Poetry keeps Clarkston family close

Poetry is a continuing way of life in the Crosby family of Clarkston. Annetta Crosby, wife of the late Alvin Crosby, has been writing poetry since she was a girl. Now, her daughter-in-law Dixie Crosby has picked up the poetry pen. ‘Dixie found out I was writing poetry for a book to pass on to […]

$6.5 million left

About $6.5 million is left over from a 2003 school bond issue, but that money can’t be used to fix Clarkston Community Schools? financial troubles. By law, the $83.7 million borrowed from the state, along with $4.5 million earned in interest, must be used for capital improvements, such as building projects. It cannot be used […]

Clarkston attracts McLaren exec

If the proposed McLaren Health Care Village on Sashabaw Road at I-75 is approved, it could bring thousands of new residents to Independence Township. Kevin Tompkins, vice president of marketing for McLaren Health Care Corporation, could be among the first. Tompkins, who presented information about the project this past Wednesday to a group of Realtors […]

Learning the art of dessert

Students at Northwest Inn, Culinary Arts, Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northwest, welcomed guest Chef Kris Jablonski this past Thursday. Jablonski was a member of the United States Culinary Team, and studied chocolate art in Brazil and France. He explained how chocolate is made, and prepared desserts such as souffle and creme brule. Students prepared a […]

Robots teach future engineers

The task seems simple. Pick up plastic, inflated rings and place them on pegs. But when you have to do it with a hand-built, remote-controlled robot with five other machines competing for the same pegs, it gets more complicated. ‘They make life hard,? said Rocky Bullard, Clarkston High School junior and member of the Truck […]

Solving problems as a team

While students at Springfield Plains Elementary School gather for lunch and recess, members of the Destination Imagination have been meeting in the Discovery Room to plan strategy. ‘Teamwork was a priority,? said third-grader Heather Davies. ‘We worked hard.? The students, split into teams Brainiacs, Eagles, and Soaring Eagles, compete in team challenges. The Eagles earned […]

Pirates and princesses

Students at Everest Academy in Clarkston illustrated their favorite book characters by dressing up like them this past Friday. Celebrating March Reading Month, they dressed as fairy tale princesses and wizards, superheroes, pirates, sports legends, dragons, and even a Jedi Knight. Teachers also got in the act. ‘It means the world to them for the […]

Nature woman

As a third-grade student, Cathy Alty won a certificate for a nature poster in her hometown in Ohio. Now, as district administrator for the Oakland Conservation District, she will be awarding them. Poster contests and other education programs in local schools are just one of Alty’s goals with the district. ‘Kids are the stewards of […]

Going to Ghana

Jill Kouri of Clarkston is planning her first overseas trip this summer. Among her choices were England, Italy and the Bahamas. She selected the African nation of Ghana. ‘I wanted to see something very different,? said Kouri, a nursing student at Michigan State University. ‘I thought it would be more life-changing than someplace I’d choose […]

Salary freeze could help balance school budget

As directed, Superintendent Al Roberts found more than $1 million more in cuts to the Clarkston Community Schools budget. A large percentage is from a salary freeze district wide, including his own. ‘Our teachers, administrators and other staff have worked with us in the past to curtail costs by accepting salaries that are less than […]