by Barry Bauer

November is National Adoption Day month and with that comes a celebration of adoptions that have taken place throughout the year. Adoption Day in Michigan was celebrated on Nov. 24 at the Clinton County Courthouse. Six families were involved in the public adoption ceremony with eight children ranging in ages from eight months to twelve years old.

Judge Lisa Sullivan finalized the adoptions and this is her sixth year of doing it.

There are a variety of adoptions that take place every year, from relatives and step-parents, to foster care parents and foreign adoptions. Foreign adoptions involving American citizens are handled by the courts in those countries.

Wendy from Wendy’s restaurant was there to greet everyone and pass out coupons. Wendy’s also provided snacks and refreshments for the event. The Dave Thomas Foundation (Dave Thomas was the founder of Wendy’s and an adopted person) supports foster care adoptions so the celebration partners with them.

A special treat for the children were personalized cookies with each child’s name made by Theresa Nelson and her daughter, Hannah.

Jason and Brandi Harrington with Judge Lisa Sullivan holding Aiden Alexander.

Joe and Beverly Travis with Levi Lawrence along with Judge Lisa Sullivan. The family includes Julia, Adam, Zachary, Justin, Brianna, and Sara.

Henry and Kristin Amama with James Robert and Hannah Taleah. Judge Lisa Sullivan is holding Hannah. Other family members include Nathan, Nicholas, John, and Isaac.

Shane and Elvira Kracker with Hope Hannah and Adrian Robert. Judge Lisa Sullivan is holding Hope.

Thomas and Heather Hammond with Brian Thomas along with Judge Lisa Sullivan.

Gary and Amy Kohlhepp with Jess Rousseau along with Judge Lisa Sullivan.

Also included in the celebration were those families who were recognized for their adoptions during the past year. The children included were Becky Schroeder, Randall Blemaster, Eliana Hatt, Bethany Zimmerman, and Paige Parks.   

All of these children have been given the gift of love, stability, and a sense of worth in their lives.

November 11, 2009
Clinton County Veterans Memorial
St. Johns, Michigan

Ladies and gentlemen, honored and distinguished guests,

Today we give thanks, and honor those who have served our country throughout history and to those who continue to serve in order to preserve our Freedoms and our Nation. Each and every one of you and your families have our enduring gratitude.

On behalf of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, I am truly humbled and honored by this opportunity to share with you today, Veterans Day, 2009 at the Clinton County Veterans Memorial – This is the place where we come to remember and reflect that – - All Gave Some, Some Gave All!

Carefully inscribed on six of the ten tablets at this memorial are the names of over 350 of Clinton County’s “Boys in Blue” that would never return home from the “War of the Rebellion.” These Clinton County men “Gave All” in order to defend the Red, White and Blue.

Over 146 years ago, on August 24, 1863, in this very city, a 28 year old farmer named John Whitford, my great-great-grandfather, answered the call of his country by enlisting with Company G of the 23rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry for a period of three years. Like so many young men from Clinton County he accepted his duty in order to preserve the Union. From Michigan, more than 90,000 men would answer President Lincoln’s call for volunteers from 1861 to 1865. The name of my ancestor does not appear on this Honor Roll as he was among those that “Gave Some” and survived the war. John Whitford’s enlistment came at a time following a major battle in the Civil War – the Battle of Gettysburg.

During the first three days of July, 1863, the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia under General Lee consisting of 75,000 men and the 97,000 man Union Army of the Potomac, under General Meade met on the outskirts of a small Pennsylvania town known as Gettysburg. Within three days the Union would suffer 23,000 causalities and the Confederates 28,000 – a total of 51,000 sons, fathers and husbands would perish. Among those who “Gave All” from Clinton County during the Battle of Gettysburg are,

Private James Hubbard of DeWitt who in 1862 at the age of 32 enlisted at Detroit. He mustered into Company F of the 24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, an infantry that would become known and distinguish itself as the “Iron Brigade” for its actions at Gettysburg. On July 1, 1863, Private Hubbard was killed in action during the first day of battle.

Private Irwin M. Skinner of Essex enlisted in September, 1862 at the age of 18 at Essex. He mustered into Company G of the 5th Michigan Calvary. On July 3, 1863 Private Skinner was killed in action during the third day of battle at Gettysburg. He is buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery.

