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(07/12/06 4:00am)
The old saying “one person’s trash is another’s treasure” applies to
Nicole Jamison.
The Mount Pleasant sophomore said she has spent her summer pursuing
numerous garage sales, many during the city-wide garage sale held in
June, in search of those treasures.
“I probably hit up 30 garage sales, if not more, (during the June
sale)” Jamison said.
Garage sales have become a common phenomenon with American culture.
Every summer residents scour city streets and back roads, comb the
classified ads and look for makeshift signs in search of cheap prices
and big bargains.
Clothing can go for as low as 25 cents per article. Furniture like
couches and desks can be priced as low as five bucks.
In the end, customers go home satisfied after they’ve saved
themselves from another trip to Wal-Mart. And the sellers get the
satisfaction of making some money with little work involved.
Jamison said she spent $35 during June’s city-wide sale, buying
several things including an entertainment center, a Nintendo 64 video
game system and shoes.
“You can get lots of cool stuff for real cheap,” Jamison said.
Garage salesman and Mount Pleasant resident Dick Lumbert is one of
those who sells “cool stuff” for “real cheap.”
He said he buys items at estate auctions and then sells them in his
own sales, which he holds a couple times a year.
But while this might sound like the strategy of a business man,
Lumbert’s sales aren’t about making money – they’re about making
friends.
“We don’t make much,” Lumbert said. “We like to meet people.”
Lumbert said he usually makes his garage sales a family affair by
having his daughter and grandchildren hang around for the sale.
“My grandson, he likes meeting people,” Lumbert said. “He’s a
salesman.”
Anything Lumbert said he doesn’t sell, he gives to the Salvation
Army.
CMU graduate Shelly Machuta said she convinced her mother to
participate in their neighborhood garage sale, which took place
Saturday and included Lumbert’s. She wasn’t looking to make money,
however.
She was looking to make space.
“I have so much to get rid of,” Machuta said.
Neighbor Linda Pohl had similar motivation.
“It’s nice to get rid of all that stuff you have,” the Mount
Pleasant resident said.
(07/12/06 4:00am)
Southern alternative rock band “Sister Hazel” will headline CMU’s
annual MAINStage event in August.
The band, featuring Ken Block (vocalist/guitarist), Andrew Copeland
(guitarist/vocalist), Ryan Newell (lead guitarist), Jeff Beres
(bassist), Mark Trojanowski (drummer), was popular in the 90s with hits
like “All for You,” “Happy” and “Change Your Mind.”
“Sister Hazel” is touring throughout the summer. Its new album –
“Absolutely” – comes out in September.
“We are all very happy with the choice,” said Eric Kmetz, Harper
Woods junior and MAINStage co-chair.
MAINStage co-chair and Macomb junior Heather Hillman said she isn’t
as familiar with the band as others are, but said students will be
familiar with their music.
Kmetz said On the Fly and Program Board were interested in several
bands to headline MAINStage, including “Panic! at the Disco,” “The
Fray” and “All-American Rejects.”
“A lot of the bands we were looking at were going to be in Europe,”
Hillman said.
In the end, “Sister Hazel” was the best fit, Kmetz said.
Hillman said she isn’t sure of the cost for the band. An offer was
put out near the end of last week, and the band accepted the beginning
of this week, Hillman said.
As for an opening act, nothing has been decided.
“We haven’t really talked about it,” Hillman said. “We might go
local.”
MAINStage is an annual event the Sunday before classes begin in the
fall. This year’s event will include three carnival rides, games, food,
prizes and representatives from registered student organizations
promoting their RSOs.
The involvement of local businesses also is of interest to the
MAINStage crew.
“We’re trying to involve the community a bit more,” Kmetz said. “Let
the freshmen know there’s more in the area.”
MAINStage will take place Sunday, Aug. 27, in Rose Ponds.
(07/06/06 4:00am)
Fireworks burst in the air Tuesday night in the distance as
residents from around the Breckenridge area watch during the Fourth of
July celebration.
(07/06/06 4:00am)
Central Michigan might not be the pinnacle of American culture in the
minds of many who live here.
But for eight Chinese medical students, it’s their window into
another way of life.
The students are part of an exchange program between CMU and the
Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, which officials are expecting
to become an annual affair.
The students have a month to experience the educational and
social facets of the American way of life while studying English and
medical terminology in Central Michigan.
