NEWS & HAPPENINGS

April 1, 2021 – Hartland Consolidated Schools is offering virtual summer classes for high school students, May 28 – August 6, 2021 from anywhere–you control the time, place, and pace! HCS wants to help students recover lost credit. Students in need of credit recovery may be eligible for free tuition. Why enroll? Accelerate your learning, satisfy a prerequisite for Honors/AP, explore a new interest, recover lost credit, or finish Michigan Merit Curriculum graduation requirements. Students can choose from over 150 classes that range from core requirements to CTE, electives and AP courses. Students read, watch, interact and submit instructional content on the online systems. You must have reliable access to the internet to participate.
For course questions, contact Hartland Virtual Academy Principal Nicole Conley at nicoleconley@hartlandschool.us. For registration questions, contact Community Education Director Carol Hayes at carolhayes@hartlandschools.us. The summer registration form is available below or on the Community Ed, HCS, and Alternative Ed websites.

June 1, 2021 –

Cromaine District Library is inviting the community to register for the Tails & Tales Summer Reading Challenge! Patrons can register online at www.cromaine.org or in person at the Library. Log your reading from June 1 through August 5 and complete fun activities for chances to win prizes. Grand prizes include gift cards to some of your favorite local stores and restaurants, including Black Rock Bar & Grill, Dairy Queen, the Detroit Zoo, Mackle’s, Target and more, plus themed prize packs filled with fun.

The Summer Reading Challenge for 2021 has fun new activities and prizes, including gift cards for $15-25 and prize packs filled with art supplies, unicorn themed items, and more. When asked about this year’s challenge, Youth Services Manager Marta Jackson added, “The best part is you can read whatever and whenever you want!  Some of the challenges kids and teens can find when they log into their reading log are a Read To Your Pet Photo Contest, Design a New Animal art project, and more. We’re excited to see what they come up with!”

June 6, 2021 – Cromaine Library’s Summer Concert Series is back for the 13th year! The concerts are on the South Lawn on Tuesday nights from June 29 through August 3. Cromaine’s Community Relations Manager Pam Holtz can’t wait to welcome the community for live music, “With vaccination numbers on the rise and the CDC’s encouraging guidance on outdoor events, we are excited to be bringing back some of our best bands to Cromaine’s South Lawn! There’s plenty of space to comfortably maintain social distance and enjoy the music, so if you weren’t able to join in the fun last year, please consider stopping by. We are looking forward to seeing everyone’s smiling faces!”

Along with music, each week a new food truck is on the lawn with food for purchase. Additionally, a concession with sweet treats will benefit the Cromaine Scholarship fund or a local non-profit group. “The first concert will be special as well because we invited the two winners of our Cromaine Scholarships to present them with their awards and to recognize their achievements in front of the community,” said Director Mallorie DeVilbiss. 

On concert nights, gather at 6:30 pm, music starts at 7:00 pm and continues to 8:30 pm. Rain location called by 5:00 pm on Cromaine Library’s website WWW.CROMAINE.ORG or Cromaine’s Facebook page. Concerts are a family-friendly event–don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs or a blanket.

June 29: The George Brothers–a great mix of the music you love from over the decades. Food Truck–D&W Street Eatery
July 6: Just Around the Corner–the local band we love playing bluegrass, old rock, gospel, and more. Food Truck–Captain’s Wööd Fired Pies
July 13: The Byron Legacy Show–the voices of Tom Jones, Neil Diamond, Elvis, Karen Carpenter and more. Food Truck–D&W’s Street Eatery
July 20: Alan Turner–high energy country with a pumping rock ‘n roll sound. Food Truck–Tony Sacco’s pizza (get a slice when you make a donation to the LESA Backpacks for Kids!)
July 27: Fast Eddie’s Band–rock ‘n roll and blues. Food Truck–Sup Dogs
August 3: Magic Bus Band–the songs…the look…the feel of the Woodstock Era. Food Truck: Hickory BBQ & Grill

July 5, 2021 – Join the Hartland Living Community Conversation with Hartland Consolidated Schools Superintendent Chuck Hughes as he gives an update on the work taking place around the district during the summer thanks to the 2020 Bond. View the video at https://bit.ly/HCSconversationJuly2021.
For even more photos and dates, check out the presentation that was given at the June HCS Board of Education meeting below.