Among those who “Gave Some” and returned to their homes following the war are a couple of notables Walter Lewis Mundell and John William Menter, both are remembered at this memorial. On April 6, 1865 a battle raged at Deatonsville (Sailor’s Creek), Virginia. Union forces cut off nearly one-fourth of the Confederate army. Most surrendered including eight Confederate generals. Lee’s army of Northern Virginia had lost 7,700 men. Upon seeing the survivors streaming along the road, Lee exclaimed “My God, has the army dissolved?” Seventy-two hours later, Lee would surrender at Appomattox Court House.

Walter Lewis Mundell, at the age of 22, mustered into Company D of the Third Michigan Volunteer Infantry as a Private at Grand Rapids. In May, 1862 he was taken prisoner at Fair Oaks, Virginia and “exchanged” in September of the same year. At the expiration of his first service, Mundell re-enlisted in December 1863. On May 12, 1864 he was wounded-in-action at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. In June, 1864 the remnants of the Third Michigan merged with the Fifth Michigan Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment where he was assigned as a Corporal with Company E. At Petersburg, Virginia on July 30, 1864 he was severely wounded but managed to return to his regiment in December. On April 6, 1865 during the Battle of Sailor’s Creek Corporal Mundell captured a Confederate Battle Flag. He was cited for “bravery and gallant action” and awarded the Medal of Honor. Mundell served his country and was present at the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861 to the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House in 1865.

John William Menter, mustered into Company F, 5th Michigan Volunteer Infantry at the age of 23 in August of 1861. Along with Walter Mundell, he also re-enlisted in December, 1863 once his term of service had expired. In June 1864 he was transferred from Company F to Company D. In February, 1865 he was promoted to Sergeant. Like Mundell, Mentor was also present at the Battle of Sailor’s Creek, cited for bravery and awarded the Medal of Honor by the Secretary of War for the capture of a Confederate Battle Flag. He mustered out with Mundell on July 5, 1865 at Jeffersonville, Indiana.

The name of Private George W. Anderson from DeWitt is also inscribed on this memorial. At the age of 29 he enlisted in Company E, 23rd Michigan Volunteer Infantry on August 11, 1862 at Saginaw. Private Anderson was taken prisoner at Cumberland Gap, Tennessee in December of 1863. He was held at Andersonville prison in Georgia where he died of starvation on June 27, 1864. He is buried in the National Cemetery there. Our DeWitt / St. Johns Camp of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, like the Grand Army of the Republic Post that came before us, is named in his honor.

Today, I stand before you as a representative of George W. Anderson Camp No. 58, Department of Michigan, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. We are a patriotic and educational organization similar to the Grand Army of the Republic whose purpose is to perpetuate the memory of the Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines who served in the Union armies and navies to preserve the Union. Our Camp is responsible for Graves Registration and Memorials in Clinton, Gratiot and Ionia counties. We actively participate along with other Veteran and Patriotic organizations, in ceremonies and parades honoring the men and women of all wars who have served in the United States military.

Those of us assembled here, honor not only those who died to “Preserve the Union” during the American Civil War, but those who “Who Gave” during the Spanish American War, World War I and World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq. We also honor the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who continue to defend this great country of ours – the United States of America.

In closing, it is important for us to pause and reflect on these immortal words from our beloved Civil War President Abraham Lincoln, during this bicentennial year of his birth. Words so eloquently stated on a battlefield, turned Soldier’s National Cemetery in Pennsylvania 146 years ago November 19th and which gave meaning to the sacrifice of the fallen and inspiration to the living. This is what he said,

“…we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Lincoln’s words still endure today.

This veteran’s memorial is in a since “hallowed ground” allowing us to preserve the memory of their sacrifice and continue to reflect on the unfinished work that still lies ahead – for a time when Peace prevails.

Thank you for allowing us to share a bit of history of those who served in the American Civil War from Clinton County. We encourage all veterans and their families to record your story, cherish your history and preserve your memory for generations of Americans who will continue to honor and remember you on Veteran’s Day.

May God continue to bless our Veterans, active military and their families both here at home and around the world.

And may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Craig A. Whitford
Camp Commander
George W. Anderson Camp No. 58
Department of Michigan
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

An album by Barry Bauer

Visit an old railroad tressel near Muir

With the floor repaired, painting half completed, and 212 seats currently being refurbished, the Wilson Center Auditorium is beginning to breathe new life as each day brings it closer to becoming the “star” that the committee had envisioned for our mid-Michigan community. Phase One of the renovation project is well underway.

