PLANNERS APPROVE CHANGES TO MOUND-DOBRY SHOPPING CENTER
CHANGES COULD ‘BREAK UP THAT SEA OF ASPHALT’
BY ERIC CZARNIK eczarnik@candgnews.com
STERLING HEIGHTS — A plan to add up to five new development sites for tenants at The Forum at Gateways Shopping Center recently pleased Sterling Heights Planning Commission members.
During a Jan. 10 meeting, the commission voted unanimously to approve an amendment to the shopping center’s project development plan. The Forum at Gateways, located near the intersection of Mound Road and Dobry Drive, currently features tenants such as Walmart, Dunkin’ and LA Fitness.
City officials said the proposal is not a redevelopment, but it would expand amenities at the site. City Planner Jake Parcell said the plan calls for two new outlots on vacant land near the Mound-Dobry intersection, and those will be near a planned, brand-new pedestrian plaza.
In addition, the plan also establishes three other proposed buildable areas in places where there is currently parking space. Those buildable areas have maximum sizes of 7,000, 6,000 and 4,800 square feet, Parcell said.
City officials said they hope the new plans will help renovate and revitalize underused parts of the development. According to Parcell, the shopping center’s zoning is currently C-4 multi-use, and establishments that could go in that district could include hotels, restaurants, theaters, health clubs, multifamily residential and more.
“We do see, as we have noticed trends in other commercial areas of the city, we have a wealth of parking, so we’re working with the applicant to find more areas to help achieve maximum developmental space here,” Parcell explained.
The developer associated with The Forum at Gateways, Franklin Gatlin III, said additions like the pedestrian plaza and new buildings could bring more action to the shopping center, “break up that sea of asphalt,” and help make the site the best it can be.
“So when you look at the plaza, what we’re really trying to create here is a pretty entrance to your city, to the gateway,” he said.
Gatlin said that, upon getting the proposal’s approval, he would go through his contact list of restaurants and other possible tenants for the area, adding that “we’ll be marketing it very heavy to get the best quality tenants that we can come up with.”
He added that once he confirms who will go in his first new building — whether it’s a freestanding restaurant or a combination of tenants – he hopes that new development can begin “as soon as possible.”
“Realistically, I would hope that we could have something under construction and almost finished by this time next year, and tenants moving in,” he said.
Commissioner Brandy Wright suggested a Trader Joe’s. Commissioner Paul Jaboro also chimed in with his impressions of the plan.
“When I first looked at it, I was like, ‘Wait a minute, they could do more than this,’” Jaboro said. “But the more I looked at it, I felt like it was very strategically done. So yes, I do like it.”
According to Parcell, the Planning Commission’s vote to approve means that the development plan has been effectively changed without needing a subsequent City Council vote.
Learn more about the Sterling Heights Planning Commission by visiting sterlingheights.gov and typing “Planning Commission” in the search bar, or call (586) 446-2489.
Seven-year-old’s Bravery Boxes help Children’s Hospital of Michigan patients cope
BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A 7-year-old’s dream of making “Bravery Boxes” and delivering them to Children’s Hospital of Michigan patients — just like what was done for him during difficult times — came true.
Jacob Efthemiou, a Shelby Township boy, was diagnosed in 2020 with Henoch-Schonlein purpura, or HSP, which is inflammation of the blood vessels in one’s skin, joints, intestines and kidneys, after a series of doctors’ office visits and, eventually, a referral to Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
Now recovered, he also remembers the kind-
SECOND FRONT PAGE 3A/ C & G NEWSPAPER MACOMB COUNTY/GROSSE POINTE SPECIAL EDITION • FEBRUARY 14, 2024 facebook.com/candgnews @candgnews instagram.com/candgnews candgnews.com • (586) 498-8000
ABOVE: The plans for the updated shopping center include a pedestrian plaza at its northeastern corner.
Screenshot provided by the city of Sterling Heights
RIGHT: This area of The Forum at Gateways Shopping Center in Sterling Heights used to have a gazebo before it was removed. Now it is part of the area that can be developed for more businesses, since the Sterling Heights Planning Commission recently approved changes to the shopping center’s project development plan.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Photo provided by Tammy Battaglia
When Jacob Efthemiou, 7, of Shelby Township, was 4 years old in 2020, he was diagnosed with Henoch-Schonlein purpura, and gifts of toys helped him get through the pain and medical procedures. Last month, Efthemiou donated 125 gift bags to Children’s Hospital of Michigan to help current patients feel happier and braver while receiving treatment.
