Construction & Development

Williamston’s Community Center remains a gathering place for the city

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There’s a building that has been standing strong outside Williamston’s downtown district since the late 1800s. The old community school has been refurbished to serve a new purpose. From the wear and tear of students age 6 to 18, multiple fires, and a tornado hitting the city, the building still remains a gathering place for Williamston. Dearborn, Michigan’s historic City Hall has been transformed into housing for artists and their families. In South Haven, an empty high school has been transformed into contemporary lofts.

Nonprofits & Social Services

Williamston Sunrise Rotary Club puts ‘Service Above Self’ into action

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“Service Above Self” is a common phrase, but how often does action back up these three simple words? For the Williamston Sunrise Rotary Club, its goal is to put these words into action. The club hosts several events throughout the year to raise money for the community, charitable organizations and grants. “All the money we make, we turn around and give it to our community or international charities,” secretary and webmaster for the club Gene Klco said. One event is the duck race held the third week in June.

News

Williamston High School partners with Michigan State University on research project to improve science program

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On Sept. 5, five doctors who specialize in education gathered to discuss the future of Williamston High School’s science curriculum. Two of the doctors were research associates from Michigan State University’s Education Department. MSU is working with the University of Helsinki in Finland on a research project called PIRE. The school wants its students to enjoy learning and thanks to the PIRE program, it now has a way to measure that enjoyment.

News

Williamston elementary schools implement STEAM into the curriculum

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Principal Pat VanRemmen never could have imagined how positive the effect of adding STEAM to the curriculum would be at Discovery Elementary. The new elective, focused on bringing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math together, has been a hit with both the parents and students. “I had one parent commenting about how their daughter is coming home with ideas for inventions,” VanRemmen said. The program was implemented in Discovery (young 5s through second grade) and Explorer (third through fifth grade) Elementary Schools in the fall. STEAM is an additional elective all students must take.

News

Williamston hosts its annual Williamston History Day Tours

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Williamston held its annual Williamston History Day Tours on Oct. 7. There were five sites on the free tour: The Williamston Depot Museum, Branch School, Summit, Mount Calvary and Foote cemeteries. The museum’s vice president and Williamston High School history teacher, Mitch Lutzke, has helped coordinate the event the past seven years. “Community members really like it,” said Lutzke.

Elizabeth Williams School of Dance prepares for “The Nutcracker”

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It may only be October but Elizabeth Williams School of Dance has been working on their December ballet performance of “The Nutcracker” since late August. For the past 25 years, Elizabeth Williams School of Dance located in Williamston, has been educating and instructing on the art of ballet. Five years ago, the school became a nonprofit ballet company.  

“We had a ballet school, then we decided to create a nonprofit company so we can perform and be eligible for grants,” said owner and artistic director Elizabeth Williams, also known as Miss Liz. The dance school puts on recitals every June but the company does classical performances throughout the year.

News

Williamston Red Cedar Garden Club is hard at work, even with end of summer

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WILLIAMSTON – Although the summer may be coming to a close, this doesn’t mean the Williamston Red Cedar Garden Club is calling it quits for the chilly months ahead. The club purchases, plants and maintains six gardens owned by the city. These include the gazebo, butterfly garden, Blue Star Memorial, the area around the McCormick Park restrooms and two planters in downtown Williamston. They also maintain the Williamston Depot Museum and the Williamston U.S. Post Office. Williamston Mayor Tammy Gilroy said, “They have been very integral with keeping our community very colorful.”

In the cooler months, the 47-member club finds plenty of ways to stay busy when they can’t be outdoors beautifying the city.