July 26, 2021 – The Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 25th Anniversary and Director Katie Chuba gives an update on the events happening for the rest of 2021. If you do business in Hartland, don’t miss these events for networking, information, support and more! For the full calendar and details, visit the Chamber’s website at hartlandchamber.org today.

August 09, 2021 –

It’s time to nominate the outstanding volunteers you know for Hartland Living’s Volunteer of the Year 2021! Nominate someone making a difference in our community and let us recognize their hard work!

Nominations are being accepted through August 30th. The Hartland Living Volunteer of the Year committee will then select the top nominees to be made available for an online public vote that will take place between September 6th and the 20th.

The winner will be honored at the State of the Community Address on October 4th, which will be held at the Hartland Music Hall. They will also be honored at the Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce 25th Anniversary & Awards Gala set for December 10th.

The Hartland Living Volunteer of the Year is an initiative of Hartland’s Partners in Progress, a joint venture between Hartland Consolidated Schools, Cromaine District Library, Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce and Hartland Township.

September 1, 2021 –

Cromaine Library is encouraging community members of all ages to Card Up! to Explore Cromaine and Support the Community. They have partnered with 7 local businesses to offer discounts and deals when patrons show their Cromaine Library Card during Library Card Sign-up Month in September. To get a Cromaine Library card, you must live within the Hartland Consolidated School District boundaries. If you’re employed in Hartland, you’re eligible for a card as well–just bring in both a photo ID and proof of employment (badge or pay stub). Non-resident students who attend school (parochial, charter, or School of Choice) in Hartland are also eligible with student identification.

Included in this year’s campaign are: Aquatic Adventures of MI, BIGGBY Coffee of Hartland, Dairy Queen Hartland, Dunham Hills Golf Club, Hartland Flowers, Inc, Tony Sacco’s Hartland, and Tropical Smoothie Cafe – Hartland. 

September 6, 2021 –

We Need Your Help!

There are six amazing nominees for Volunteer of the Year, and now we need your vote! Public voting takes place September 6 – 20, 2021.
Read about each one and cast your vote carefully, as only one vote per voter is allowed. Voting is not anonymous (your email address verifies your one vote).

The winner of the Hartland Living Volunteer of the Year award is decided by equal votes from Hartland’s Partners in Progress (Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce; Hartland Consolidated Schools; Cromaine District Library; Hartland Township), and from the public voting ONLINE.

The Hartland Living Volunteer of the Year is an initiative of Hartland’s Partners in Progress, a joint venture between Hartland Consolidated Schools, Cromaine District Library, Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce and Hartland Township.

September 25, 2021–

The public is invited to join the Partners in Progress for the State of the Community address! Hear from Bill Fountain Hartland Township Supervisor, Chuck Hughes Hartland Consolidated Schools Superintendent, Katie Chuba Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce Director, and  Mallorie DeVilbiss Cromaine District Library Director. PLUS hear the Volunteer of the Year Winner Announcement! The event is Monday, October 4 at 5:00 pm at the Hartland Music Hall located at 3619 Avon St, Hartland, MI 48353.

October 4, 2021 –

Congratulations to Don Thompson, Hartland Living’s 2021 Volunteer of the Year! Other nominees included Bob Brewer, Dan Callan, Joan Hutchinson, Annette Moorman, and Joe Petrucci. The winner was announced at the State of the Community Address at the Hartland Music Hall on Monday, October 4.

Don Thompson has served as the caretaker of the Hartland Music Hall for the past 35 years and on the Board of Trustees for Cromaine Library for 26 years. This pillar of our community takes pride in the work he puts into his many volunteer hours and serves with purpose. Our beloved Music Hall is a testament to this service. When visitors enter the hall, they can see it has been cared for and prioritized as a community relic for many years. This drives Thompson as he works tirelessly and generously.

“It has been meaningful for me to try to give back to society for the wonderful life I have been fortunate to have,” says Thompson. “Volunteering is something you do because you know others are going to benefit and it’s a great feeling of accomplishment. I get a warm feeling knowing I have been involved in keeping the Library growing and the Music Hall a beautiful place to come to for a wedding, play, concert, or church services.”

The Hartland Living Volunteer of the Year is an initiative of Hartland’s Partners in Progress, a joint venture between Hartland Consolidated Schools, Cromaine District Library, Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce and Hartland Township.

October 11, 2021 –

At the Board of Education meeting on Monday, October 11, longtime board member Charlie Aberasturi gave notice of his intention to step down. Mr. Aberasturi has served the district for 24 years.

The district seeks to find a candidate to fill his seat until the next general election in November of 2022.

Interested candidates must submit a letter of interest and any supporting documents no later than Friday, October 22nd at noon. Interviews for potential candidates will then be held during a Special Meeting of the Board of Education on Tuesday, October 26th at 6:30pm. The Board also has the option of creating an Ad Hoc Committee to narrow the candidate list prior to October 26th. The Board hopes to then be able to choose a candidate to fill the vacant position at the following Regular Board of Education Meeting on Monday, November 8th.

Letters of interest should be sent to:

Mr. Thom Dumond
Board of Education President
Hartland Consolidated School District
9525 Highland Road
Howell, MI 48843

October 12, 2021 –

Hartland’s Cromaine Library wants you to save the date for the annual Polar Express community event on Saturday, December 11. It will once again be a strolling event, with most activities outside along Hartland Road. “We’re able to foster a love of reading that will last children a lifetime by celebrating a great book and bringing it to life,” commented Youth Services Manager Marta Jackson. “Hartland’s Polar Express Day also gives families and our community an opportunity to come together and have fun. There’s nothing more magical than that.”
Visit the Polar Express Website for more information and more details to be added as the event draws closer!

October 27, 2021-

The Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals (MACP) recognized the Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce with the 2021 Award of Distinction at the MACP Leadership Conference & Annual Meeting held on October 22.
“Michigan chambers of commerce played an extraordinary role in keeping businesses informed about
changes in government regulations, safety protocol, and funding relief sources,” said Joe Bauman, Chair of the
Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals and President & CEO of the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber of
Commerce.
Congratulations to HACC Director Katie Chuba and the many hard working members and board of directors on this acknowledgement!

October 21, 2021 –

The 3 R’s–Reason, Respect, and Responsibility–have been in the Hartland Consolidated School District for many years. Recently, the Board of Education redefined and expanded the definitions of the HCS core beliefs.

November 1, 2021 –

All are welcome on board as Hartland High School Drama Club proudly returns to the
stage for its production of “Murder on the 518,” Friday through Sunday, Nov. 12 to 14, at Hartland High
School (HHS), 10635 Dunham Road in Hartland. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

It has been two years since the club was last able to perform a live show on the stage for an audience. According to Artistic Director Scott Usher, this production is especially significant to the club as it works tirelessly to produce its first live performance since “Clue: On Stage” in 2019. The cast, crew, and Director are excited to be working together again–and hope the community comes to support them, and be entertained! “Our student actors and crew members love live storytelling,” says Usher. “Seeing their creations (whether it be a character, set piece, costume, prop or something else) come to life is so fulfilling to each of them. We are so blessed to be able to return to doing what we all love to do, and, while we have missed the laughter and applause of the past year and a half, it will make it just that much more meaningful to hear it from our devoted live audiences this fall.”

Not everything, or everyone, is as it seems in this murder mystery full of all the usual suspects. The full-length
play takes audiences on quite the ride as the story of red-eye travelers on the westbound 518 unfolds. When one
passenger, and then another, mysteriously drop dead right before their eyes, it appears the pair has been
poisoned — making everyone in the train’s dining car a suspect!

HHS senior Sidney Furge, who plays the role of Lucy Blake and is the play’s student director, agrees. “I’m so
thrilled that we are able to put on a show this fall,” she says. “This show has already been so much fun, being
both on stage again and working alongside Mr. Usher, aiding in directing. The cast and crew have worked so
hard, and I can’t wait to perform in front of an audience again!”

Tickets are available online at www.hartlanddramaclub.com and at the door. Individual tickets
purchased in advance are $13 for adults and $11 for students, children and seniors. Tickets purchased at
the door are $15 for adults and $13 for students, children and seniors. Group rates are also available.
Hold on tight — “Murder on the 518” is no ordinary train ride!

For more information, contact Scott Usher at 810-626-2360 or via e-mail at
scottusher@hartlandschools.us.