See BRAVERY on page 6A
Collectors
Hafer said she started collecting rocks when they went up north, but, like Krutell, she knew she had to fill a house one day.
“When we were getting older, my grandma said, ‘We’re going to start a little hope chest for you and your sister for when you guys move out,’” Hafer said. “And she’s like, ‘You definitely need Corelle, and you definitely need Pyrex in your kitchens.’”
Pyrex is a brand of dishware and, according to the Corning Museum of Glass website, was created in 1915. The heat-resistant glass was originally used in railroad lanterns and was originally marketed as Nonex or Corning nonexpansion glass in 1909. The wife of a Corning scientist, Bessie Littleton, baked a sponge cake in a sawed off Nonex battery jar, according to the website.
“Her experiment revealed that cooking times were short, baking was uniform, the glass was easy to clean, and, since the glass was clear, the cake in the oven could be monitored — all advantages over metal bakeware,” the website said.
After picking out patterns with her grandma, Hafer started seeing Pyrex and other dishes at the garage sales and estate sales she visited.
“And I was like, ‘Well, these colors are more fun than the ones we saw at Target and Kmart and stuff at that time,’” Hafer said. “And I’ve just started picking it up.”
Hafer now has over 5,000 pieces in her Pyrex collection with the dishes varying in rarity, color and pattern. She said those who collect Pyrex also collect dishes from different companies such as Federal Glass, Fire King and others from the same time period.
“So if I would integrate, like add in all of that stuff, I’m pushing probably 8,000 pieces,” Hafer said.
Hafer’s been thrifting and going to estate sales almost every weekend with her friends since she was young, and she keeps her shopping local to the St. Clair Shores area. She visits antique stores, estate sales and garage sales. She also has a couple of pieces passed down to her from her grandparents. The earliest she’s been at an estate sale was 24 hours before the start of the sale.
“It’s spiraled out of control since then,” Hafer said with a laugh.
Krutell said she and Hafer collected so much that they’ve started reselling items.
“Speaking for myself at least, I would find things that I would like to upgrade,” Krutell said. “I start with something and then I find something that I like a little bit more.”
Hafer said at first it was just her and her sister looking for vintage items and she didn’t know other people were interested in the vin-
tage world as well. Social media opened up a new world of people who were interested in the same things as her and she met Krutell through a Facebook group.
Hafer said a user named “Vampyrex” posted images of her collection on one of the pages.
“She had a wall in her New York City studio of Pyrex in every pattern and I was like, ‘Oh, yeah, that is, I’m going to do that in my home,” Hafer said.
Hafer started an event called Michigan Pyrex Swap and they are currently looking for a new venue due to the growing size.
“People travel from across the country to attend and to swap and trade Pyrex pieces,” Krutell said. “Which is amazing that there’s such a really big network for like-minded collectors on social media.”
Both Krutell and Hafer have to be careful with their collections. Hafer said when they had the swap at her house, she was very nervous.
“Posting it on social media is a risk,” Hafer said. “Especially a collection as large as mine. I’ve never had anybody say anything weird.”
Krutell added she feels those who collect the same things they do usually are decent people. Hafer said once a person starts visiting estate sales, thrift stores and garage sales they start to see other things they want to collect. Krutell said there is some beauty in collecting and saving pieces as well.
“They don’t make things like they used to,” Krutell said. “And that’s so cliche to say, but it’s true. These pieces that we’re collecting are significantly older than we are and they’re still working fantastic and they’re not having issues or breaking or all the problems that modern day material objects will see.”
Krutell also collects items that match her home’s decor. This includes old photographs, blue and teal Pyrex, and oddities such as science specimens and medical equipment. She recalled an estate sale where she took family photos she saw in the trash bin and paid for them.
“Because these are memories, these meant something to someone,” Krutell said. “To have that moment in time just be thrown away. I couldn’t let it happen. It just made me sick to my stomach.”
Krutell said she put the photos in albums and called them her extended adopted family members.
Hafer said she spoke to a woman who sold a set that was once the woman’s wedding gift. The set was new in the box and had the wedding shower card still in it. The woman told Hafer it never matched her kitchen, and she didn’t have the heart to get rid of it.
