In the News

TSgt. Nathan Denryter, a Lapeer art teacher, talks to students about his time overseas. Photo by Jacob Hunsanger Cinderella’s Closet offers prom dresses and more at Feb. 24 sale

LAPEER — St. Paul Lutheran Church and School is once again hosting Cinderella’s Closet. The local market of prom dresses, accessories and more will be open for only one day on Friday, Feb. 24, from 2-6 p.m. This is a huge event for anyone interested in homecoming, prom, bridal and other formal dress attire.

Every year, St. Paul Lutheran collects and arranges a large selection of gently used dresses, jewelry and accessories and offers them to students and local residents for low prices. While prom dresses at the store can cost quite a bit of money, most prom dresses are only worn once or twice by the owner and then discarded. That means that the dresses at Cinderella’s Closet are in nearly brand new condition, and the organizers are pleased to offer the latest fashions and styles. They also carry a selection of bridal dresses for any customers looking at getting married.

Guests are invited to visit the church and shop through the selection of dresses, formal wear and accessories at Cinderella’s Closet on Friday, Feb. 24. St. Paul Lutheran Church is located at 90 Millville Rd., Lapeer. For more information, call the church office at 810-664-6653.

Local film to premier in East China next week

EAST CHINA — The independent film Mary’s Buttons, which was filmed at the historic Lapeer County Courthouse last April, will be shown at its premiere on Friday, Feb. 24 at the East China Performing Arts Center in East China, Mich.

The film, which was a historical crime drama about a murder in Michigan, was produced by Ray Govaere of Raygo Productions. The film’s debut will take place at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, and the filmmakers said they expect a full house.

Film society shows comedy

LAPEER — The Made-in-Michigan Film Society (MiMFS) is kicking off its 2012 season of monthly film screenings on Tuesday (Feb. 21) with a series of comedic short films. At 7 p.m. Tuesday at Gallery 194 in downtown Lapeer, MiMFS will host a free film screening of “Waiter from Hell,” along with a visit from Lansing-based filmmaker/actor Michael McCallum.

This is not the first time McCallum has been to the Lapeer area. At the February meeting last year, his film “Fairview St.” was very well received by the Lapeer audience. Making good on his promise to return to the area, McCallum is presenting his comedic series, “Waiter from Hell.”

Admission to the monthly MiMFS meeting and Gallery 194 is free and open to the public. There will be door prizes and a light dinner will be served. Free-will donations will also be accepted at the meeting.

For more information, call 810-882-1022 or visit online at www.madeinmichiganfilmfestival.org.

“A life changing decision to join the military comes with much that is never thought of by the general public,” Krieger continued. “Much is required as a commitment to join the military, which is both physically and mentally life-altering.”

Principal Heather Vance and Lapeer Community Schools Superintendent Matt Wandrie also spoke on Wednesday, thanking Denryter for his service and welcoming him back home. Denryter, who lives in Dryden, teaches art at Mayfield and Seaton Elementary schools. Seaton Elementary held a similar ceremony on Tuesday to welcome their teacher back as well.

TSgt. Denryter said he is more than happy to be home and was touched by the warm welcome he received at the schools. He is also looking forward to getting back to work as a teacher. He will return to work in the classroom on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

In Afghanistan, Denryter said that he and fellow troops were continually in combat situations. “We were attacked on a regular basis,” said Denryter, “somewhere in the neighborhood of 63 rockets and one car bomb in the first two months we were there. So there’s still stuff going on over there.”

However, students from Mayfield and Seaton helped to make his deployment a little better by giving him all the support they could. “I got so many care packages. I shared them with all the other guys. There was more than I could ever use,” said Denryter with a big smile. “The school’s were great. I got great support from the schools.” Those care packages included food and candy, along with cards and letters.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into the classroom,” Denryter added. “Getting back to business as usual.”