The Rock - June 2025

Local Journalism Matters

Please consider a donation to support The Rock. Since we began publishing more than four years ago, our goal has been to provide our readers with valuable information about the Plymouth community each and every month. Your support is vital if you would like to see us survive and grow. The Rock is sent free to every address in Plymouth, yet is not free to produce.

LOCAL Matters!

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Please send donations to:

Journeyman Publishing 16435 Franklin Northville, MI 48168

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Thanks in advance,

Publisher

Here is the list of readers who supported local journalism this month: Chuck Cracraft

Advertise in The Rock

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To secure space in an upcoming issue of The Rock, contact Advertising Director Scott Buie at (313) 399-5231, or via email at scottbuie@therockmagazine.com or advertising@therockmagazine.com.

KURT KUBAN – Publisher

Kurt is an award-winning journalist, having served as a reporter and editor for several local newspapers and magazines, including the Plymouth Observer He has been a journalist for over two decades. He founded Journeyman Publishing, which also publishes The ‘Ville, in 2017.

SCOTT SPIELMAN – Editor

Scott graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Journalism. He covered western Wayne County for more than 12 years at several publications before transitioning into corporate communications and media relations. A Canton resident, he has also finished his first novel and is hard at work on his next.

SCOTT BUIE – Advertising Director/Vice President of Sales

Scott has 20+ years creating advertising campaigns for clients in Metro Detroit. After managing sales for radio stations for 17 years he purchased Street Marketing, where he works closely with a variety of businesses and events. Scott and his family have lived in the Plymouth/Northville area for over 23 years.

JENNY PEARSALL – Creative Director

Jenny has been in the design and print industry for over twenty years, holding various positions in graphic design, print buying, production and print management. She also owns Bovia Design Group, a company specializing in publications and corporate branding.

MICHELE FECHT – Writer

Michele is an award-winning journalist whose first post-college reporter position was at The Northville Record before moving on to The Detroit News She has been a City of Northville resident for nearly 40 years and is an author, researcher and local history enthusiast.

TIM SMITH – Writer

Tim brings a penchant for telling personal stories that run the gamut from news to sports. During more than 35 years in journalism, mostly with the Observer & Eccentric, he has earned numerous state and national awards. The Wayne State grad is a published author and rec ice hockey player.

WENSDY VON BUSKIRK – Writer

Wensdy graduated with a degree in journalism from Wayne State University. Her first job was working as a reporter for The Northville Record. Now, as a freelance writer and editor, she works for a variety of magazines, including The Rock. -Photo by Kathleen Voss

SUE VOYLES – Writer

Growing up, Sue always knew she wanted to be a writer. She has written for many publications over her long career in public relations and journalism, and taught English and journalism at Schoolcraft College. In 2022, she received the national Headliner Award from the Association for Women in Communications.

KEN VOYLES – Writer/Photographer

Ken is an award-winning writer, photographer and designer whose career has spanned nearly five decades in and around metro Detroit. He started his journalism career in Plymouth, working for the Community Crier. He is the author of two books on Detroit history, loves to travel and has finished his first novel.

BILL BRESLER – Photographer

Bill arrived in Plymouth in 1977 to work for the Community Crier. He also worked for the Plymouth Observer for many years. Bill, who taught photography at Madonna University, retired from what was left of the newspaper business in 2019 and now freelances. He’s happy to be back in the Plymouth community.

BRYAN MITCHELL – Photographer

Bryan started working as a photographer more than 30 years ago, and was a staff photographer for the Plymouth Observer in the 90s. He has freelanced for The Detroit News, The Guardian, Reuters, and other publications. His photography has appeared in newspapers and magazines around the globe.

Let’s all be good neighbors

As I was putting together a couple of stories for the June edition of The Rock, I couldn’t help but think about Goofus and Gallant, a regular feature in the old Highlights magazine. Gallant was a boy who tended to do things the right way, while Goofus’ actions were more of a cautionary tale.

Two potentially prominent developments sparked the memory: the potential sale and development at Graye’s Greenhouse in Plymouth Township and Brookside, a Planned Unit Development being discussed in the city.

At Grayes, prospective buyers Kyle Keaffaber and Kristen Arthurs have already engaged the community. Knowing the rich history of the business, they hosted an open house with current owner Rachel Nisch to talk about their ideas and solicit feedback from loyal patrons and nearby residents alike—all before even submitting an official sketch to the township. It’s a community project, they said, and they want feedback. Granted, they also want to make sure their planned investment will work out before they spend a lot of money, too, but I think the goodwill they generated by talking to people—and, more importantly, listening to them—will go a long way to making the project successful.

In the city, the proposed Brookside development has proven contentious. It would place a 3,400-square-foot church and 20 new homes on a 2.2-acre parcel on Ann Arbor Trail, just outside the official downtown area. The project has been in the planning stages for more than two years now, as Champion Development and city planners hash out details amidst vocal, organized opposition from its neighbors, who worry that the density of the project and its overall design would dramatically alter their part of the city—and not in a good way.

The project took a tentative step forward recently, when the planning commission gave a conditional, preliminary approval to the PUD, asking for a few more concessions from Champion Development. They’ll need to submit a revised plan to the commission before the project goes to the city commission for final approval.

At that meeting, a speaker, Teresa—later identified as Teresa Nadolski—joined via zoom. I included the quote in the story, too, which begins on page 6. You can also hear it for yourself on YouTube or find the video of the April planning commission meeting on the city website. I also noted that the Champion Development website lists Len Nadolski as CEO and Michael Nadolski as Chief Operating Officer. I tried to reach out to Champion, but calls and an email weren't returned by press time.

“I just want to say this is not unrealistic to the community and you all need to really wake up and let progress happen,” Teresa told the crowd. “My husband and I are selling my home as empty nesters and we’re ready to move into one of these. People hate change, and change is healthy and needed. All those negative to this process are elderly and set in their ways. The church has a right to sell and the developers have done nothing but promote progress for Plymouth. We hope this development gets approved; we’re waiting to move in.”

Well, I hope she’s not expecting a fruit basket on the porch.

Let’s face it: that’s a pretty insulting thing to say, no matter who you are. These are people who are voicing valid concerns about their neighborhood and about the city in general. And let's not forget that buying a home is the single largest investment most people ever make. To dismiss their concerns and opinions in such a cavalier, abrasive way…well, let’s just say it’s not going to win any favors with your new neighbors.

And if there is a direct connection between the speaker and the developer? Come on. Dear readers, you can do the math on that. Maybe I’m just old and set in my ways, but I think it’s inexcusable.

Either way, I think someone owes each and every person who took the time to voice their concerns about the project (or submit them in writing) an apology--and an explanation. The people I met were not old, nor stuck in their ways, or even resistant to change. They were just looking out for each other. It's what good neighbors, do.

SOUND OFF:

Please submit your letters by emailing Editor Scott Spielman at scottyspielman@gmail.com. Letters should be no more than 150 words. We reserve the right to edit all letters.

Athletes deserve credit

In a recent article on local high school sports, I think written by Brad Emons, he noted that two local boys had been on the Novi Detroit Catholic Central state championship wrestling team. Although not mentioned in the article, three Plymouth area boys -- Peter Sabin, Niko Tyranski and Gabe Leo -- were members of the Catholic Central state championship hockey team. John Ronayne

Thumbs up to Leo’s

I begin with a necessary disclosure: I am neither employed by nor am I friends with anyone at the establishment that is the subject of this letter. Plymouth has a real gem of a diner in it: Leo's on Ann

Arbor Road, west of Haggerty. This unpretentious family diner welcomes all with its fresh food served by a friendly, efficient, and hard-working staff. Check it out if you haven't done so already. I especially like the stuffed cabbage with tomato sauce over homemade mashed potatoes. Bon appétit.

Terry Peck

Fix education funding, first

Some humorous juxtaposition in your May 2025 issue, with a letter to the editor about “improperly flown flags” at PlymouthCanton schools before a full article on the proposed federal defunding of said district.

If you have enough time to call the schools and principals, you should have time to call Gary Peters and Debbie Dingell to tell them you oppose the dismantling of the Department of Education. Students might learn respect for our country from adults, but if the adults are saying that their education, their special needs programs, and their future opportunities don't merit support...is it really a country we can respect? The symbol means nothing if it doesn't stand for children of all backgrounds, so let's fix that first.

Farah Harajli

The Dutch may have answers to Plymouth’s flooding misery

By Tom Doran

As one business owner or homeowner after another spoke at the May 5 Plymouth City Commission meeting about the damage caused by the recent flooding in downtown Plymouth, I was reminded that water is our most precious natural resource…and also a potentially damaging force.

Blaming storm damage on climate change or an “act of God,” along with the aversion to building strategic infrastructure to manage or reduce storm water impacts is common today. In the early 20th century, a few men in a smoke-filled room approved big infrastructure that plowed through neighborhoods and sensitive environments. Today, building any strategic infrastructure—not just replacing roads, bridges, underground utilities—is a stern challenge. Both extremes are wrongheaded.

The strategy in the Netherlands, where much of the country is below sea level, uses a combination of many environmentally responsible strategies to “manage the water.” We can learn a lot from the Dutch.

In Plymouth’s case, a big storm pipe built in the 1940s may not be big enough to accommodate higher peak flows in the 21st century. Does it really matter if these flood waters come from climate change or upstream development that delivers more water faster?

How do the Dutch manage the water? Over the years and centuries, they have gotten better and better at this, using measures such as dikes and pumps, elective flooding, retention along waterways for portions of peak flows, and other infrastructure as necessary to soften high flows. They have come a long way from the boy with his finger in the dike.

Such measures will take time to define and build in Plymouth, so a careful assessment of strategic infrastructure to reduce the likelihood of another damaging event should be promptly undertaken.

My first big stormwater project, a Corps of Engineers Rouge River flood control project, had some eerie similarities to Plymouth’s situation: a flood control project that diked off half-mile sections of the Rouge River while using a big pipe to bypass the river water—

like Plymouth’s storm pipe under the city. When big storms were forecast, we had to make sure the court-ordered maximum water level upstream of the project wasn’t exceeded. If it was—as, indeed, it was on one occasion—the contractor had to knock down the river dike and let the storm water flood the project. What a middle of the night experience—and a luxury Plymouth doesn’t have.

Another project involved massive flooding in a Michigan city and throughout a huge chemical manufacturing site there. What could the company do to reduce the impact of such flooding? After a thorough inventory of their stormwater sewers, the conclusion was that eliminating this flooding was unaffordable and too disruptive. The best answer was to make the flooding occur in the least disruptive places on the site. Still expensive, still disruptive, but manageable.

