The family of the late John C. Magnus has donated 18 acres
of land to the Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District (RESD) to
expand and improve the learning opportunities available to local kids through
the RESD’s student programs. In addition to the donation, the RESD has
purchased an adjacent four acres, which was sold by the Magnus family in 2000.
Located at 3200 S. Clare Ave., John’s father, Edward Magnus,
purchased the land in 1923 where he housed a saw mill and began selling Model T
Fords. In the 1940s, John and his brother, Edward Jr., joined the family
business, which eventually became Magnus Tractor Sales.
Known for selling and repairing Ford tractors, Magnus
Tractor Sales also offered snowmobiles, campers, lawnmowers, and all-terrain
vehicles through the course of its existence. At one time, John even raised
potatoes on the property for Central Michigan University’s food service.
“I enjoyed going down there to work,” said John’s wife,
Verna Magnus Green. “Our customers weren’t just customers, they were like close
friends.”
By 1975, following the retirement of Edward Magnus Jr. and
third business partner Lee Foster, John became sole owner of the company. Verna
said John, whom she called an honest businessman and a hard worker, continued
to run the business until his passing.
Verna and her
family considers
it a “privilege” and a “blessing” to be able to contribute the
property for the benefit of Clare and Gladwin Counties’ kids. “I know
John would be so pleased,” she said. “We are all so excited for its future!”
Both the 18-acre donation and the prospect of purchasing the
adjacent four acres came about in early 2013. “The RESD is always searching for
effective yet affordable ways to develop our programs to improve the
educational experiences for students,” said Clare-Gladwin RESD Superintendent
Sheryl Presler. “When these opportunities came to us, we could not pass them
up. The price of the additional property was right and we were able to
negotiate a 15-year installment purchase plan with the bank,” she said.
“Ultimately, the purchase combined with the Magnus family’s tremendous
generosity creates the perfect foundation for us to pursue many of our
long-term goals.”
The land contains multiple outbuildings, a barn, and a
house; many of which will be used to further the skills of the students in many
of the RESD’s programs. For example, the construction trades students from the
Clare-Gladwin Career Center, a program of the RESD, will begin by repairing the
house and making it handicap accessible for students from the Clare-Gladwin
Area School. The Area School students will use the space to work on life
skills, such as cooking, cleaning, money management, lawn care, and more.
Although they are still in the early planning stages of the
project, Presler said the property has enormous potential. “The magnitude of
the possibilities and opportunities this incredibly unselfish donation creates
for kids is overwhelming,” she said.
“When speaking with the Magnus family, you
can feel their love for John and for the family business. To be given a treasured
piece of their family history is something we truly appreciate and will honor
as we move forward.”
Students in the Graphic Arts class at the Clare-Gladwin
Career Center were exposed to the world of print during their tour of McKay
Press in Midland last week. The students saw the multitude of machines used by
McKay press, including a web press, letter press, folders, binders, cutter,
stitcher, wide format printers, and more. 
“Many students have no idea what happens to a designed piece
when the project is being produced,” said Graphic Arts Instructor Andrea
Boettner. "If a graphic designer has a better understanding of the output of a
business card, for example, then he or she can design the job to those
specifications. My students needed to see the production side and explore all
of the career choices it has to offer."