“People in our community will not believe their eyes when they step into this gem of a theatre” says Tom Webb, co-chair of the project. “They will absolutely be amazed – the colors are vibrant and work so well together – we can’t wait to start reinstalling the seats before Thanksgiving.”

The main floor of the auditorium will eventually have 376 refurbished seats reinstalled with the committee looking to have sponsors for each of those seats.

“Right now, we have sponsors for 55 seats, a little over ¼ of the 212 seats we are working on at this time,” says Bill Tennant, committee member. “The seat sponsorships will be ongoing until we have our 376 sponsors, but we are in need of immediate sponsors to quickly meet our financial obligation for this first phase of the project.”

Donations are coming in from as far away as San Diego with many of them coming from former Rodney B. Wilson students who sat in the auditorium for many concerts and programs during their school days in the building. Classes from the 1950’s lead the way in former student support.

“It’s really neat to read the notes that accompany the checks as the former students reflect on their school days at RBW,” continues Tennant. “The auditorium was an important school and community facility over the many years and meant a lot to those students and others – they all are very appreciative that this project is taking place.”

The auditorium will be ready and open to the public for three events that will happen in December. There will be a community Christmas Concert the evening of the 5th, the second annual Messiah Sing on the afternoon of the 6th, along with a wonderful community Holiday Show the following weekend on the 11th and 12th. More information will be forthcoming on each of those events.

Anyone wishing to sponsor an auditorium seat or make a donation to the project can mail a check, made out to the “St. Johns Foundation for Excellence”, to: Wilson Auditorium Project, P.O. Box 331, St. Johns, MI 48879. Seat sponsorships at $250 each will have an engraved plaque with your name attached to the seat – donations of any amount are most welcome. The donations are tax deductible. Please call 989-224-8159 for any questions you might have.

by Maralyn Fink Woodbury

The St. Johns Community Band held it’s annual Halloween costume performance on Tuesday night at The Clinton Commons and Hazel Findley Manor. Foot tapping music for the residents was enjoyed by all. Led by Mr Roy Davis Jr, the band was in costume to the delight of the residents. The many smiles on the faces of our audience is most rewarding for the band members.

Upcoming Events:

Thanksgiving Eve Service November 24 at Salem United Methodist Church

Holiday Concert December 5 at 7 pm at RBW

Clinton Commons Holiday Performance December 8 at 7 pm

Gracehaven Assisted Living December 15 at 7 pm

After more than a decade of wishing and dreaming, renovation work at the Wilson Center Auditorium in St. Johns is officially underway.

All 376 of the “old” wooden-style seats on the main floor have been removed, and restoration is in progress on half of that number; painting and refurbishing the interior will begin soon; installation of new carpeting is planned – and fund-raising efforts are in full swing.

“This auditorium is a gem with great acoustics, sightlines and intimacy,” says Bill Tennant, committee member of the Wilson Center Renovation Project. “It’s the best performance venue in the county, and when restored will be a treasure for our community that can be used by many different groups.”

Clair Deveau, a St. Johns High School graduate with a historical renovation background, helped the committee during the planning phase. When the new, upholstered seats are put in place next month, audience members will be able to sit in comfort during theatre performances, concerts and an assortment of other community events and functions.

Community theatre returned to the Wilson Center last spring with the production of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” and there’s more to come after renovations are completed.

“We want to present two productions a year and need a good facility for the shows,” says Beth Webb, one of the directors of the musical and co-chairperson of the committee. “The St. Johns High School auditorium and the middle school auditeria are in such demand by the schools that they are not an option for us – the renovated Wilson Center Auditorium presents us with a wonderful space for our shows and audiences.”

Lighting and sound improvements are also being addressed as the committee plans for a first class facility, fully restoring the auditorium to its original grandeur in front of the curtain, while updating the technical aspects behind the curtain.

Seed money for the planning phase and the start of actual renovations came from funds raised three years ago during the St. Johns City Sesquicentennial when the theatre troupe performed “A St. Johns Home Companion” at the Wilson Center Auditorium.