“I’m very excited to be here,” said Beijing student Susan Sun. “The
university is very nice and the air is clean and fresh.”
The Beijing students have 18 days remaining in their 28-day learning
experience in the U.S., which focuses on the educational and social
facets of the American way of life while studying English and medical
terminology.
The exchange students said they look forward to the absorbing more
knowledge.
“The language is not a problem for me, taking in so much information
is,” said exchange student Heidi Han.
Throughout their summer, the Beijing students will be introduced to
American culture and medical terminology in creative ways. CMU’s
English and health departments have joined forces in catering to the
students from every angle.
Kenlea Pebbles, English Language and Literature temporary faculty,
is teaching the exchange students in an American Culture course. She
has adopted a system of methods similar to the movie “School of Rock,”
utilizing Edmond Fitzgerald records, to allow the students “to get the
concepts that comes with the culture.”
“I’ve been working with international students for four years at
Central,” Pebbles said.
The students’ schedule of daily activities is designed to keep them
busy and introduce them to new things.
Pebbles said the group celebrated the Fourth of July with a picnic.
They also went canoeing over the weekend and are expected to go rock
climbing Friday at Finch Fieldhouse.
“There’s no such thing as a typical day (for them),” Pebbles said.
The students all have similar reasons for choosing to study abroad.
All will have to use English to assist them with their career in the
medical field.
Laura Jhu said she ventured to America to learn more about the
culture and the medical system. Being homesick, she said, is her
biggest challenge in being here.
For all of the students, visiting America is a first, and although
some may miss their families, they said they are enjoying their time in
the U.S.
“This is my first time studying abroad and I look at it as an
opportunity to explore new things,” said exchange student Chana Li.
Chana Li said she enjoys the people-friendly environment and the
“big, clean” campus.
Beijing University of Chinese Medicine teacher Kathleen Li has acted
as a chaperone for the group.
“This is the first project of this kind,” Kathleen Li said. “But we
hope to do more in the future.”
(07/06/06 4:00am)
Jake Tillman, 16-year-old Beal City resident, swings from the rope
swing located on a trail that runs up to the Chippewa River near Winn
Road. He and Kent Roberson, 19-year-old Beal City resident and Mid
Michigan Community College student, tied a rope with a handle on it to
a tree hanging out over the Chippewa River to create the swing.
(06/28/06 4:00am)
Aidan DesJardins, 2-year-old Mount Pleasant resident, feeds a goat
with help from his mother, Cindy DesJardins, Sunday afternoon at the
Mount Pleasant Summer Festival in Island Park. A petting zoo was part
of the festivities, with many animals, including baby cows goats,
rabbits, llamas and even an emu.
(06/28/06 4:00am)
“I got one!” yells three-year-old Mount Pleasant resident Nicholas
Seider as he attempts to win a fishing game by putting a shark on his
hook Saturday afternoon at the Mount Pleasant Summer Festival at Island
Park. The 22nd annual Summer Fest took place June 21 through Sunday.
(06/28/06 4:00am)
Several alumni will be back in Mount Pleasant Saturday even though
Homecoming still is four months away.
In celebration of CMU’s 20th year of touring Summer Theatre, 19
alumni will present a special performance of Neil Simon’s “The Good
Doctor” in Moore Hall’s Bush Theatre.
Leading the list is Larry Joe Campbell, a 1992 graduate and star of
the ABC sitcom “According to Jim.”
Steve Berglund, University Theatre director and the play’s director,
said it wasn’t hard convincing many of the alumni to perform.
“Most of the people I contacted wanted to do it right away,” he
said. “I have sent them scripts. We will be rehearsing intensively
Friday and Saturday of this week.”
Berglund said he has high expectations for the play and that it will
showcase a lot of great talent.
“I think it’s going to be great fun,” he said. “It’s a very good
play. To be able to put these people in, it’s going to make it that
much more special.”
Production manager Stephanie Buck, Ann Arbor senior, said having all
the alumni back says a lot about the program.
“It’s a great opportunity to show all of the talent to come out of
our school,” she said. “We get so much of our support from previous
members.”
Members of Summer Theatre will help in the production of “The Good
Doctor.”
Buck said setting up and being on the other side of production will
help students.
“This gives us the professional experience to do everything,” she
said. “It’s not just knowledge to me. It’s something that I can give to
the next group and be able to contribute.”
