The Michigan Philharmonic has lost performance opportunities due to COVID-19.  They are making adjustments to their schedule this summer, and anticipating performances this fall.  This month they are raising money through the national Giving Tuesday Now program, and are able to extend the fundraiser through the end of the month because of a generous gift from a patron.  88.1 the Park’s Station Manager, Bill Keith, spoke with Michigan Philharmonic Executive Director, Beth Stewart.

Community-Focus-20200520
(10:05)

The Plymouth Buicks played their first baseball game 100 years ago this week.  The amateur team played one season in Plymouth.  88.1 the Park’s Station Manager, Bill Keith, spoke with Salem Social Studies Teacher, Darrin Silvester, and Plymouth High School Senior, Josh Podzikowski, about the team, other local teams and the American Culture and Baseball class at Plymouth=Canton Educational Park.

Community-Focus-20200513
(14:01)

Jesse Lindlbauer is the namesake for the SJ5K.  The run was created as a fundraiser after Jesse, then a student at Plymouth-Canton Educational Park, had a near fatal brain injury.  88.1 the Park’s Operations Manager, Anna Brandl, spoke with Jesse and his parents, Barb and David, about the history of the run and seeing it go virtual this year.

Community-Focus-20200506
(11:21)

The Virtual SJ5K kicks off on Sunday May 3, at 8:00 a.m. with their opening ceremony, broadcast live on 88.1 the Park.  The annual run benefits five families in our community and has raised over $500,000 over the past nine years.  The race is directed by students at Plymouth-Canton Educational Park but they have a team of dedicated adult and alumni advisors.  88.1 the Park Operations Manager, Anna Brandl, spoke with six of the alums for this special edition of Community Focus.  The alums include:

• Madeline Viergutz:  2013 graduate and former SJ5K Student Coordinator; currently serves on the SJ5K Foundation board and leads the Legacy Family Outreach committee
• Shannon Perry:  2014 graduate and former SJ5K Student Lead Coordinator
• Melissa Parent:  2015 graduate and former SJ5K student leadership committee member; currently supporting the SJ5K Foundation as the alumni liaison to rally alumni engagement
• Abbey Jansen:  2017 graduate and former SJ5K Student Lead Coordinator
• Kirsti Beaudoin:  2017 graduate and former SJ5K student leadership committee member
• Emily Britton:  2019 graduate and former SJ5K student leadership committee member

Community-Focus-20200429
(14:58)

The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, in a partnership with Eastern Market, The Belle Isle Conservancy, Downtown Detroit Partnership and the City of Detroit,  has released an online coloring book for kids and families in the community.  The coloring book spotlights parks throughout the city.  Bill Keith spoke with Detroit Riverfront Conservancy President and CEO, Mark Wallace, about this project.

Community-Focus-20200422
(10:26)