The current fund-raising campaign allows donors to “purchase” restored auditorium seats for $250 each. Seat sponsors will have their name engraved on a plaque that will be attached to the seat. The committee is working on identifying individuals, groups and businesses to sponsor the 376 main floor seats.

“Raising funds is critical now,” committee co-chairperson Tom Webb says, citing a November 1 timeline for the re-installation of the initial 188 restored seats in the auditorium. “We need to get individuals and groups involved right away by sponsoring one or two seats – or a row of seats.”

Individuals or organizations interested in sponsoring seats or making a donation to the Wilson Center Auditorium Renovation Project should make checks payable to “St. Johns Schools Foundation for Excellence;” all donations are tax deductible. Checks should be mailed to: The Wilson Center Auditorium Project, P.O. Box 331, St. Johns, MI 48879.

Donors should include their name, address and telephone phone number, along with the number of seats being sponsored and information on wording for the seat plaque(s). The plaques have room for up to two lines with 25 characters and spaces per line.

“This project is all about building community – about elevating the quality of life in our mid-Michigan area,” Tennant says. “Many outstanding events will be presented at the Wilson Center Auditorium for years to come.”

For detailed information or questions, call Tennant at (989) 224-8159.

by Barry Bauer

The 2009 Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon was held Thursday, October 15, 2009 at the RESA building in St. Johns.

Dave Hudgens, President of the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, and Carol and Sam Smith of the Smith Family Funeral Homes – recipients of the 2009 Outstanding Small Business of the Year Award.

Dave Hudgens, President of the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce and Sharon Bassette – recipient of the 2009 Ambassador of the Year Award.

Dave Hudgens, President of the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, and Mike Trebesh – recipient of the 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award.

Brenda Terpening introduced Joann Martis – 2009 recipient of the William Patton Award:

I am especially pleased to introduce you to this year’s William Patton Award recipient. Not only is she a true supporter of the Chamber, she has been a mentor and a great support to me since I have been with the Chamber.

Our 2009 recipient is Joann Martis. Joann and her husband Paul have been married for 55 years. They have four children; Paulette, David, Melissa and Christine and four grandchildren; Amanda, Megan, Madison and Mitchell. While her family is the most important thing to her, she is also very dedicated to her church.

She has been an active member of the First Congregational Church in St. Johns for 77 years and is a life member. She is a member of the Linda Scott Division Women’s Fellowship ministry team and an active participant in the Friendly Service ministry team which provides meals after funerals. Each year she chairs their annual Attic Treasure Sale (a huge fundraiser for the church) and is a member of the Chancel Choir. Through the years she has taught Bible School, Nursery School and Sunday School and was even the Administrative Assistant at the church for a time. She is currently on their 150th Anniversary team and is compiling the last 20 years of church history.

Joann has always been involved in her community. She was on the Committee that formed the St. Johns Relay for Life, she was on the original planning committee for the St. Johns Industrial Park, she worked with Bill Richards through CRV, and is currently on the fundraising committee of the Clinton County Senior Center. She has even supported her community and various organizations through her beautiful singing voice. During high school she participated in Minstrel Shows that were fundraisers for the Lions Club and since then she has participated in Clinton Capers and most recently in the Home Companions show for the St. Johns Sesquicentennial.

Joann was the Director of the St. Johns Chamber of Commerce for 11 years from 1982-1993. One of the reasons she was chosen for the position was because of her outgoing personality. Her first few years at the Chamber were rebuilding years. The Chamber had not been very active due in part to low membership. Joann was actually the first Ambassador for the Chamber. That group formed in 1983 with Skip Hughes acting as chairman. The uniform has always been a source of pride for Joann and the Ambassadors and that was very evident at Mr. Hughes’ funeral. Skip’s family hung his red jacket at his funeral because they knew of the pride he took in the group. When Joann spoke at the funeral she put $2 in his pocket to pay for his fine since he was not in proper uniform.

Joann is the individual that developed the idea of having a festival in St. Johns, which turned into the St. Johns Mint Festival. She gathered the needed individuals and with the help of a dedicated committee made it a reality. Those first few years were tough financially – in fact the first festival was funded through “loans” from Chamber members. Joann was the driving force of the Mint Festival – She was great at getting Chamber members and community members involved.

Joann has been an honorary member of the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce and it’s Ambassadors for several years. She has such a passion for her community and this Chamber and recognition of her efforts and support are truly deserved.