Is there a bail-out option as we had on that Corps of Engineers’ project, or might we route flood waters to a location where it does the least damage, or might one or more retention basins at strategic locations along Tonquish Creek provide some relief and greater security? These are options that might be evaluated for Plymouth, but not the only solutions that might be identified by experienced and creative people.

In the 21st century, we have the technology and know-how to prevent most people from fretting about their businesses or homes being flooded when it rains especially hard. Why are the Dutch masters of “managing the water?” Because they have a serious challenge, because they take that challenge seriously, because they have used the means at hand in each century to do something about it.

Let’s

parking than it needs, which he said is another benefit for the community. An underground detention basin will also be a part of the development, to catch and release stormwater.

“This will eliminate flooding to our neighbors to the west, but also additional overflow to the creek and Ann Arbor Trail and anywhere else around,” he said.

Along the creek, he said Champion would clean up the creek bed and install additional evergreen trees to screen the property from its northern neighbors. The pathway itself would be improved, benches and new lighting installed, too.

“It’s going to be quite useable and attractive forever more,” he told the commission. He estimated that the cost of the community benefits was close to $1 million, but the neighbors are skeptical.

Acontroversial development project in the City of Plymouth took a step closer to fruition recently, and nearby residents are left wondering why.

The city planning commission granted conditional preliminary approval on a Planned Unit Development (PUD) proposed for Ann Arbor Trail, just west of Harvey Street, which currently houses the First Church of Christ. Called Brookside, the development would feature a new, 3,400-square foot church along with 20 homes on the 2.2 acre parcel. It was first proposed in late 2022 and residents who live nearby have been opposed ever since, calling it too dense and too out of character for the neighborhood.

“It’s very frustrating because we’ve got more than 120 people who are opposed to this thing,” said Scott Lorenz, who lives nearby. “They have spoken at these (planning commission) meetings. The commission still voted yes for it. There’s something wrong here.

Something isn’t right.

“It’s exasperating, the whole thing, because it feels like we're fighting not only the developer and the church, but city hall— because they seem to want it so bad,” he added.

Since 2023, he and dozens of other residents along Sheridan and Harvey streets, along with Jener Place and Penniman Avenue, have voiced their opposition and concerns each time the development has come up on the planning commission agenda. They’ve launched a website, www. KeepPlymouthCharming.com, to inform the public, signs are going up and they’ve sought legal representation, too.

Among their concerns are the traffic and safety issues it would generate, the overall density of the site and how the buildings would fit into the neighborhood, proximity to neighboring homes, storm water runoff and what the developer characterizes as the community benefit that would be required for approving the change from its current

residential zoning.

The project would see the two existing buildings torn down. The existing 8,000-square foot church would be replaced with a 3,400-square foot structure on the western side of the property. Three 2,600-square foot detached condominiums would face Ann Arbor Trail and two additional buildings with a combined 17 condominiums would be constructed between the Ann Arbor Trail condominiums and Tonquish Creek.

The most recent proposal addressed those concerns, according to Doug Hamborsky, director of Design & Construction for Champion Development.

He said the developer will move the church structure eastward, increasing the space between it and the house that borders the property on the west side. A pocket park proposed for the front of the property has been eliminated and moved to the back, where it will combine with planned improvements to the walking trail along the creek. The development includes more

The additional parking is not truly a community benefit, they said, since the church will own and manage those spaces—and the lot would not be visible from the street, so it would be unlikely that casual visitors would even know it was there. The detention basin and additional landscaping would be required no matter what type of development was constructed there. Any additional tax revenue brought to the city coffers would not qualify as an extra community benefit, either.

The proposed enhancements to the walking path may require maintenance, too.

David Pierce, whose property is across the street from the church, said he doesn’t see enough benefit to warrant a change in zoning. He said he and his neighbors have voiced those concerns, to no avail.

“If you’re trying to understand whether there’s a public benefit, one thing you can do is listen to what the public is saying— especially the people who don’t have a significant interest in the project,” Pierce said. “Other people are (saying) that this does

not have a public benefit. This is a big project with no public benefit.”

manner that is more appropriate to the homes around it.”

Scott Silvers, who served on the planning commission but was not reappointed when his term was up last November, said the lack of community benefit as well as the overall design of the project was still a concern for him.

Even with those provisions, the planning commission initially rejected the preliminary approval in April. After further discussion, they asked for two electric vehicle charging stations be added to the project, a traffic study commissioned and an agreement that the homeowner’s association would be responsible

“Don’t be fooled by the pretty pictures in the proposal,” he advised the commission. “It won’t

STREETSIDE CONDO HOMES STREETSIDE CONDO HOMES

and Michael Nadolski as Chief Operating Officer. Attempts to reach Champion Development were unsuccessful.

In order to move forward, the developers must bring a revised site plan to the commission to get full approval. The project will then go to the city commission, which will make the final decision on it. Revised plans had not been submitted when this issue of The Rock went to press.

Pierce said he hoped the commission would weigh the community benefit against the negative impact to the neighborhood.

“We have rules about upzoning. If you’re willing to throw them out and approve this project without any public benefits, then you’ve essentially thrown out zoning in the city,” he said. “As long as city hall wants a project, the zoning doesn’t matter if you’re willing to ignore the public benefit requirement. That’s a bad way to zoning reform.”

people who spoke on the issue. Dozens did, and more submitted letters and emails in opposition.

“I believe the development is too dense,” said Julie Nelson, who lives on Ann Arbor Trail. “It’s very obvious that this is very personal to a lot of people right now. I believe the city has already made their mind up and is holding this meeting as a legal duty to do so. I would like to see this property developed in a

building is falling apart,” she said. “We consider Plymouth our church home. We’re trying to build a right-sized, updated building for our church services. For the past 20 years, we’ve been working with developers. We’ve tried to find the right partner to work with the city and with us to do something appropriate and attractive with our property, something that would benefit the church and the community.”

“We dearly love this community,” said Toni Nayback, a church member who lives on Elmhurst Street. “We wish to stay on our current property and continue to support the city that we consider our church home. The church thinks that the Brookside development is much more attractive than what is currently on the property. It’s a significant facelift and much of these.

“People hate change, and change is healthy and needed,” she added. “All those negative to this process are elderly and set in their ways. The church has a right to sell and the developers have done nothing but promote progress for Plymouth. We hope this development gets approved; we’re waiting to move in.”

The Champion Development website lists Len Nadolski as CEO

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

The City of Plymouth Planning Commission has given preliminary approval to a rezoning request by the First Church of Christ to convert their property on Ann Arbor Trail (just west of Harvey Street) to a mixed use site that will include a smaller church and 20 condominiums. Do you think this is a good use for the property? Email your opinions to Editor Scott Spielman at scottyspielman@gmail.com.

Glad Grads S

eniors in the Plymouth-Canton Community School District (PCCSD) had plenty to celebrate as they marched across the stage during their respective commencement ceremonies on June 8.

Nearly 1,500 graduates from Canton, Plymouth and Salem High Schools along with Starkweather Academy earned more than $6.6 million in scholarships to aid them as they continue their educational journey or enter a new trade.

At Canton High School, 465 graduates earned a combined $1.6 million in scholarships. At Plymouth, 460 graduates earned $2.2 million to take to the next step. At Salem, 420 graduates collected $2.8 million. In addition, 105 students graduated from the alternative education program at Starkweather Academy.

District officials said the scholarship estimates were probably on the low side, since PCCS relies on students and their families to let them know about the scholarships they earned—it is probably much higher.

Congrats to all the grads, and best of luck on the next stage in their lives—regardless of what it might be and where it might take them!

Photos by Bryan Mitchell

CANTON

Photos by Bryan Mitchell

Photos by Bryan Mitchell

Welcome to the 45th Anniversary of Plymouth Art In The Park!

If you’ve ever been to a good old-fashioned neighborhood block party, you know exactly the feeling we’re hoping to capture at Art In The Park. This past weekend, some of our friends had a fantastic block party and as I sat there, I realized this is such a simple but great way to host a party—close the street down and invite everyone out for a good time.

Just like a block party, Art In The Park brings together an incredible mix of personalities, talents, and stories — artists from across the country setting up their colorful booths, musicians filling the air with good vibes, kids laughing and having a blast, and food vendors serving up all the treats you’ve been thinking about all year. Don’t forget to pop into the unique shops around town and take a lunch break at one of our amazing restaurants — maybe even grabbing a seat on a sunny patio.

Over these 45 years, what began as a seed of an idea has grown into Michigan’s most beloved art fair and is proudly earning national recognition. This anniversary is a celebration of every artist, volunteer, visitor, and community member who has helped shape this tradition. Just like neighbors at a block party pitching in to set up tables, hang lights, and bring their best dishes, it truly takes a village to create the magic of Art In The Park.

So whether you come every year or are visiting for the very first time, I invite you to explore downtown Plymouth, soak in the sights and sounds, discover one-of-a-kind treasures, and maybe even find the perfect gift for someone. This weekend, our town is your block, and the party is just getting started.

Thank you for being part of the Art In The Park family — here’s to 45 years of art, community, and celebration. Let’s make this the best block party yet!

Raychel Rork Director - Art In The Park

Volunteers are the Backbone of AITP

This year marks the 45th anniversary of Art In The Park—what an incredible milestone! I’m so proud to carry the torch, following in the footsteps of my mom, Dianne Quinn, who founded this art fair all those years ago. Her vision started it all, and I’m endlessly grateful to have her still by my side—offering her expertise, lending a helping hand, and cheering us on every step of the way.

It takes nearly 100 volunteers to bring this art fair to life—from setup to teardown, they’re here around the clock. Whether working the Information Booths, assisting artists, or helping guide little hands at the kids mural, it’s a true labor of love. We are so fortunate to share this weekend with such a dedicated and passionate crew.

A heartfelt thank you to my dear friend and incredible partner-inproduction, Kathy Dryja. Your energy, precision, and spirit are unmatched. You are a meticulous powerhouse, and there’s no one I’d rather have in the trenches with me. We really do make one hell of a team.

And to our better halves—Joe and Rich—and all of our kids: thank you for embracing the chaos, climbing aboard, and helping us stay centered through it all.

This show takes a village—and I’m so lucky to have the best one around!

