Williamston Theatre presents moving love story with a twist

Williamston Theatre continues its 2023-2024 season with Bright Half Life by Tanya Barfield, a moving love story with a twist. Performances begin Thursday, April 11 and run through Sunday, May 19. Tickets are now on sale.

Bright Half Life shares the four-and-a-half-decade love story of Vicky and Erica, who meet, fall in love, and go through all the trials and tribulations of marriage and building a family. It’s a conventional love story told in an unconventional way – it unfolds through yesterday, today, and tomorrow . . . just not in that order. Pulitzer Prize finalist Tanya Barfield has created a theatrical, time-bending play about love, heartbreak, and the infinite moments that make a relationship. Contains mature content and language.

Tickets are available online at www.williamstontheatre.org or by calling (517) 655-SHOW (7469). The theatre is located at 122 S. Putnam Street in downtown Williamston.

 Plainfield United Methodist Church hosting chicken dinner on April 13th

The Plainfield United Methodist Church is hosting a ‘take out only’ chicken supper on Saturday, April 13th. Free will offering. The church is located on M-36 north of Gregory.

 Hartland Audubon Nature Club to meeting on April 2nd

The Hartland Audubon Nature Club looks forward to Bob Kramer’s presentation of the flora and fauna of South Africa and Botswana on April 2, at 7pm. Bob, a long-time member of the Nature Club, is a world-traveler with well-honed bird identification skills. He will amuse us with riveting stories of his adventures in the Kalahari Desert and wilderness of Southern Africa, home to the colorful rollers and the world’s largest land birds.

Come join us at Hartland Education Support Service Center, 9525 E. Highland Rd., Howell. Use the west entrance and look for our sign in the hall.

Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information https://hartlandaudubon.weebly.com/

 Home Arts instruction to be offerd by the Fowlerville Fair

By Dawn Bhajan

Superintendent of Fowlerville Family Fair

Open Class Home Arts

When you hear the word “class”, what immediately springs to mind?

Leaving the sociopolitical interpretation to the pundits, most of us associate “class” with schooling, education, a group of students…

Which explains the confusion surrounding the phrase “Open Class Home Arts.”

I’ve fielded many questions recently regarding which classes we’re teaching at the Fair, and how to register to be a student. But Open Class actually refers to our County fair’s competitive, exhibition classes, open to all Michigan residents over the age of 5 (no memberships or affiliations required!) They’re the classes in which projects are entered, judged, and exhibited throughout Fair week.

The confusion is understandable… and, as it turns out, inspiring!

County Fairs are legendary for educating, passing on skills and knowledge, and encouraging new standards of excellence. Why shouldn’t the Open Home Arts offer a learning component to help exhibitors improve their game, year after year?

Many of our 2024 Open Class Home Arts judges hail from educational fields, and love the idea of sharing constructive feedback. That’s why, this year, we’re introducing Judges’ Scorecards that will be filled out by our judges for each Open Home Arts entry. It’s like a mini-education on a page, containing criteria and critiques that you can use to improve your entries for next year’s Fowlerville Fair.

But we’re not stopping there! Home Arts aren’t a novelty to be trotted out at Fair time, then shelved ‘til next year. They are living crafts; we use them in our daily lives, and we enjoy the ways in which they bring us value. These relevant skills are, by their very nature, designed to be passed down and shared with others. So, let’s do just that!

Southeastern Livingston County Recreation Authority (SELCRA) has generously offered to host a Fowlerville Fair Open Home Arts class series for youth and adults, beginning this Spring, with a portion of proceeds donated toward supporting the Open Class Home Arts program. Taught by skilled community members, these instructional classes will include Home Arts skills and projects that you and your children can enter in this year’s Fair… and enjoy for a lifetime.

Classes will be announced on SELCRA’s website (www.selcra.com) and our “Fowlerville Fair Open Class Home Arts” Facebook group. Stay tuned!

Are you interested in teaching a class in your favorite art or craft? We’re currently looking for instructors in fine arts, photography, needlecraft, fiber arts, folk arts, plants, robotics, woodcraft, and much more. Prior teaching experience is helpful, but not necessary - just a love for your craft and for sharing that joy with others. Let’s keep these skills alive! Please email me, Dawn Bhajan, at dawnbhajan@gmail.com to learn more.

Volunteers are needed and appreciated to help grow the Fowlerville Family Fair Open Home Arts program. Please email me at the address above with interest.

 Fowlerville Fair collecting unwanted shoes & boots as fundraiser for new livestock pens

By Jody Pollok-Newsom

If you wear shoes or boots we need your help! The youth showing at the Fowlerville Fair are working to secure funds to get new pens for goats, sheep, and swine and they are asking everyone who wears shoes to help them.