Joann talked about her family’s history in St. Johns. Her Parents and Grandparents used to own and operate Baker’s Restaurant at corner of State St. and Clinton Ave. in St. Johns where Hungry Howie’s is now located.

She has a lot of good memories from the restaurant.

Joann and Paul Martis surrounded by members of their family.

The Paine-Gillam-Scott Museum hosted a special reception at the Museum on September 23, 2009 for Friends of the Museum.  The evening honored John Hicks, a founding father of St. Johns, and his family. 

The Hicks exhibit will remain on display at the museum through December.

by Rhonda Dedyne
Special Writer

Farm market visitors in the Lansing area are familiar with a unique phrase that’s part of a banner at Sue Spagnuolo’s Dolce Vita Goat Dairy booth: “20 goats & 1 milkmaid.”
It’s eye-catching – but like any marketing tool, not particularly useful unless the product it promotes appeals to consumers. Once you’ve got their attention, it’s important to deliver the goods – or in this case, licensed farmstead goat cheese.

“I sell out every week,” the savvy milkmaid says about the hand-crafted cheeses produced at Greenbush Farms in Clinton County that have garnered praise from customers at DeWitt and Meridian farm markets and select retail outlets. “Producing a high quality cheese – that’s what is most important.”

Food preparation is a key ingredient in Spagnuolo’s southern Italian heritage, and it’s that love of “food, family and farming” she used to develop a business plan for Dolce Vita Goat Dairy that began cheese production this spring. Her 15-acre Greenbush Farms site includes a woodlot that’s perfect for goat “browsing.”

“Goats are not grazing animals like cattle – they browse, and like to eat woody-stemmed plants,” Spagnuolo says, citing information she gathered during extensive research into dairy goat farming and cheese-making prior to starting the new business. “I love animals, and I love working with food – raising goats and crafting goat cheese is a good use for the land here and is working out well.”

Goat Cheese 101

Spagnuolo went “back to school” to learn about the cheese-making process. She took short-course classes at North Carolina State University, the University of Vermont and Michigan State University, and plans to continue her studies this winter.

Information and assistance from the MSU Product Center, MSU Food and Dairy Division and the MSU Dairy Store has also been “extremely helpful,” she says, noting the university’s Dairy Store is among the retail outlets for her Chevre cheeses along with Dusty’s Cellars in Okemos and the East Lansing Food Cooperative.

Once she had a basic understanding of dairy goat husbandry and cheese-making, Spagnuolo began work in the fall of 2008 on constructing space for a milking parlor and processing facility, and obtaining the proper licenses.

“There are two, separate licenses – one as a Grade A dairy for milk production, and another because this is also a dairy food processing plant,” Spagnuolo says about the certified farmstead goat cheese that’s manufactured at Dolce Vita. “As far as I know, this is only the third licensed farmstead goat cheese plant in Michigan – others are in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo.”

Spagnuolo admits that doing “it all” – owning and milking a goat herd and making cheese on site – is a lot of work, but she’s committed to the process.
“You have to have good milk to make good cheese, and I knew I wanted my milk to be as fresh as possible – I wanted to control the final product,” she says. “The days when I pasteurize and make cheese are really long, but it’s worth it in the end.”

Four ounces of love

The four-ounce containers of Dolce Vita Goat Dairy cheeses that her customers rave about originate from milk produced by Spagnuolo’s herd.
“I researched, studied and taste-tested milk produced by various breeds, knowing that I wanted a cheese that was well-rounded and had a nice balance of flavor,” she says about her Saanan, LaMancha and Alpine goats. “So far, I like the blend of milk very much – it’s smooth and mild, perfect for cheese and dairy products.”
Spagnuolo milks on a daily basis in a parlor that’s located in a building near the goat pens and fields, and adjacent to a separate building where she pasteurizes the milk and creates the cheese. The 18 goats that she’s milked in the past months have averaged between five to eight pounds of milk each day, resulting in about 60 pounds of cheese every week.

The three Dolce Vita varieties – plain cheese, maple-honey and roasted red pepper – are sold as spreadable cheese that has a consistency similar to cream cheese. All the recipes were developed by Spagnuolo, featuring fresh, local ingredients in the popular maple-honey and red pepper blends. The entrepreneur is also working on a new cheese that will be available soon.

