Michelle Armstead
Williamston Post staff writer
Since the start of 2013, there have been 10 new business openings, a business expansion and a complete remodeling including new business owners in Williamston.
Compared to the same time in 2012, there has been a 25 percent increase in the amount of new business openings in town.
By Stephen Brooks
Williamston Post staff writer
The Williamston High School girl’s soccer team took on Okemos on April 23, 2013.
For generations, youth sports have been one of America’s most celebrated traditions.
Seen as vital components to a young person’s fitness, sports can serve as laboratories for social and cognitive skills, as well.
A new era is being ushered in where injury prevention — especially for concussions and other head injuries — takes precedent over adages such as “boys will be boys” and mindsets that welcome a few bumps and bruises.
Concussions and head injuries are being looked at with increasing intensity today and youth sports programs are under pressure to ensure the best safety practices.
Williamston and its schools are taking notice and working to build on established measures to protect its athletes from concussions.
The national discussion on concussions has shot to the forefront of the sports world in recent years as leagues across the nation revise safety policies while increasing awareness and education programs in response to public outcry about the injury risks athletes face.
Source: Nonfatal Traumatic Brain Injuries Related to Sports and Recreation Activities Among Persons Aged ≤19 Years — United States, 2001–2009 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Before the 2010-11 school year, the Michigan High School Athletic Association instituted a revision of its concussion policy across all sports.
It created a statewide policy that states any athlete exhibiting signs of a concussion must be removed from competition and cannot return until they are cleared by a medical professional, MHSAA Communications Director John Johnson said.
“Our games, quite frankly, are safer than they’ve ever been before,” Johnson said.
By Derek Kim
Williamston Post staff writer
To say Sandy Whelton is involved in the community is similar to saying Martin Luther King Jr. likes diversity.
Whelton’s activism in Williamston is unparalleled. She is a City Council and Chamber of Commerce member, Northeast Ingham Emergency Services Authority affiliate, Red Cedar Jubilee president, Pyper’s Diapers founder and coordinator, as well as a volunteer at St. Mary Catholic School.
“I don’t know why, it just makes me happy to help people,” Whelton said.
Whelton is popularly known as the Diaper Lady.
“I was in a store a couple years ago with my granddaughter and I saw a lady with two little kids. She had to buy diapers but did not have enough money so she had to put other stuff back. Seeing that broke my heart,” Whelton said.
On that night, Pypers Diapers was born, a diaper donation organization named after Whelton’s granddaughter.
“I began advertising that I was donating diapers and after that, it exploded,” Whelton said.
Whelton said she receives checks in the mail and often awakes to find diapers on her front porch.
“I am amazed by how big it has become. I am so grateful I did it,” Whelton said.
By Brytanie Killebrew
Williamston Post staff writer
WILLIAMSTON—After years of service, one Williamston organization feels its existence is misunderstood.
For almost 29 years, the Williamston Eagles Auxiliary has been one of 1,400 local Aeries in the U.S. and Canada. Working under the motto “people helping people,” the Eagles devote their time to making the lives of community members easier.
Unfortunately, some members feel their purpose isn’t clear throughout the community.
Though she and her fellow Eagles organize multiple events, Dianna Frank, Williamston Eagles Auxiliary secretary, said most people aren’t aware of all the services they provide.
“A lot of people think that we’re just a cheap place to go get a drink,” Frank said.
Continue reading
By Michelle Armstead
Williamston Post staff writer
Williamston Boy Scout Troop 63, which has over 80 children and 60 adults registered, held one of many fundraisers to fund the scouts through summer camp.
Eric Holmes and son.
The troop sold 50 hams raising raised about $390, which will pay for incidentals, equipment, gear, and other needs for trip to Cole Canoe Base in July, not entry fees.
This year will be the first that the troop attends Cole Canoe Base in Alger, Mich., in the past the scouts attended the Northwoods Scout Reservation in Lupton, Mich.
If the troop were not able to raise money through fundraising, Eric Holmes, assistant scout master and summer camp coordinator, said it would find some other way. There is no set fundraising goal.
The fundraisers conducted by Troop 63 include a pancake breakfast at the Williamston Jubilee in June, a Haunted House in October, and a popcorn fundraiser.
By Michelle Armstead
Williamston Post staff writer
At Williamston’s Spring Break Day Camp April 1-5, children swam, played sports, games and enjoyed other activities.
Children attended full days all week for $125 or half days for $69. A single full day was $30 and a half day was $15. Drop-in children paid an additional $15 at the door.
Patti Marston, community programming director, said that the day camp, which averages about 20 children a day, is a healthy alternative for students. They would have had to stay inside during break because of the cold weather instead of being active.
“They’re able to get a lot of exercise, they’ve got a craft to work out, they’ve got board games we play, they have a movie that we watch,” Marston said. “So it’s good to be around other kids and be active.”
Kathryn Kufahl, swim lessons coordinator, said that children benefited from being fully engaged and active during the week.
As the remains of winter flurries set in along the Red Cedar River, we are left with the stunning view of ice-covered trees and glittering snowflakes. Captured in these photos are images that can be found on a walk along the Red Cedar in downtown Williamston. Between the branches and through the snow is where the best parts of the town can be found.
By Brytanie Killebrew
Williamston Post staff writer
WILLIAMSTON—While most 10-year-olds are enjoying their summer vacation at the beach, one group will be giving back to a Pennsylvania community.
A group of 10- through 12-year-olds from Williamston Free Methodist Church are preparing to travel to Pennsylvania for a church mission trip in July, a first for members at this age.
“This will be the first time (the church has) ever sent kids this young,” Event coordinator Jennifer Bigelow said.
Bigelow volunteered to plan the trip when she and her husband were nominated to lead the event after the previous children’s minister, stepped down.
Bigelow said the trip was organized through Group Mission Trips, a site that assists in the finding and booking of group mission trips. Continue reading
Monday’s full stomachs foreshadowed summer’s entertainment.
Gracie’s Place, 151 S. Putnam St., hosted the fourth Ribs for Art fundraising dinner on April 1 at 7 p.m. Attendees enjoyed barbecued ribs, potatoes, beans and dessert. All proceeds went toward the Williamston ArtFest, a free community event. ArtFest 2013 will be on July 27 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at McCormick Park.
Gracie’s Place owner Paul Joseph estimated that last year’s dinners raised $3,000 to $5,000.
“The thing I like best about ArtFest is how it brings so many diverse people to Williamston,” Joseph said.
Joseph and his wife, Dawn-Marie, came up with the dinner while brainstorming ways to contribute to ArtFest. The ArtFest committee purchases food through the restaurant and the city reimburses expenses.
“We do it because it is good for the entire community,” Joseph said.
Holly Thompson, ArtFest director, said the event has significantly offset city costs.
“The community has been really supportive of the dinners. Everybody seems to have a really good time,” Thompson said.