Monthly Archives: May 2013

Phil and Sandy DuPuis have been selected to serve as the 2013 Jackson County Rose Parade Grand Marshalls.  Phil DuPuis and Sandy DuPuis are retiring next month and closing their landmark jewelry store, DuPuis Jewelers,  after more than 40 years in business.  The store has been in continuous operation for more than a century.  Other guests today:  Jackson Mayor Martin Griffin;  Jackson County Veterans Affairs Director Dave Welihan with Jim Crawford of Vietnam Veterans of America;  Tom Shirilla, Consumers Energy's "This is My Michigan" Initiative;  Parma Girl Scouts Hanna Farler, Sage Zigler and Austin Waldron hosting a blood drive at United Methodist Church in Parma May 29th;  Pet of the Week with Kathy Brafford, Cascades Humane Society.

Promise Zone and Promise Bowl Coordinator Kriss Giannetti announced the return of the Promise Bowl.  The second annual game between the Lumen Christi and Jackson football teams will be held on Friday, September 6th at Withington Stadium.  The event is a fundraiser for both schools and the Jackson Promise.  Sponsorship opportunities are now available and details are on Facebook and at www.jacksonpromise.com.  Other guests today:  Jackson County Parks Director Brandon Ransom;  Nate Vermeulen, Vermeulen Furniture;  Jackson Area Career Center Instructor Joe Macklin with students Allison White, Nick Aniol and Ryan Curtis with the "Mega Movie Marathon" weekend event (details here);  Big Brothers Big Sisters "Match of the Month" with Ken Jones and Michael.

      Jackson County Sheriff Steve Rand announced the 2013 Office of the Sheriff award recipients on today's show.  The presentations were made at the annual banquet last week.  Other guests:  Jackson District Library Hanover and Concord branch manager Chris Sadler;  Waterloo Recreation Area Park Manager Gary Jones and Hayes State Park Supervisor Jim O'Brien;  Pastor Frank Hampton, Church of God.  Weekend Highlights from the Michigan Beer and Wine Fest;  Smart Commute.

The Jackson Men's Garden Club and Jackson Master Gardeners are teaming up for a huge plant sale this weekend.  Jackson Men's Garden Club members Steve Shotwell and Mark Snyder described the joint venture as an opportunity for the event to become a big spring festival.  The hours are 8am to 12 Noon at the Gumper Building, Jackson County Fairgrounds Saturday.  Other guests:  Cameron McCollum, General Manager of Jackson Area Transportation Authority, along with City Councilpersons Andrew Frounfelker and Michelle Woods provided details of the new bus service for inner-city grocery service.  The routes to Aldi begin Saturday;  Bob Rutan, CEO of Naturs Design and inventor of RemZzzs;  Wilson School teacher Mark Taylor with students Chelsey Williams and Kyaira Varner-Brown;  Jackson Recreation Director Kelli Hoover;  Pet of the Week with Kathy Brafford.  Wednesday's program re-airs on Thursday.

Sarah Ermatinger, Vice-President of Marketing at CP Federal Credit Union, reported on the Credit Union's community involvement over the past year.  More than 50% of the CU's employees participated in volunteer initiatives and more than $130,000 was donated to organizations and non-profits.  Again the year, CP Federal will be sponsoring the Champions Club at Michigan International Speedway with several major upgrades designed for the fans' enjoyment.  Other guests:  Jackson County Prosecutor Jerry Jarzynka;  Women's Health Week with Dr. Monica Hill and Marti Griffith, R.N. from the Center for Family Health;  Communications Director Jim Brian, United Way of Jackson, with Kristin Pluta, Coordinator of "Project Access";  Reading-Writing Connection Executive Director Jane Robinson and Melissa Quisenberry of the Jackson YMCA on summer reading camps presented by both organizations. Update:  This episode also airs on Friday, May 17.

Michigan International Speedway and Americrown Executive Chef Paul Miller previews food pairings planned for this weekend's Michigan Wine & Beer Fest presented by Experience Jackson.  Manager of Public Relations Brad Kuhbander urged viewers to make reservations soon as the pairings sessions sell out ahead of time.  Tickets and details at mispeedway.com and experiencejackson.com.  Other guests include:  Jackson County Airport Manager Kent Maurer;  Steve Ansuini, President of the Center for Employee Development at JCC;  Ann Holt and Katie Snyder from AWARE's "Love, Loss & What I Wore" event Thursday at 7:30 at the Michigan Theatre;  Charene Henderson and Michael Whitcomb with the "Awake, Aware and Enlightenment Festival", Saturday and Sunday at the American 1 Fair Events Center;  Middle School at Parkside Band Director Kevin Krieger with Wednesday evening's (7:30PM) "Pop Goes the Eagle" concert at the Middle School.

One of Jackson Magazine's 2013 Teachers of the Year, Michigan Center's Michelle DuBois visited the show today along with her superintendent, Scott Koziol.  DuBois was featured with four other teachers in a special issue of Jackson Magazine (read online here).  Other guests:  Patti Poppe from Consumers Energy and Bill Farrant from the Intermediate School District on the Robotics Fair;  Toys of the Month with Phil Wrzesinki from The Toy House;  the latest segment of our trip to U.S. Marines Recruit Depot in San Diego;  movie reviews with Dave DeBaker;  Ric Walton from The Walton Agency.