The 19 alumni include several former members of Summer Theatre as
well as playwrights, directors, actors, actresses, screenwriters and
choreographers.
“The significance of Summer Theatre is tremendous,” Berglund said.
“It’s really important to what we do here. That’s why these people are
willing to support it.”
Buck said Summer Theatre students are working hard and that the
one-night event will be exciting.
“The buzz of a fun event will take the work out of it,” she said.
“Less work, more play.”
Tickets for the fundraising play cost $25. A reception in Theatre On
the Side in Moore Hall will follow the performance.
“People can meet and mingle with cast and crew of the event,”
Berglund said.
(06/21/06 4:00am)
Klara Krumery, 5, (left) grabs onto a parachute while Morgan Grew,
5, runs underneath as their daycare instructors toss the chute into the
air in front of Warriner Hall. The children's instructors are students
in a program that is part of Human Growth and Development classes 402
and 409.
(06/21/06 4:00am)
This is the fourth in a six-part series showcasing ways to have summer
fun in Mount Pleasant.
There are only a few avenues of escape in the Mount Pleasant area
when Mother Nature unleashes 90-degree temperatures.
Often those avenues include beer and water.
Evan Puruleski spent his Saturday afternoon at Chippewa River
Outfitters getting as much use as he could out of both.
And it was cheap, too.
“What else can you do for $10 and a 30-pack (of beer)?” the Sterling
Heights senior said.
Puruleski is one of many students and residents who venture out on
inner tubes, canoes and kayaks on the Chippewa River every summer.
He said it’s a fun and cheap way to beat summer heat, and Mike
Anderson, owner of Chippewa River Outfitters, 3763 S. Lincoln Road,
agreed.
“For $10 it’s cheap entertainment on a hot day,” he said.
Anderson said the majority of the college students who come use a
tube rather than canoe or kayak. The latter two activities are utilized
more by families.
On average Puruleski said he and his friends return to the river
four or five times during the summer.
“Usually we get everybody out together on the weekends,” said
Midland junior Kyle Winters.
The group of friends came prepared for the three- to four-hour trip
with more than just bathing suits and grinning faces.
They brought 72 beers for the eight of them as well.
“Beer is food,” said Macomb sophomore Tony Smith.
Although drinking alcoholic beverages is common among college
students while tubing, there are rules that every river-goer must abide.
State laws enforced on the river include no disorderly actions, no
littering, no possession of alcohol by minors, no trespassing and no
possession of controlled substances.
Area rental places also have their own rules, as they prohibit
glass, Styrofoam and Jell-O shots or plastic cups.
“People step on the glass in the river bed,” said Nick Zeien,
manager of Cracker Barrel General Store/Canoe Delivery, 20 E. Remus
Road. “We’re just trying to keep that from happening.”
There are other problems involved with drunk students on the river.
Zeien said he has gotten complaints about students yelling and using
profanity, as well as using lawns that line the river as public
restrooms.
“Most people are pretty good about listening to the rules,” Anderson
said.
If people are caught violating the rules, they are banned from
future renting of equipment from all Isabella County liveries. Usually
it happens a couple times a summer, although no one has been banned
yet, Anderson said.
When Mount Pleasant junior Molly Brehm goes tubing with her friends,
she said she comes prepared with sunscreen, lip balm, bug spray and
salt. The salt is in case she picks up a leech.
“Every time I go, one person gets one,” Brehm said. “I know I’m due.”
Leeches aside, Brehm said she made sure to bring her cooler/radio to
store drinks and listen to music.
Anderson said CRO is usually busy on the weekends, and the only way
to guarantee getting a tube is with a reservation.
“Sometimes you have 30-to-40 people waiting to go tubing,” Zeien
said. “It makes it a really interesting job.”
Both CRO and Cracker Barrel turned away numerous potential tubers
Saturday afternoon because they were booked.
(06/21/06 4:00am)
After a three-year hiatus the Central Michigan University Summer Concert Series is coming back
to campus.
This year’s series, which begins July 6, will take place at Warriner
Mall.
“It’s a great location for something like this because the parking
is close; it is shaded and we can move it right into (Warriner Hall’s)
Plachta Auditorium if it rains,” said Bob Ebner, director of university
events.
“Music on the Mall,” formerly known as “Beyond the Ponds,” was
created by the provost’s office as a way to give the community a free
concert series that highlighted Michigan performers. It was previously
held at Rose Ponds.