Thank You 2025 Art In The Park Sponsors

Art In The Park Turns 45

Plymouth’s Signature Festival is Bigger, Bolder, and More Creative Than Ever

By Wensdy Von Buskirk

This July, the streets of downtown Plymouth will once again transform into a vibrant outdoor gallery as Art In The Park celebrates its 45th anniversary. More than 400 artists from across the U.S. and beyond will set up booths offering everything from fine art and handmade jewelry to whimsical garden sculptures, textiles, and one-of-a-kind home décor. With live reggae music, street performers, delicious food, and plenty of interactive experiences for all ages, this beloved event has become one of Michigan’s premier art festivals — and a highlight of the summer for Plymouth residents.

HOW IT BEGAN

When Dianne Quinn first organized Art In The Park in 1980, she had no idea she was starting

a tradition that would become a cultural touchstone for her city.

That first year, armed with little more than a calligraphy pen and a homemade banner she painted in her living room, Quinn welcomed 30 artists to Kellogg Park.

“We didn’t have phones, we didn’t have computers, we didn’t have walkie-talkies — we did everything by hand,” she recalls.

In fact, on opening day, the park’s sprinklers suddenly erupted. Quinn scrambled to cap them with garbage cans until city workers could come to the rescue.

It was a family affair from the start.

“My mom was in the first art show—she was a quilter,” Quinn says. “And Raychel, my daughter, was about three years old. She was with my mom all the time while I was running around like a crazy person.”

Raychel Rork, who started out licking postage stamps for the festival’s mailings, now runs the event as Owner and Director— a role she took over when her mother officially retired in 2014.

“I still talk to her every day,” Rork says. “She’s still very much involved. I wonder if, in her wildest dreams, she ever imagined it would become such a

JULY 11, 12 & 13

Friday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

WHERE Kellogg Park and downtown Plymouth HIGHLIGHTS

· 400 artists

· Live reggae music

f rom Roots Vibrations

· Unique street performers

· Delicious food vendors

· Living mural

· Interactive chalk mural

· K ids activities

· + More!

ARTINTHEPARK.COM

“We always try to keep it fresh. When you’re walking, talking with friends, we want something that catches your eye and makes you want to come again.”

Raychel Rork, Director, Art In the Park

big deal, not only in Michigan but ranked highly in the art world.”

A FESTIVAL EVOLVES

Over four and a half decades, Art In The Park has grown from a modest local show to a three-day event that draws nearly 300,000 attendees each year. Supported by more than 100 volunteers and close collaboration with Plymouth’s Department of Municipal Services, the festival now spills out from Kellogg Park into the surrounding streets — offering a dynamic, walkable experience.

In addition to traditional artist booths, the festival includes over 90 "kid artists" — a tradition that started when a young boy asked if he could sell his handmade clay animals alongside the professional artists.

Quinn embraced the idea, and today, young exhibitors (ages 7–17) are a key part of the event, running their own booths and learning valuable entrepreneurial skills.

“It’s one of the coolest things,” Quinn says. “They’re learning what it means to make a sale, manage inventory, and present themselves.”

THIS YEAR’S HIGHLIGHTS

Rork and her team curate each year’s artist lineup with care — and 2025 is no exception. Among standouts are an artist who transforms discarded CDs into luminous, stained-glass-like pieces, a painter who uses coffee grounds as her medium, and a Zapotec weaver from Arizona who will bring his traditional loom and share the art of handmade indigenous tapestry in real time.

Beyond the art, Art In The Park offers interactive experiences like a Jurassic Parkthemed living chalk mural and live body painting, as well as crowd-favorite street entertainers and the beloved reggae band, Roots Vibrations.

craft show,” Rork laughs. “We have some fun and crazy stuff going on. One of the most magical things about coming to an event like this is meeting the makers, watching them work, and connecting with their passion.”

Of course, attendees will also find an enticing array of food options — from acai bowls and Indian cuisine to BBQ and decadent desserts.

“Come hungry,” Rork advises.

As Art In The Park marks 45 years, both Rork and Quinn feel immense gratitude.

“It’s very special,” Quinn says. “I never imagined that one day we’d have an art show in our perfect park that would completely change my life — and Plymouth’s, too.”

For more information, visit artinthepark.com.