“That’s a memory from somebody so I enjoy hearing that and taking that on as, like, yeah part of my family,” Hafer said.
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from page 1A
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Macomb Community College will host a high school esports tournament Feb. 16 for Macomb County high school juniors and seniors.
Esports, short for electronic sports, is a form of competition using video games. Students will represent their schools competing either solo on Super Smash Bros. or as a team of three on Rocket League.
The tournament will start at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Lorenzo Cultural Center on Macomb’s Center Campus, 44575 Garfield Road. Check-in starts at 5 p.m. Players must complete check-in before the tournament start time to compete. Light refreshments will be served during the tournament.
Registration is required at http://link.macomb.edu/SrxY for all participants in the high school esports competition, whether a spectator, solo player or team. Players younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by a guardian (parent, teacher or coach) during the tournament.
Those wishing to compete in the Rocket League tournament need to recruit two other players from their school to form a three-person team. There are 100 spots available for solo players on Super Smash Bros. and spots for 30 Rocket League teams. There is also room for 100 spectators at the event.
Those who are unable to attend the tournament in person but would like to cheer on their school can watch a live stream of the tournament with commentary at twitch.tv/ blockhouselive.
Macomb County offers free tax preparation
MACOMB COUNTY — Macomb County Veterans Services has partnered with Macomb Community Action and the Accounting Aid Society to provide free tax preparation assistance for veterans and low-income county residents.
The service will be available until April 15 through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
The program is offered annually and is for people who make $63,000 a year or less, people with disabilities, limited English-speaking taxpayers and all military veterans.
In-person appointments can be scheduled through the macombca.itfrontdesk.com online scheduler or by calling (586) 463-2537. Walk-in services are offered for the general public at the VerKuilen Building at 21885 Dunham Road, Door F, in Clinton Township, on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursdays from noon to 6 p.m. Veterans also have walk-in services available at the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154, 18025 E. 15 Mile Road in Clinton Township, on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Firefighters to host Night at the Races fundraiser in March
ST. CLAIR SHORES — According to a Facebook post, the St. Clair Shores Fire Fighters Local 1744 will host a Night at the Races fundraiser from 7 p.m. to midnight on March 8.
Enjoy dinner, drinks and virtual horse betting all while showing support for the fight against cancer. Ad prices and horse entry prices are posted on the Facebook page, with a QR code to purchase tickets. Tickets are $50 per person and attendees must be 21 or older.
Proceeds from the event will go toward a 501(c) (3) cancer fund for St. Clair Shores firefighters.
The event is at Blossom Heath Inn, 24800 Jefferson Ave.
For more information email scsffulocal1744@ gmail.com.
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STERLING HEIGHTS — The Block at Sterling Heights apartment complex, 34911 Van Dyke Ave., announced in January that it is now open. The complex has 213 studio and one-bedroom units, and it stands where the Loon River Cafe and Sterling Inn Banquet and Conference Center used to be. Learn more about The Block at Sterling Heights by visiting theblockatsterlingheights.com.
Photo
NEW APARTMENT COMPLEX OPENS ON VAN DYKE
Bravery
from page 3A
ness of the doctors, nurses, technicians and other hospital staff at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, and the little toys they gave him to help him through that traumatizing experience.
To pay that kindness forward, Jacob created and donated 125 gift bags Jan. 22 that he stored in a large box called “Jacob’s Bravery Box.” Children’s Hospital of Michigan staff gives the bags to patients facing their own medical challenges. The patients are seen in Detroit and at other Children’s Hospital of Michigan pediatric medical offices across the metro Detroit area.
This is the third year Jacob has made bags. He started with 25 gift bags when he was 5 and delivered them to his favorite Children’s Hospital of Michigan nephrology nurse, Nancy Hanes, and pediatric nephrologist Dr. Rossana Baracco, who is the director of the pediatric nephrology fellowship program at the hospital
This year, Jacob shopped and his second-grade classmates at Utica’s Switzer Elementary School formed an assembly line to produce dozens of boxes to share with young children facing medical issues of their own.
On Jan. 22, the gift bags were at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Specialty Center on Beaubien Street in Detroit, outpatient medical offices and an infusion center across the street from the main hospital.
Danielle Efthemiou, Jacob’s mom, said her son had said that he wanted to do 100 bags and have his friends help.