Rose Ponds is unavailable this year because of ongoing construction.
“Music on the Mall” is sponsored by University Events and will be
broadcast live for the first time on 104.3 WCZY. It will take place
every Thursday at 7 p.m.
This year’s series will feature four bands – The Saucecats, The
Claudia Schmidt Quartet, Ray’s Café Americaine and the Alma
College Percussion Ensemble.
Ebner said moving the series back to campus will help draw more
people to the concert.
“It benefits the university and the community as a whole because it
is important to have a variety of performances that will bring the
community together and shade a variety of music styles that people
might not get a chance to be exposed to,” Ebner said.
He said the series normally draws 350 to 500 people.
“Music on the Mall” will kick off July 6 with The Saucecats, a New
Orleans and Mardi Gras-style band. The Saucecats play a large mix of
music from Zydeco and Cajun Funk, along with some old Rhythm and Blues.
The Claudia Schmidt Quartet will perform July 13 with a variety of
musical styles, including jazz, blues and some originals of its own.
Ray’s Café Americaine will perform July 20. The group’s
repertoire includes early 20th century American, French and
international standards.
“Our instrumentation is a little unusual, including an accordion,
two guitars and an upright bass, but the musicians are superbly
talented,” Ray Kamalay of Ray’s Café Americaine said. “We are
pleased to come to Mount Pleasant, the concerts are usually
well-organized and the audiences are quite nice.”
Kamalay said the group is so new that it is difficult to say who
their music appeals to, but hopes people come out and judge for
themselves.
Alma College Percussion Ensemble will conclude the 2006 season with
a performance of jazz, steel drum and classical music on July 27.
(06/14/06 4:00am)
This is the third in a six-part series showcasing ways to have summer
fun in Mount Pleasant.
Trash talk can be heard outside the Phi Kappa Tau social fraternity
house when the brothers are outside on a sunny day playing horseshoes.
“Believe me,” said Waterford alumnus Chaz Millard, “If you are
winning, you let everyone know.”
The guys usually play horseshoes two or three times a week with a
group of friends, and they sometimes have a barbecue. They enjoy the
game because it’s easy and it’s something to do in their spare time.
The sport’s popularity has opened doors for different versions of
the game to be hatched. Students in house yards or apartment complexes
throughout Mount Pleasant can be seen playing these newer versions –
usually with a beer in one hand.
“Hold a horseshoe in one hand, beer in another,” said Midland
alumnus John Kaczynski.
Team “Robin Williams,” made up of Millard and Kaczynski, played team
“Young’ns,” composed of Plymouth junior Dominic D’aguanno and Oxford
senior Josh Havener, over the weekend at the PKT house.
The point of the game is to encircle the horseshoe around a stake by
tossing it. Two teams of two compete up to 21 points. Points are
distributed either by a ringer for three points or by throwing the
horseshoe closest to the stake for one point.
Points are not given to shoes that bounce off the backboard, and
it’s common for shoes that lean on the post – “leaners” – to garner two
points.
The newer games are modeled after the same rules.
One game, commonly called “washers,” involves teams of two tossing
large, industrial washers into a makeshift wooden box. The box’s middle
usually contains a PVC pipe.
Normally, three points are awarded if the washer makes it into the
pipe, two if the washer lands on the edge of the box and one if it
makes it in the box.
Another game, sometimes called “ladder golf” or “Monkeyball,”
involves a pair of golf balls tied together with rope. Then, much like
horseshoes, teams of two toss them back and forth to goals.
The goals are composed of the rungs, roughly a foot apart. Each rung
represents a different point total.
Other similar games students partake in include beanbag tossing and
bocce ball.
However, no matter what type of game, beer and trash talk are almost
always involved.
The trash talk between the fraternity’s alumni and active members
this weekend included topics like amount of body hair and usage of
Viagra, as well as the sun being in players’ eyes and bees that buzz
around them.
An added element to the game is a New York Yankee Jason Giambi
bobble head. It stands on the stake before being placed in front of the
stake.
“We like to hit him, just for fun,” Millard said. “It’s a side game
for us.”
The brothers said they aren’t big fans of the Yankees. At one point
during their game, Millard rings the bobble head.
“You don’t get any points for that,” D’aguanno said.
After several tosses hit the backboard, some are overshot and a few
land far right and left of the pit, the game ends in the alumni’s favor
with a final score of 21 to 10.