Please consider donating your new, gently worn or used shoes or boots in support of the kids who need new pens for their animals during fair week. The current goat, sheep, and swine pens need to be updated and we also need more, so the fair community is working to gather shoes and boots as a fundraiser.

We are looking for all kinds of shoes: sneakers, boots, dress shoes, work boots, casual shoes, sandals and athletic shoes. When you clean out those closets getting ready for spring, make those hard decisions and turn those unwanted shoes into new pens for our youth!

Not only are you providing funds towards the new pens, you are also cutting down on landfill space needed, while providing a business opportunity for the underserved in other countries. The shoes donated will be refurbished and provided to families across the world to be used to start their own businesses and get much needed shoes to their communities.

Our shoe drive wraps up May 1st, so do not wait to clean that closet, garage or even your car for those unneeded shoes. To participate, you can drop off shoes at one of the donation sites listed below:

      --Fowlerville Fairgrounds, 8800 Grand River Avenue,                            Fowlerville

      --Fowlerville District Library, 130 S Grand Ave, Fowlerville

     --Fowlerville Fire Department, 9110 W Grand River Ave,                     Fowlerville

     --Fowlerville Police Department, 213 S Grand Ave, Fowlerville

     --Katie Pikkarainen - State Farm Insurance Office, 215 E Grand           River Ave, Fowlerville

     --Livingston Educational Service Agency, 1425 W Grand River           Avenue, Howell

     --Mugg & Bopps, 7999 W Mason Road, Fowlerville                             (Countryway)

     --Mugg & Bopps, 6801 Oak Grove Road, Howell

    --Mugg & Bopps, 1600 Pinckney Road, Howell

    --Mugg & Bopps, 11055 Highland Road, Hartland

    --Rural King, 10400 Highland Road, Hartland

If you are a member of a 4-H club, Junior Agricultural Society or FFA chapter, we are offering a contest for the club that gathers the most donations. The club or group that brings the most pairs of shoes to the April 27th Club Challenge Drop Off Date at the Fairgrounds will win a pizza party. Don’t delay! Grab those unwanted shoes and boots from friends, neighbors, and relatives.

For more information on the shoe drive or if you need to schedule a pick up, contact Kelly Turner, 248-343-0916, or Jen Esch, 734-325-0268.

The Fowlerville Family Fair Youth Show will take place from July 22 to July 27, 2024, at the Fowlerville Fairgrounds. The youth show is open to all youth ages 5 to 21 who are members of the Fowlerville Junior Agricultural Society or are members of a Livingston County 4-H club or

FFA chapter.

The Fowlerville Family Fair is one of the oldest and largest fairs in Michigan, celebrating its 138th year in 2024. The fair offers something for everyone, with carnival rides, games, food, music, fireworks, tractor pulls, demolition derbies, rodeos, and more. The fair also showcases the best of Livingston County, with exhibits, competitions, and demonstrations of agriculture, arts, crafts, and science. For more information about the fair, please visit www.fowlervillefamilyfair.com.

 Fowlerville District Library

Upcoming Events

Monday – Wednesday: 9:30 am to 7:00 pm

Thursday: 9:30 am to 8:00 pm

Friday: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm

Saturday: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Sunday: Closed

For any questions, or to register for programs, call us at 517-223-9089

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STORYTIMES

Family Storytime (Ages 1-5)

Have fun singing songs, reading stories, dancing, and playing!

Tuesdays & Wednesdays ● 10am

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PJ Storytime (Ages 1-5)

Wear your pjs for an evening storytime. We will have snacks & crafts. Bring a blanket and stuffie to be extra cozy. Mon, Apr 8 ● 6pm

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KIDS & FAMILY

First Friday Performance (All Ages)

Join us for a live performance by IndieBoy. Bryce will be here April 5 between 5 & 6 pm to get your weekend off to a great start. You can head over to Good Deeds afterwards for an art show.

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Life sized Candy Land

Drop in to make your way to the Candy Castle for a sweet treat as we enlarge our favorite board game. Fri, Apr 26 ● 3-5:30pm

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Perler Bead Party (Ages 7-12)

Join Storm to make your own Perler Bead creation.

Friday, Apr 12 ● 4 – 5pm

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Chess Club

Join the Chess Club! The Mid-Michigan Jr. Chess Club will meet. All levels are welcome from beginner to advanced! Please note, tournament play on April 6, no meeting on Apr 13.

Saturdays ● 1-3:30pm

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Kids Krafternoons (Ages 7-12)

Drop in and get crafty with a new and exciting craft each month! Supplies provided.

Monday, Apr 8 ● 4-5pm

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Lego Club (Ages 7-12)

Build your own Lego creations and complete challenges Thursdays ● 4pm

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Crochet Kits

Stop by the library on the 15th of the month to grab a themed crochet amigurumi kit. Provide your own hook and everything else is included. While supplies last.