“Some customers have said that they’d like something a bit spicy – the roasted red pepper isn’t quite hot enough,” Spagnuolo says with a laugh about requests from goat-cheese lovers who are already thinking about deer camp snacks. “We’re taste-testing a recipe that uses chipotle peppers – we may call it Buck Snort.”

In addition, Spagnuolo is working on creating “logs and pyramids,” six and eight-ounce cheese products that can be sliced, rather than spread. She’s always looking for recipes where goat cheese can be used in ways that most people might not think about – like a non-traditional cheese cake.

“Goat cheese makes a great cheese cake; chefs really enjoy using it in dessert recipes,” she says.

Growing goat cheese market

Spagnuolo’s heritage and knowledge about food items like goat cheese is an important reason for the success of the fledgling business.

“People in the United States don’t really realize that goats are the most widely used livestock throughout the world,” she says. “In many other countries, people drink goat milk and use it as a dairy product rather than cow’s milk. Goat cheese is so versatile.”

The business lady has plans to take advantage of her multi-faceted raw ingredient, expanding Dolce Vita Goat Dairy into additional product lines.

“I’d like to age some cheese, and would love to learn how to make goat ice cream and yogurt – maybe experiment with making gelato,” she says, adding that non-edible items may also be available in the future at Greenbush Farms. “I froze some milk in the spring, and am going to try making hand soap and lotions during the winter months when the goats are dried up.”

While she plans to breed some stock this month and expand her herd for the next milking season, Spagnuolo doesn’t anticipate growing her herd beyond 30 or so milking goats.

“I don’t want to get huge – I want to continue to do this all on my own and maintain the quality and integrity of my products,” she says. “I’m eager to develop new recipes and learn about other uses for goat milk, and am looking forward to taking more classes and working with the MSU Product Center.

“It’s a gift to be able to produce a good, quality product – that’s what I’m excited about.”

For information on Dolce Vita Goat Dairy, call (989)224-3432, or visit www.greenbush-farms.com

Dolce Vita Goat Dairy quick facts

Owner/operator Sue Spagnuolo began production of farmstead goat cheese in April 2009

Three varieties of hand-crafted cheese are currently available: plain, roasted red pepper, maple-honey

Dolce Vita Goat Dairy is a Class A dairy operation, and a member of the Michigan Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP).

Detailed information available at www.greenbush-farms.com; call (989) 224-3432

[Reprinted with permission of the Michigan Farmer]
 

Goat cheese recipies

Herbed Goat Cheese Dip

Ingredients
8 ounces soft fresh goat cheese
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons plain yogurt
3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
Toasted baguette slices
Assorted raw vegetables: carrots, red bell peppers, cauliflower, English cucumber, zucchini etc.

Directions
Blend goat cheese, oil and yogurt in processor until smooth. Add herbs; season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate about 4 hours. Serve dip with toasted baguette slices and raw vegetables.
 
Goat Cheese Cheesecake

Ingredients
Crust:
1 stick butter
1-3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
Filling:
1-1/2 pounds cream cheese
8 ounces goat cheese
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 large eggs
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions
1. To make crust: Preheat oven to 325. Melt butter; mix in bowl with graham cracker crumbs. Press crust into bottom of greased 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven.
2. To make filling: Combine cream cheese, goat cheese and sugar in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Blend on low speed until smooth; scrape down sides of bowl; add flour. Mix until flour is thoroughly incorporated. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well and scraping down sides of bowl between additions. Add lemon juice; mix until batter is smooth and juice is incorporated.
3. Pour filling into crust. Smooth top with a small knife or spatula. Bake cake until edges are slightly cracked and center is jiggly, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven; set pan on a wire rack until cool to room temperature, then remove sides from pan. Refrigerate cake until ready to serve.
4. Top with fresh fruit like strawberries, blueberries or sweet cherries that have been cooked with sugar to thicken into a sauce; cool topping before spreading over cheesecake.
 

Guthrie family performs Oct. 16 at Soaring Eagle

by Rhonda Dedyne
Special Writer

Arlo Guthrie won’t be riding on the “City of New Orleans” to get from his home in Massachusetts to Michigan – but he may just sing about that famous passenger train when “The Guthrie Family Rides Again” tour arrives Oct. 16 at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort.

It’s a toss-up what songs will be part of the set list for the show that’s the first stop in a cross-country trip where the folk musician is joined by his children and grandchildren. One thing is for sure – the stage will be filled with performers making music that America loves.