“At least we made double digits,” D’aguanno said.
Kaczynski said there are several houses on Main Street with
horseshoe pits.
“Whenever you’re riding your bike down in the summer, you hear
people hitting the pole,” Kaczynski said.
The game is so popular that there is a National Horseshoe Pitchers
Association of America.
According to the association, an estimated 15 million enthusiasts
throughout just the United States and Canada alone play in tournaments,
leagues, recreation areas and backyards.
The sport also is played internationally in such countries like
South Africa, Italy, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland,
Poland, England and Russia, to name a few
(06/14/06 4:00am)
Trenton Leckie, 4, of Mount Pleasant, and his father Nathan ride
tubes down the Chippewa river rapids at Mill Pond Park Sunday. The boy
and his father went down the small portion of river over and over,
laughing each time.
(06/14/06 4:00am)
MTV’s popular reality show “MADE” is all about helping people reach
their goals and potential.
One of CMU’s own doctoral students had the opportunity to help a
high school student do just that.
Kip Hartman, who is in his last year of the physical therapy
program, will appear on the television show’s seventh season as Mount
Pleasant High School senior Katie Keske’s personal trainer and
motivator.
Keske’s goals for the show, which already has been taped, were to
lose 20 pounds and be voted prom queen at her high school.
“At times it was difficult to keep her motivated,” Hartman said.
“She had never been through a rigorous physical program before.”
Hartman had Keske on a meticulous workout regimen, which included
low-impact, high-intensity aerobic exercises.
“She had some back issues, so we had to be careful,” Hartman said.
“To help with that we focused on strengthening her core.”
In addition to Keske keeping with her workout, she also had to stick
to a 1,600 calorie-per-day diet.
“I wouldn’t call it a ‘diet,’” Hartman said. “More that she was
watching what she ate.”
Keske may not have achieved her goal of becoming prom queen, but she
did lose the 20 pounds in six weeks. Hartman said his favorite part of
the experience was the challenge.
“She wasn’t very motivated and she had some pretty lofty goals,” he
said. “I always had to be on my toes.”
Hartman said the challenge also was the most difficult part mainly
because of the time constraints. He said they worked out three to four
hours a day; in addition, he had to contend with his job and class work.
“I was working 18 hours a day at work and school,” he said. “I
wasn’t getting much sleep.”
Hartman said he got interested in the physical therapy program after
he had to go through physical therapy in high school.
Clinical Physical Therapy Supervisor Julia Keepper of Wellness
Central Fitness was the one who encouraged Hartman to apply for the
position.
Keepper said she thinks Hartman did a good job working with Keske
and being in front of the cameras.
“He always does an excellent job with the clients,” she said. “He
gives it his all and individualizes everything; he listens to what
people want to accomplish and helps them.”
Hartman and Keepper both are eager to see the episode, which airs
sometime in July.
“The first couple days, it was a little awkward,” Hartman said about
being in front of the cameras. “I’m nervous about seeing myself on TV.
It’s difficult to even hear myself on a voice recording.”
In addition to Hartman’s family having all their Tivos set for the
show, Keepper is hoping to have a screening at Wellness Central Fitness.
“We want to have it on all the TV’s and have Kip signing
autographs,” Keepper said.
(06/14/06 4:00am)
Central Michigan does not have fantastic sandy beaches or enjoyable
amusement parks.
(06/07/06 4:00am)
Jamie Fonseca isn’t just a well-decorated Special Olympic athlete.
He’s a ladies man as well.
“He is the biggest flirt,” teased Jennifer Courtright, Fonseca’s
coach and Weidman senior.
Fonseca replied with a blush and a laugh.
“You hush,” he said.
Fonseca, a 25-year-old Mount Pleasant resident, was one of 3,000
athletes to compete this weekend at the Special Olympics Michigan 2006
State Summer Games at CMU.
And he did a lot more than just flirt with women.
He, along with Michelle Trombley, 27, of Alma, took the Special
Olympics motto – “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in
the attempt” – to heart.
Trombley and Fonseca will compete in the first-ever Special Olympics
USA National Games, which run July 2-7 in Ames, Iowa.
Fonseca has been participating in Special Olympics for the past 10
years. He competes in the shot-put, softball throw and running events.
“I’m also good at basketball,” Fonseca said. “One of my friends
taught me how to (get involved).”
Trombley will compete at the National Games in track and field
events.