“The kids understand what it’s like to help in any way, and this can make kids feel better. If there’s one kid that the process is a little less scary for, it’s worth it,” Danielle Efthemiou said.
Jacob said during a media event that when he got an IV, the medical personnel gave him a Spider-Man toy.
“They said I would get a toy, so I thought, ‘I should do this.’ I got a toy and I was happy, so I thought I wanted to give out toys to make other people happy,” Jacob said.
Many of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan patients whom Baracco works with as a kidney doctor experience regular IVs, biopsies, ultrasounds and imaging, blood draws and other medical procedures that can be scary for them.
“The team at Children’s Hospital of Michigan are always conscious of this, providing everything from hugs to toys to diversions to help them. We always strive to
care for our patients both physically and emotionally,” Baracco said in a press release.
Danielle Efthemiou said her family is thankful that they ended up at Children’s Hospital of Michigan. The hospital had a really good team that worked with Jacob and understood how scary things could be for a small child.
She said being a part of delivering the boxes, and her son being part of it, was awesome. Even though he wasn’t able to physically give the bags to the patients, he gave them to Hanes and Baracco, and they ex-
plained how they would give them out to the kids who need them.
“He has seen through social media showing the children receiving them. It’s just such a good lesson on empathy and understanding in humanity. He remembers when he was getting treatment and that’s what made him want to do his own. Everyone always wanted to see what he included in the bags this year. This year he changed it up; blue pandas and pink pandas for girls,” she said.
Call Staff Writer Kara Szymanski at (586) 498-1029.
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‘Superior’ drone tech coming to the Warren Fire Department
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
WARREN — On Jan. 23, the Warren City Council unanimously approved the Warren Fire Department’s $81,317 purchase of four new drones.
“The new drones will have an even better infrared camera on them to spot heat that can differentiate life in a human body or a deceased body,” said Warren Fire Department Commissioner Wilburt “Skip” McAdams. “The new drones are far, far superior in the infrared spectrum.”
Drones are continually advancing in technology.
“The advancement from the one we purchased approximately three years ago makes our current one look like a toy,” McAdams said. “We are very excited about this leap in technology.”
Many of the council members appeared enthusiastic about the drones and wanted to know more.
“This sounds terrific,” said Councilman Jonathan Lafferty. “I would ask that when your FEOs are trained that we are invited for a demonstration. This would be a terrific item for communications to do a story and have a half-hour program on how they (drones) work.”
The drones have been used by other city departments.
“I will tell you, these drones are absolutely amazing,” said Council Secretary Mindy Moore. “I saw a demonstration when we had our police and fire event at City Hall.”
The Fire Department has let the Police
Department use its drone in some situations, according to Moore.
“They (drones) can look up at a roof and know what the problem is,” said Moore. “I am totally in favor of this. I have talked to many firefighters. They have convinced me this is a fabulous tool.”
According to McAdams, the department has one existing drone and some trainer drones. It is the intent to put their existing drone in a first response vehicle and train fire engine operators how to use the new drones. The vendor has included training. Twenty additional people will be trained to operate the new drones, which requires a Federal Aviation Administration license for the operator to fly it up to 400 feet above the ground.
“So we will have an initial response and a longer-term response capability,” McAdams said.
The new drones will be used as a secondary response. This is because the new drones have double the flight time, up to 55 minutes, compared to the department’s existing drone, with a flight time of 20 to 25 minutes in warm weather, according to the commissioner. The flight time decreases in cold weather to 10 to 15 minutes or even less depending on the temperature.
The drones come with a warranty period.
“If we crash it, there is a replacement included,” McAdams said.
As part of its safety features, each drone requires a spotter, someone to watch the drone while it is in the air. In addition, there is an audible warning when it begins to lose
power.
“The fail-safe is the new drones will return to ground if the power drops down to a minimum level and you don’t bring it down. It will bring itself down. It will return to where it took off,” McAdams said.
There are restrictions on the drones, said the commissioner, and all the requirements will be followed under their licensing.
Included in the purchase will be software that will make video available to the public, which can be accessed on the department’s website, in case anyone wonders why they are flying over their home.
“We can assure the public we are not attempting to spy on them,” McAdams said. “It is an incidental flyover relative to what we are trying to do.”
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Photo by Donna Dalziel Cold temperatures and snow can reduce the drone’s flying time by more than half as Warren Fire Department Training Chief Jeff Middleton gives a demonstration on Jan. 30.
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Hockey
from page 1A
coach on the team, and Elizabeth; junior Kaitlin Garrett follows her older sister, Allison, who graduated last year; and senior Kate Hetherington has her older sister, Reese, a 2019 graduate.
Then there’s the in-locker room sisterhood of senior Neely Taylor and sophomore Laney Taylor, or even team manager Jennifer Heppler, the mother of senior Elisabeth Heppler.
There are teams that describe themselves as a family, and then there’s a team that actually has the culture of being a family, regardless of the co-op designation of Regina or Lutheran North.
“They teach each other and they support each other, and that was our talk at the beginning of the year,” Buscemi said. “We can’t get down on each other. We’re going to make mistakes, we’re going to learn, and we’re going to support each other. They’ve done a great job on that.”
There’s laughter and conversation in the locker room before each practice as the team congregates around Buscemi’s desk, but when they step on the ice, they’re all business, especially after last season.
Regina-Lutheran North fell to Grosse Pointe North 5-4 in the semifinals, coming up one game short of a trip to the state finals.
“The last two minutes of the game, we dominated them,” Buscemi said. “We hit the goal post twice. I think if we had another minute, we would’ve played in the championship last year.”
It was an impressive ending to a season where United was 1-8 through the first two months of play before capping off an 11-5 finish.
Carrying momentum into the season, all but one player for last year’s squad, and currently the top team in Division 2 with a 10-5 record, the players are eager to return to the spotlight.
“This year’s seniors, they have a goal,” Buscemi said. “They came up with a slogan of ‘one team, one dream.’ The dream is to make it to the finals. Obviously, they want to win, but their goal is to make it to the finals.”
United is comprised of seven senior veterans, who all bring a form of leadership to the table for an underclassmen-heavy United squad.
Eleven of the 20 skaters on the roster are freshman or sophomores, so the need for leadership was a top priority.
Schaffran, Neely Taylor and Anastasia Tomezak headline the group as the top-three point leaders on the team.
Schaffran leads the team in points (14)
and goals (12) while Tomezak’s nine assists tops the scoresheet.
Neely Taylor, who is second on the team with 13 points, said she’s enjoyed being the person the underclassmen can look up to.
“It’s definitely a change because I used to look up to the older girls, now I’m the mentor for them,” she said.
Neely Taylor also has the job of mentoring her younger sister, Laney.
Laney Taylor has come into her own this season at the forward position.
“She doesn’t want to admit that I’m right sometimes,” Neely Taylor said. “When coach Paul tells her something, she looks at me like I should say something. I’m just like, ‘He’s telling you what you need to do.’”
United has also seen significant contributions from sophomore sensation Ruby Des Madryl, who has 10 points on the season; freshman Ella Barnhard (currently second on team with nine goals); and freshman Lana Wright.
Barnhard recently put up a two-goal game on Jan. 26 against Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, which is currently second in Division 2.
Buscemi said Barnhard missed on a scoring opportunity during their win against Cranbrook, and he let her know about it, but it was Barnhard who got the last laugh as she scored moments later. Barnhard plays with a fire under her, and she’s shown her full potential as an impact player already in her first season.
It’s hard to talk about United without mentioning how the goaltenders and defense have been getting the job done. United has allowed two or fewer goals in nine of their 14 matchups.
Neely Taylor and Schaffran lead the defensive unit as team captains, but Wright, freshman Morgan Stockwell, and junior Brianna Champagne have been reliable contributors while Garrett and senior Claire Pullen cover the net.
“We got two solid goaltenders in junior Kaitlin Garrett, and her backup Claire Pullen,” Buscemi said. “If Kaitlin can’t make it, I have no problem putting in Claire. I think it starts from the back end and out. We have a good, young defense.”
Des Madryl, Heppler, Laney Taylor, Tomezak, and sophomore Jeneveve Lewis lead the forward position.
United has the depth and the talent to make it back to the semifinals and they’ve shown the rest of Division 2 that they’re the team to beat.
“Last season, we had our highs and lows,” Neely Taylor said. “This season, we’re coming out strong.”
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Regina-Lutheran North United head coach Paul Buscemi stands by the alumni inspiration wall.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes