The Lenawee Voice — June 2024

‘The Bodyguard’ brings music of Whitney Houston to the Croswell stage » PAGE C3

Blighted buildings torn down; “town square” space planned for site » PAGE A3 Devils Lake Festival of the Arts is 10 years old this year » PAGE C1

THE LENAWEE VOICE

JUNE 2024

Local contractor marks 35 years in business

» PAGE A7

Pearls & Patina now open in downtown Adrian

» PAGE A8

Local family carries on legacy of one of Adrian’s oldest businesses » PAGE B1

Morenci students plan and run farmers market

» PAGE B1

‘Story walks’ being installed around Lenawee County

Lenawee Great Start Collaborative is funding the installations through a literacy grant

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

MORENCI — “Reading a book” is taking on a whole different dimension with the installation of “story walks” in four locations around Lenawee County this summer.

The first story walk was unveiled May 18 at Morenci’s Wakefield Park. Three more sites will follow this summer at Adrian’s Island Park, the playground area at ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital, and the Boundless Playground in Blissfield.

The story walks are funded by the Lenawee Great Start Collaborative

$5 million grant boosts project on former Tecumseh Products site

thanks to a literacy grant from the state of Michigan totaling approximately $58,000. Each of the four walks consists of 18 stands with aluminum frames containing laminated pages from a children’s book. Readers read the book by walking from station to station.

The stands also list an activity, such as “count the steps to the next sign,” to get youngsters even more engaged and give them more to do while on the walk.

Lenawee Great Start Director Lisa Eack said that when she first learned about the story walk idea and saw how it works, “I said, ‘this is the way to go.’”

All of the chosen locations have been highly supported by the officials

involved, offering up the tools and manpower needed for the initial construction, “so we’re really excited about that,” Eack said. “There’s been lots of great collaboration.”

And, she added, if Lenawee Great Start gets the state grant again, she would like to add walks in even more local communities.

The collaborative bought some 100 books for a wide range of ages and left it up to each location to choose what titles they want to use. Lenawee Great Start will be responsible for the sites’ upkeep and switching the books out periodically.

Vandria Erskin, along with her children and some friends, looks at one of the panels in the newly installed story walk at Morenci’s Wakefield Park. Pictured from left to right are Truett Erskin, Lyden Sarnac, Brooks Borton, Honor Erskin, Dawson Erskin, Kyden Borton, and Grayson Erskin. ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

Point-of-sale inspections, county parks, and more

Welcome back to The Agenda, a monthly column in which we highlight issues of importance in our community and ways you can get involved.

Point-of-sale home inspections:

The Adrian City Commission has been discussing a proposal to require exterior inspections of residential properties before they can be sold. The measure has generated intense discussion, with 23 people speaking against it at the May 20 city commission meeting. (See story on page 5.)

The city commission’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, June 3, at the commission chambers, 159 E. Maumee St. There is typically a pre-meeting work session at 6 p.m., which is also open to the public. To find out what items will be on the agenda for any given meeting, go to adriancity.com and click on “Agendas and Minutes.”

County parks survey: Lenawee County is conducting a survey about county parks. The survey is part of updating the county’s parks plan. Residents can take the survey by going to surveymonkey.com/r/lenaweeparks.

The county operates Bicentennial Park (5543 Tipton Highway, Tipton), Gerber Hill Park (14360 Carroll Road, Blissfield), Iron Lake Park (12401 Egan Highway, Brooklyn), Medina Park (7901 Warwick Road, Morenci), Ramsdell Park (1957 Glen Hill Highway, Clayton), and Taylor Road Park (2060 W. Taylor Road, Tecumseh).

Bixby proposal not yet ready for planning commission: Plans for a development of single-family rental homes on the site of the former ProMedica Bixby Hospital will not be on the Adrian City Planning Commission’s June agenda, city administrator Greg Elliott said. That’s because the city has not yet received plans from the developer. The planning commission typically meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the City Chambers Building, 159 E. Maumee St.

Commissioner Conversations: Adrian City Commissioner Bob Behnke invites residents to join him at the Adrian District Library, 143 E. Maumee St., on Wednesday, June 5 from 6-7 p.m., to discuss any city issues that may be on your mind.

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LOCAL NEWS

Three downtown buildings demolished

ADRIAN — The city of Adrian has demolished the buildings that once stood at 116-120 S. Main St.

The city received the deed to 116 and 118 S. Main St. a few years ago, after a tax sale. It acquired the connected property at 120 S. Main St. from the former owners last year.

The buildings were already beyond repair when the city took possession, city administrator Greg Elliott said in his weekly newsletter, with the damage coming from years of neglect. Stormwater infiltration had destroyed all of the wooden

portions of the structures, Elliott said.

The city plans to design a “town square” type space to activate the vacant space as well as the property at the southeast corner of West Maumee and Winter streets (the former Jean Christopher property) that the city acquired from the Lenawee County Land Bank.

Plans call for the two areas to be connected by a pedestrian way along the route of the former Maiden Lane.

Pop-up retail spaces are also intended as part of the project, to encourage startup retail activity in the downtown.

Debris is removed on May 22 from the site of three buildings on South Main Street that were demolished last month.

New leader takes the reins at Lenawee Christian

ADRIAN — Benjamin Andrassy assumed his new role as head of school at Lenawee Christian School on May 1.

$5 million grant awarded to apartment project in Tecumseh

TECUMSEH — A large infusion of funds will support a project to turn the former Tecumseh Products headquarters into apartments.

The federal funds will come through the Revitalization and Placemaking grant program administered by the state of Michigan. The grant was approved on May 21 by the Michigan Strategic Fund board.

brownfield site was previously the headquarters for the Tecumseh Products manufacturing facility. The project is a high priority for adding much-needed housing to the city and will be the first new apartment building in Tecumseh in over 30 years.

Andrassy holds a degree in secondary education from Sheffield Hallam University in the United Kingdom, in addition to multiple educational and leadership certificates. In addition to teaching in public schools for nine years, he was one of the senior leaders of Willow Tree Academy, overseeing five schools in the UK. He has an extensive background in Christian education, according to a news release.

“Throughout the extensive search process, Mr. Andrassy emerged as the best candidate to lead our school into its next chapter of growth and innovation,” Todd Marshall, CEO of Lenawee Christian Ministries, said in the statement announcing Andrassy’s appointment. “His visionary leadership, strong Christian faith, dedication to educational excellence, and collaborative approach make him the perfect fit for our community.”

The school also recently named John Herbert as its new high school principal.

Lenawee Christian School has about 600 students and is located at the corner of U.S. 223 and Wolf Creek Highway on the west side of Adrian.

IN BRIEF

Lenawee County Fair receives state grant for livestock barn

ADRIAN — A $100,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will help fund improvements to the livestock barn at the Lenawee County Fair and Event Grounds, 602 N. Dean St. Heather Downs, office manager for the fairgrounds, said the grant — which must be matched by $85,000 in local funding — will go into improving the steer, lamb, rabbit, poultry and dairy barns.

The Lenawee County Fair was one of 18 sites chosen to receive capital improvement funding in the 2024 grant cycle, according to a statement from MDARD. The grants were awarded through a competitive process.

The award will support the Products on Evans project, a brownfield redevelopment project that aims to rehabilitate a vacant, two-story office building near the downtown into a 59-unit apartment community. The

The city has also secured a $500,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Loan and a $500,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Grant from EGLE to assist with the costs of certain environmental assessment and remediation activities for the site. The city is providing a 10-year tax abatement on the development.

“The city of Tecumseh is supportive of the large-scale development project known as The Quarters as it will begin to address the significant housing shortage in Tecumseh and Lenawee County,” said Kelly Jo Gilmore, economic development director for the city of Tecumseh. “Located within a few blocks of our historic downtown, the development is set to rehabilitate a current brownfield site that has been vacant for the past decade. The development will serve as a catalyst in transforming the South Evans Street Corridor and re-energize the area as a gateway into Tecumseh’s downtown.”

Siena Heights names new academic leader

ADRIAN — Siena Heights University recently announced the appointment of Gina M. Rossetti as its next provost and vice president for academic affairs.

She has been on the faculty of Saint Xavier University since 2002.

According to a news release from Siena Heights, during her tenure at Saint Xavier, Rossetti has been deeply involved in shaping the academic offering, contributing significantly to the disciplines of American literature and composition. Her dedication to scholarship and teaching excellence has earned her recognition both within and beyond the academic community. In her scholarship, she specializes in American literary naturalism with special emphasis on Jack London’s fiction.

Beyond her academic work, she has played prominent roles in institutional governance and advancement at Saint Xavier University. Her leadership positions include serving as vice

Habitat still accepting teams for pickleball tournament

ADRIAN — Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County is planning a pickleball tournament to raise money for its home repairs program.

The tournament will take place on Saturday, June 29 at Heritage Park, 3221 N. Adrian Hwy.

Registration closes June 14, or earlier if all slots are full. Teams can register online at habitat-lenawee.org or by calling 517-265-6157.