“This isn’t your grandma’s

Artist Listing by Media

Artist Name Booth #

ART WEAR

Bekkering, Anna 835

Bourque, Tammy 506-507

Cornell, Carolyn 3002

Cumming, Cindy 578

Fitzgerald, Emily 126

Henderson, Anne 479

Miller, Brooklyn 539

Mutkus, Lysette 528

Pelc, Janna 4 019

Reese, Linda 211-212

Slack, Kaitlin 760

Stenzel, Kelly 229

Wilsher, Donnamaria 560-561

BATH & BODY

Cochenour, Natalie 117

Crouch, Leann 125

Cullipher, Terry 4 43-444

Geister, Diane 317

Irvin, Rachel 548

Jackson, Trisha 5007

Mack, Ryan 3001

Skinkle, Kristy 958

Vukovits, Lisa 836

Williams, Kristin 728

Wright, Jackie 496

BODY ART

Mccall, Jennifer 8 48

Nishwan, Shagida 321

Petro, Lina 257

Rasul, Zahabya 470

CANDLES

Cochran, Amanda 744-745

Fleckenstein, Anna 866

Gopisetty, Mounika 5009

Graustein, Robert 134

Pless, Gessica 3009

Sauchak, Brad 311

Zawadzki, Josh 4 02

CERAMICS

Arndt, Michael 834

Beydoun, Lina 558

Cherry Hill Potters Guild 608-613

Deshano, Andrea 358

Flynn, Meghan 3013

Fox, Jeanna 962

Isenberg, Jamie 871

Lichter, Annie 304

Martin, Scott 1811

Mclean, Renay 4 47

Mullins, Jason 716

Pendleton, Marla 4 64

Poole, Mark 742-743

Roberts, Kari 748

Roy, Richard 345

Schmidt, Doug 225

Schwartz, Anna 214

Sheen, Jenna 350

Vergith, Maryann 108

Village Potters Guild 497

Young, Allison 532

Zachery, Patricia 701

Zimmass, Hayley 864

COMMERCIAL FOOD VENDOR

Old Tyme Concessions 123

Paul's Gourmet Jerky 330

Sippies 448

Tikis Bubble Tea 543

S&S Kettle Corn 737

Cannelle/Golden Wheat 8 00

Absolutely Nutz 860

Stu's Classic Foods 90 0

Sweet Ts Lemonade 902

Wanderbowls 903

Sweet Elizas Baking Co. 907

Ben's Soft Pretzels 910

Marc's Concessions 913

Sweet And Sticky BBQ 917

Impasto LLC “Impasto” 919

The Indian Express 920

Cousins Maine Lobster 922

Island Noodles 925

Beyond Juicery Eatery 928

Get Loaded 931

Kinmans Concessions 933

Smoke Rattle & Roll 935

Blue Kuna Industries LLC 974

Sugarcane Galore 1300

Z-Toga 1565

Harvest Kettle Corn 1566

Chocolate Moonshine 1829

Edens Concessions 1778-1200

The Custard Hut 258-259

Snowy Owl 324-325

Five Star Pickles & Sausages 858-859

DIGITAL ART

Alferink, Brent 8 49-850

Burton, Jodi 111

Crider, Courtney 4 002

Edwards, Kurtis 973

Kafantaris, Timothy 955

Martens, Petrus 215

Miller, Aaron 340

Noelke, Sarah 478

Rennels, Kathy 5010

Walline, Brian 505

Wrenn, Thomas 778

DRAWING

Deighan, Christopher 814

Jahraus, Jon 203

King, Paul 101

Laporte, Chris 703

Mckelvey, Brian 576

Papineau, Eric 303

Pearson, Laura 8 41

Powers, Linda 867

FIBER

De Los Angeles, Enrique 138-139

Debastos, Lisa 961

Defer, Suzanne 954

Dewey, Janice 422

Distel, Anna 4 69

Ehrenfeld, Lauren 868-869

Favio, Megan 4 62

Haney, Debbie 752

Herrera, Patty 777

Hoover, Debbie 536

Johnson, Landria 720-721

Kohn, Karin 439

Makowski, Linda 732

Minton, Adria 4 018

Moore, Lucy 307-308

Mori, Eriko 119

Morrison, Marlee 959

Murray, Seya 118

Namewicha, Sawai 736

Petrarca, Laura 4 49

Schubert, Susanne 427

Siemasz, Abby 863

Stack, Dawn 221-222

Sturm, Nance 4 81

Villaclara, Veronica 312-313

Vinson, Shirleigh 246

Wiley, Lisa 207

Ye, Zhiyong 508

FLORAL

Cho, Jun 362

Dawson, Triamjai 527

Larges, Eric 107

Yang, Ray 130

FOLK ART

Klapper, Melissa 534-535

Reed, Katherine 3017

FURNITURE

Hanley, Kevin 951

Miller, Glenn 104

Miller, Joshua 141-142

Tomlinson, Rob 348-349

GLASS

Bickis, Seth 218

Bostian, Susan 3003

Dewitt, Jennie 219

Ellis, Ashley 4 004

Fenn, Daniel 455-456

Ferguson, Christine 972

Harr, Bobby 769

Hopkins, Christy 5004

Niner, Rod 826

Rice, Abby 563

Schrotenboer, Staci 964

Surowiec, Daedra 724

GOURMET FOOD

Albrecht, Fred 838

Altman, Heather 109

Button, Don 531

Colaizzi, Sherry 473

Doan, Laura 309

Farida, Angela 3005

Fideli, Lou 753-754

Frick, Mikayla 706

Gecewicz, Mike 965-966

Haratine, Tim 234

Hribal, Dustin 491-492

Jutzi, Tim & Sabrena 128

Kane, Jeff 544

Kruszyna, Ashley 319

Leppek-Harpham, Cheri 420-421

Malaney, Julie 422

Mehta, Gayatri 555

Meyers, Kimberly 8 40

Moore, Ashley 3014-3015

O'Connor, Mary 143-144

Robertson, Damon 524

Savage, Chris 253

Skerratt, Nicolette 121

Trump, Jennifer 851-852

Zuzga, Bryan 131

JEWELRY

Alvarado, David 722

Baron, Javier 811

Berton, Sean 614

Bienick Higgins, Lindsay 971

Blair, Kim 559

Brown, Herb 206

Brown, Leah 318

Brown, Allison Anne 837

Brown, Carrie 354-355

Carroll, Cathy 4 01

Chen, Helen 220

Civitarese, Kelly 231

Clark, Valerie 244

Collins, Nicole 537

Copeland, Laurie 702

Davis, Dave 825

De Volska, Hanna 878

Dicks, Denny 5003

Dugan, Lyndsey 226

Dykhuizen, Stacy 4 63

E Mitchell-Tardivi, Maureen 112

Fego, Melissa 326

Floros, Sabrina 452

Fox, Sean 3018-3019

Gilbert-Collick, Susan 216

Gollhardt, Karen 249

Gooley, Laura 727

Hanna, Erika 533

Highness, Kristy 556

Ichikawa, Mako 833

Jalsa, Ann Or Henry 103

James, Amy 749

Kocchi, Melinda 322

Lacey, Christina 120

Lala Bush, Spirit 526

Lassard, Jeanne 765

Lewis, Katherine 874-875

Lieberman, Ian 704-705

Macklin, Scott 315

Madden, Mike 419

Madjar, Shandor 8 06

Manning, Rhonda 334

Mccarthy, Kia 429

Mcfadden, Ann 495

Mcgraw, Merlys 862

Miao, Qq Sharon 829

Moeglich, Erika 238

Montana, Alexis 4 006

Moore, Mary Kay 519

O'Neal, Helen 870

Osterhoudt, Linda 756

Perez, Luis 433

Pizzini, Gerri 817-818

Ragan, Brent 114-115

Ramos-Zahrn, Lisa 963

Rentschler, Eric 5006

Shuell, Robin 4 45-446

Slaven, Mark 8 04

Spry, Sharon 580

Stamper, Marianne 977

Stevens, Cheryl 426

Stiles, Mick 3010

Szajnecki, Carly 4 40

Tekeli, Emre 602

Tiburzio, Ryan 100

Trejbal, Kristin 711

Vasquez, Allison 344

Victor, Amy 957

Villa, Luis 4 001

Wagman, David 855

Warner, Ginny 415

Weinreb, Barbara 715

Willett, Vong 5013

Ziegler, Bart 252

LEATHER

Aude, Paul 764

Britt, Dylan 223-224

Daley, Sarah 865

Hopf, Dominique 411-412

Wolf, Yuliya & Ari 709-710

METAL

Abdelnour, Sam 332

Ashley, Rachelle 600

Barcena, Sergio 430

Barkley, Robert 351

Earsing, Tommy 4 011-4012

Holt, James 250-251

Northrop, Alan 4 61

MIXED MEDIA

Arambula, Debbie 202

Fager-George, Daniel 4 00

Fontenot, Elizabeth 8 44-845

Grannan, Cassandra 953

Harris, Heather 201

Hesselgesser, Robin 606 -607

Lowe, Rick 617-618

Newman, Audwynn 3016

Powers, Abigail 116

Selva, Bobbie 423

Sweet, Fj 213

MUSIC

Gorodkin, Vladimir 950

PAINTING

Bagwell, K. 113

Ballard, Jonah 604

Biton, Moises 517

Cassidy, Denise 8 01-802

Cilluffo, Joseph 300

Davis, Wendy Michelle 530

Delange, Michelle 872

Domzal, Paulette 751

Dorris, Eric 8 05

Friedman, Laura 967

Ganun, Lyon 471

Garay, Carolyn 810

Garcia, Julio 521

Gonzalez, Eric 605

Healy, Patrick 4 41

Heikkinen, Daniel 735

Hojnacki, Marge 8 42-843

Kang, Mihye 3011

Keusch, Jason 501-502

Kim, Seo Young 217

Lee, Don 417

Litts, Megan 342

Lowe, Tone 245

Mao, Leo Hong 8 80

Mclendon, Michelle 320

Mills, Sarah 453

Minasyan, Araik 4 07

Mohr, Karri 74 0-741

Pacynski, Kevin 127

Patterson, Derek 346

Prabhakar, Ashwini 857

Ravenna, Janet 4 86

Rowley, Brent 557

Sane, Pratibha 204-205

Sari, Kenan 601

Scarbrough, Wendy 237

Singh, Navjot 494

Smith, Debbie 978

Stratman, David 854

Sun, Haijin 305

Swartz, Andrew 327

Thiery, Thomas 1222

Tolliver, Sarah 361

Turco, Fernanda 3006

Turns, Peri 310

Uptergrove, Theresa 472

Wall, Robyn 952

Walters, Peter 227-228

Wise, Jodi 761

Yvette, Alysia 450

Zhou, Ying 306

Zuber, Thomas 490

PAPER

Anderson, Christy 232-233

Clem, Mike 775

Ellsworth, Debbie 956

Nyberg, Yumiko 8 07

PET

Didia, Kelsey 564

Jackson, Lisa 242-243

Lawson, Julie 832

Moser, Steve 454

Oberdick, Ryan 717

Schwarze, Gabby 106

Younce, Marsha 236

PHOTOGRAPHY

Copeland, Robert 579

Daum, Dennis 343

Diamond, Hadley 5008

Doherty, Christopher 573-574

Dowling, Adelfa 476

Downey, Larry 509

Harding, Matt 3012

Kaulins, Jan 700

Keuvelaar, John 241

Kimmet, Tiffany 755

Leipprandt, Tyler 877

Liang, Sunny 8 03

Marsh, James 873

Olson, Michael 4 013

Richards, William 4 05

Tanner, Deborah 565

Wright, Suzette & Ron 133

PRINTMAKING

Davis, Alimayu 975

Holmgren, Hana 105

Mason, Abby 827

Vadakoottu, Sajeev 239

Wennersten, Jay 759

SCULPTURE

Aksamitova, Tess 815-816

Anderson, Troy 581

Boyce, Robert 603

Bramblett, Carol 4 80

Fedor, Gwen 566

Fesken, John 616

Friel, David 4 000

George, Michael 621-622

Hildenbrandt, Chris 812-813

Johnson, Thad 316

Jolley, Lisa 3004

Lewis, Arlene 5014

Meyer, Malia 776

Perry, Eugene 301-302

Pollack, Suphattra 328

Povinelli, Amy 338-339

Sampson, Jessica 540-541

Stephens, Dan 853

Sumpter, Steven 493

STUDIO SPARK EXHIBITOR

All Around Art 8 013-8014

AR Workshop Northville 8 001

Clever Endeavours By Deb 8 011-8012

Ginger Rogers Gift LLC 8 002

True 2 You Candle Studio 8 005 Lulu By Design 8 006

Skincare Socialclub 8 015

The Market Made 8 004

Tian, Janet 8 003

WOOD

Acton, Cole 5005

Aleksandrovich, Isai 504 Allen, Alexander 5001-5002

Amos, Taylor 960 Anderson, Dylan 240

Andreasson, Kenton 4 016-4017

Archer, Misty 208-209-210

Austin, Joyce 861 Baker, Ron 538

Belser, William

Butler, Lindsey 3000

Ceraolo, Christine 4 005

Clevenger, Dave 828

Dayvault, Laurie 725-726

Den Boer, Harrie 329 Deur, Krista 359-360

Gordon, Carrie 4 42

Grieshaber, Jamie 733-734

Grillo, Crocifissa Kristina 503 Hadley, Terry 247-248

Harris, Steven 808 -809 Hurn, Paul & Alyse 746

Johnson, Bobby 562

Maiwald, Andre 856

Mccurdy, Melissa 976

Mckarns, Shawna 969-970

Miller, Leonard 335 Minard, Ian 1429

Passorelli, Trisha 5015-5016

Paulino, Alessandra 767-768

Petrick, Wayne 4 003

Robinson, Seth 451 Schrotenboer, Tara 30 07-3008

Singleton, John 129

Sturk, Bob 230

Swinford, Brian 4 03-404

Traver, Tim 102 Voigt, Derek 341 Williams, Tracey 5011-5012 Wurtz, Lance 413

YARD & GARDEN

Cantrell, Dale 437

Clover, Brent 4 010

Illies, Stacey 762

Rapaich, Diane 1244

Reeser, Jaron 357

Artist Spotlights

By Tim Smith

Miniature masterpieces

Oklahoma artist creates palm-sized paintings

Imagine having a world-class art gallery resting in the palm of your hand. That’s what Eric Gonzales creates with his miniature watercolor works.

Gonzales, 44, will bring an enthralling array of his tiny brush-stroke masterpieces – from Babe Ruth to the Batmobile – to this year’s Art in the Park in downtown Plymouth.

“I spent a long time on that one,” said Gonzales about the Ruth painting that he knocked out of the artistic park. “About 16 hours. I don’t look at the clock, but I know I spent two eight-hour days on that.”

In fact, he said he sometimes just zones out while working his magic – making sure to trim off wayward tiny bristles when

a long time,” said Gonzales, a resident of Tulsa, Oklahoma making his first visit to Michigan. “It just takes a lot of patience. Really, it’s a steady hand.”

Gonzales said he finds famous photographs such as cancerstricken Babe Ruth standing on the field at Yankee Stadium, using his bat like a cane. Using those photos as a reference point, he goes to work on his 23-by-34millimeter paintings—and he doesn’t use a magnifying glass.

needed to maintain a pencilsharp point.

“It would be like someone reading a book and they’re really into it,” Gonzales said. “It’s very similar to that. Like, I’ll sit and read and I’ll read a chapter and my mind will start to race off and think of other things, but I continue to read. It’s the same thing with painting. I’ll start painting and after so long my mind will start thinking of other things and next thing you know I have a painting in front of me.”

literally make more of a cultural impact with less.

Visitors to his booth in Plymouth will note the large variety of subjects: Campbell tomato soup can, New York Cityera John Lennon, Christmas bell, glass of bourbon, DeLorean time machine and ‘Resting Buffalo,’ a buffalo head painting that Gonzales said he is very proud of.

But when asked to name one of the paintings he found most challenging and rewarding, he listed one called ‘Meditative State.’

“It’s a Native American and I really, really personally like that one,” Gonzales noted. “…I probably painted him a couple different times, but he turned out really, really good. I liked how quiet it was. That’s probably one of my favorite

According to Raychel Rork, director of Art in the Park, the juried panel that selected Gonzales was blown away by the quality and uniqueness of the paintings.

Gonzales estimated he’s created about 150 of the miniscule paintings.

Having been a seasoned penand-ink artist with larger works (6-by-6-foot, no less) represented at a Tulsa-area gallery, Gonzales ultimately decided he could

“It’s something different that you don’t see every day, so I thought that it’d be a good feature to show,” Rork said. “Not only is he super talented, but it’s also the size and the scale of the work that he’s doing. It will be really interesting for people to check out his booth and see them all lined up.”

Chances are pretty good those visitors will ask Gonzales the same questions they usually do.

“I always get the same

questions, like ‘Do you use a magnifying glass?’ Or ‘Do you have a one- or two-hair brush?’ ‘How long do they take?’,” Gonzales said. “At first, they think they’re photographs. Or they think I took a painting and somehow shrunk it down. … They think I have some shrink machine.”

Gonzales has a website (www. artbygonzo.com) and displays his work on social media platforms such as TikTok.

He'll have originals and prints on display and available for purchase at Art in the Park, many of which are $25 each. He will also sell 8-by-10-inch matted mini frames ($54.25).

“I have my own unique design on how I mat and frame the little frames,” Gonzales said. “I have an opening in the back (of an 8-by-10 matting) and I glue the (smaller) frame onto that matting and then I slip the painting or the print behind the frame.”

Art in the Park patrons will get to view some of the tiniest works of art ever created and interact with Gonzales and learn more about his creative journey, too.

“To be able to talk to the person that made the piece you’re looking at and ask some questions, like ‘How did you learn to do this?’” Rork emphasized. “That’s where the magic happens.”

Carving a niche Young artist brings custom woodworking from YouTube to Art in the Park

The first thing visitors to Jaden Simpson’s Art in the Park booth will notice is how professional and committed to his craft the 17-year-old Clinton Township resident is.

Of course, they also will recognize Simpson possesses a ton of talent, too.

Plymouth Art in the Park Director Raychel Rork certainly noticed those traits and is enthusiastic about how Simpson

and his Jay’s Lumber Works booth will be received at the annual showcase.

“Jaden, he’s kind of a dream story,” said Rork. “He is still a teenager, but his work embodies everything we’d be looking for in craftsmanship and creativity. You can watch him, from start to finish, make these charcuterie boards or furniture. To be 17 and already that established and have quite a following is pretty amazing.”

Although Rork’s endorsement might elicit a smile from Simpson, he is not about to stop

making premium, handcrafted wooden products in his family’s garage or capturing the process on his Jay’s Lumber Works YouTube channel.

That channel is where he regularly posts quick and snappy shorts showing how he turns a plank of lumber into a serving tray, plaque, or a nifty cutting board.

“For YouTube, I know it’s a good platform for getting your name out there,” said Simpson, a junior at Chippewa Valley High School. “There really wasn’t a strategy as far as posting went. I know from experience, from watching YouTube videos, that if you make your clips shorter, like 1-to-5 seconds, that it will attract people.

“I’m not posting a 20-minute video of me working at one machine. I’m posting maybe a 1-minute video of me working at all the machines.”

And work is what makes Simpson tick. In fact, for a high school teen, he definitely has the work ethic and entrepreneurial sense of a self-made man.

At Art in the Park, he’ll show (and hopefully sell) some of his wares, but also converse with patrons and tell them what his fledgling business is all about.

“The main thing is talking to people, that’s what I want to do,” Simpson said. “That’s the big thing that I’m excited for. The main goal is to get out there, let them know who you are.”

Simpson said he started becoming interested in the craft when he was a kid, teaming up with

his dad to make “little swords” out of wood.

Then, during 2023-24 at Chippewa Valley, he enjoyed taking a full year of woodshop class, learning all about the various tools, safety tips and gleaning general knowledge about the craft.

Over the subsequent summer, he used cash that he originally was saving to buy a car to splurge on tools such as a planerjointer and table saw, instead. Then he used a long, electrical cord running from the house into the detached garage to power up his newfound hobby.

Soon, that hobby became a small business – helped by a garage renovation which now has underground electricity and “a bunch of outlets everywhere.”

After getting Jay’s Lumber Works out of the starting blocks, Simpson started thinking about his long-term future.

Not only did he create and post videos to social media, he

launched a comprehensive website (www.jayslumberworks. com) which is an impressive overview of what he and his work is all about.

“I made the website to direct people that want to buy things to where they need to be,” Simpson explained. “They saw my videos, they go to my bio, they can view my gallery if they want some ideas.

“They can buy my pre-made products if they’re not interested in something custom.”

Just a few of the offerings in the website’s gallery include a hexagonal dice roller box, Mooney side table, ‘Little Larry’ coffee table and ‘Compass Rose’ tabletop. He will bring an array of smaller creations to Plymouth, as he only has a 7-by-7-foot space to work with.

Through metro Detroit art shows and festivals such as Plymouth’s, he is certain to grow his customer base.

“If I could make this a career I’d be set for life,” Simpson said. “I need to be doing something that I like. I can’t be sitting around giving people food for a living or doing office jobs.

“I need to make something. I want to make something for someone to have in their house that will last forever.”

FRALICKAVENUE

PENNIMANAVENUE

TAKE THE SHUTTLE

• Park free at Schoolcraft College, 18600 Haggerty Rd., Livonia

• Shuttles run continuously 30 minutes before and after event.

• Air-conditioned coaches with restrooms, storage for strollers and purchases, ADA accessible.

$8 round trip for adults; kids 12 & under ride free

Living History

Local students get outside the classroom for lesson on patriotism

Photos by Bryan Mitchell

Students from Bird Elementary had a chance to get up close and personal with history in May, which is Military Appreciation Month.

Prior to the Memorial Day holiday, the students visited the Plymouth Community Veterans’ Memorial Park, where they learned about veterans, the wars they fought in and the equipment they used from people who served, members of the city and township police department and more.

At different locations in the park, they learned about The Civil War, the significance of the different heights

on the war memorials—their height reflects the number of American lives lost—what it means to be a veteran, how to fold an American flag, and how much effort it took to move a 6,000-pound cannon at a time when there were no cars or trucks to pull them, and more.

“It helps them get a lot more perspective,” said Pam Morgan, a Bird teacher who helped organize the event.

“We love taking part in this kind of thing,” said Plymouth Township Police Chief James Knittel, Jr. “It’s a great way to honor our veterans and support our community.”

Graye’s Greenhouse has operated for nearly 100 years at the corner of Lilley and Joy roads in Plymouth Township, a business frequented by people with dirty hands, happy hearts and smiling faces. Now change may be on the way at the historic site.

Prospective owners Kyle Keaffaber and his wife, Kristen Arthurs, said they want to expand on the potential of the site and build on its rich history—and they’re looking for plenty of input from the community even before they decide to purchase the property or plans get fully developed.

“Our big goal, really is just to create a community asset—or expand this current community asset that we have,” said Keaffaber. “It’s a piece of architecture that needs preservation and it’s also a place where people can come gather.”

The couple and current

owner Rachel Nisch hosted an informal public open house at the greenhouse last month, where they gave a general outline of what they wanted to accomplish, answered questions and listened to ideas and concerns.

Nisch, who has visited the business since she was a child and owned in since 2019, said she’s had a difficult time keeping up the 6.5-acre property, and that she likes the general concept proposed for it: the greenhouse and a common green space would stay, but be supported by some other, yet-to-be-determined businesses.

“I’ve had a hard time supporting the six-and-a-half acres with just the greenhouse business,” she said.

“I’ve been trying lots of different things and they’ve been paying off wonderfully in community support and good things—but it’s tough to pay the bills and that’s why we’re in this position.

“I know this shakes things

in here. We’ve said this would be a space where Kellogg Park meets your favorite up north destinations. I think the neat thing about Kellogg Park is it can be a primary destination for people, but also it can be ‘hey, I’m going to a restaurant in town by Kellogg Park and also enjoy the park as a secondary thing’.”

“I’m excited about the prospect of having a park-like atmosphere, something that be a place for weekly routines—whether that will be getting your produce to make a meal with friends, walking your dog, grabbing a coffee with a friend, a place where kids can come and play and just enjoy the ambience of Grayes,” said Arthurs, who is also a pediatric speech pathologist. “We want to enjoy that and expand that.”

up a bit and this corner would look different, but I do think it’s really in keeping with the spirit of Graye’s and what is warm and welcoming and facilitates community as Graye’s does now. There may be big changes in some ways and hopefully all the good stuff we love will stay the same.”

That’s the general idea, according to Keaffaber, an architect by trade who has worked on projects that enhance communities, like libraries and schools. The placards set up at the public hearing showed the greenhouse and common area surrounded by small businesses, like a coffee shop. Condominiums are a possibility, too, but nothing has been decided yet.

“We need to create some things that help sustain the site. It is going to look a little bit different,” he said. “We’ve thought about the ideas of adding some new commercial spaces, just to bring some other foot traffic

Michiganense Natives, a native plant retailer that operates out of the site, would continue to do so, said Adam Huttenstine, who owns that business. Huttenstine, who is also a restoration assistant with the Friends of the Rouge River, started the business in his backyard and moved to the

Graye’s site in 2024. It is the only Michigan native plant-based retailer in the lower peninsula.

“We’ve built quite a bit of infrastructure and we’ve had tons of support,” said Huttenstine.

“The community is great here; I don’t really want to go anywhere else. It’s a very cool historical site. We could go find a commercial

Kyle Keaffaber and his wife, Kristen Arthurs, talked about potential plans for the 6.5-acre Graye’s Greenhouse property at Joy and Lilley roads. They are just beginning to solicit input on what could be developed—and saved—there.

lot, or somewhere 20 miles west of here, but being where people are is so important.”

The name would also remain.

“I don’t know why you’d change it,” Keaffaber said. “This building has been here for more than a hundred years and it’s obviously very important to a lot of people, so why would we try to rebrand a thing that already has roots? There are plants here that are older than me. It’s pretty awesome.”

The property is currently zoned R2A, a residential zoning that would allow for the construction of about 74 condominiums.

Keaffaber and Arthurs, Plymouth Township residents, said they would keep the property as one parcel—not sell off any of it—and develop it as a Planned Unit Development (PUD), which would

anticipate anything that intense—it’s important to keep the corner as inviting and open as possible. They have met with township officials, but not submitted anything formal yet. They could do that this month. They are holding off on an official decision to purchase the property depending on if the township approves the rezoning request.

Nisch had initially planned to sell the property and retire, but said that may change.

“We haven’t figured out the nuts and bolts of this, but it sounds increasingly like I will be a partner of the whole shebang with a focus—at least initially— on the greenhouse,” she said. “I was expecting to be a transitional presence and helping pass on the greenhouse torch, but I think for

would take time to materialize, because they want to get it right.

“It’s realistic to expect that not all of this would happen within the next five years,” he said, when asked about the proposed timeline.

“I think the key is to figure out what can help sustain this site and, if it doesn’t need condos and it doesn’t need all the commercial things and if we hit the sweet spot for it where we can have all the shared greenspace and we can have some other businesses to help sustain it—I think that’s where we’re going to be where we hit on the right answer to that.”

The right answer, he emphasized, would only come with community input. The public gathering was an informal one, and they volunteered to do it prior to submitting any plans to the

We want it to be a community project. We want feedback,” he said. “This isn’t going to be the last time we come to ask for feedback. For this to be a project of the community, we really need the community’s input to make it happen.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

The new owners of the century-old Graye’s Greenhouse are looking to create more of a destination with the 6.5-acre historic property on Joy at Lilley. They plan to keep the greenhouse and a common green space, but want to hear from the public to get idea about other uses at the site. What would you like to see happen at the site? We’d love to hear your ideas. Please email your opinions to Editor Scott Spielman at scottyspielman@ gmail.com.

“I know this shakes things up a bit and this corner would look different, but I do think it’s really in keeping with the spirit of Graye’s and what is warm and welcoming and facilitates community as Graye’s does now. There may be big changes in some ways and hopefully all the good stuff we love will stay the same.”

Rachel Nisch, who plans to stay on as co-owner of Graye’s Greenhouse

PLYMOUTH PULSE

Latest News and Community Updates July 2025: HEADLINE EDITION

Expanded news coverage available July 1 on website: plymouthmi.gov

City lowers tax rate in 2025-2026 budget

Plymouth City Commissioners approved the property-tax millage rates for the 2025 fiscal year, following a public hearing as part of the City’s budget approval process on June 2. The total City millage is 13.6964 mills for 2025, which represents 0.3835 mills less than the 2024 total City tax rate.

Even with a reduced tax rate, the newly adopted budget maintains current service levels and continues to deliver on the City Commission’s Strategic Plan. The complete budget is available on the City’s website. The City has won a national budget award for transparency for seven years in a row.

City of Plymouth reminds residents and business owners that Summer Taxes are payable through August 11 without penalty. Additional information appears on the reverse side of your tax statement, which you should receive in the mail in late June. Make all checks payable to: CITY OF PLYMOUTH Payments may be made at City Hall during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, at the Treasurer’s office in City Hall, 201 S. Main Street. Cash, Checks and Credit Cards (a convenience fee applies) are accepted for payment during business hours. Additional payment options are on the City website at www.plymouthmi.gov

Volunteer planting activities help keep Plymouth beautiful

Volunteers spanning all age groups, including family and friends of Plymouth Rotary (pictured here at the Main Street island in downtown Plymouth), have been planting flowers in planters situated throughout the area over the past two months. Volunteer groups acquire and plant all flowers in downtown Plymouth. Upon completion of the planting process, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) takes over the watering and maintenance of the flower beds.

Plymouth’s Kids Voting Program earns “Best Practices” state award

City of Plymouth’s City Clerk Department, led by City Clerk Maureen Brodie and Assistant to the Clerk Sydney Bridgman, recently earned a coveted MiExcellence Award for its popular and engaging “Kids Voting Program.” Department officials were formally recognized at the annual Summer Conference in Muskegon.

The MiExcellence Awards are presented by the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks to recognize outstanding achievements and best practices within the field of municipal clerkship. Specifically, these awards highlight excellence in areas like security, cybersecurity, and other relevant fields.

Here’s an easy way to stay “connected” to the City of Plymouth

Welcome to the “Headline Edition” of the PLYMOUTH PULSE monthly Newsletter!

As part of the City of Plymouth’s never-ending quest to communicate – and stay connected – with residents and business owners, THE ROCK magazine will now feature a two-page pilot “Headline Edition” of the popular PLYMOUTH PULSE monthly digital newsletter.

“Our goal is to reach and connect with as many citizens as possible,” said City Manager Paul Sincock. “That’s why we are publishing a two-page edition in THE ROCK. This magazine is delivered to every household in Plymouth, so it’s a great way to expand our message and to reach residents who may not have access to our social media or our email listserv platforms or who may have missed our previous mailed edition.

“We want to engage ALL our residents to tell them know about all the positive happenings in our great City,” Sincock added.

Residents still may subscribe to the comprehensive, 20-page electronic version of the monthly PLYMOUTH PULSE Newsletter, which is posted on the first Monday of each month. You may subscribe to the newsletter at this link: tinyurl.com/CityofPlymouthNewsletter, or access it on the Home Page of the City of Plymouth’s website at plymouthmi.gov

The partnership with THE ROCK is one of many new and innovative communication strategies which have been implemented by Plymouth city officials over the past year. City Commissioners were presented with an all-inclusive 100+ page “Communications Plan” in July 2024 with the goal of enhancing “community engagement,” a foundational pillar of the City’s Strategic Plan. The plan’s recommendations were driven by robust citizens’ focus groups. In fact, the revamped and redesigned PLYMOUTH PULSE Newsletter is just one of the many ideas which have been completed to reinforce increased community engagement.

To access the Communications Plan, please visit our website plymouthmi.gov and also visit our multiple social media platforms at: facebook.com/CityofPlymouthMichigan CityofPlymouthMichigan

City officials remain focused on SAFETY during events

Downtown Plymouth will be buzzing during the month of July, as a host of major events coverage on our quaint, colonial city There’s the annual “Good Morning USA Parade” on Friday, July 4; Art in the Park on July 11-13; Friday night Music in the Air concerts on July 4, 18 and 25; and Thursday night Plymouth Community Band Concerts on July 3, 10, 17 and 24. Events also feature more traffic control devices for enhanced event security measures, according to Chris Porman, Assistant City Manager and Director of the Department of Municipal Services (DMS).

“While it may not be aesthetically pleasing, the barricades are an important vehicle deterrent, and they are there for a reason,” Porman explained “We all work together as a team – Police, Fire, DMS. Huron Valley Ambulance (HVA), event staff – to create a safe environment for everyone We are all connected.”

Porman stressed that Team members always have the ability to communicate with each other during event days, so it’s important for participants to stay alert. “If you see something, say something,” Porman said. “We’re here to keep you safe, while you’re having fun.”

Kellogg Park

Friday night (7 p.m.) Concert Schedule

• July 4: Independence Day (Ava James) ● July 11: No Concert Scheduled because of Art in the Park

• July 18: Hollywood Night (Steve King & The Dittilies) ● July 25: ’90’s Night (Larry Less & the Back in the Day Band)

SKY’S THE LIMIT

By Brad Emons

Long jumper Quincy Isaac caps off stellar prep career with another state championship

When it comes to the best track and field athletes ever to come out of Plymouth Canton Educational Park, Quincy Isaac arguably ranks right at the top.

The senior from Canton High finished a storied career on May 31 when he captured the Division 1 long jump title for the third consecutive year while setting an MHSAA all-class, all-division finals record with a leap of 24 feet, 11½ inches at East Kentwood H.S.

Ironically, Isaac’s recordsetting jump broke the mark held by another former P-CEP athlete in Salem’s Mason Phillips, who set the standard in 2017 with a mark of 24-2¾. (Phillips went on to compete for both Northwood University and Alabama.)

The University of Michiganbound Isaac also posted the second-best long jump in the history of the state, falling just quarter-inch short of mark of 25-2½ set in 1988 by Marcel Richardson of Lansing Everett.

After showing his immense prowess with a personal-best leap of 25-1¾ at indoor state meet last winter at Central Michigan University, Isaac came out of the gates flying high for the outdoor season when he popped a P.R. jump of 25-2¼ on April 12 at the Oak Park Spring Classic.

“I felt a good jump was coming, so just having the opportunity at that meet and to be able to compete at that meet got the best jump out of me,” Isaac said. “Especially jumping 25 feet indoor, I was just hoping I could do something like that outdoor, too.”

That jump of 25-2¼ put him third among all high school long jumpers in the country. It would also have placed him third at this year’s Big Ten Outdoor Championship meet and would have ranked as the eighth-best overall for long jumps during that conference as well.

“He worked a lot this off season on getting stronger,” Canton first-year head coach Jon Mehl said. “And he went from

a consistent 23-foot jumper to a consistent 24-foot jumper. In college, they are going to teach him more of what makes him better. And he’s going to go from 25 (feet) to Lord knows?”

OVERCOMING INJURY

Isaac’s record-setting journey has come despite battling multiple injuries over the past three seasons.

During his sophomore year where he won his first D1 title in 2023 with a leap of 22-11, along with setting a P.R. of 24-3¾, Isaac was diagnosed with the mis-shaped hip that required surgery to smooth out his hip socket. He couldn’t play basketball that winter and had to rehab before finally getting the green light during his junior winter indoor season. (Isaac played basketball and ran cross country until sophomore year.)

During his junior outdoor season, he jumped all spring with a knee issue, but still captured regional (23-3¼) and his second state title (23-3½).

He had surgery that summer following his junior year. He was given the go-ahead to compete again toward the tail end of his 2025 indoor season.

“That was hard, the summer after my sophomore season I had surgery because I tore my labrum (hip),” Isaac said. “I was going through P.T. and that was difficult. That next year, my junior summer, I had surgery because I tore my meniscus (knee) during the season, so I was coming back from that, too. Went back to P.T. and just having to repeat that process all over again was very difficult.”

Mehl said that 6-foot-1, 170-pound Isaac, through P.T. and rehab, was doing all the necessary things to get stronger heading into his senior season.

“He already had the mechanics,” the Canton coach said. “We just had to get a strong kid. And he came out of the box jumping a foot further than he’s ever gone.”

Isaac battled a bone bruise in his foot during his senior outdoor

season and then strained his hamstring after finishing second in the 100-meter dash (10.61 seconds) at the Kensington Lakes Activities Association meet in early May at Novi.

He was held out of the Novi regional as a precaution after he earned an early qualifier approved meet jump at the Oak Park Spring Classic. Isaac was able to rest three weeks before the state finals.

“I was just hoping everything held up, really—the ankle and hamstring this year—so I couldn't jump at regionals but I still got there because of the early qualifier,” Isaac said. “So, that took a lot of the pressure off not having to jump at regionals. And then at actual ‘states’ I had been there before, I knew what I could do, I did it and it just worked out.”

GAINING CONFIDENCE

Isaac attended Workman Elementary School and then Pioneer Middle School before arriving at Canton where, as a freshman, he earned a D1

first opportunity that I got to work with him was when the regular jumps coach was away for the day and then I worked with him his freshman regional for the very first time,” Mehl said. “He was jumping at a level that a freshman shouldn’t even jump, and didn’t really know how to handle the stress. So, it obvious that he was literally leaps and bounds better than the other kids. But he didn’t know how to handle those pressure packed situations.”

During Isaac’s sophomore year, Mehl immediately began to work on mental side of things.

