needs ServiceS offered: •Appliance Dolly Rentals •Custom Paint Mixing •Chainsaw/Mower Blade Sharpening •Hunt & Fishing Licenses
•Screen/Window Glass Repair •Pipe Cutting & Threading •Key Cutting
139 S. Putnam • (517) 655-1622 • Hours: Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Summer 2011 | My Williamston | 11
non-profit status, meaning donations are tax deductible and can be accepted at the group’s fundraisers or sent to the church, which the Casteels attend. Although Madison is now working with the goal of helping people in Haiti, she follows the progress in Uganda closely and communicates regularly with Bahemuka. “We email back and forth a lot, which is really cool,” said Madison, adding that Bahemuka’s village is progressing with the second orphanage and working to improve its schools. Madison hopes My Own Bed continues to grow, but she also has other humanitarian projects in mind for the future. “It came from the feeling of, ‘I can make aPaintings difference,’ ” she said of the desire to help others. “If I can make this big of a difference when Photography I’m a kid, just think of what I can do when I’m a grownup.”
Pottery Jewelry Wool & Felting Candles A co-op of approximately 20 local artists
The Artisan’s Circle
•Paintings •Jewelry •Photography •Wool & felting •Pottery •and more!
2652 Haslett Road in Williamston (517) 655-2202 westlockechurch.net
COLOR and
Black & White
r e n
Copy Services Now Available
Lim
High Stati 121 edding
theartisanscircle.com
W
138 W. Grand River in downtown Williamston
Looking to protect your family?
Rob has helped people of every age. Don’t be one of those people who fail to plan. Call Rob today.
Sunday worship — 10 a.m. Sunday school, all ages — 9 a.m. Foundations Ministry — 6:45 p.m. Wednesdays
Robert Pecic
Licensed Insurance Producer
Estate Planning & Preservation, Inc. (517) 655-7879 Respond and learn how life insurance and/ or annuities can be in various estate planning strategies for retirement. Guarantees provided by insurance products are subject to the financial strength of issuing company.
Request a free consultation today. www.estateplanningandpreservation.com 12 | My Williamston | Summer 2011
s s e Pr
5 .445 5 5 ore 17.6 5. 5 &M
s 9 488 , Stamp I Booklets n . M rds
Ca sto liam usiness l i t .W , B Stree onery
(517) 655-2200
Call Robert Pecic today. Your concerns are his concerns. Rob can show you how your family can continue financially if you were to pass. Life insurance can lift the financial burden of a death of a loved one.
Learning Loving Living for God
Newsletters Forms Carbonless 11” by 17” posters
www.limnerpress.com
History A LOOK BACK
Learning history with Mitch Lutzke
Third party was rooted in Williamston
P
oor weather, rising prices and the desire for change. Sound like the landscape in the United States today, or better yet, more specifically, in Michigan? President Barack Obama campaigned with the theme “Change You Can Believe In,” while the current Tea Party claims to represent the common people, who desire a change in the United States. Over the years, there have been other change groups, such as the Green Party, the Dixiecrats and the Bull Moose Party. Even the Republicans began as a third party movement 160 years ago. Back in the 1890s, Williamston area residents joined a farmer’s political party which had lofty goals and changes in their agenda. The farmer-led Patrons of Industry exploded onto the political scene in 1889. Founded in Port Huron, it quickly spread to mid-Michigan the following year. Using the already formed Farmer’s Alliance organization, also known as The Grange, the angst of farmers and farm laborers reached a political peak during this time in American history, dubbed as the Gilded Age, by famous author Mark Twain. Fed up with the Robber Baron mentality and the big city political corruption, the rural residents looked to alter the direction of the country. According to one observer of Grange politics, “the Patrons of Industry, which passed over the state rapidly, organizing in nearly every school district,” was benefited by the “cheapness of the (membership) fee, trade arrangements, etc. gave it a boom unprecedented in the history of organizations.” This agricultural political movement was fueled by years of low crop prices, particularly in wheat, a staple crop of the Williamston area, and where, by no coincidence, Wheatfield Township is located. In late July 1890, after a two-day meeting in Lansing, the group opted for the third
party route. However, according to The New York Times, an agreement was reached that “no state ticket should be placed in the field, but that as an order they would nominate a full legislative and Congressional ticket.” The change issues of the Patrons of Industry were wide ranging. They desired stronger government regulation and increased taxes of the railroads and on express delivery firms. They wanted a decrease in telegraph and telephone rates, the creation of a statewide Food and Dairy Commission, along with the establishment an inspection process for steam threshing machines and their boilers. While they believed their cause was right and just, that view wasn’t shared by all. Contemporary political analyst, Richard J. Jensen is quoted as saying, “In southern Michigan, where Yankee pietism was highly susceptible to Seventh Day Adventism, Spiritualism, Christian Sciences, vegetarianism and food fads, perfectionism, holiness movements, Millenarianism, and, of course, prohibition, the Populist and Prohibition parties had been unusually strong, taking up to one-third of the vote.” It is with this observation and backdrop the Patrons of Industry movement burned through Williamston. In the 1890 fall elections, six candidates supported by the Patrons of Industry won state House seats and four captured state Senate seats. However, the winners had to combine support from either Democrats, Republicans, Prohibitionists or Greenback Party endorsements to gain their seats. A few months after their first victories, a blurb in the Williamston Enterprise, announced a meeting to elect officers at the Hart School on Haslett Road for Thursday, Jan. 22, 1891. A few months later, the group supported attorney Howard Weist, who had just purchased the Shagbark Estate east of town, for a judgeship position. That same year, when
a lengthy biographical album of Ingham and Livingston counties was published, prominent Williamston men, such as James H. Wilson, Egbert Toms and Albert Brown announced their allegiance to the Patrons of Industry. By the spring of 1892, the Patrons of Industry had morphed into the People’s Party and became an arm of the nationwide Populist Movement, led by newspaper publisher, William Jennings Bryan. In March, the Williamston City Hall was the scene for a gathering of members to elect officers for the year. By that fall, the People’s Party had agreed to nominate a full slate of candidates for county positions, including sheriff, clerk, register of deed, probate judge, treasurer, prosecuting attorney, surveyor and coroner. However, when Republicans and Democrats discovered they were losing support to this new farmer’s group, the established parties made changes to sway these voters. In the 1896 presidential race, the Populist Party nominated Bryan and the Democrats quickly followed suit and latched on to this renowned orator to carry their party’s banner. Republican nominee William McKinley edged Bryan by about 500,000 votes. Four years later, in 1900, the same two ran again, and McKinley won by a bit more than the first time, effectively ending the run of the Populists. Incidentally, 1900 was also the first time in U.S. history that more people resided in small towns or big cities than in rural areas. This changing of the American landscape also spelled doom to the upstart Patrons of Industry in Michigan, as they no longer had the majority of people’s interests at heart. And despite all of their good intentions, the Patrons of Industry soon faded into the background as yet another political movement and a footnote in the history of change in the United States.