A3 Resident Coalition’s next meeting is June 14

ADRIAN — The All About Adrian (A3) Resident Coalition will hold its June meeting on Friday, June 14, from 5 to 6 p.m. on Zoom. The link will be available at facebook.com/ A3andsurroundings or by emailing a3coalition.chair@gmail.com.

The A3 Resident Coalition’s goal is to reshape the east Adrian community and empower residents.

Fairfield Masonic Lodge supports community projects

FAIRFIELD TWP. — Fairfield Masonic Lodge #125 recently donated $650 to Jasmynn’s Voice, which supplies iPads to help children with autism communicate, and $1,000 to Lenawee Disabled American Veterans Post 20.

president of the Faculty Senate. She has also served as director of the Women and Gender Studies Program, Language and Literature department chair, and

State funds to help residents with home improvements

ADRIAN — The city of Adrian has received word that it was awarded $472,000 from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to help low-income and moderate-income homeowners make necessary home repairs.

The funds are to be spent over a two-year period. City administrator Greg Elliott said the funds are intended to be renewable, so the hope is that Adrian can continue to receive these grants and help residents improve their homes and neighborhoods.

Elliott said details about how homeowners can apply for the program should be available by sometime in June.

Downtown farmers market now open for the season

ADRIAN — The Adrian City Farmers Market opened for the season on May 18. The market is open every Saturday until Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This season the market opened with more than 20 vendors including local produce, locally raised meat and eggs, baked goods, handmade products and more. Weekly live entertainment and food trucks will be coming soon, according to city administrator Greg Elliott’s weekly newsletter. The market will support the following programs: SNAP/EBT, Double Up Food Bucks, and Senior Project Fresh.

chair of the University Rank and Tenure Committee.

“I am honored to join Siena Heights University, an institution deeply committed to academic excellence and the pursuit of knowledge in service to others,” Rosetti said in a statement. “My experience and beliefs resonate strongly with the mission and values of Siena Heights, and I am eager to collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to further advance our shared goals of educational innovation, inclusivity, and individual growth.”

SHU president Douglas Palmer said of Rossetti that “her extensive experience, commitment to academic excellence, and collaborative leadership style make her an ideal match for our institution. We are confident that Dr. Rossetti will play a central role in advancing our academic mission and fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity on our campus.”

New administrator starts work in Morenci

MORENCI — Jeff Bell started his new job as city administrator and clerk in Morenci on May 13.

Bell was born and raised in Morenci, and along with his wife, Kelly, raised his three children in town. They have four grandchildren who attend Morenci Area Schools.

Bell has 30 years of experience at Sauder Woodworking Co. in Archbold, Ohio, most recently serving as a procurement manager. He and his wife also own and operate Bell’s Tax Service in downtown Morenci, where he works as an accountant and tax practitioner.

Bell previously served on the Morenci City Council for one term, followed by two terms as mayor. He has also served as a planning commission member and chairman of the Downtown Development Authority.

He is an active member of the Morenci Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 1297, serving as the treasurer, and the Morenci American Legion Post 368, where he belongs to the Sons of the American Legion.

He can be reached by email at jeff.bell@cityofmorenci.org.

Gina Rossetti has been named provost and vice president for academic affairs at Siena Heights University.

Benjamin Andrassy

Jeff Bell

Proposed point-of-sale inspection rule draws intense community opposition

By Erik Gable The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — A proposal to require exterior inspections of homes in the city before they can be sold generated strong public opposition at the May 20 Adrian City Commission meeting.

The commission chambers were packed, and commissioners heard about an hour’s worth of comments from 23 people, all of whom were against the proposal.

The proposed ordinance would require that, before residential properties can be sold, they must obtain a certificate from either a city inspector or a private inspector stating that “based on a limited visual inspection, the residential dwelling and premises meets minimum standards in the International Property Maintenance Code.”

Conditional approval could be granted for a sale if the seller agreed to set aside enough money to make any required repairs. The ordinance would apply to both owner-occupied and rental properties, but rentals would not have to be inspected if they are already in compliance with the city’s rental inspection program.

The stated goal of the proposal is to fight blight in the city by making sure problems with homes are taken care of at the time they are sold.

According to the city assessor’s office, there are about 300 home sales in the city each year.

During a pre-meeting study session, Commissioner Bob Behnke asked several questions. He asked for an estimate of how many homes would not pass an inspection upon sale; Commissioner Mary Roberts said that based on what she has heard from real estate agents, the number is probably about 15%.

“I’m not opposed to fixing blight in the city. I just don’t think this is going to do it.”

— Jeff Rising

Behnke also asked how the city would respond to residents viewing it as a cash grab, to which city administrator Greg Elliott responded that the city cannot set fees for a service that are higher than the reasonable cost of providing the service.

Realtor Jeff Rising kicked off the public comment portion of the meeting.

“I’m not opposed to fixing blight in the city,” he said. “I just don’t think this is going to do it.”

This was a common sentiment among people who spoke. In addition, some said that the ordinance would actually hurt blight elimination efforts. One real

estate agent said that she’s happy when she sees somebody listing a rundown property for sale, because that means it can be purchased by somebody who will improve it.

Although many of the speakers at the May 20 meeting were real estate agents, many others were not. A number of residents said they themselves had purchased homes that needed work, and that they made the choice freely because they wanted to put the work into fixing the house up. With a point-of-sale inspection rule in place, they said, they would not have had that opportunity.

Others said that the rule would have a disproportionate negative impact on lowincome and older homeowners, and that it would place an extra burden on people who need to sell the home of a deceased or incapacitated parent.

Another sentiment expressed by many was that the city needs to devote more energy to enforcing anti-blight ordinances that are already on the books, rather than enacting new ones.

Monday’s meeting was a first reading of the proposed ordinance, so no action was taken.

The soonest that the ordinance could appear on a city commission agenda for action is June 3. The commission meets on the first and third Monday of every month. Agendas for each meeting may be found at adriancity.com.

Yatzek named dean of students for Prairie

ADRIAN — A teacher at Prairie Elementary School will move into an administrative role at the school next year.

The Adrian school board on May 20 approved the appointment of Callie Yatzek as dean of students for Prairie. Yatzek was recommended by an interview team consisting of a board member, a community member, teachers, and administrators.

Yatzek is a third grade teacher at Prairie and has been with the district for 14 years. While at Adrian Public Schools, Yatzek has served on numerous leadership teams and committees, such as the Positive Behavior and Intervention and Supports (PBIS) Building Leadership Team, school improvement committees, and district curriculum committees.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in language arts from Siena Heights University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western Governors University.

Yatzek will assume her new role for the 2024-25 school year.

Neighbors voice anger over Adrian College sports dome

By Erik Gable The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Plans for a 90-foot-tall inflatable sports dome on the Adrian College campus have the college’s neighbors seeing red.

Residents of an adjacent residential neighborhood have attended the last few meetings of the Adrian City Commission and the city planning commission to voice their anger and disappointment — both with the college for its plans and with the city for the fact that they didn’t find out about the dome until it had already been approved.

“It’s going to be this huge monstrosity,” Tim Bakewell, who lives on Canterbury Street, said at the April 15 city commission meeting. “I will no longer be able to go out in my back yard and see anything but this huge dome.”

“I’m tired of Adrian College running roughshod over my neighborhood,” he added.

Residents also said they feel the city has not done enough to protect their neighborhood over the years.

“It always seems like what Adrian College wants, Adrian College gets,” Richard Blonde, also a Canterbury Street resident, said at the April 15 meeting.

And speaking at the May 6 meeting, Canterbury resident Sue Allshouse said that “our neighborhood continues to feel disrespected by the things the college has done to devalue our properties.”

One resident had an architect relative look at the plans and create renderings of what the dome would look like behind homes in the neighborhood, and the neighbors brought these renderings with them to the meetings.

The site plan review took place at the planning commission’s March 12 meeting. A notice of that meeting

was published in the Daily Telegram’s classified section, but it did not mention the site plan review. City administrator Greg Elliott’s email newsletter also stated that “a proposed indoor practice facility at Adrian College” would be reviewed at the meeting, and that notice was also included in a Daily Telegram news item. Residents noted that a relatively uncontroversial item — plans for a credit union drive-through on the site of the former Eclipse nightclub — was announced to neighbors with a mailing, because it involved a zoning variance, while the sports dome was not required to be publicized that way.

The city’s role in approving the sports dome was purely administrative — the planning commission’s role in a site plan review is simply to determine if an applicant’s plan meets the letter of the law — but neighbors said that if they had known about the proposal, they would at least have had an opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns. In addition

to the view, neighbors said they were worried about water runoff and noise.

Bakewell said he feels the city did the “absolute bare minimum” where transparency is concerned.

“I’m tired of Adrian College running roughshod over my neighborhood.”

— Tim Bakewell

“So much more could have been done by the city and the college to prevent the anger and frustration that we are experiencing in our neighborhood,” he said.

At the May 7 planning commission meeting, planning commission chairman Mike Jacobitz said he understands residents’ frustration.

“If this were my neighborhood, I would feel the same way that you do,” he said.