“It’ll be a zoo up there,” Arlo said with a laugh during a recent telephone interview about the upcoming tour that includes an assortment of Guthrie family members. “There are dozens of us at this point – some of the younger grandkids may even come on stage for a bit before heading behind the curtains to have some fun.”
Three generations of Guthrie’s bring their considerable music talents to the show, including Arlo’s son, Abe, who has contributed keyboards and backing vocals to his father’s live shows since the 1980s.

Arlo’s daughters – Cathy, Annie and Sarah Lee Guthrie, all of whom have their own bustling music careers – will lend support via vocals and on acoustic guitars. Sarah Lee’s musical partner and husband, Johnny Irion, will lead songs and play guitar.

Among the youngest generation is grandson, Krishna.

“He’s a great guitar player, singer and musician,” grandpa Arlo said. “I’ve worked on and off with all my kids for a number of years. “We had such a great time when we did the family tour three years ago – I couldn’t wait to do it again.”

That first tour featured songs made famous by the family patriarch – folk music icon, Woody Guthrie. This edition is somewhat different, Arlo said.
“We’re focusing on a lot of songs where my father wrote the lyrics that today’s younger artists have created music for and brought the songs to life. It’s a tribute not only to the words and songs, but to the artists who have performed them.”

Woody’s lyrics can be heard in songs like “Mermaid Avenue” by Billy Bragg and Wilco, “Peace Call” by Eliza Gilkyson, “I Hear You Sing Again” by Janis Ian and “Wonder Wheel” by The Klezmatics.

The set list isn’t limited only to his father’s songs, however.

“We’ll do some Arlo songs, same Sarah Lee and Johnny songs – there’s so much material, I don’t know how we’ll fit it all in,” he said about his children’s songs and his own familiar standards like “Coming into Los Angeles” that gained acclaim after his performance at Woodstock in 1969 – and of course, “Alice’s Restaurant.”

Based on his arrest for littering on Thanksgiving Day 1965 and subsequent deferral from military service, the song is a classic of spoken word and music that originally logged in at 18 minutes, 34 seconds. It’s not typically part of the songwriter’s set list.

“During the 40th anniversary of the song back in 2005-06, I did it regularly at shows – maybe I’ll bring it out again for the 50th anniversary in 2015, but I’ll have to relearn all the words,” he said, his well-known voice laced with good humor recalling songs from decades past.

“The 1960s was certainly a great time of my life. I was the youngest of the herd, so to speak – the kid in the crowd with Dylan and so many wonderful singers and songwriters. I loved it – it was a great time to be a singer, traveling around the country.”

That love of visiting places, playing music and meeting people continues to motivate the minstrel – just as it did his father.

“My dad wrote a lot of songs about the history of working people, from the struggles of starting the unions in the early decades of the 1900s, through the Depression and on. He was part of the beginning of that movement that provided hope for the little guy in places all around the country,” Arlo said. “Now, the world has changed – everybody is having to reinvent themselves in order to find a way forward.”

Music plays a vital role in that continuing journey.

“The spirit of regular people is in all those songs – they remind us of who we are,” said his father’s son, noting those feelings are especially evident during the family’s performances. “There’s my dad’s peers, my peers, my kids friends and their kids – it’s one of the very few places you can go that’s wide open in terms of diverse ages, politics and economics.

“I love that about what we do – seeing people singing together who wouldn’t ordinarily be in the same place, all getting along. That’s the heart of the community – the spirit of the community – being heard through the songs.”

That sense of optimism is needed now, just as it was during the ’60s.

“People are still trying to be kind and nice to one another – still trying to get stuff done for the little guy.”

[Reprinted with permission, Morning Sun]

If you go…
What: Arlo Guthrie: The Guthrie Family Rides Again
When: Friday, Oct. 16, 8 p.m.
Where: Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mt. Pleasant
Tickets: $25-$12; available at the casino box office,1-888-726-9633; or via Star Tickets,1-800-585-3737, online at www.startickets.com
Info: Detailed information about the Guthrie family is available online at www.arlo.net and www.risingsonrecords.com

Andy T’s hosted its 16th annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off on September 26.

The local site was one of 22 weigh off sites in the U. S. and Canada. The weigh off is associated with the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth.