New training groups for Back Roads starting in July

BY PHIL CUSTODIO Clarkston News Editor New this year for the Clarkston State Bank Back Roads Half Marathon and 10K/5K is a partnership with Socially Motivated Wellness for training groups. “They’ll run the park course. People are excited about that,” said Deanna McColl Hart of High Five Races, organizer. “It’s good for people who want […]

Jammin’ to classics

Jammin’ to classics

Ruby Grace Shannon enjoys a cracker while at Concerts in the Park last Friday. Photo by Trevor Keiser. Folks were taken back to soulful times of Motown classics as “Street Corner” performed for second week of Concerts in the Park, hosted by the Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce, June 17. Patrons also filled their tummies […]

Free park concerts

Free park  concerts

The Mickeys launched the 2016 Concerts in the Park series, June 10. The Kalamazoo band, fronted by identical twins Amy Sherman and Julie Peebles, with Bascom Peebles on electric and acoustic guitar, and Tom Rogers on bass, performed a blend of Americana, alt-country and folk music. Singer Jayme Orr of Wixom opened the show. The […]

Keiser’s Role: Return to love

In light of the recent shooting attack in Orlando, I was reminded of the first real event in my life where I saw the world as “dark” and mankind losing their “moral compass.” I was 15 years-old and in the eighth grade when I heard that Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold walked into Columbine High […]

Grants for community groups

The Clarkston Area Optimist Club awarded $50,000 in grants to local community groups, May 25. “We looked at the needs and what we could fund and leave as a legacy – that was important to us,” said Optimist Jim Evans. The club’s grant committee met starting in January to receive and review applications for the […]

Neighborhood party to celebrate 100th birthday

Neighborhood party to celebrate 100th birthday

Ilene and Frank Schietaert, Helen Finkbeiner, and Marti Newsted will host a party for longtime neighbor and World War II vet Don Stringer. About two years ago, Ilene Schietaert of Independence Township made a promise to her next door neighbor Don Stringer just before he moved to Florida. “I told him when he turned 100, […]

PHIL IN THE BLANK: Summer season

The Clarkston Village Players’ production of “Hamlet II” finished its run a couple weeks ago. It was an awesome experience. It turns out, however, in addition to gaining new experience as an onstage performer and new ways to get over stage fright, I gained about 10 pounds from overindulging in green room snacks. I need […]

Bench work for buddies

Fourth grade students at Independence Elementary School built a Buddy Bench for their Academic Service Learning project. “A Buddy Bench is a place where a student can go if they need someone to play with at recess,” said Dennis Klenow, third and fourth grade teacher. “When other students see someone on the bench, they go […]

Clarkston celebrates 31 years of awards

A crowd gathered at Clarkston Community Church at 7:30 a.m. to celebrate 31 years of Clarkston Community Awards and to honor this year’s recipients. Each recipient or group chosen were given a nomination by a person in the community and ultimately chosen by the Awards Selection Committee and Community Awards Committee. Owner of Picasso’s Grapevine […]

Spindler finds success at West Point

Spindler finds success at West Point

Newly minted Second Lieutenant Gabriella Spindler graduated from West Point and is ready to get to work with the U.S. Army. Photo by Phil Custodio  Memorial Day 2016 was extra special for the Spindler family of Clarkston – Gabriella Spindler was back in town after graduating from West Point Military Academy in May. May 30 […]