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Cozy Crafting by the Fireplace

Join Mary to work on your craft or learn to knit and start a beginner project. Help is also offered for the aforementioned crochet kits. Monday, Apr 1 & 15 ● 3-5pm

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Homeschool Social

Meet for learning, fun and snacks. Mondays, thru May 20 ● 12-1:30 pm

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New Graphic Novel Club (Ages 7-12)

Join Storm for a discussion on Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey, Monday, Apr 22 ● 4-5pm

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Book Boxes (All ages)

Fill out the online form by visiting the events page on our website. Let the librarians pick a surprise selection of books for you. Register the first two weeks of every month to get next month’s box, which will be ready to pick up the first of the following month.

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TEENS

Teen Crafting (Teens)

Join Mary and drop in to make crafts such as sewing, resin jewelry, bow making, diamond painting, and much more!

Wednesdays ● 2:30-4:00 pm

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Twitch Streaming (All Ages)

Join Connor and Tally and get sneak peeks of new games! twitch.tv/fowlervillelibrary

Mondays ● 3:30-4:30pm

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Board Games with Connor (Age 10+)

Join Connor and friends for some after school fun.

Tuesdays ● 3-5pm

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Dungeons & Dragons (Ages 12-18)

Come play D&D 5th Edition! No prior experience needed.

Wednesdays ● 2:30-5pm

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Switch Free Play (Ages 10-18)

Open gaming time with the library's Switch.

Fridays ● 2:30-5 pm

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ADULTS

Tote Bag Craft (Adults)

Join Jackie and Cindy to personalize a tote bag for Summer. Supplies are limited. Registration Required. Thurs May 2 ● 6:30pm

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Yoga with Vanessa (Adults)

Join Vanessa Duke for yoga class, no cost, just bring your mat or use one of ours. Program runs thru April 24.

Wednesdays ● 5pm

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Jam Session

Join Mr. Damerow for some musical collaboration. Bring your horn, keyboard, harmonica, or whatever you have and join the fun. Tues Apr 16 ● 5:00 – 7:30pm

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Cardmaking

Join Mary to make 4 greeting cards with the theme of “Spring”. Registration is required. Thurs, Apr 25 ● 6:30 pm & Fri, Apr 26 ● 11am

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Scrapbooking (Adults)

Join Mary to scrapbook your favorite photos. Stay the whole time or for just a few hours. Everyone gets their own table. Registration is required. Sat, Apr 20 ● 10:30 – 3:30

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Shelf-Indulgence Book Group (Adults)

This is a traditional book discussion group. You can get a copy of the book at the front desk. Next meeting, we will discuss WAGER by David Grann, Thurs, Apr 25 ● 2 pm

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Beyond the Book Discussion Group (Adults)

Book discussion plus movie or documentary. Books are available at the front desk. Next meeting, we will discuss MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS by Paul Gallico Fri, Apr 12 ● 6:00 pm

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Sewing with Patty (Adults)

Bring your sewing machine and learn from a pro. Registration is required. Fri, Apr 12 ● 10 am & Apr 17 ● 6:00 pm

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FDL Oral History Project

Record your history with us as we capture the memories and stories of our residents. Call to schedule an audio interview, which can be done by a family member or staff member and can include video.

Recordings will become part of the FDL historical collection.

 LuAnn Margaret Hacker

LuAnn Margaret Hacker of Fowlerville, MI passed away at Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital on March 12, 2024, at 69 years of age. LuAnn was born January 23, 1955, to Howard and Dorothy (O'Brien) Hacker in Howell, MI.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Howard, her brother Craig, and her nephew Kip Hacker. She is survived by brother Michael (Anita) Hacker, sister Verta (Michael) Beaudet, brother James Hacker, and brother Steven Hacker; three sister-in-laws: Karin Hacker, Sharalene Hacker and Sally Hacker. She also is survived by nieces Christine, Jacklyn, Stacey, Shay, Torin, Madison and nephews Todd, Craig, Kevin, Keenan and Mackenzie Hacker; and several great nieces and nephews. Also survived by her close friend Theresa Hamilton and many cousins and numerous friends.

LuAnn had the greatest capacity for being loving and caring for others, taking care of people and pets everyday of her life. LuAnn graduated from Howell High School in 1973 and spent 35 years at International Paper Container Company where she retired from in 2010. LuAnn will be terribly missed by all of her family and friends. She was fun and always helpful to anyone.

Visitation was taking place on March 23, 2024, from 11:00am-1:00pm. at Herrmann Funeral Home. LuAnn would appreciate Memorial Contributions to St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital. Online condolences may be expressed at pjherrmannfuneralhome.com.