Mitch Lutzke is a history and video production teacher at Williamston High School. He is a local historian and member of the Williamston Depot Museum's board of directors. He lives in Williamston with his wife and children. Contact Mitch at mlutzke@MyWilliamston.com. Summer 2011 | My Williamston | 13
In this photo and the photo at right, people enjoy a sunny day at McCormick Park on Memorial Day. Park visitors strolled down the new walkable paths, an integral part of recent renovations. 14 | My Williamston | Summer 2011
Point of Pride McCormick Park revitalized after years of renovation and community support
T
he Rev. Francis McCormick would undoubtedly be excited to see his namesake park today. This summer, new aspects of McCormick Park are popping up nearly each week. A rain garden has been created, new trees and shrubs are being planted, the land is being graded and reseeded, and new signage has been placed to give more information about the history of Williamston’s biggest park. “It’s value is incalculable,” said Earl Wolf, chairperson of
the city’s parks and recreation commission. “It increases business and neighborhood value, it increases the walkable community attraction and it’s a boon to access restaurants and local businesses.” Much of the renovation work, aided by a grant from the state’s department of natural resources, was completed last fall. Finishing touches are continuing throughout the summer between a busy calendar of events that takes advantage of the new facilities.
Story by Will Whelton Photos by Bruce A. Pollock Summer 2011 | My Williamston | 15
COVER STORY HISTORY OF THE PARK McCormick Park has been a central feature of Williamston since it was developed by McCormick, who served as pastor of Williamston’s St. Mary Church from 1929-1945. The land had been the city dump, but McCormick thought the location, with its access to the Red Cedar River, could be far better utilized. He purchased the property and later donated it to the city. It was a county park for a time before being returned to the city. Over the years, residents have used the park for sports, weddings, family reunions, community events and much more. Its recent renovations were designed to make it a benefit for years to come. While the city owns other park areas around town (including Deer Creek Park and Memorial Park), McCormick Park continues to be the main focus due to its size and location — both
immediately adjacent to the downtown area and along the Red Cedar River. Following the destruction of the park left from a tornado in October 2007 and the threat of an emerald ash borer infestation, the city and its residents banded together to repair and renovate the land. “What the community has pulled together to do is to try to plan 30, 40, 50 years down the road,” said Ken Zichi, a former city council member who served as mayor at the time of the tornado. “We planted new trees, spruced up what we could immediately in terms of the walking paths and those sorts of things. It’s going to take time to get back to what it used to be, but in the meantime, it’s still a fun place to be.” Planning had already begun to improve the park before the tornado, including when the parks commission was formed in 2005, but that storm that swept through the area
the night of Oct. 18, 2007, left the park with 39 fewer trees and significantly altered subsequent planning. Since 2007, McCormick has been transformed through the collective efforts of the parks commission and other city boards, residents and service organizations. The Williamston Kiwanis Club donated a tot-lot playground for younger children in spring 2007; American Legion members dedicated a new Wall of Honor on Memorial Day in 2008; the Williamston Area Beautification Fund raised enough money for construction to begin on what is now the American Legion Memorial Band Shell in 2008; a wood carving event in December 2009 transformed trees lost to emerald ash borer into decorative sculptures; and a hard-surface pathway, LED lighting and a concession stand were part of last fall’s improvements. Planning continues for future projects.
CONCERTS IN THE PARK Musical performances are scheduled throughout the summer for Williamston Concerts at the Shell, the city’s first Summer Concert Series. The free concerts will take place at 7 p.m. Thursdays (unless noted otherwise) at the American Legion Memorial Band Shell in McCormick Park. Concerts wrap up on Sept. 1, with that final show to be announced. Snacks will be available in McCormick Park’s new concession stand, located next to the band shell. JUNE 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 21 — Beatles Revue Variety Show 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 22 — Six String
A concert during the 2011 Flamingo Fest. Place Rock Camp 7 p.m. June 23 — Lansing Concert Band Big Band 7 p.m. June 30 — Elizabeth Williams
Wood & Sons Corn Bin, LLC Biomass Stoves - Furnaces Fireplace Inserts - Bagged corn/wood pellets Magnum - St. Croix - Fahrenheit
Serving you since 2004! 164 W. Grand River, Williamston
(517) 655 - 2998
www.woodandsonscornbin.com 16 | My Williamston | Summer 2011
School of Dance and Living Arts Dance Studio JULY 7 p.m. July 7 — Lansing Concert Band 7 p.m. July 14 — Vocal Point Band 7 p.m. July 21 — Cindy McElroy and Nick May 7 p.m. July 28 — Youth Battle of the Bands AUGUST 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 5, The Bel-Airs, a doo-wop band 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6th — Grand Rapids Guitar Quartet 7 p.m. Aug. 11— iZwicki 7 p.m. Aug. 18 — The Enabelerz 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26 — Systems Go
PUBLIC SUPPORT The willingness of so many groups to help improve the park has led to the variety of its features. Wolf said the city’s renovations were meant to tie all of the donated projects together. “There’s no question, the park renovation wasn’t to add new attractions like that,” said Wolf, a retired designer for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “The park renovation is meant to tie in all of those projects that the service organizations and residents have done — both playgrounds, the band shell, the Rotary picnic pavilion and more — all of those things came about from service organizations and community non-profits. But none of them could tackle the infrastructure that was needed to tie it all together, making it handicap accessible, building bathrooms, installing lighting and those sorts of things. That’s how it sort of put the icing on the cake to complete the package that the service clubs had initiated.” The Wall of Honor sits next to the Putnam Street bridge with the Red Cedar River and the children’s playground in its background. Local members of the American Legion planned, designed and funded the monument. This past Memorial Day, the
The recent renovation project at McCormick Park was intended to tie in the many aspects of the park that were donated by various groups, such as the playground that was funded by the Williamston Kiwanis Club in 2007. Legion held the closing ceremony of the Memorial Day parade at the Wall. Legion member Bob Hanna, who served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1971, said the community support for the ceremony was overwhelming. “It really goes beyond my vocabulary to describe how it felt to see all of those people
there,” Hanna said. “I’m proud to be a veteran, but to have all of those people clap for you and just be there, it’s breathtaking from my perspective. I can hardly put it into words. It’s very honoring, and this year, there was a large crowd, as big as I remember. It was special.”
The finest dining in Williamston! 151 S. Putnam (517) 655‐1100
Offering a variety of entrees and desserts, and fine wine, craft beer and spirits.
Experience our patio this summer! Live entertainment on Fridays and dog-friendly every day.
Enjoy farm-to-table freshness with a meal at Gracie’s Place. We believe the best meals are made from scratch and kept as natural as possible. See our specials online at graciesplacebistro.com or on our Facebook page. Summer 2011 | My Williamston | 17
COVER STORY COMMUNITY BENEFITS Phillis Chirico, who, like Wolf, has served on the parks commission since its first meeting in February 2005, feels McCormick Park is a natural way to showcase the Red Cedar River, which flows through the city. She mentioned a key component to the renovation included the walkable pathways, which allow easier access for the disabled and residents of all ages. “We are fortunate to have a river that goes through the center of town and that really becomes a focal point,” she said. “With the park, we tried to make it so it’s available for people in wheelchairs, for young people on skateboards and children in strollers, and we tried to get a little bit of something for everybody.” Michael Gradis, one of Williamston’s two community development directors from McKenna Associates, said having wellmaintained public spaces is important to a community. “People don’t have acres and half-acres of backyard or front yard,” Gradis said. “Having a focal point for the community to walk to
and walk through is really important. For example, at new McCormick Park, there is the band shell and it is being used at least once or twice a week during the entire summer for a professional music performance. Either someone that has been hired, someone volunteering or even one of the local school choirs or bands are doing performances there. It really brings a lot of people to the downtown.” Gradis said the park benefits downtown businesses because people who are in Williamston to enjoy one will now discover the other. He said parks are considered “urban amenity” that will attract residents who are looking for a new place to live. “A park, like McCormick Park in a city like Williamston, that is really close to Lansing, so it has access to government jobs, education jobs, manufacturing jobs, it is also less than a mile north of I-96, having a park in a place like Williamston not only makes it geographically accessible to tons of employment opportunities, but it also makes it accessible to urban amenities like a park,” Gradis said. Having a large multi-use park near the
center of town is an attraction not only for residents, but also visitors. Zichi, who was the city’s mayor from 2000-2007, said he and his wife decided to move to Williamston after visiting the park. “I’ve seen research studies about obesity in children being directly proportional to how close the child lives to a park,” he said. “The closer the kids are to a park, the less likely they are to be overweight and the more likely they are to enjoy a reasonable amount of physical activity. Those kinds of quality of life issues are absolutely impossible to put a dollar figure on or quantify well, but they really make a big difference in the quality of life and how attractive a community is to live in.”
MORE WORK REMAINS Planning continues for additional attractions expected at McCormick Park. Different groups of volunteers are working to restore a 100-year-old gazebo, a pavilion built in the 1940s and a fountain shelter that will be renovated to become a shade structure. A sand volleyball court is under consideration, as is an additional fishing pier and observa-
ViVee’s
floral Garden
and Café
Flowers for any occasion! ALSO: Stop in for our chocolates and coffee. Brighten your day with Vivee’s!
(517) 655-2191
142 W. Grand River, downtown Williamston ViveesFloralGardenandCafe.com 18 | My Williamston | Summer 2011
CITY PARKS McCORMICK PARK McCormick Park is the biggest of the parks. It is bordered by Putnam and High streets and the Red Cedar River. It includes a band shell, pavilions, a war memorial, playground, concession stand and restrooms. The park was damaged by a tornado in October 2007, but has been significantly improved through renovations in the past four years. DEER CREEK PARK Deer Creek Park was also damaged by the 2007 storm. The park is located on Mechanic Street, near the school’s football stadium. The park features a sledding hill and a parking lot. MEMORIAL PARK Memorial Park is located on Highland Street next to the elementary schools. The park includes one-quarter mile of frontage along the Red Cedar River, on the opposite side of McCormick Park.
McCormick Park borders nearly one-fourth a mile along the Red Cedar River. The park’s renovation plans worked to make the area along the water more prominent. The paved pathways that connect the park line the water. tion dock. Some of the carved wooden sculptures might be moved so they can be spread across the entire park. Another plan would extend the walking paths so McCormick is connected to both Old Mill Park and Deer Creek Park. Chirico and Wolf said work completed in the last year has successfully tied past projects together to improve the park. “It’s due to all of the parks commission people, the city staff and the businesses,” Wolf said. “Seeing seniors using their walkers on the pathways, people walking children in strollers, all of that wasn’t possible before. It’s very gratifying.” Chirico said members of the parks commission have been pleased with each completed step in the park’s progress. “It has been a wonderful committee, and
the group that we have is very cooperative, very hardworking; we are all very eager to pitch in and work,” she said. “Seeing the results has been very rewarding. Different people come up with different ideas, and we really appreciate when people come into our meetings to give us their ideas.” Hanna is optimistic about the future of McCormick Park, and credits the parks and recreation commission for its part in keeping the park plan on track. “This will continue to be a focal point for the town,” he said. “I think the parks commission did a very good job in planning and laying it out. I commend them. They’ve come through with ideas and stuck to it and convinced City Council to finance it. This is something that everyone, regardless of age, can take pride in and enjoy.”
WEST END PARK West End Park is a wetland area located off Grand River Avenue. The area serves as wetland habitat and an area to view wildlife. OLD MILL PARK Old Mill Park is located west of the Putnam Street bridge, between the street and the Red Cedar River. It is across the street from McCormick Park. The park includes a 100-yard boardwalk along the river, signage about the community’s history, a gazebo and a butterfly garden. — Information from City of Williamston Park and Recreation Master Plan, 2009
www.deniseandlea.com See listings online!
Smeak Real Estate Co.
Dave Porter rhonDa Baker
(517) 719-5159
517.655.4000
Estes cell
119 S. Putnam ▪ Downtown Williamston
Deiderich cell
(517) 230-3093 Lea Estes
ABR CRS, GRI
(517) 655-1316 Denise Diederich Office ABR CRS, GRI
Summer 2011 | My Williamston | 19
Calendar WILLIAMSTON JUNE 20-26 — 40th Red Cedar Jubilee week. See the Jubilee calendar on page 5. 20-23 — Williamston library photography contest. Theme: Wildlife in Williamston. (517) 655-1191. 21 — Rotary meeting, 7:15 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. 21 — Kiwanis Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. Williamston UMC. 21 — Lions Club meeting, 7 p.m. St. Mary’s Annex. 21 — Williamston Downtown Development Authority meeting, 7 p.m. City Hall. 22 — Merry Music Maker program, 10:30 a.m. Williamston library. (517) 655-1191. 25-26 — USDF-recognized horse dressage show at Copper Creek Farm. (734) 306-5480, jgfilios@coppercreekfarm.com. 27 — Quilting and Crafts, 6-9 p.m. Williamston Free Methodist Church Fellowship Hall (basement). (517) 655-3668, info@WilliamstonFMC.org. 27 — Williamston City Council meeting, 7 p.m. City Hall. 28 — Rotary meeting, 7:15 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. 28 — Kiwanis Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. Williamston UMC. 28 — Lego club, 4 p.m. Williamston library. Ages 6-14. (517) 655-1191. 29 — Marvelous Minibeasts, presented by The Young Entomologists Society, 10:30 a.m. Williamston library. (517) 655-1191. 30 — Williamston Chamber business networking lunch, 11:30 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. (517) 655-1549. JULY
July 2, Aug. 6, & Sept. 10 Saturday Art Strolls, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. downtown businesses, including artists upstairs in Keller’s Plaza, showcase art. Reception at Gracie’s Place, 2 p.m. (517) 256- 8335, SecondMondayArtists.com. 3 — Fireworks, dusk. First Baptist Church of Williamston, 3185 N. Williamston Road. (517) 655-2139. 4 — McCormick Park grand opening. 5 — Rotary meeting, 7:15 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. 5 — Kiwanis Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. Williamston UMC. 20 | My Williamston | Summer 2011
To submit an event, e-mail contact@MyWilliamston.com 5 — Lions Club meeting, 7 p.m. St. Mary’s Annex. 6 — Howell Nature Center Animals at the Williamston library, 10:30 a.m. (517) 655-1191. 9 — Newspaper drive organized by Venture Crew 363, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Williamston City Hall. (517) 655-2774. 9 — Williamstown Township recycling collection, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Township Hall. (517) 655-3193, WilliamstownTownship.com. 9 — Williamstown Township Yard Sale. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Township Hall. Call to reserve free table. (517) 655-9828. 9 — Bark For Life of Williamston/Webberville. McCormick Park. Relay for Life event for dogs and pet owners. (517) 3323300, barkforlifewilweb@gmail.com. 11 — Williamston City Council meeting, 7 p.m. City Hall. 12 — Lego club, 4 p.m. Williamston library. Ages 6-14. (517) 655-1191. 12 — Rotary meeting, 7:15 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. 12 — Kiwanis Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. Williamston UMC. 13 — Acting Up Theatre Company presents “One Woof, Many Stories,” 10:30 a.m. Williamston library. (517) 655-1191. 14 — Harry Potter Party, 1:30 p.m. Williamston library. All ages. (517) 655-1191. 19 — Rotary meeting, 7:15 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. 19 — Kiwanis Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. Williamston UMC. 19 — Lions Club meeting, 7 p.m. St. Mary’s Annex. 19 — Williamston Downtown Development Authority meeting, 7 p.m. City Hall. 20 — Magician Ming Louis, 10:30 a.m. Williamston library. All ages. (517) 655-1191. 25 — Williamston City Council meeting, 7 p.m. City Hall. 26 — Lego club, 4 p.m. Williamston library. Ages 6-14. (517) 655-1191. 26 — Rotary meeting, 7:15 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. 26 — Kiwanis Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. Williamston UMC. 28 — Williamston Chamber business networking lunch, 11:30 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. (517) 655-1549. 30-31 — USDF-recognized horse dressage show at Copper Creek Farm. (734) 306-5480, jgfilios@coppercreekfarm.com. AUGUST 1 — Deadline for entries for Michigan Nature Association Sanctuary Photo Contest. michigannature@michigannature.org.
2 — National Night Out, 3-10 p.m. McCormick Park. Call Teri Nelson (517-655-9261) or John Pelong (517-655-4222, ext. 12). 2 — Rotary meeting, 7:15 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. 2 — Kiwanis Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. Williamston UMC. 2 — Lions Club meeting, 7 p.m. St. Mary’s Annex. 4 — Local 517M Golf Outing, 8 a.m. registration. Wheatfield Valley Golf Course. Dave Corrie at (866) 517-SEIU corried@ seiu517m.org.
Aug. 4 and 5 Dog Days in Williamston. Pet parade, Deputy Dog, Fat Cat and Pet Costume contests, pet games, treats and more. Call 655-1549 or email info@ Fred is the winner of the 2010 Deputy Contest. williamston.org. 6 — Saturday Art Strolls, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. downtown businesses showcase art. (517) 256-8335, SecondMondayArtists.com. 6-7 — Riverfront Festival of the Arts, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. McCormick Park. 8 — Williamston City Council meeting, 7 p.m. City Hall. 9 — Rotary meeting, 7:15 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. 9 — Kiwanis Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. Williamston UMC. 13 — Newspaper drive organized by Venture Crew 363, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Williamston City Hall. (517) 655-2774. 13 — Williamstown Township recycling collection, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Township Hall. (517) 655-3193, WilliamstownTownship.com. 13 — Williamstown Township Yard Sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Township Hall. (517) 655-9828. 16 — Rotary meeting, 7:15 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. 16 — Kiwanis Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. Williamston UMC. 16 — Lions Club meeting, 7 p.m. St. Mary’s Annex. 16 — Williamston Downtown Development Authority meeting, 7 p.m. City Hall. 22 — Williamston City Council meeting, 7 p.m. City Hall. 23 — Rotary meeting, 7:15 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club.
FIREWORKS Williamston: July 3, dusk. First Baptist Church of Williamston, 3185 N. Williamston Road. Fowlerville: July 4, festivities all afternoon, fireworks around 10 p.m. Community Park, North Grand Ave. Lansing: July 3-4, after Lansing Lugnuts games at Cooley Stadium. Mason: Independence Day Celebration, July 4. Parade at 7:30 p.m., fireworks at dusk at Ingham County Fairgrounds. Okemos: July 4, 10:15 p.m. Central Park South.
Fireworks filled the sky during the show put on in 2010 by First Baptist Church of Williamston. — Photo courtesy of First Baptist Church of Williamston
23 — Kiwanis Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. Williamston UMC. 25 — Williamston Chamber business networking lunch, 11:30 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. (517) 655-1549. 26 — Second annual School-Community Healthy Alliance Golf Outing Fundraiser, 8:30 a.m. registration. Brookshire Inn and Golf Club. Nine holes. (517) 908-0847. 30 — Rotary meeting, 7:15 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. 30 — Kiwanis Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. Williamston UMC. SEPTEMBER 6 — Rotary meeting, 7:15 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. 6 — Kiwanis Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. Williamston UMC. 6 — Lions Club meeting, 7 p.m. St. Mary’s Annex. 9 — Western Days, 4-8 p.m. (517) 655-1549. 10 — Saturday Art Strolls, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Downtown businesses showcase art. (517) 256- 8335, SecondMondayArtists.com. 10 — Newspaper drive organized by Venture Crew 363, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Williamston City Hall. (517) 655-2774. 10 — Williamstown Township recycling collection, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Township Hall. (517) 655-3193, WilliamstownTownship.com. 10 — Williamstown Township Yard Sale. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Township Hall. (517) 655-9828. 12 — Williamston City Council meeting, 7 p.m. City Hall. 12 — Second Monday Artists meeting,
Perry: July 4. 6:30-8:30 p.m. St. Katherine’s Church. $5. (517) 256- 8335, SecondMondayArtists.com. 13 — Rotary meeting, 7:15 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. 13 — Kiwanis Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. Williamston UMC. 20 — Rotary meeting, 7:15 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. 20 — Kiwanis Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. Williamston UMC. 20 — Lions Club meeting, 7 p.m. St. Mary’s Annex. 20 — Williamston Downtown Development Authority meeting, 7 p.m. City Hall. 22 — Williamston Chamber business networking lunch, 11:30 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. (517) 655-1549. 26 — Williamston City Council meeting, 7 p.m. City Hall. 27 — Rotary meeting, 7:15 a.m. Brookshire Inn & Golf Club. 27 — Kiwanis Club meeting, 6:30 p.m. Williamston UMC. ONGOING Williamston Farmers’ Market, 2-6 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 13. City Hall Parking Lot. (517) 719-6193, williamston. Williamston Cool Car Nights, 5-7 p.m. Mondays through Labor Day. City Hall parking lot. For information, contact Ellie’s Country Kitchen: (517) 655-3842. Bocce Ball tournaments at St. Katherine’s Episcopal Church. Matches held June 14, 21, 28, July 12, 19, 28. (517) 655-3534, tomwest47@gmail.com. Williamston Senior Center coffee
social and lunch, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (lunch at noon) Tuesdays-Thursdays. Williamston Community Center. (517) 655-5173. Tai chi at Williamston United Methodist Church, 7:30-8:30 p.m. June 21, 28. (517) 655-2430. WilliamstonUMC.org. And The Creek Don’t Rise, Thursdays through Sundays, July 7-Aug. 14. Showtimes, 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 3 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. (517) 655-SHOW, WilliamstonTheatre.com.
DANSVILLE Dansville Farmers Market, 4-8 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 29. Southwest corner of M-36, Dakin Street. (517) 676-1791. Movies at the library, 1 p.m. Thursdays. Dansville library. (517) 623-6511. Music with Harpbeat, 2 p.m. June 29. Dansville library. (517) 623-6511. Passport to China story time, 2 p.m. July 6. Dansville library. (517) 623-6511. Acting Up Theatre Company presents “One Woof, Many Stories,” 2 p.m. July 13. Dansville library. (517) 623-6511. Dynamic West Animal Show, 2 p.m. July 20. Dansville library. (517) 623-6511. Underwater Explorer, 2 p.m. July 27. Dansville library. (517) 623-6511. A World of Stories and Music presentation, 2 p.m. Aug. 3. Dansville library. (517) 623-6511. African Rhino Researchers share experiences from Kenya, 2 p.m. Aug. 10. Dansville library. (517) 623-6511. Summer 2011 | My Williamston | 21
CALENDAR EAST LANSING East Lansing Summer Concert Series, 7-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 6. Fountain Square. (517) 319-6927, Great Lakes Folk Festival, Aug. 12-14. Albert Street. GreatLakesFolkFest.net East Lansing Farmers’ Market, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays July 10-Oct. 30. 400 Hillsdale Ct. A Prairie Home Companion Summer Love Tour, 8 p.m. Aug. 13. Tickets start at $35. Wharton Center. (800) WHARTON. WhartonCenter.com. Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22. Tickets start at $25. Wharton Center. (800) WHARTON. WhartonCenter.com. Jersey Boys, Sept. 28-Oct. 16. Wharton Center. (800) WHARTON. WhartonCenter.com.
FOWLERVILLE Fowlerville Farmers Market, 2-7 p.m. Wednesdays through October. Parking lot next to Fowlerville True Value Hardware. (517) 375-5132.
American Car Heritage weekly car show, 5-8:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 29. St. Agnes Church. (517) 376-2069. Read to a therapy dog, 4-5 p.m. Mondays. Fowlerville library. (517) 223-9089. Historical discussion: “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves,” 6 p.m. June 23. Fowlerville library. (517) 223-8154. Fowlerville fireworks, 10 p.m. July 4. Festivities throughout the afternoon. Community Park, North Grand Ave. Fowlerville Fair, July 25-30. Fowlerville Fairgrounds. (517) 223-8186.
HASLETT Alzheimer’s and Dementia Education Series class, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wynwood of Meridian. Meets second Tuesday of each month. (517) 381-8700. Marimbamania, 1:30 p.m. June 22. Haslett library. (517) 339-2324. Meridian Senior Booklovers Group, 11 a.m. June 27, July 25. Meridian Senior Center. (517) 339-2324. Merry Music Maker program, 1:30 p.m. June 29. Haslett library, (517) 339-2324.
Acting Up Theatre Company presents “One Woof, Many Stories,” 1:30 p.m. July 6. Haslett library, (517) 339-2324. Mystery Lovers Book Discussion Group, 7 p.m. July 11, Aug. 8. Haslett library, (517) 339-2324. Magician Ming Louie, 1:30 p.m. July 20. Haslett library, (517) 339-2324. Harris Nature Center’s Walking Club Walk at Brattin Woods, 9 a.m. July 23. (517) 349-3866, harriscenter@sbcglobal.net. Magician Baffling Bill, 1:30 p.m. July 27. Haslett library, (517) 339-2324. Friends of the Haslett Library 2nd annual Community Yard Sale, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 30. (517) 339-2324. Classroom Critters, 1:30 p.m. Aug. 3. Haslett library. (517) 339-2324.
HOLT Holt Farmers’ Market, 4-7 p.m. Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 24. 2015 Cedar St. Holt. FarmersMarket. org, (517) 268-0024. Magnetic Poetry Making, 1 p.m. June 20. Holt library. (517) 694-9351, ext. 3.
Great Lakes state
of Williamston
Heating & air Conditioning, inC.
420 E. Grand River
KEN SCHMUECKER, Vice President
(517) 655-7080
123 N. Cedar Street, Williamston
655-1981 Great service, clean environment and a fresh cup of coffee. PSFoodMart.com 22 | My Williamston | Summer 2011
Serving Williamston for more than 60 years!
Lou Gehrig’s disease support group, 6:30-8 p.m. June 21, July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 20. Holt United Methodist Church. (517) 646-6850. Magician Ming Louie, 1 p.m. June 22. Holt library. (517) 694-9351, ext. 3. Relay for Life, 24-hour event begins at 1 p.m. June 24. Holt High School. (517) 664-1343. Picnic Storytime, 1 p.m. July 6. Veterans Memorial Park behind Holt. (517) 694-9351, ext. 3. Music in the Gardens, 7-9 p.m. Thursdays July 7 through Sept. 17. Ampitheater at Veterans Memorial Gardens behind Delhi Township Hall. holtarts@ holtarts.org. Sensory friendly movie geared to people with autism and sensory issues, 1 p.m. July 12. Holt library. (517) 694-9351, ext. 3. Merry Music Maker program, 1 p.m. July 13. Holt library. Registration required. (517) 694-9351, ext. 3. Ron Loyd the Bubbleman, 1 p.m. July 20. Holt library. (517) 694-9351, ext. 3. An Evening of Smooth Jazz, 7:30 p.m. July 29. Margaret Livensparger Theater at Holt High School. (517) 372-7246. Magician Baffling Bill, 1 p.m. Aug. 3. Holt library. (517) 694-9351, ext. 3.
Scrapbooking 101, 1 p.m. Aug. 8. Holt library. (517) 694-9351, ext. 3. Harvest of the Arts Festival, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 17. Veterans Memorial Gardens behind Delhi Township Hall. sara.j.reedy@ gmail.com, HoltArts.org, 517-614-6737.
LANSING Pickin’ in the Park, 6-9 p.m. First and third Tuesday each month through October. Old Town. IloveOldTown.org. Merry Music Maker program, 10:30 p.m. June 20. Downtown Lansing library. (517) 367-6346. Free English language class begins twice-a-week, six-week course June 21, 10 a.m. Downtown Lansing library. Registration required. (517) 367-6346. Speaking Volumes Book Discussion group, noon-1 p.m. June 21, July 19, Aug. 16. Downtown Lansing library. (517) 367-6346. Acting Up Theatre Company presents “One Woof, Many Stories,” 2 p.m. June 21. Downtown Lansing library. (517) 367-6346. Festival of the Moon, 6-11 p.m. June 24. Old Town. (517) 487-6800. Festival of the Sun, June 25. Old Town. (517) 485-4283. Speculative Book Discussion group,
6:30 p.m. June 28, July 26, Aug. 30. Downtown Lansing library. (517) 367-6346. Fireworks at Cooley Stadium after Lansing Lugnuts game, July 3-4. LansingLugnuts.com. Brew Pub Book Club, 7 p.m. July 5, Aug. 2. Michigan Brewing Company (402 S. Washington). The Amazing Clark, 10:30 a.m. July 11. Downtown Lansing library. (517) 367-6346. African-American Authors Reading Circle, 6:30 p.m. July 12, Aug. 9. Downtown Lansing library. (517) 367-6346. History Book Club, noon July 13. Downtown Lansing library. (517) 367-6346. Common Ground Music Festival, July 11-17. Adado Riverfront Park. (517) 2671502, CommonGroundFest.com 18th annual Car Capital Celebration, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. July 30. Adado Riverfront Park. autos@reoldsmuseum.org, (517) 372-0529. 17th annual Lansing JazzFest, 4 p.m.midnight Aug. 5, 2 p.m.-midnight Aug. 6. Old Town. (989) 619-0479. Renegade Theatre Festival, noon Aug. 19-21. Old Town. (517) 927-3016, RenegadeTheatreFestival.org. Old Town BluesFest, Sept. 16-17. Old Town. Free. (517) 371-4600.
Summer 2011 | My Williamston | 23
CALENDAR MASON Viral Video Voting. Vote June 20-July 24, Mason Library. Ages 13-18 vote on YouTube videos. (517) 676-9088. Ron Loyd the Bubbleman, 1 p.m. June 22. Mason library. (517) 676-9088. Thursday Night Concerts on the Courthouse Lawn, June 23, July 7, July 21, Aug. 11, Aug. 25 and Sept. 15. (517) 6761046, MasonChamber.org. Cruise-N-Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. June 23, July 21. Colombia Road Baptist Church. (517) 628-3920 or (517) 676-8747. Mason Area Farm Market, 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays through Nov. 24 County Seat Old Car Club Car Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., July 4, 21, Aug. 7. Courthouse Square. Jeff Ryan, (517) 712-2026. Independence Day Celebration, July 4. Parade begins at 7:30 p.m., fireworks at dusk at Ingham County Fairgrounds. (517) 676-1046, MasonChamber.org. Mason Area Historical Society Garden Tour, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 9. $10 per person. Terry Velentino, (517) 281-2323. Free airplane rides for children 8-17,
10 a.m.-2 p.m. July 9, Aug. 13. Mason Jewett Airport. Doug Koons, (517) 676-5001; Ken Vandenbelt, (517) 589-5051. Mason Area Historical Society hosts Patriotic Potluck Picnic, 6 p.m. July 11. Vevay Township Hall. (517) 676-9837, info@masonmuseum.org. Joel Tacey’s Comedy Show, 1 p.m. July 13. Mason library. (517) 676-9088. Internet Basics, 6 p.m. July 19. Adults. Mason library. (517) 676-9088. Marvelous Minibeasts presentation by The Young Entomologists Society, 1 p.m. July 20. Mason library. (517) 676-9088. Duct Tape Crafts, 4 p.m. July 21. Mason library. (517) 676-9088. 38th annual Mason Chamber Golf Classic at Eldorado Golf Course, July 28. (517) 676-1046, MasonChamber.org. Open Market Michigan, July 30-31. Cobblestone Event Center. info@openmarketmichigan.com, (517) 214-8824. Presentation on Augusta Chapin, 7 p.m. Aug. 1. Mason Area Historical Society. (517) 676-9837, info@masonmuseum.org. Ingham County Fair, Aug. 1-6. Ingham County Fairgrounds. (517) 676-2428.
Looking for a guaranteed rate? Call Jeffrey Kodet today. Your concerns are his concerns. Let Jeff help you reach your retirement goals with honesty and integrity. Jeff can proudly say NOT one of his clients has lost a dime in any of their retirement accounts.
Jeff Kodet
Licensed Insurance Producer
Estate Planning & Preservation, Inc. (517) 655-7879 Respond and learn how life insurance and/ or annuities can be in various estate planning strategies for retirement. Guarantees provided by insurance products are subject to the financial strength of issuing company.
Request a free consultation today. www.estateplanningandpreservation.com 24 | My Williamston | Summer 2011
Community Festival and Camino 8K run and 5K walk, Aug. 13-14. St. James Church. CaminoStJames.com. Email Basics, 6 p.m. Aug. 16. Mason library. Adults. (517) 676-9088. Mason Aviation Day, Aug. 20. Mason Jewett Airport. Ken Vandenbelt, (517) 5895051; Bill Purosky, (517) 655-1432. Mason Street Dance with The Full House Band, 7 p.m. Aug. 26. (517) 6761046, MasonDDA.com, MasonChamber.org. 2nd annual Mason Sun Dried Music Fest, noon-midnight Aug. 27. (517) 6761046, MasonDDA.com, MasonChamber.org. 38th annual Mason Down Home Days, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (517) 676-1046, MasonChamber.org.
OKEMOS Summer Campfire Series, 8:30 p.m. Saturdays. Harris Nature Center. (517) 349-3866. Children read to therapy dogs, 4 p.m. June 20, July 18. Okemos library. (517) 349-0250. Container gardening, 1 p.m. June 21. Okemos library. (517) 349-0250.
Marimbamania, 6:30 p.m. June 21. Okemos library. (517) 349-0250. Book into Movie Club: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, 1 p.m. June 23. Okemos library. (517) 349-0250. Great Lakes Basket Weaving with Kelly Church, 2 p.m. June 24. Okemos library. (517) 349-0250. Classroom Critters, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. June 27. Okemos library. (517) 349-0250. Storyteller Genot Picor, 6:30 p.m. June 28. Okemos library. (517) 349-0250. Meridian Township Fireworks, 10:15 p.m. July 4. Central Park South. (517) 8534600, maisner@meridian.mi.us. Gallery Walk art exhibit, 2-4 p.m. July 10, Aug. 7. Okemos library. (517) 349-0250. Merry Music Maker program, 6:30 p.m. July 12. Okemos library. (517) 349-0250. Howl at the Moon guided hike through moonlit woods, 9 p.m. July 15, Aug. 12. Harris Nature Center. (517) 349-3866. Summer Wildflower Walk, 3 p.m. July 17. Harris Nature Center. (517) 349-3866. Magician Ming Louie, 6:30 p.m. July 19. Okemos library. (517) 349-0250. Music with Harpbeat, 6:30 p.m. July 26. Okemos library. (517) 349-0250. Book into Movie Club: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, 1 p.m. July 28. Okemos library. (517) 349-0250. Acting Up Theatre Company presents “One Woof, Many Stories,” 6:30 p.m. Aug. 2. Okemos library. (517) 349-0250. Wetlands Wonders Walk, 3 p.m. Aug. 14. Harris Nature Center. (517) 349-3866. Chipmunk Story Time: Camo Critters, 10 a.m. Aug. 18. Harris Nature Center. (517) 349-3866, harriscenter@sbcglobal.net.
Walking Club Walk, 9 a.m. Aug. 20. Harris Nature Center. (517) 349-3866.
PERRY Weekly car show, 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays. Turk’s Mini Storage. (517) 675-6908. Perry fireworks show, July 4. (517) 625-4597, events@perry.mi.us. 9th annual Perryfest, Sept. 16-18. Includes car show, buggy show, farmers’ market and craft show. (517) 625-6155.
STOCKBRIDGE Stockbridge Area Genealogical/Historical Society monthly meetings, 7 p.m. Fourth Tuesday of each month. Stockbridge library. Open Air Market of Stockbridge farmers’ market, 3:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays. Corner of Wood and Elizabeth streets. (517) 851-7437. Diabetes screening, 1-4 p.m. June 23. Stockbridge Presbyterian Church. Contact John Ocwieja, (517) 851-4376. Community blood drive, 1-6:45 p.m. June 23. Stockbridge Presbyterian Church. Contact John Ocwieja, (517) 851-4376. Stockbridge Lions Club Bingo, 6:30 p.m. Mondays at American Legion Hall. Doors open at 5 p.m. (517) 851-4376. Joel Tacey’s Comedy Show, 10 a.m. June 22. Stockbridge library. (517) 851-7810. Stockbridge library hosts “Activities in the Park,” 10 a.m. June 24, July 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug. 5, 12, 19. Veterans Park. Merry Music Maker program, 10 a.m. June 29. Stockbridge library. (517) 851-7810.
Acting Up Theatre Company presents “One Woof, Many Stories,” 10 a.m. July 6. Stockbridge library. (517) 851-7810. Howell Nature Center animals at Stockbridge library, 10 a.m. July 13. (517) 851-7810. Magic with Jeff Boyer, 10 a.m. July 20. Stockbridge library. (517) 851-7810.
WEBBERVILLE Origami with Ming Louie, 2 p.m. June 21. Webberville library. (517) 521-3643. Minute to Win It, 2 p.m. June 22. Webberville library. (517) 521-3643. Scrabble club, 6:30 p.m. June 23, July 14, 28, Aug. 11, 25. Webberville library. (517) 521-3643. Storyteller Yvonne Healy presents “Wee Folk Tales,” 2 p.m. June 29. Webberville library. (517) 521-3643. Drop-in Fourth of July crafts, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. July 2. All children. Webberville library. (517) 521-3643. Lego club, 3-4 p.m. July 7, 21, Aug. 4. Webberville library. (517) 521-3643. Leroy Township Fire Department and Fowlerville Area Fire Department Softball Tournament, noon-3 p.m. July 9. Webberville Community Schools. Lego building contest. Use your own Legos to make a replica of a famous world landmark and bring it to the Webberville library any time July 11-15 to register and display it. Reception to view all entries at 1 p.m. July 16. All children. (517) 521-3643. Family Summer Movie: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, 1 p.m. July 13. Webberville library. (517) 521-3643.
Advertiser index Attorney Terry McKenney Person 351-0280 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Limner Press 655-4455 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
West Locke Wesleyan Church 655-2202 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Caraway Kennels 655-4178 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Living Arts (517) 819-9361 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Williamston Depot Museum 655-1785 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Dansville Farmers’ Market dansville.farmers.market@gmail.com . . . . . . . . 9
Nu Concept Salon 655-9095 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Williamston Fitness Center & Pool 655-7510 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Edward Jones Investments 655-2427 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
PS Food Mart 655-7080 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Williamston Inn 655-3773 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Estate Planning & Preservation, Kodet 655-7879 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Six String Place 282-3266 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Williamston Theatre 655-SHOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Estate Planning & Preservation, Pecic 655-7879 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Smeak’s Lea Estes, Denise Diederich 655-1316 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Williamston True Value Hardware 655-1622 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Fireworks Glass Studios 655-4000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
The Artisan’s Circle 655-2200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Wood & Sons Corn Bin 655-2998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
GLS Heating & Cooling 655-1981 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Topliff’s Tara Bed & Breakfast 655-8860 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Yeetown 655-TOWN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Gracie’s Place 655-1100 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Vivee’s Floral Garden and Café 655-2191 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Visit MyWilliamston.com/advertise for advertising info. Summer 2011 | My Williamston | 25
Faces and places
Williamston honors veterans
Three years after dedicating the Wall of Honor monument on Memorial Day 2008, members of Williamston’s Wycoff American Legion Post 296 held a closing ceremony following this year’s Memorial Day Parade. The parade, which is sponsored annually by Post 296, began at the Williamston Community Center and traveled along Grand River Avenue before finishing at the war memorial in McCormick Park, which honors area service members killed in combat. The ceremony included speeches by John Mella, one of five national vice commanders of the American Legion, and Bill Turner, who has served as the local post’s leader for the past 30 years.
Photos by Bruce A. Pollock 26 | My Williamston | Summer 2011
Community connection IN TOUCH
A word from Benjamin Eichler
Wit versus wisdom in the real world
I
took a short weekend trip back to my hometown and ran into Eric, an old friend from school. I hadn’t seen him in 20 years and it was nice to catch up, even if only for a brief moment. Oddly enough, this chance encounter also made me remember a very important lesson he had introduced to me. Eric helped me to understand the difference between wit and wisdom. In high school, he stood about a full head taller than me. However, I was blessed with a quick wit and a teenage sense of entitlement and righteous indignation. I rarely walked away from a situation thinking, “Oh, that’s what I should have said.” For whatever reason, the words never failed me. We had grown up together and had known each other’s hot buttons for years. If Eric bothered me, I could easily put him in his place with a well-timed zinger. Wit was my weapon of choice. However, wisdom would have told me to keep my mouth shut. Eric didn’t respond with words of his own. Eric knocked me out. There’s a difference between wit and wisdom. It took me years to figure that out —
sometimes rather painfully. It took time and effort to learn the subtleties. It’s an age of sound bites in the media; where politicians and celebrities use their wit to build their careers. One well-timed statement can make or break them. Our job as the discerning public is to see past this clever marketing. Wisdom tells us that being able to spell “potato” isn’t an important qualification to be a leader in our country. Wisdom knows that there are many significant differences between a hockey mom and a pit bull. Wit allows us to make analogies that simplify the world. After all, it’s a complicated world that could use some simplicity now and then. It’s so much easier when we can either be for or against something. We can draw up sides, buy matching uniforms and stand proudly, chanting in unison. Unfortunately, issues are rarely “black and white” and we have to think things out. Or, I would argue, we should think things out. Many times we ask ourselves if it can be done. I would argue that we should first ask ourselves if it should be done. The search for true wisdom should lead
us. What does it matter to the American public what the exact meaning of the word “is” should be in a court hearing? The argument was a distraction to prevent us from focusing on the issue that truly needed to be discussed and resolved. There’s also something to be said about knowing your opponent and the rules of the fight. Goliath learned rather painfully that physical size and skill with a sword are useless in a battle with projectile weapons. He took a knife into a gun fight and lost. On the other hand, it took courage for David to face the giant and wisdom to change the rules. Take a moment to remember that wit can be entertaining. It can be fun. But, survival in the real world requires us to see past it. It takes effort and that is why so many people choose not to do so. Luckily, there are several organizations in our small town that can guide you on your path to wisdom and enlightenment. Visit the Masons, the Kiwanis, the Lions and the Rotary to learn how they can help you develop your true potential. Find your place in our community and let us know what we can do to make you feel at home.
Benjamin Eichler serves on the board of the Williamston Area Chamber of Commerce, is past president of Williamston Kiwanis and is a co-founder of Capital Area Local First. He lives and works in downtown Williamston. Contact Benjamin at communityconnection@MyWilliamston.com.
Terry McKenney Person Attorney At LAw
wills ▪ trusts ▪ probate durable powers of attorney and workers’ compensation
(517) 351-0280 www.mcgintylaw.com McGinty, HitcH, Housefield, Person,yeadon & anderson, P.c. 601 Abbot RoAd ▪ P.o. box 2502 ▪ EAst LAnsing, Mi 48826
Summer 2011 | My Williamston | 27
w
Michigan-made gifts and gourmet foods
?
e y e s t i o t wn a h
Domain name registration, web design, web hosting, search engine optimization Proud publishers of My Williamston magazine Logo design, business cards, brochures, postcards, flyers, brand development Posters, greeting cards, custom invitations
gift shop web development publishing marketing & branding graphic design Visit us in downtown Williamston 110 E. Grand River Ave. inside Keller’s Plaza 655-TOWN � www.yeetown.com