LifeWays CEO Maribeth Leonard; Janice Sweet Fairley, Sisters in Ministry; Reading Month at Hanover-Horton Elementary School; Liz Niles, American 1 Credit Union Women's Expo; Dave DeBaker with movie reviews; Ric Walton, The Walton Insurance Group.
Western Schools Superintendent Mike Smajda; In the Kitchen with Lisa Spampinato; iCreate's John Voelz with winners Billy White, Alyssa Lindeman and Ena Humphries; Barbara Baird-Pauli, Jackson High School principal; Clint and Sue Denn, Kiwanis Travel Adventure Series.
Organizer of iCreate, John Voelz introduced the winners of the 5th Annual iCreate event. Grand Prize winner is Paragon 5th grader Billy White. Other winners include Alyssa Lindeman, 8th grade, Addison and Ena Humphries, 8th grade, Paragon. Musician Kenny Flowers performed Billy's winning poem, "The Beauty of the Night". The event was held last night at the Michigan Theatre. Other guests: Western Schools Superintendent Michael Smajda; In the Kitchen with Lisa Spampinato; Barb Baird Pauli, Jackson High School principal with John Waldron, chair, 28th Annual Ambassador Dinner.
Nathan Mack, Downtown Development Authority; Dr. Allan Tompkins, Jackson Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine; Jan Witte, Brooklyn Irish Hills Chamber of Commerce; Carol Ivkovich, JSO Community Music School with Jed Thompson, Jackson District Library, Jackson Irish Festival; Colin Dexter, Elvis tribute artist; Sue Lovell, Cascades Humane Society.
Jackson County Airport Manager Kent Mauer; Northwest Schools Superintendent Geoff Bontrager with teachers Judy Osterberg and Doug Blume; Wendy Wight, National Day of Prayer; Terri Papiersky and Jim Ducey, American Red Cross; Art 634 Second Sunday art display with Scott Struck, Evan Struck and Heidi Rhodes.
United Way Campaign Director Marc Daly with Tony Hollow, Vandercook Lake Superintendent; Jerry Jarzynka and Kathy Schmaltz, Big Brothers BIg Sisters; Angela Machnik and Deanna Leicht, Restaurant Rally; Singer John Voelz; Read Across America Day at Bennett School.
Historic Prison Tours founder Judy Gail Krasnow is set to launch a new season of tours at Jackson's original prison. More than 30 bus tours have been scheduled for the season that begins in April. Two tours of varying length are offered and can be scheduled on their website. Other guests: Derek Dobies, Jackson city councilman and vice mayor; Jenn Shumaker, Sylvan Learning Center; Julianna Slager, Artistic Director, Ballet 5:8; Amy DeShon and Genesis Terrell, Albion Chamber of Commerce and Famous at the Forks talent showcase.
Monica Collett, organizer of the new Jackson Science Cafe and Kristie Morris, Jackson County ISD are hosting the return of Jackson Science Cafe Monday evening, March 1 at 6pm. The series will be held at Grand River Brewery and is free and open to all. The brewery will offer their full menu for purchase during the event. Other guests: TIm Rogers, President and CEO, Enterprise Group; Jane Robinson, Executive Director, Reading Writing Connection; Danielle Pequet and Diane Derby, Jackson County Department on Aging and Jackson County Friends of Seniors; Brian Surgener, Jackson Coffee Company.
All Jackson County school districts are hosting community forums on the balanced calendar concept being considered for the 2016-17 school year. Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Beal will be hosting the next JPS forum on March 2 at 6pm at Sharp Park Academy. Frost Elementary Principal Jeremy Patterson encouraged parents to attend as the districts are seeking community input. Other guests: Amy Reimann, Executive Director, Ella Sharp Museum; National Engineers Week with Robert Uddin, Commonwealth Associates and Jonathan Wicks, GAI Consultants (Young Engineer of the Year); Jessica Mitchell and Therese Hesslau, Jackson Kiwanis Club, Teressa Delph Essay and Oratorical Contest organizers Alice Lewis and Jonathan Greene, City of Jackson Human Relations Commission.
Congressman Tim Walberg will be headed back to Washington tonight and will be urging Senate Democrats to begin debate on a funding bill. The House already passed a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Now, Senate Democrats are filibustering to block debate. The congressman also reported on the House passage of new "No Child Left Behind" legislation that provides states more freedom in education decisions. Other guests: 64th District State Representative Earl Poleski; Cindy Lyons and Kim Medlock, Jackson Area Career Center (Open House, February 26); Jack Travioli, Cork N Cap; Rod Malloy, Dahlem; Steve Trosin, JSO Affinity Series.