“I’m excited,” Trombley said. “I can’t wait. I have never flown
before and I’ve always wanted to go.”
Trombley received second place in the pentathlon this weekend. The
pentathlon awards athletes for high marks in the high jump, running
long jump and the 400-meter and 100-meter runs.
Trombley has been competing in the Special Olympics since she was 15
years old. She said running and friends are why she keeps coming back.
“My favorite event is track and field because I like to run,”
Trombley said.
Fonseca also said he enjoys the Special Olympic Games because of all
the people, including the volunteers and coaches.
Courtright said Fonseca has so many medals that they could border
his room.
But it’s the athletes’ personalities and never-give-up attitude that
impresses her most.
“I’ve been coaching for three years,” Courtright said. “I can’t
explain what they bring into your life. They’re always willing to do
their best.”
Both local athletes will be well-prepared for Nationals.
To prepare for the games, Trombley said she practices with other
athletes once a week, all year round.
“I also ran the 5K and torch run at the Highland Festival,” Trombley
said.
(06/07/06 4:00am)
They recite 15 words at the opening ceremonies of every competition.
“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”
More than 3,000 athletes uttered those words in unison Thursday at
Kelly/Shorts Stadium to kick off the Special Olympics Michigan 2006
State Summer Games.
They then spent the next two days living by them.
“I think for the athletes, it is more important that they are here,”
said Lou Grebetz, a coach from Brighton.
More than 2,000 coaches and volunteers also were on hand throughout
the weekend, which included competitions all day Friday and Saturday
and a closing ceremony and victory dance Friday evening.
Throughout the weekend the athletes ran their fastest, threw their
hardest and laughed their loudest, reminding many of the true meaning
of sports.
They were not only there to win; they were there to have fun.
During the events it was not an uncommon sight to see teammates and
coaches cheering for the competing teams. Smiles lit the faces of
almost every competitor, no matter how they fared in the event. It was
a sports competition fueled by an overwhelming attitude of positivity.
And there were plenty of hugs to go around.
“It is a competitive event but the most important thing is that
they’re having fun,” said Richard Wallace, a coach from Mount Clemens.
Athletes competed – and had fun – in many events, including
weightlifting, volleyball, bocce ball and handball.
And in the end, after all the medals and awards were handed out, the
athletes left just as they arrived – with smiles.
(06/07/06 4:00am)
“It’s all about fun,” said Brandon Shultz, 10, of Houghton Lake.
Shultz placed third in the running long jump at Bennett Track Saturday.
He was proud to show off his Special Olympics T-shirt that football
players, soldiers and policemen had signed for him.
(06/07/06 4:00am)
Eric Gloster, 13-year-old Flint resident, takes a break from Special
Olympics competitions with friend Brian Moore, 14-year-old Flint
resident (background), and scoots around in one of the many areas
set up for children in the Student Activity Center parking lot Friday
afternoon.
(06/07/06 4:00am)
Island Park might not have been able to hold everyone Tuesday if it was
really an island.
More than 1,000 students, city residents and others from across the
state showed up throughout the day for the second annual Hometown Music
Festival.
The 10-hour free music festival, which included 11 bands in all,
rocked the park with some of the best performances by “Mindspeed,” “The
Fear Between us All” and local band “White Noise.”
“White Noise” originally organized the Hometown Music Festival to
promote and network its band.
“We did it mainly to get together local bands,” said Bill Ketchum,
“White Noise” guitarist and Mount Pleasant resident. “There is not a
lot of collaboration among bands ... there is competition.”
He said Mount Pleasant’s music scene needs some added kick to help
local talent – his reasoning for starting the festival.
Ketchum and CMU alumnus John McEvers, lead vocalist of “White
Noise,” both said Mount Pleasant is a small market for musical talent.
Although several successful acts have come out of the town, both
want to put Mount Pleasant on the map musically.
“I feel like I’m adding something to my own community,” McEvers said.
Mount Pleasant resident Scott Sexton said the festival is helpful
for local people to show off their talent, and Summer sophomore Kent
Billingham, of the band “Strum Bums,” agreed.
“There’s never really any festivals for us to play,” Billingham
said. “It gives a chance for people to come out and listen.”
Ketchum said he hopes future music festivals can be used as a
fundraiser to help build a new venue for local music.
This year, however, served as a way to get to know talented people
and hopefully create some connections professionally, he said.