“It was ‘How do we get this kid to feel confident with his own abilities?’” Mehl said. “You can talk through it, and you can try to convince the kid that, ‘Hey, you’re really good.’ Maybe that might work with some, but we went the way with, ‘Let’s give this kid the mechanics to make him believe that he knows more than other kids know.’ And that’s what’s been successful for him. We worked mechanically to make

not only as a long jumper, but also in the sprints and the high jump.

He finished runner-up in the 100 at both the prestigious Farmington Invitational and KLAA meets (both in 10.61 seconds). Isaac also was a part of Canton’s first-place 4 x 200 relay, which took first at the Oak Park Spring Classic (1:28.24). Isaac also went a personal best 22.36 in the 200 in 2024, 6-6 in the high jump (2024) and was a part of Canton’s 4x100 relay that clocked a 42.49 (2024).

All told, he ended his Canton career with three KLAA, three regional and three state titles in the long jump.

“It was an amazing thing to be part of being able to connect with all the coaches and people on all different levels, just being able to be part of a team like Canton is something I’ll never forget,” Isaac said.

STRONG FOUNDATION

A lot of the Quincy’s success can be attributed to a strong family foundation which includes

qualifying berth and finished 22nd overall in the finals at 19-10.

His 21-1¾ P.R. jump as a ninth-grader is what caught the eye of Mehl, who at the time was an assistant coach at Canton under Jess Shough.

“I was focused primarily on the sprints and hurdles, so the

friends. Every kid does, but he really took charge this senior season as one of our captains. I had never seen him, speak loudly, yell, or raise his voice to an outside level to be heard. And this season he really did that. He came out of his shell as a captain.”

Besides being a talented athlete, Isaac also excels in the classroom, where he carried a 4.1 grade-point average at Canton. He plans to explore U-M’s Ross School of Business, according to Mehl.

“There were a lot of different schools involved until the end before I chose Michigan,” Isaac said. “Starting my sophomore year, I started to go through the recruiting process. And then going into last fall where I looked at all the different schools where I got down to my top two decisions at the end, which were Stanford and Michigan.”

Issac ultimately decided it was best to stay closer to home.

“I had more of a connection with the coach at Michigan and not being all the way across the country helped a little bit, too,” he said.

him sound and immediately he started jumping much, much better. He broke the state sophomore record. And then from there, it was, ‘O.K., how do we get this kid even further?’ We had to work the other stuff. ‘O.K., what’s lacking” Well, strength.”

Isaac also contributed to Canton’s track and field program

his father Homer, mother Sabrina and younger sister Laila, a gymnast.

“Super competitive kid, but he’s a quiet guy. But when he gets serious, he’s very serious,” Mehl said of Quincy. “When he commits himself to do something, he does it. He’s not a real goofaround kid. He has fun with his

Isaac, who admires 2024 Summer Olympic women’s gold medal long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall, is concentrating this summer on getting healthy before he embarks on his collegiate career where the sky is the limit.

“I haven’t clearly thought completely about goals, but I’m not putting anything out of reach whether it’s Big Ten Championships or NCAAs, or national champion, not putting anything out of reach yet,” he said.

A Musical Homecoming

Philharmonic summer performance features hometown vocalists

By Ken Voyles

This month will be a musical homecoming of sorts for a pair of nationally known vocalists who will make their return home to perform this month in Kellogg Park. Both are proud products of PlymouthCanton schools and the University of Michigan musical theater program.

The talented duo, Melanie Farrow Kraut and Ryan K. Bailer, will be featured vocalists during the Michigan Philharmonic Orchestra’s free concert in Kellogg Park on Saturday, June 28, beginning at 7 p.m.

The pair will join the Philharmonic during its annual “An American Salute,” that features a bevy of patriotic songs, American classics and some modern pop sounds as well.

The Kellogg Park performance launches “the Phil’s” outdoor summer concert season that features patriotic and Broadway music throughout June, July and August. The state’s top regional

orchestra plans to also perform in Milford at Kensington MetroPark and in Grosse Pointe at the Elanor and Edsel Ford House.

For the Plymouth show, Kraut and Bailer will take the stage along with longtime Phil conductor and music director Nan Washburn, who has led the professional orchestra for nearly 27 years.

“Singing in Plymouth is a long overdue expression of gratitude for my parents, who still live in the house on Harvey Street where I was raised,” said Kraut in a recent interview. “My parents have always been my biggest fans and supporters, and they have been traveling to see me perform for 30 years. This time, they can just walk down the street to Kellogg Park.”

Kraut said she grew up and benefited greatly from her public school arts education, especially at Central Middle School, with Maureen Mann, and at Salem High School with Gloria Logan.

Kraut’s career includes NYC stages, television, national commercials, and rock ’n' roll. Her career highlights include singing Phantom of the Opera at The Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor with Tony award winner Gavin Creel, guest starring (and singing opera) on prime-time national television with Robin Williams, debuting my first solo autobiographical show to a soldout crowd at City Winery NYC, headlining the legendary Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, and opening for Eric Clapton in a rock band.

“Plymouth is one of my favorite places on earth - and my

three kids feel that way too,” she said. “They grew up coming to Plymouth every summer to visit my parents, and now two of them have attended and are attending the University of Michigan, so I’m in Michigan all the time.”

Kraut, who has not performed in Plymouth since high school, said that coming home “feels like a huge hug.

“It’s a celebration of the rich artistic community where I began and I am thrilled to give back to that thriving community of artists and musicians,” she added. “I’m considered a versatile vocalist, known for having an extensive range and huge, expressive voice.”

During the show Kraut said she wants to sweep the audience away “by new interpretations of nostalgic songs, big vocals, and beautiful music.”

Ryan K. Bailer, who also graduated from PlymouthCanton schools and the U of M Musical Theatre program, has toured the country in “Les Miserables” and “Evita.” Regionally his credit highlights include “42nd Street” with Sally Struthers and as Captain Von Trapp in “The Sound of Music.” He is a Grammy nominated vocalist, as the male lead in Stephen Schwartz’s “Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook.”

The Plymouth concert is presented through the support of the Plymouth Community Arts Council and the Wilcox Foundation.

The Philharmonic’s other performance dates this summer include the following:

Saturday, July 12 – The Phil travels to Kensington Metropark

for its annual performance at Maple Beach. This concert is called “On Broadway!” and features music from “West Side Story,” “Hamilton,” “Wicked” and “Cabaret.” The free event begins at 7:30 p.m.; there is a Metropark fee to enter the park. Vocalist Kay Calzone, a Plymouth native, will perform with the Phil.

Friday, Aug. 15 – A special Phil concert is planned for the historic Eleanor and Edsel Ford Estate, also featuring a program called “On Broadway!” Enjoy this amazing array of musical styles from Broadway on the beautiful grounds of the historic home. There is an event cost for the 7 p.m. concert.

In September, the Phil will kick off its 80th concert season, which will run through April of 2026. A full slate of eight concerts are planned for venues in Plymouth, Northville, Canton and Farmington Hills.

A Father’s Legacy, A Son’s Mission: Full Body MRI Scans Without a Doctor’s Referral

(Southfield, MI) The late Dr. Warren Ringold knew firsthand the devastating impact of late-stage cancer diagnoses. As a respected family physician, he witnessed countless patients battling illnesses that could have been detected earlier. His own grueling battle with late-stage cancer ignited a passion, leading him to create Michigan’s first MRI full body screening center called Bionicc Body Screening.

SOFTBALL SIZE TUMORS SILENTLY GREW

Softball Size Tumors Silently Grew

Dr. Ringold discovered he had stage four cancer with tumors as large as softballs silently growing inside his body after experiencing shortness of breath. His treatment was brutal. He su ered cruel side e ects. After his cancer went into remission, it returned a year later as a brain tumor. Dr. Ringold believed there had to be a better way. He envisioned a future where individuals could take control of their

A Father’s Legacy, A Son’s Mission: Full Body MRI Scans Without a Doctor’s Referral

Dr. Ringold discovered he had stage four cancer with tumors as large as softballs silently growing inside his body after experiencing shortness of breath. His treatment was brutal. He suffered cruel side effects. After his cancer went into remission, it returned a year later as a brain tumor. Dr. Ringold believed there had to be a better way. He envisioned a future where individuals could take control

of their health and detect potential problems before they escalated. In his final days, Dr. Ringold passionately advocated for MRI full body screenings, a proactive approach he believed could empower individuals to take control of their health.

FULL BODY MRI SCANS WITHOUT A DOCTOR’S ORDER

(South eld, MI) e late Dr. Warren Ringold knew rsthand the devastating impact of late-stage cancer diagnoses. As a respected family physician, he witnessed countless patients battling illnesses that could have been detected earlier. His own grueling battle with late-stage cancer ignited a passion, leading him to create Michigan’s rst MRI full body screening center called Bionicc Body Screening.

health and detect potential problems before they escalated. In his nal days, Dr. Ringold passionately advocated for MRI full body screenings, a proactive approach he believed could empower individuals to take control of their health.

Raising Awareness

Full Body MRI Scans Without a Doctor’s Order

RAISING AWARENESS

Today, his son Ryan carries on this mission. ough not a medical professional himself, Ryan’s dedication to his father’s legacy drives him to raising awareness of this service for families of Michigan.

Today, his son Ryan carries on this mission. Though not a medical professional himself, Ryan’s dedication to his father’s legacy drives him to raising awareness of this service for families of Michigan.

“Every week I learn of another person who felt perfectly ne, only to wake up with an unexplained symptom and discover they have stage four cancer. Once symptoms manifest cancer is usually advanced,” says his son Ryan. “My father never wanted another family to su er the emotional and physical hardships that our family and he endured. He wanted to save lives.”

Bionicc Body Screening o ers elective, full-body MRI screenings that provide a comprehensive picture of your internal health, going beyond what traditional checkups often reveal. State-of-the-art technology can detect tumors as small as a pea, aneurysms, risk of stroke and a multitude of other conditions that might otherwise go unnoticed. Screenings include scans of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, hips, shoulders and spine.

A Life Saved

“Every week I learn of another person who felt perfectly fine, only to wake up with an unexplained symptom and discover they have stage four cancer. Once symptoms manifest cancer is usually advanced,” says his son Ryan. “My father never wanted another family to suffer the emotional and physical hardships that our family and he endured. He wanted to save lives.”

Bionicc Body Screening offers elective, full-body MRI screenings that provide a comprehensive picture of your internal health, going beyond what traditional checkups often reveal. State-of-the-art technology can detect tumors as small as a pea, aneurysms, risk of stroke and a multitude of other conditions that might otherwise go unnoticed. Screenings include scans of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, hips, shoulders and spine.

and are available

a doctor’s referral.

A LIFE SAVED

Mark B. and his younger brother decided to visit Bionicc Body Screening last spring for a proactive screening because cancer ran in their family. Mark was skeptical until his results returned a 3-centimeter mass on his lung, which tested positive for cancer. He had three-fourths of his lung removed. He credits the scan for saving his life. Meanwhile, his brother’s results were clean.

Located in South eld LIMITED TIME OFFER - Learn more now. Visit BioniccBodyScreening.com to download a free Welcome Information Kit and $200 savings offer. Book an appointment by calling 1-833-BIONICC. (833-246-6422) Scans are safe, non-invasive, emit no

Mark B. and his younger brother decided to visit Bionicc Body Screening last spring for a proactive screening because cancer ran in their family. Mark was skeptical until his results returned a 3-centimeter mass on his lung, which tested positive for cancer. He had threefourths of his lung removed. He credits the scan for saving his life. Meanwhile, his brother’s results were clean.

The late Dr. Ringold founded Bionicc Body Screening in 2022 after battling cancer twice. He believed MRI full body screenings could empower individuals to take control of their health.

For the past two months, Bryan Dulsky has been a regular fixture on the rooftop of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church on Penniman Avenue in downtown Plymouth. As one of few (very few) steeplejacks, Dulsky has been restoring the church’s 70-year-old steeple to its original structure.

A leak in the steeple some 50 years ago was repaired by wrapping aluminum siding around the steeple, like a box. It eliminated the water issue for several decades before problems arose in the last five years or so.

“Water was dripping into the choir loft and onto the organ,” said trustee Lindsay Brooke who is coordinating the work for the

church. “We tried everything to try and abate the leak, but nothing worked. That’s when we reached out to Bryan.”

So how does one find a steeplejack in the 21st century?

Dulsky, the sole proprietor of Detroit Steeplejack, has been repairing steeples, domes, and towers for 32 years, earning a reputation as the go-to for his incredibly specialized work, 90 percent of which is steeple restoration. Dulsky said he is typically booked a year in advance with the number of commissions dependent on the extent of the restorations.

While he has a client base in Michigan, his steeple work has taken him to Ohio, Indiana,

Kentucky, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The tallest steeple he has restored is the 240-foot St. Joseph Catholic Church steeple in Fremont, Ohio. It required a construction crane and took five months to complete.

A HEIGHTENED CALLING

Steeplejacks have been around for centuries and are defined as skilled craftsmen who specialize in working at heights. Dulsky said he finds a certain tranquility in working high above the treetops. “Echoes disappear, and sound travels further,” he noted. Starting as a roofer, he found he enjoyed work on high rise structures. As he tells it, his grandmother said, “They used to call those people steeplejacks.” That was

his epiphany. It was then that he focused on steeple work, found his trade name, and headed to Great Britain for observation and learning on older structures.

Though Dulsky craves the heights, he recognizes the dangers and takes considerable precautions in his work. He has his own manlift designed for getting up close on church properties without being damaging. It reaches to heights of 70 feet with an outreach of 40 feet. For further distances, he uses rope.

He noted that rope is the safest and best way to work on steeples. He is always connected to two ropes at any time with each rope certified with a break strength of 5,000 pounds. “Being on ropes

brings a lot of freedom,” he said.

Dulsky is licensed and certified in rope access, fall safety, tower climbing and steeplejack. He also is trained in asbestos removal and lead-based paint remediation. With steeples, you never know what you will find when you open the tower or towers.

NO TWO ARE ALIKE

Steeple design varies in size, shape and style depending on the church architecture. It can consist of a single base (tower), a belfry (where bells are housed), a lantern and a spire (the highest point) usually topped with a cross. Dulsky noted that most crosses are made of wood, even though you see steel or copper on the outside.

“Steeples are commonly neglected,” he said. “Their height makes them hard to observe and access.” He said the oldest steeples — he’s worked on many that are over a century old — tend to be made of the best materials such as old growth Douglas Fir or oak. The biggest issue in most

heavy wires.

While some steeples need little or no maintenance due to their design and materials, Dulsky’s services are needed for those steeples that have failed. He spends a lot of time working up drawings to eliminate weaknesses in the structure and will even make models to get a better grasp on a solution to the issue.

A UNIQUE SKILL SET

Mechanically inclined from a young age — he built a Hovercraft in his 10th grade woodshop class when the assignment was to create a wall hung coat rack — Dulsky would move on to Macomb Community College and then Wayne State University to study engineering.

His first foray into construction (after the Hovercraft build) was answering an ad to paint the kitchen at the then popular Rhinoceros Club in Detroit. That led to several other much larger construction projects at the restaurant and eventually to teaming up with one of the

cases is exposure to the elements, particularly excessive moisture.

When steeples start to fail with rot or corrosion creating a hole, it’s an invitation for birds — determined pigeons, for instance — to take up nesting space. There are methods to keep them out such as screening, bird spikes and

seat to steeple work once Dulsky established Detroit Steeplejack. His experience in roofing connected him to vendors (some in Europe) who deal in supplies such as antique roofing materials and the like which has been helpful when working on century-old structures. Dulsky maintains a large workshop behind his Detroit home where he can replicate materials that

waiters to start a roofing company, Rhinoceros Roofing. He admits the first roof project was a struggle (they learned by reading the back of a shingle package) but the roof still holds today. Within a year he completed a church roof and then the business took off.

Roofing would take a back

are no longer available. “When I take things down from a project, I save them. I have a large supply of materials,” he said.

STEEPLE RESTORED

The steeple at St. Peter’s has taken on an entirely new look from what has been there for half a century. For the first time in 50

years, parishioners can view the original steeple placed atop the church in 1955.

The belfry (bell tower) contains three bells stacked straight up with the largest on the bottom. Though they used to be rung by hand from a rope, they are now operated by electronically timed hammers. The steeple is constructed out of wood timbers. All the bells are contained within a framework of iron beams. Dulsky noted that the framework supporting the electronic ringer was flimsy, so he built a wooden support to increase resistance.

The spire is constructed out of performed steel panels with a baked-on porcelain exterior. To address the corrosion on the panels, Dulsky applied a rust treatment and an enamel coating. Some of the wood vents, which had been covered with the aluminum wrapping, were replaced using a combination of grain cedar and Canadian hemlock.

With the vents now exposed, Dulsky installed both screens and bird spikes to keep the birds from roosting.

The only part of the steeple that did not need repair is the steel cross. It has stood the test of time.

OUT& ABOUT

FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERTS

The Music in the Air live concert series continues throughout July in downtown Plymouth. Concerts take place from 7-10:00 p.m. in Kellogg Park, with a Fun Zone that features family-friendly activities. The upcoming schedule includes:

- June 27, Motor City Soul, Carnival Night

- July 4, Ava James, celebration of Independence Day

- July 11, no concert Art in the Park

- July 18, Steve King & the Dittlies, Hollywood Night

- July 25, Big Shiny Toons, 90s Night

All concerts are free. For more information, visit downtownplymouth.org

PARK CLEANUP

July 1

The Keep Plymouth Leafy organization will be hosting a park clean up at Rotary Park from 6-7:00 p.m. The group will host monthly “park blitzes” throughout the summer at various parks around the community. They are requesting volunteers to help with the efforts.

The City of Plymouth provides the mulch and tools, and volunteers provide the manpower to mulch around the base of the trees. This protects them from drought, lawnmowers and critters for months to come. Upcoming blitzes, which all run from 6-7 p.m., include:

- Aug. 5: Kiwanis Park

- Sept. 2: Knights of Columbus Park (Old Village Firehouse)

- Oct. 7: Hough Park

For more information, send an email to KeepPlymouthLeafy@gmail.com.

FARMER’S MARKET

The Plymouth Community Farmer’s Market takes place from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Saturday through Oct. 25 in The

Gathering in downtown Plymouth across from Kellogg Park. The market features fresh produce, flowers, baked goods, jams, meats and cheeses, along with candles, soaps, skin care products wood crafts and more. For more information, visit www. plymouthmich.org

PLYMOUTH COMMUNITY BAND CONCERTS

The Plymouth Community Band performs free summer concerts Thursdays in Kellogg Park at 7 p.m. through July 31 (Art in the Park week excluded). For more information about the shows and the PCB, visit www.plymouthcommunityband.org.

WILCOX WEDNESDAYS

The Plymouth Community Arts Council hosts free music in Kellogg Park at noon every Wednesday. Here’s some of the upcoming shows:

- July 2, Earth Angels - July 9, Nick Fugedi - July 16, Miss Paula & The Candy Bandits - July 23, Saline Fiddlers Harmonic - July 30, Beverly Meyer, the Music Lady All concerts are free. For more information, visit www.plymoutharts.com.

GOOD MORNING USA!

July 4

The annual Good Morning USA parade returns to downtown Plymouth to celebrate the July 4th holiday. The parade begins at 9 a.m. near the train tracks at Bode’s Restaurant and continues down Main Street to Hartsough Street. For more information, visit www.plymouthmi.gov/events.

RED, WHITE & BLUE ICE CREAM SOCIAL

July 17

The Plymouth Community Council on Aging is hosting its annual Red White & Blue Ice Cream Social from 1:30-3 p.m. Thursday,

July 17 at the main pavilion in Plymouth Township Park. Featured flavors include chocolate, vanilla and pecan. The cost is $6 for members and $10 for non-members.

BUMPERS, BIKES AND BANDS

July 20

Celebrate the business community in Plymouth’s Old Village from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This free event takes place on Starkweather Street, from Division to Farmer streets and on Liberty Street from Davis to Mill streets, featuring live music, vendors, food trucks and fun for the entire family.

CHAMBER GOLF OUTING

July 21

The Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce’s annual golf outing and raffle will take place July 21 at the Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center 8768 N. Territorial Road). The event is a scramble that will include lunch and dinner, plus an open bar throughout the day and on the course. All company foursomes receive a sign on the course. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. with a tee-off at 9 a.m. To purchase tickets, email Sheri Frader at sheri@plymouthmich.org or visit www.plymouthmich.org

WILCOX HOUSE TOUR

July 27

The Plymouth Historical Museum will host a guided tour of the historic Wilcox House (also known as the Markham House). The guide will be Frank Cozza, who will portray William "Phil" Markham who built the house for his mistress Blanche Shortman. Blanche will be portrayed by Samantha Joseph. Tickets are sold for four different time slots: 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tours last just under an hour. Tickets are $20 and are on sale now. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://plymouthhistory.org or call (734) 455-8940

SEND IT IN to get your items listed in OUT & ABOUT, email Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@therockmagazine.com

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