However, he added, “this was not a discretionary decision.”

“We have to compare the proposal to a set of criteria, a set of rules and regulations,

and if it meets those, if the proposal meets those rules and regulations, then we have very little discretion as to whether we approve or don’t approve,” Jacobitz said. “If it meets the regulations, we are obligated to approve it.”

One issue is that the “Educational, Research and Office” zoning category, which the Adrian College campus is in, has relatively loose requirements and does not contain any height restrictions. Jacobitz said the city is currently working with a consultant to revise the zoning ordinances. Making the rules for ERO districts less open-ended, he said, could avoid similar problems in the future.

Speaking after the May 6 city commission meeting, Elliott said that it certainly is possible for the city to do more to notify residents of matters before the planning commission, but he also said printed mailings like the ones that went out about the Eclipse site are expensive and already make up a significant portion of the community development office’s budget.

Trudy McSorley, who lives on Renfrew Avenue, raised the possibility of the city closing off Canterbury Street at Stratford Avenue to prevent college traffic from cutting through the neighborhood. She noted that there is a precedent from a number of years ago, with nearby Williams Street having been converted into a dead end where it once intersected with West Maumee Street. She asked the city to work with residents to keep their neighborhood quiet and residential as much as possible.

“Will you be a voice for this neighborhood, please, that has been so violated by the actions of Adrian College?” McSorley asked.

The Adrian College office of marketing and public relations declined to comment.

Canterbury Street resident Tim Bakewell addresses the Adrian City Commission on May 6 about Adrian College’s planned sports dome adjacent to his neighborhood.

Callie Yatzek

IN BRIEF

Register by June 5 for Gleaner’s flag exchange

ADRIAN — Gleaner Life Insurance Society will again help Lenawee County residents honor Flag Day by hosting an exchange of worn and weathered American flags on Wednesday, June 12. The event will help residents have a new American flag ready for Flag Day on June 14.

The June 12 flag exchange is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Gleaner office at 5200 West U.S. 223 in Adrian. Lenawee County residents are welcome to exchange one old flag per person for one new flag. Levi’s Sweet Treats will be on hand to provide ice cream and other frozen items to participants.

The exchange is free, but donations will be accepted. Proceeds will benefit Woodworking for Warriors. These will be matched by the Joseph Wildberg Fund for Veterans.

So that Gleaner can obtain enough flags, residents seeking a flag must register online at gleanerlife.org/flagexchange by June 5.

Women veterans invited to appreciation dinner

ADRIAN — Hills of Lenawee Golf Club and Banquet Center is hosting an appreciation dinner for female veterans at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 12. According to organizers the event is intended to honor veterans and provide attendees an opportunity to share their experiences as women in the military.

The dinner is free for female veterans and $20 per person for anyone joining them.

Guests can RSVP by emailing hillsoflenawee@gmail.com. An RSVP form has also been posted on the club’s Facebook page, facebook.com/ hillsoflenawee. Hills of Lenawee is at 4110 Country Club Road.

LENAWEE COUNTY HONORS FALLEN

service for law enforcement

the

Gleaner Legacy Arbor recognizes Adrian teachers

ADRIAN — Teacher Appreciation Week began on a chilly Monday, but some school staffers received a warm start as Gleaner Life Insurance Society’s Legacy Arbor provided doughnuts and hot beverages.

The Gleaner group sponsored a beverage truck and purchased doughnuts May 6 to help dozens of school employees start Monday with smiles. The truck was set up at 6:30 a.m. at Adrian High School’s staff parking lot, also located near Springbrook Middle School and Alexander Elementary School. As school began at Michener Elementary School, the group moved there for an extra hour.

“Teachers make a big impact on the students they encounter every day and are so generous with their time and commitment,” Legacy Arbor President Julie Tison said. “We just wanted to find a small way to say thank you.”

Gleaner arbors are activity and social groups sponsored by Gleaner Life Insurance Society, which has its national headquarters in Adrian.

More information is available from communityengagement@gleanerlife. org.

Founded in 1894, Gleaner Life Insurance Society is a not-for-profit fraternal benefit society. Gleaner assists its members in achieving their financial security goals through a broad range of life insurance and annuity financial

solutions. As a fraternal organization, Gleaner provides volunteer opportunities and supports outreach programs to make a difference in the lives of members and the communities where they live, work, and serve.

Legacy Arbor Vice President Rebecca Creque, right, serves doughnuts next to the coffee truck at Michener Elementary School for Teacher Appreciation Week.

A memorial

officers who died in

line of duty took place on May 15 at Oakwood Cemetery. The keynote speaker was former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers. After the ceremony a luncheon was held at Father Williams Hall in St. Joseph Church. The lunch was sponsored by Holy Family Parish in Adrian. Lunch was donated by Basil Boys in Tecumseh. The cake was donated by Ann Marie’s Cake Studio of Adrian, and beverages were donated by Meijer.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANNE WISNIEWSKI

BUSINESS

Tire Express opens Adrian location

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Tire Express, located at 2558 Treat St. in Adrian, celebrated its grand opening on May 1. The familyowned business offers tires, custom wheels and lift kits, said Kanzis Cosby, who is one of the family members operating the business.

Before opening in Adrian, Cosby said, Tire Express had a location in Flat Rock, in the downriver area of Detroit. The business has been operating there since 1993.

The decision to move to Adrian was made, in part, because of the availability of the type of buildings they needed.

“We actually own another business, a trucking company, and we were looking for something with yard space,” Cosby said.

The main focus of the business is on used and new tires, Cosby said.

“Used tires is what we specialize in,” Cosby said. “That’s what we’ve done for over 30 years.”

“We offer custom wheels for people, so if you have a nicer car and you want to make it look cool we do custom wheel flip kits,” Cosby said.

Tire Express also provides a mobile tire service. If you have a flat, Cosby said, they’ll come to your house and put the tires on.

Cosby’s brothers Brad and Kolin also work with Tire Express. Younger brother Kayden will join the family business soon.

Tire Express can be reached at 517-920-4927, or 734-799-1284 for after-hours calls. Store hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

35 years of jobs both large and small

Family-owned contractor The House Fixers marks its 35th anniversary this year

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — David Newland first learned the building trades as a young man by working with different contractors over time and becoming a journeyman ironworker. Out of that experience plus a couple of years of owning rental properties came The House Fixers, the family’s building and remodeling business marking its 35th year in business this year.

Founded in 1989, The House Fixers handles a complete range of commercial and residential projects, providing any interior or exterior renovation a business or homeowner would need. The business does jobs throughout Lenawee County.

While kitchen and bath remodeling makes up a lot of the company’s work, “we’re good at so many different things,” Newland said. “We’re a full-service remodeling company.”

Most of the work is done directly by Newland, the company’s owner, and his four employees, although a few things like roofing are subcontracted. Newland’s wife, Theresa, handles office duties, and his parents are also part of the company.

The remodeling business, especially when it comes to homes, has changed a lot over The House Fixers’ 35 years in

business, as designs and materials go in and out of fashion. Newland reads up on new trends in order to stay current, but “I don’t watch HGTV,” he said, laughing.

With all the jobs the company has done over the years, there have definitely been some challenging projects, often caused by a home or business’s previous owners attempting to do something themselves. And that creates unforeseen complexities, like the time that taking down a ceiling revealed the building’s former owner’s subpar framing work and added three weeks to the project in order to fix the problem. Even something seemingly simple like installing tile flooring might require leveling the floor first.

that they’d had a pet lizard that had disappeared one day. “Well, we found it,” Newland said.

“We’ve made a lot of friends over the years, and that’s the way it works.”

As any business owner would agree, building a successful company takes a lot of hard work. “At the beginning, it was seven-day weeks, lots of hours, no sleep. I missed a lot of family stuff,” Newland said. And while getting a business off the ground is difficult enough, it takes much more hard work for that business to stay strong for 35 years. Newland said that the secret to The House Fixers’ success is the relationships they’ve built with their customers.

— David Newland

“You run into stuff all the time,” Newland said.

Occasionally, too, what they run into is a surprise of a different sort. For example, they once found a crawl space full of very old beer cans because whoever was building the house way back when used the space to stash his beverage of choice.

And then there was the dead lizard in a wall.

The home’s previous owners, when they sold the house, told the buyers

“We’ll return your phone call,” Newland said. “We’ll service what we do. We’ll do everything we can to make our customers happy.”

The result of that focus? “Our list of referrals is a mile long,” and many of their customers are more than simply clients.

“We’ve made a lot of friends over the years,” Newland said, “and that’s the way it works. It’s more than just a job to us.” The House Fixers’ business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. The office number is 517-263-5580. More information is available at www.TheHouseFixers.com.

Tire Express is located at 2558 Treat St.

David Newland is the owner of The House Fixers, a commercial and residential contractor founded in 1989. ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE

IN BRIEF

Dave’s Cosmic Subs now open on U.S. 223

MADISON TWP. — An Ohio-based sub restaurant has opened a location in Lenawee County. Dave’s Cosmic Subs is located at 2070 U.S. 223, next to Kohl’s.

Founded in 1997, the chain mainly has locations in Ohio, although it also has one store each in California, Georgia and Vermont. The restaurant advertises itself as “a groovy rock ’n’ roll sub shop where the food is out of this world.” Last year, the website “Eat This, Not That” named it one of 10 restaurant chains that serve the best meatball subs.

Aldi makes

headlines

by announcing price cut plan

BATAVIA, Illinois — Grocery store chain Aldi, which has an Adrian location, drew nationwide attention last month when it announced it would be cutting prices on more than 250 items through Labor Day.

“Aldi is always looking for ways to help customers save money, but with more experts warning of persistent inflation, the time was right to deliver even greater discounts on our already low prices for the second year in a row,” Dave Rinaldo, president of Aldi U.S., said in a press release. “We don’t want food prices to hold people back from getting together with friends and family or spending time outdoors this season.”

Pearls & Patina sells new and vintage items at downtown Adrian store

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Grandma’s house just got a step closer to home.

Pearls & Patina, located at 209 N. Main St. in downtown Adrian, offers new and vintage items in an atmosphere that the owners hope will remind you of being at Grandma’s. The entrance to the store itself is actually located around the corner from the Main Street address on Washburn

Street (across the street from the Sauce patio).

Owners Cherie Cole and Kristin Foerg both have a background in retail management, said Cole. Meeting each other through work is what brought them together as business partners.

“Kristin and I had worked together for years,” Cole said. “We worked at the mall together as store managers, and we worked together at the same store for a few years, not once but twice.”

The business partners had a space at the Blissfield Antique Mall together for almost a year before opening Pearls & Patina.

“We did that for close to a year just to see how it felt to be partners and if we really wanted to pull something together,” Cole said. “At the end of that, we decided to go for it and see what we can pull together and here we are.”

Pearls & Patina has 900 square feet of new and vintage merchandise, home decor, women’s clothing, accessories, and jewelry. The store also features handpainted furniture that is done by the owners themselves. Consignment items, such as handmade afghans, quilting, lavender products, and homemade spa items like soaps and bath salts, are also part of the merchandise for sale. The owners are interested in taking on more consignment items as well.

“We are interested in taking consignments, such as handcrafted small

home items, furniture, handmade jewelry, candles, that kind of thing,” Foerg said.

Cole said Pearls & Patina is “going for a cottagey look” by using a lot of homemade items, doilies, and flowers.

“It kind of reminds us of Grandma’s house when we walk in,” she said.

Cole said they had a great crowd of people on their opening weekend, even though First Friday events were postponed due to weather concerns.

“We put things out on Facebook and it brought a lot of traffic to us, so it was great,” she added. “We’re just getting our name out there now.”

“It was really fun on Friday to see, when we put it out on Facebook, how many people embraced it and picked it up,” Foerg said, adding that it’s been “really great” that the other shops downtown have recommended them to their own customers.

“I think we need to support each other, just build ourselves a little clientele down here,” Cole said.

“We’re hoping to catch some of that downtown traffic,” she continued. “People can come down and have dinner, see a show at the Croswell, and do a little shopping.”

Pearls & Patina will have a grand opening on June 7, during First Friday in downtown Adrian.

Pearls & Patina is at 209 N. Main St., Adrian. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Kristin Foerg and Cherie Cole are the owners of Pearls & Patina in downtown Adrian. JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

Hitching Post Antiques Mall celebrates 40 years in business

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

TECUMSEH TWP. — If you are looking close to home for a wide assortment of antiques and collectables, The Hitching Post Antiques Mall is a good place to start. Located on M-50, two miles west of Tecumseh near M-52, the Hitching Post carries Victorian items, lamps, lamp parts, dolls, toys, military memorabilia, china, glassware, furniture, books, clocks, collectibles and more.

The antiques mall was opened in 1984, 40 years ago this year, by John and Marlene Nelson. The building had been home to an Ethan Allen furniture store, and John and Marlene kept the name The Hitching Post after purchasing the building. Their son, Ken, is currently the manager, and daughter-in-law Theresa works in the store as well. Kelly Overholt works as the assistant manager.

To celebrate their 40th anniversary, The Hitching Post is having a sale from June 1 to June 15. Merchandise will be 20% off, with select items 40% off.

The Hitching Post is 8,000 square feet in size, plus 1,500 square feet more in the furniture barn, which is a separate building.

Theresa said that although The Hitching Post has been open for 40 years, it’s new to a lot of their customers. She said they often get people in who have never been in the antiques mall before.

“I get people in that say, ‘Oh, I’ve been driving by here so many times and finally decided to pull in,” Theresa said.

The new customers are impressed with the quality and variety of merchandise, she continued.

“A lot of people come in and say ‘Oh, this is what a real antique shop should be,’ ” she said. The customers comment that “it’s not a flea market, it’s more quality.”

People from as far as Texas, Virginia, New York, and Kansas have stopped in to the store, and customers of all ages find something to buy at The Hitching Post.

“Everybody’s looking for something different,” Theresa said.

The Hitching Post started in Livonia, Ken said, when John and Marlene, his parents, bought 30 carousel horses and put them in a garage.

“That got them started in the antiques business,” Ken said. John and Marlene

opened up a store in Northville, then expanded to a bigger place in Northville before coming to Lenawee County.

“I moved out here first, and they saw how I like it out here and decided they wanted a place, too,” Ken said.

Originally, John and Marlene started their antiques business with The Stone House Antiques Shop in Clinton, and then moved to the current location.

In addition to selling, The Hitching Post buys antique items as well.

The Hitching Post Antiques Mall is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., every day except New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. More information can be found on their website, hitchingpostantiques.com, or by calling 517-423-8277.

The Hitching Post Antiques Mall, which covers 8,000 square feet plus another 1,500 square feet in its furniture barn, is 40 years old this year.

JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

Pictured inside The Hitching Post are Theresa Nelson, Ken Nelson, and Kelly Overholt. The store was founded in 1984 by John and Marlene Nelson.

Memories of childhood summers at Sand Lake inspire sisters to create themed party experiences

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Stephanie Henry and Christi Vanover are bringing the tent camping experience indoors with Stargazers, a theme-based party business they started in April. The sisters drew on their memories of childhood summers at Sand Lake to form their business, which creates an indoor tent experience for campers of all ages.

Henry and Vanover spent their summers at a family cottage, Henry said, and the fun they had with tents goes back to that time. The cottage their parents bought was “pretty small” because there were only two bedrooms for two adults and their four daughters, so the parents renovated a large area above the garage and put four beds into one big space, she continued. They would create makeshift tents out of sheets and comforters to feel like they were camping out, a tradition they have passed down to the next generation of their family.

“Our kids and nieces still tent at our parents’ house all the time,” Vanover said.

Henry said the idea of Stargazers started when the daughter of one of their friends mentioned that she wanted a tepee tent party.

“Christie and I kind of looked at each other and said ‘Why don’t we start something like this?’ ” Henry said.

Stargazers went into business in April, and they already have several bookings line up.

“We set up and took a few photos, and started sharing [on social media],”

a themed party business, drawing on their memories of “camping” indoors when they were

Vanover said. She added that they have been overwhelmed by the number of people who shared their posts on Facebook.

“Stargazers can create parties for birthdays, after-prom or for time with the grandkids,” Vanover said.

It’s not just for kids, she continued.

Their themes include Movie Night, Barbie, Glow-in-the-Dark, Dreamy Boho, Circus, Rainbow, Gamer, and Hawaiian. Holiday, Mom’s Night Out and

Family Night themes are also available. Stargazers is also open to other people’s ideas should a customer have a specific theme in mind.

With each theme, Stargazers provides twin-size air mattresses, fitted sheets, snuggly blankets, throw pillows, decorated garlands and bunting, fairy lights and custom name prints. Stargazers does ask that each person provide their own sleeping pillow for hygiene purposes. Prices vary depending

on the number of guests.

Henry and Vanover will come to the party site to set up, and come back the next day to take everything down. The space for the party has to be cleared out by the customer before they get there.

“We put everything up and take everything down,” Vanover said.

For more information, search for StargazersCo. on Facebook, call 517-605-8683, or email stargazers49221@yahoo.com.

Stephanie Henry and Christi Vanover started Stargazers,

children. JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

LAND & WATER

Significant policy disagreements emerge as Congress debates Farm Bill renewal Great Lakes ice coverage hits record low

By Ariana Figueroa Michigan Advance

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House Agriculture Committee on May 17 released the draft bill text of the longawaited $1.5 trillion farm bill, which is likely to face opposition in the Senate from Democrats due to disagreements over federal anti-hunger programs and climate change requirements.

The chair of the committee, GOP Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania, said in a statement that the bill, which will set farm, nutrition, commodity and conservation policy for the next five years, is a “product of extensive feedback from stakeholders and all Members of the House, and is responsive to the needs of farm country through the incorporation of hundreds of bipartisan policies.”

The legislation funds programs across 12 titles for five years.

It would boost rural farming, promote a new global market for farmers to sell their products abroad, require new reporting requirements for the foreign purchase of farmland, increase funding for specialty crops and expand eligibility for disaster assistance, among other initiatives.

“The markup is one step in a greater House process, that should not be compromised by misleading arguments, false narratives, or edicts from the Senate,” Thompson said.

The 942-page bill is expected to cost $1.5 trillion over 10 years.

In a statement, the top Democrat on the committee, Rep. David Scott of Georgia, slammed the draft bill for “taking food out of the mouths of America’s hungry children, restricting farmers from receiving the climate-smart conservation funding they so desperately need, and barring the USDA from providing financial assistance to farmers in times of crisis.”

Scott warned that the current draft bill is unlikely to pass the House. Although Republicans have a slim majority, any piece of legislation will have to be bipartisan in order to make it through the Senate, which Democrats control.

The current farm bill extension expires Sept. 30.

On the Senate side, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat who leads the Committee on Agriculture, released Democrats’ own proposal in early May. Among other things, it would boost eligibility for nutrition programs for low-income people like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Stabenow made public a summary of the bill, but not legislative text.

Scott and Stabenow released a joint statement Tuesday following a meeting with House Democratic Leader Hakeem

Jeffries and Democrats on the House Agriculture committee. They advocated for Republicans to craft a bipartisan farm bill.

“House Republicans are undermining this goal by proposing policies that split the broad, bipartisan coalition that has always been the foundation of a successful farm bill,” they wrote.

“We need a farm bill that holds the coalition together and upholds the historic tradition of providing food assistance to our most vulnerable Americans while keeping our commitment to our farmers battling the effects of the climate crisis every day,” they continued.

The House bill has a few provisions that Democrats oppose.

One would remove climate-smart policy requirements for about $13 billion in conservation projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. Another would limit future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, the formula that calculates benefits for SNAP.

“The economic impact of the SNAP cuts alone would be staggering,” Scott said.

A freeze in the Thrifty Food Plan would result in a roughly $30 billion SNAP cut over the next decade, according to the liberal-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. There

are more than 41 million people who use SNAP benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

However, the House farm bill would remove the ban on low-income Americans who have drug-related felony convictions obtaining SNAP benefits.

Environmental groups are also opposing the draft of the farm bill, raising concerns about reallocating IRA money and including a bill relating to how states regulate animal practices.

A watchdog group that focuses on government and corporate accountability in water, food and corporate overreach, Food & Water Watch Managing Director of Policy and Litigation Mitch Jones said in a statement that the draft bill would gut important climate-smart provisions.

“Some of leadership’s more dangerous proposals would take us backwards on animal welfare and climate-smart agriculture,” Jones said.

“It’s time Congress put the culture wars aside and got back to work on a Farm Bill that puts consumers, farmers, and the environment above politicking and Big Ag handouts.”

This story is republished from the nonprofit newsroom Michigan Advance under a Creative Commons license.

See more from Michigan Advance’s newsroom at michiganadvance.com.

By Kyle Davidson Michigan Advance

After an uncharacteristically warm winter put the kibosh on skiing in some areas, as well as outdoor traditions like sturgeon fishing in Black Lake, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration confirmed this year marked a record low in ice coverage on the Great Lakes.

NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory said this year’s average ice coverage across all of the lakes came out to 4.3%, the lowest recorded average since records started to be kept in 1973. Maximum ice coverage on the Great Lakes for this winter was recorded on Jan. 16 at 16%.

Ayumi Fujisaki-Manome, an associate researcher at the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research, explained that this year’s record lows in ice coverage were the result of long-term warming trends alongside anomalous weather conditions.

With El Niño conditions contributing to a warmer and wetter winter than normal, coupled with a warm December, and above average air and water temperatures throughout the winter, the conditions needed for ice did not develop, FujisakiManome said.

EDITORIAL

Letters to the Editor should be 350 words or fewer and may be emailed to letters@lenaweevoice.com. Please include your town of residence and a phone number for verification purposes.

LOCAL VIEWS

Juneteenth: Fulfilling the promise of the Fourth Building a strong, stable community

Juneteenth, which takes place on June 19 (and will be observed in Adrian this year on June 15) is our country’s newest federal holiday. It has sometimes been called “America’s second Independence Day,” which is fitting: It symbolizes a step in the long and often difficult journey toward actually fulfilling the promises that were made on July 4, 1776.

It’s no secret that when the drafters of the Declaration of Independence wrote that “all men are created equal,” they didn’t mean everyone. The promise of equality didn’t apply to enslaved people within the borders of what would soon become a new country. Nor did it apply to women, whose right to vote would not be recognized nationally until the 20th century.

The ideals of self-determination, so eloquently stated by the delegates who assembled in Philadelphia in 1776, could only be enjoyed by a small portion of the new country’s population, which is why the abolitionist Frederick Douglass asked, in one of his most famous speeches, “What to the slave is the Fourth of July?”

Juneteenth marks the date when, at the end of the Civil War, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger of the Union Army told enslaved people in Texas that they were finally free. Though it was one of many milestones in that fight, it has come to serve as a symbol for all of them.

Early celebrations of Juneteenth date back as far as 1866, the year after Granger’s proclamation. They spread quickly across the South, and eventually across the rest of the country. The first federal legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a national holiday was actually introduced by a congresswoman from Michigan, Barbara-Rose Collins. But it didn’t become an official federal holiday until just three years ago.

Juneteenth deserves to be celebrated as a national holiday equal in importance to Independence Day. The Fourth of July represents a promise — but only the beginning of the fulfillment of that promise. Respect for history demands that we acknowledge not just the original promise, but the gradual steps toward making it a reality for all, not just a few.

By the same token, the 19th Amendment — which extended the right to vote to women — was ratified on Aug. 18, 1920, and the ratification was certified on Aug. 26, a date that has become known as Women’s Equality Day.

Maybe it’s time to start viewing the Fourth of July, Juneteenth, and the anniversary of the 19th Amendment as part of a summerlong celebration — not just of American ideals, but of the process of making sure those ideals are truly accessible to all.

The Lenawee Community Foundation serves all of Lenawee County. We are a public charity that is dedicated to improving the lives of the citizens of Lenawee. We bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support effective nonprofits in our community. We make grants and sponsor programs to increase the health, happiness, and hope of Lenawee County. I am honored to introduce those programs to you.

n Grants and Scholarships: Originally as the Tecumseh Community Fund Foundation, and later becoming the Lenawee Community Foundation in 2000, we provide funding to local nonprofits in the areas of health, human services, basic needs, civic projects, education, and culture. Over the last 10 years, we have awarded $25.2 million in scholarships and grants.

n Lenawee Cares: Founded in 2016, Lenawee Cares is a program of the Lenawee Community Foundation. A community-based annual fund and corporate campaign focused on addressing basic needs of food, shelter, clothing, and related programs through funding to local non-profit organizations. Pledges are made each fall and funds are

LETTER TO THE EDITOR In defense of Christian empathy

In his opinion piece in your May edition, Hank Cetola criticized Republicans as lacking “empathy.” Mr. Cetola specifically named Christians as being among those who need to be more compassionate. What’s sad is that Mr. Cetola didn’t do his homework before making such an outrageous statement.

Look up Christian charities on your computer and you will find hundreds if not thousands of Christian charities that work in the United States and around the world showing kindness and compassion to those less fortunate. And, they do so without concern for race, religion, or gender identity!

These charities run the gamut from providing food and shelter for the homeless and assistance after a disaster like the Salvation Army, Lutheran World Relief, and Samaritan’s Purse to providing free surgery and lifegiving medical treatment like St Jude’s Hospital and Mercy Ships. Christians travel around the world at their own expense to provide life-saving clean water, wheelchairs, eyeglasses, and other necessities to communities in need. Michigan Christians volunteer each year to mow lawns, fix fences, mend porches, etc. in the inner cities. Closer to home, here in Adrian, there’s Share the Warmth homeless shelter, Neighbors of Hope food pantry, Catholic Charities, and the Care Pregnancy Center among others. These charities are supported both financially and physically by Christians in our own community. Even non-Christian charities come to the churches for financial and physical support for their missions.

Conservative and liberal Christians alike choose to “put their money where

PAULA TRENTMAN

collected and disbursed the following year. More than $3 million has been raised and distributed.

n Youth Programs: Lenawee Community Foundation values and invests in our young people through three programs.

We sponsor the Imagination Library for any Lenawee child from birth to age five who is registered. We funded over 1,300 children last year delivering over 12,000 books. Since its beginning in Lenawee County more than 230,500 books have been delivered to our youngest citizens. The cost is $26 a year per child.

Lenawee Youth Council encourages volunteering, teaches teens about philanthropy, and provides an opportunity for teens to award grants to youth programs. They volunteer, learn leadership skills, visit colleges, explore careers,

their mouth is” and show the love of Jesus Christ to the world instead of just mouthing hollow words like “compassion” and “empathy” and expecting the government to do it all. I invite you to join us. We are not as cruel as Mr. Cetola would have you believe!

— Vikki Ritzert, Adrian

Point-of-sale ordinance would be a needless burden

The city of Adrian is once again proposing a point-of-sale ordinance which would require an exterior inspection before you can sell your home.

Policymakers often look to real estate transactions as a seemingly convenient place to impose new requirements for household upgrades, inspections and remediation of a variety of concerns. Although well-intended, these actions can create a number of issues for property owners, would-be home buyers and the Realtors assisting in the transaction.

We feel adding another ordinance would be a costly mandate with unintended consequences such as:

n Hurting affordability.

n Complicating the sale of a home.

n Increasing the number of vacant homes in the city.

To be clear, the Lenawee County Association of Realtors shares in the city’s commitment to establish a sustainable and vibrant region. We stand ready to support plans that will accomplish these goals without placing unnecessary and avoidable burdens on our current and future property owners.

We feel the current blight ordinance and rental inspection ordinance, along with all the other inspections that typically occur with a sale (private home inspection, appraisal inspection and insurance inspection), should be

and serve on nonprofit boards. Two teens serve on the Lenawee Community Foundation board and the Lenawee County Education Foundation board. Lenawee Youth Leadership is a summer day camp that teaches leadership skills, community engagement, and youth empowerment.

n Volunteer Lenawee! Lenawee Community Foundation runs our county’s volunteer center, where we promote involvement in national Days of Service. We provide individuals, families, and groups with opportunities to volunteer and assist local nonprofits, which are seeking volunteers. In addition, we publish the Resource Guide, a place where Lenawee residents can find help. It is also on our website.

n Hunters Helping Lenawee: Hunters wishing to donate a deer can take it to a designated processor, where the Lenawee Community Foundation will pay for the processing. The venison is donated to local food pantries and meal programs to help people in need.

Paula Trentman is the Vice President and Director of Grants and Programs at the Lenawee Community Foundation. For more information, call 517-263-4696 or email forlenawee@lenaweecf.com.

more than enough to accomplish this vision, before imposing unnecessary and costly mandates on the taxpayers of the city of Adrian.

— Gil Henry, Lenawee County Association of Realtors

Clean energy benefits all

As a former fourth-grade teacher, I know it can be easy to believe incorrect information. In the classroom, I saw kids take shortcuts on math problems, attempt the latest “hacks” to get through quizzes, or argue that the wrong answer was, in fact, correct. My students quickly learned, though, that the only way to do things correctly is to know the facts.

I no longer spend every day in the classroom, but I see these same principles all the time. I see it right now as people try to muddy the waters surrounding the Clean Energy Act. Opponents want you to believe that renewable energy is not benefiting our state, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

Clean energy brings jobs and money to Michigan. As the No. 1 state in the Midwest for solar manufacturing, jobs in clean energy generate significant tax revenue for local governments. This revenue is invested into our schools, our parks, our roads, first responder resources, and reduced property taxes. This is income our communities need.

The 2023 clean energy laws will benefit consumers, too. A study found that average households will see $145 in reduced energy costs because of the expanded investment in renewable energy.

We cannot let misinformation win. Please join me in supporting our state’s future in clean energy leadership.

— Debbie Rosenman, Bloomfield Twp.

What should you do with old pizza boxes?

Holding the extra-large pizza box in your hands, you eye the garbage can, knowing it won’t easily fit. You turn and look at the recycling bin, wondering if you could stuff it in there to save room in your trash. You’ve heard the rumors that pizza boxes shouldn’t go in recycling ... but it also feels wrong to not put this bulky cardboard in with the others.

What do you do?

The rumors are true — pizza boxes don’t belong in the recycling bin ... at least the parts with food and grease stains on them. These can contaminate

IN BRIEF

Assault victim dies; murder charges sought

OGDEN TWP. — Murder charges are being sought in the case of an 81-year-old Lenawee County man who died on May 19, six days after being assaulted at his home.

On the morning of May 13, Lenawee County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 4000 Block of Yankee Road for a report that a man had been assaulted and was lying on the ground outside. The man, Jerry Fike, was unresponsive but breathing, and family members were attempting to administer first aid. He had serious head injuries and was taken to a Toledo-area hospital.

Acting on information provided by the victim’s wife, deputies and the Michigan State Police located and arrested a suspect, 37-year-old Kevin Michael Turski. The family knew Turski but he was not welcome at the residence.

Turski was initially charged with assault, but Fike died from his injuries on the evening of May 19. Lenawee County Sheriff Troy Bevier said Turski will face a charge of murder.

Car crashes into house

HUDSON TWP. — Lenawee County deputies responded around 6:51 a.m. May 21 to a report that a car had struck a house in the 13000 block of West Carleton Road.

The driver, a Hudson man, was eastbound in a 2001 Chevrolet Corvette when he went off the road and through the yard, striking the house. No one was inside the house at the time. The driver was transported to Henry Ford Jackson Hospital with serious injuries. Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor.

Crash reported at corner of M-52 and U.S. 12

FRANKLIN TWP. — On April 25 at approximately 11:25 a.m., Lenawee County sheriff’s deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. 12 and M-52. A Jeep Wrangler driven by an 85-year-old woman from Manchester had been traveling north on M-52 when a second vehicle, a westbound Dodge Avenger driven by an 89-year-old woman from Onsted, failed to stop at a red light and the vehicles collided. Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor.

JULIE MAURER

the load of recyclables and make them unusable. That would be a waste of your and everyone else’s efforts to recycle. Oil sticks to cardboard, and changes the way the fibers mesh together so they are not able to be reused.

POLICE REPORTS

ADRIAN CITY

April 22: Sexual assault, 400 block of South Winter Street.

Retail fraud, 1300 block of South Main Street. Assault, 1000 block of Brookside Drive East.

April 24: Assault, 600 block of Oak Street. Larceny from a yard, 200 block of East Siena Heights Drive.

Larceny from a building, 600 block of East Front Street.

April 25: Assault, 1300 block of South Winter Street. Aggravated assault, South Locust and Erie streets.

April 26: Operating while intoxicated, Maumee and Scott streets. Assault, 1100 block of South Main Street. Assault, 500 block of Tabor Street. Larceny from a yard, 1500 block of Stratford Drive.

Burglary (residential, no forced entry), 900 block of East Beecher Street. Larceny from a building, 100 block of Canterbury Street.

April 27: Retail fraud, 1500 block of West Maumee Street. Use of a telephone for harassment or threats, 500 block of Dennis Street. Assault, 800 block of Bent Oak Avenue.

Larceny from a yard, 100 block of East Maumee Street. Assault, 700 block of College Avenue. Assault, 400 block of Erie Street. Operating while intoxicated, Bent Oak and Riverside.

April 28: Property damage, 200 block of Toledo Street. Larceny from a yard and burglary (non-residential, forced entry), 600 block of East Church Street. Assault, 800 block of College Avenue. Retail fraud, 1500 block of West Maumee Street.

April 29: Assault, 100 block of East Maumee Street. Assault, 500 block of Cherry Street. Retail fraud, 200 block of East U.S. 223. Sexual assault, 1100 block of West Maumee Street.

April 30: Larceny of parts or accessories from a vehicle, 300 block of Toledo Street.

May 1: Larceny from a building, 900 block of Bristol Street. Assault, 900 block of Treat Street. Aggravated assault, 1300 block of South Main Street. Fraud, 800 block of North Main Street. Disorderly conduct, 1300 block of South Main Street.

May 2: Property damage, 1100 block of Vine Street. Retail fraud, 1500 block of West Maumee Street. Retail fraud, 4400 block of West Maumee Street. Larceny from a yard, 1500 block of Stratford Drive. Larceny from a yard, 200 block of South Locust Street. Aggravated assault, 400 block of West Maumee Street. Assault and property damage, 1300 block of South Winter Street. Property damage, 300 block of Logan Street.

May 3: Retail fraud, 4400 block of West Maumee Street. Larceny from a building, 200 block of West Maumee Street.

May 4: Assault less than murder, 400 block of South Winter Street. Property damage, 600 block of James Street. Assault, 100 block of Pleasant Knoll Drive. Assault, 800 block of Vine Street. Retail fraud,

However, that doesn’t mean you have to send the entire box to the landfill. Like most things when it comes to recycling, a little bit of your time can go a long way toward diverting waste toward something better.

Stop and look at the pizza box before you try to fit it into your trash bin. Does the top of the box have food or grease on it? If it doesn’t, you can rip it in half and put at least part of it in the recycling bin.

The greasy half of your pizza box isn’t necessarily destined for the trash bag either. If you, or someone you know, does backyard composting for their garden — these boxes can be added to the pile! Simply cut up the dirty pieces and toss them in your compost bin. While ripping off the lids or cutting up the clean parts of the boxes seems like an extra amount of work just to dispose of one pizza box…think about how much effort it takes to squeeze those large boxes in the trash. It really doesn’t take much more energy to put the clean part of the box in the recycle bin.

1500 block of West Maumee Street. Aggravated assault, 900 block of East Beecher Street. Assault, 300 block of East Maumee Street. Assault, 1500 block of East Maumee Street.

May 5: Assault, 1000 block of North Broad Street.

May 6: Use of a telephone for harassment or threats, 400 block of West Maple Avenue. Sexual assault, 1800 block of West Maumee Street. Larceny from a yard, 1200 block of East Maumee Street. Assault, 800 block of Savannah River Drive. Assault, 4800 block of Ogden Highway.

May 7: Fraud, 100 block of East Maumee Street. Assault, 600 block of Saint Joseph Street. Retail fraud, 700 block of South Main Street. Use of a telephone for harassment or threats, 700 block of Riverside Avenue.

May 8: Fraud, 900 block of East Siena Heights Drive. Larceny from a building, 1000 block of South Winter Street. Larceny from a yard, 500 block of East Maumee Street. Retail fraud, 800 block of South Main Street. Aggravated assault, Locust and Maumee streets.

May 9: Assault, 800 block of Erie Street. Property damage, 900 block of East Hunt Street. Disorderly conduct, 1500 block of West Maumee Street. Identity theft, 100 block of East Maumee Street.

May 11: Aggravated assault, 500 block of French Street.

May 12: Larceny from a vehicle, 500 block of Northwestern Drive. Assault, 400 block of Allis Street. Disorderly conduct, 700 block of Erie Street.

May 13: Property damage, 1000 block of North Broad Street. Property damage, 400 block of West Maumee Street. Assault, 1500 block of West Maumee Street. Property damage, 200 block of West Maumee Street.

May 14: Operating while intoxicated, 1300 block of South Adrian Highway.

May 15: Property damage, 1200 block of South Main Street. Assault, 900 block of Chestnut Street. Drug possession, 800 block of Erie Street. Assault, 1300 block of South Main Street.

May 16: Property damage, 1300 block of South Winter Street. Retail fraud, 700 block of South Main Street. Assault, 500 block of French Street. Sexual assault, 500 block of French Street. Fraud, 100 block of Towle Street. Assault, 700 block of Caton Avenue.

May 17: Burglary (nonresidential, forced entry), 400 block of East Maumee Street. Property damage, 1500 block of Village Green Lane. Sexual assault, 700 block of Oak Street. Assault, 400 block of East Michigan Street. Fraud, 1500 block of West Maumee Street.

May 18: Operating while intoxicated, Michigan Avenue and Water Street. Assault, 1300 block of South Winter Street. Burglary (residential, no forced entry), 200 block of Ormsby Street. Larceny of parts or accessories from a vehicle, 400 block of West Beecher Street. Retail fraud, 200 block of East U.S. 223. Assault, 400 block of South

Winter Street. Property damage and operating while intoxicated, 1100 block of West Michigan Avenue.

May 19: Assault, 200 block of East Berry Street. Larceny from a yard, 600 block of South Madison Street. Disorderly conduct, French and Treat streets.

May 20: Assault, 100 block of East Front Street. Larceny from a yard, 900 block of West Beecher Street. Illegal use of a credit card, 200 block of East Maple Avenue.

ADRIAN TOWNSHIP

May 4: Operating while intoxicated, Hunt Road and Lenawee Hills Highway.

May 11: Property damage, 2200 block of Shepherd Road.

BRITTON VILLAGE

April 23: Retail fraud, 400 block of East Chicago Boulevard. April 28: Assault, 100 block of West Chicago Boulevard.

CAMBRIDGE TOWNSHIP

May 6: Illegal use of a credit card, 100 block of Walnut Street.

DEERFIELD VILLAGE

May 1: Property damage, 200 block of Deerfield Road. Fraud, 100 block of Park Street.

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP

May 16: Intimidation, 8300 block of South Adrian Highway.

HUDSON TOWNSHIP

April 29: Assault, 14500 block of West Carleton Road. Operating while intoxicated, West Carleton Road and Dowling Highway.

May 7: Larceny from a yard, 13500 block of West Carleton Road.

May 8: Assault, 13300 block of Lawrence Road.

MADISON TOWNSHIP

April 27: Larceny, 2900 block of Treat Highway.

April 29: Larceny from a building, 3100 block of South Adrian Highway.

April 30: Operating while intoxicated, U.S. 223 and Treat Highway. Property damage, 2600 block of Cloverdale Avenue. Larceny, 2800 block of West Gorman Road.

May 1: Assault, 3400 block of Treat Highway. Property damage, U.S. 223 and Division Street.

May 2: Use of a telephone for harassment or threats, 100 block of Smokey Hill River Court.

May 5: Assault, 3400 block of Treat Highway.

May 6: Aggravated assault, 2600 block of Sharon Drive.

May 9: Burglary (non-residential, forced entry): 1200 block of West U.S. 223.

May 10: Larceny, 3600 block of Treat Highway. Larceny from a vehicle, 3800 block of Treat Highway.

May 11: Burglary (nonresidential, forced entry), 1100 block of West Beecher Street.

May 12: Aggravated assault, 2400 block of West Cadmus Road.

May 13: Larceny from a yard, 100 block of Storr Street.

May 14: Assault, 2600 block of Woodridge Drive.

Julie Maurer is Lenawee County’s solid waste program coordinator.

May 16: Operating while intoxicated, Sand Creek Highway and Marvin Drive. Larceny of parts or accessories from a vehicle, 3100 block of South Winter Street.

MEDINA TOWNSHIP

May 2: Burglary (residential, forced entry), 11800 block of Morenci Road.

OGDEN TOWNSHIP

April 28: Use of a telephone for harassment or threats, 6200 block of Sheldon Road.

May 13: Aggravated assault, 4800 block of East Yankee Road.

May 14: Illegal use of a credit card, 11200 block of Treat Highway.

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP

April 28: Disorderly conduct, 6400 block of Palmyra Road.

May 6: Assault and property damage, 3800 block of Deerfield Road.

May 20: Assault, 6300 block of Palmyra Road.

RAISIN TOWNSHIP

May 17: Fraud, 3900 block of Rogers Highway.

RIDGEWAY TOWNSHIP

May 3: Drug possession, Ridge Highway and M-50.

ROLLIN TOWNSHIP

May 3: Fraud, 3400 block of Skinner Highway.

May 9: Fraud, 4400 block of Woerner Road.

May 20: Property damage, 5600 block of East Pleasant Valley Road.

ROME TOWNSHIP

April 30: Forcible fondling, 7100 block of West U.S. 223.

SENECA TOWNSHIP

April 27: Larceny from a building, 9500 block of West Weston Road.

TECUMSEH CITY

April 22: Property damage, 500 block of East Pottawatamie Street. Larceny from a vehicle, 400 block of Adrian Street.

April 26: Retail fraud, 1400 block of West Chicago Boulevard.

April 27: Larceny, 500 block of Seminole.

April 30: Assault, 8400 block of Matthews Highway.

May 1: Assault, 9100 block of North Union Street.

May 8: Intimidation, 100 block of South Evans Street.

May 14: Fraud, 300 block of East Chicago Boulevard.

May 17: Assault, 300 block of West Patterson Street.

TECUMSEH TOWNSHIP

May 10: Larceny from a vehicle, 5500 block of Wheatland Drive. Larceny from a vehicle, 5600 block of Milwaukee Road. Larceny from a vehicle, 5500 block of Milwaukee Road.

May 19: Assault, 2900 block of Russell Road.

WOODSTOCK TOWNSHIP

May 5: Sexual assault, 14500 block of West U.S. 223.

IN BRIEF

Siena Heights names new head dance coach

ADRIAN — Siena Heights athletic director Sue Syljebeck has announced the hire of Nicci Brown as head coach of the Saints’ dance program. Brown is a Siena Heights graduate, having been a dancer for the inaugural team in 2012.

“She is no stranger to Siena Heights,” Syljebeck said. “When we started the search, we knew we had an all-star within our own Saints family. I don’t think you can find anyone with more passion for coaching and teaching dance, and someone that loves Siena Heights more.”

Brown was a member of SHU’s team in 2014 which won the NAIA East Region championship.

“I started a new life when I became a student here,” she said. “Coming back full circle, I don’t think that there’s anything that I can do better.”

Brown takes over the SHU Dance program from Liz Teague, who will remain the SHU Cheer coach. The two went to school together while competing for the dance and cheer teams, respectively.

Brown said splitting the Cheer and Dance squads into their separate entities among the staffs will benefit both teams.

“I’m lucky that I know our coaches very well,” she said. “It started from competing together, and that was a genuine trust that’s built over the last 10 years. I cannot think of a better team to join.”

County National Bank announces promotions

County National Bank recently announced the promotions of several members of the bank’s lending team.

Mark Dingee has been promoted to Vice President — Commercial Loan Officer. He joined CNB in 2021 and has over 13 years of experience in agricultural lending and servicing. His areas of expertise are dairy, row crops, specialty crops, and timber.

Roger Ferguson has been promoted to Vice President — Commercial Loan Officer. Ferguson joined CNB in 2019 and has nearly 25 years of banking experience. He is a graduate of Central Michigan University and several banking and commercial lending specialty schools with the Michigan Bankers Association. He has received specialized training in cash flow analysis, construction lending, lending to municipalities, and structuring commercial loans.

Jeff Jackson has been promoted to Assistant Vice President — Consumer Loan Officer. Jackson joined CNB in 2004 and has 41 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is a graduate of Central Michigan University.

Matt Parks has been promoted to Assistant Vice President — Commercial Loan Officer. He joined CNB in 2014 and is a graduate of Western Michigan University. He has 10 years of industry experience, and his areas of expertise include commercial lending and credit analysis.

Eric Potes has been promoted to Vice President — Commercial Loan Officer.

BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY

He joined CNB in 2010 and has over 21 years of experience in banking, 14 of them in commercial lending. He is a graduate of Baker College and Spring Arbor University, and his areas of expertise include business lending and credit analysis.

Kathryn Walker has been promoted to Assistant Vice President — Commercial Loan Officer. Walker joined CNB in 2014, and she has 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Her areas of expertise include commercial and consumer lending, retail banking, and branch management. Kathryn is also a graduate of the Perry Schools of Banking through the Michigan Bankers Association.

DAR to offer tours of Charles Croswell’s house

The Lucy Wolcott Barnum chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution plans to offer tours of Gov. Charles Croswell’s house during Adrian First Fridays on the evening of June 7.

The house, at 228 N. Broad St., was built in 1841. Among the artifacts it contains are a bookcase and dining table built by Croswell, who trained as a carpenter before he became a lawyer and politician.

Siena Heights University alumna Nicci Brown speaks at an event announcing her appointment as head dance coach.

Story walks

from page

Morenci was the first place Lenawee Great Start reached out to because “we have a really great relationship with the library there,” Eack said. The city was immediately on board.

When Heather Sarnac, the city’s director of community and economic development, first got the email from Eack proposing the idea, “I jumped on it,” she said. She began working with Colleen Leddy, the Stair District Library’s director, and Ted Hutchison, Morenci’s Department of Public Works supervisor, to find just the right location.

“It was something we didn’t have yet,” Sarnac said. “I thought it would be a great addition.” And, she said, she was very pleased that Lenawee Great Start had noticed Morenci’s recent improvements, including all the beautification efforts in the downtown area, major upgrades to Stephenson Park, the new Alley 221 parklet, and much more.

When Leddy first heard about the plan, “I thought it was the coolest idea,” she said. She had seen a similar walk in Lexington, Kentucky, and was intrigued

by it. “I just wanted to read the story,” she said.

Because Sarnac wanted to tie the walk’s launch into the school district’s student-run farmers market on May 18, Leddy chose Lauren Childs’ book “I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato” as their walk’s first title.

“I knew that Heather wanted to use a gardening theme, so I went down the list from Lisa and I’m a fan of this author,” Leddy said. “I knew it was a perfect fit. It has a funny ending and it will appeal to a lot of age groups.”

Both Sarnac and Leddy said they are grateful for the city leadership’s support and that Lenawee Great Start chose Morenci for a collaboration. And they are excited to bring a new literacy-focused opportunity like this to the city.

For children and their families to get outside and be involved in a story, “going from one panel to the other wondering what’s going to happen next, and getting to the end and finding out how the story ends, it’s different because it’s more engaging,” Leddy said.

“As a parent, I love that you’re meeting the kids where they are,” Sarnac added. “The kids can experience a book in their element.”

MAY 7 ELECTION RESULTS

Following are the totals from the May 7 local elections, according to the Lenawee County Clerk’s Office election website. Winners are in bold. Totals are unofficial until certified by the Board of Canvassers.

ADRIAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL

Yes: 2,275 No: 659

Turnout in the Adrian school district: 13%

IN BRIEF

Housing Help of Lenawee plans drivethrough fundraiser

ADRIAN — Housing Help of Lenawee will raise funds for its programs with “Change for Change,” a drivethrough donation event, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, June 7, at 307 E. Church St. (behind Frosty Boy). For more information, call 517-264-0782.

Bohn Pool opens June 3

ADRIAN — The city of Adrian’s Bohn Pool is scheduled to open for the season on Monday, June 3. Discounts on memberships are available to city residents and students of Adrian Public

ADRIAN DISTRICT LIBRARY

OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL

Yes: 1,425 No: 292

Turnout in the city of Adrian: 11%

MORENCI AREA SCHOOLS

OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL Yes: 200 No: 70

Turnout in the Morenci school district: 8%

Schools. The pool is at Riverside Park on South McKenzie Street. More information is at bohnpool.com.

Chiaroscuro men’s chorus seeking new members

ADRIAN — Chiaroscuro, an Adrianbased community men’s chorus, will begin its membership drive in June on Monday evenings (June 3, 10, 17 and 24) from 6:30 pm to 9 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1245 W. Maple Ave., in the church sanctuary.

Any men interested in singing with the chorus are encouraged to join the current members of the chorus at any or all of the open rehearsals/ auditions. For more information, visit ChiaroscuroMensChorus.org.

Lisa Eack of the Lenawee Great Start Collaborative cuts the ribbon for the Wakefield Park story walk, the first of four to be installed in Lenawee County.

A1

Two Adrian High School students chosen for theatrical honor » PAGE B2

NEIGHBORS

Students from Lenawee County place in national bridge design competition » PAGE B3

THE LENAWEE VOICE

SECOND SECTION JUNE 2024

Continuing a legacy

At Thee Old Mill, the Van Brunt

By Erik Gable The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — For more than 100 years, the Cutler Dickerson Co. was a mainstay of Lenawee County’s agricultural community. From their location at 507 College Ave., along the banks of the River Raisin, the company provided area farmers with livestock feed, fertilizer and more, and over the course of a century it became a beloved community institution.

Cutler Dickerson closed in 2016, just a few years after its sale to an out-of-town company. But David and Michelle Van Brunt, who purchased the building at auction and reopened it in 2017 as Thee Old Mill, say their goal is to provide the same friendly, personal service that customers of the old Cutler Dickerson came to expect.

In addition to feed — which is made in-house under the True Blue label that Cutler Dickerson originated and the Van Brunts secured the rights to use — Thee Old Mill sells pet foods, landscaping supplies, farm and garden tools, and work boots from brands like Red Wing, Irish Setter, and Muck. Their customers are diverse, ranging from farms of all sizes to people in the city who need gardening supplies or seed for their backyard bird feeders.

Much of their product line is home grown — literally. The Van Brunts farm near Onsted and use their own crops in the feed they manufacture. All of the corn comes from their farm, and they get wheat locally as well, trying to buy as little as possible from outside the area.

“All of our feed has our crops in it,” David Van Brunt said. “The majority of our feed we try to locally source, and it’s made fresh, it’s made daily.”

family is building on the heritage of one of Adrian’s

oldest businesses

Because the feed isn’t trucked in or sitting on a shelf for weeks, he said, the nutrients don’t have time to break down before it gets to the animals. And because they manufacture the feed on-site, they’re able to make custom blends for their customers, regulating the quantity of each ingredient using a large console filled with levers that the staff refers to as “the organ.”

The Van Brunts have four adult children, all of whom have been involved with the business in some way, though only one works there full time. Their oldest daughter, Kylee, runs the store, working alongside general manager Kevin Van Heusen. Daughter Baylee teaches eighth grade at Blissfield Middle School, Karly is a registered nurse at ProMedica Hickman

Hospital, and son Bradlee is in college at Madonna University.

They were also able to hire a few of Cutler Dickerson’s longtime employees. Carl Jacobs helped get the feed side up and running. And Ric Patterson, whose father was a partner in the business

See THEE 0LD MILL, page B5

Student-run farmers market is a hands-on lesson in business

By Erik Gable The Lenawee Voice

MORENCI — On a recent Saturday morning, the parking lot at Morenci’s Wakefield Park was filled with plants, vendors, and people browsing and buying. In many ways it was a typical springtime farmer’s market scene, but with one difference: This market was organized by students.

This was the second year for the Small Business Farmers Market class at Morenci Area Schools, which is open to students in sixth through 12th grades. Science teacher Grace Gierucki started the class both to give students valuable experience and to fill a community need in Morenci, which has no grocery store.

“One of my goals is to slowly start to extend it,” Gierucki said of the market. “We’d like to get it to the point where it’s at least monthly throughout the season, if not every two weeks.”

The class is in two parts. Students spend the fall on a hypothetical exercise, planning a food truck business. They start with a survey to gauge interest in various

ideas, then move on to finance, record keeping, taxes, and health and safety — “a lot of the basic business stuff,” Gierucki said.

The second half of the year is devoted to planning and growing plants, such as strawberries, herbs and tomatoes, for the farmer’s market. The students choose what seeds to order and manage the budget. The plants are grown in the school’s community garden and greenhouse, and also in several classrooms.

“They grew about half of what you see here,” Gierucki said. “They have been working on growing plants since about the last week in January.”

To extend the market beyond what they can grow at school, the students line up outside vendors, which requires networking skills. They also advertise the market through signs and social media.

One sales tool they employ is making recipe cards for things like salsa and spaghetti sauce that can be made with ingredients from the market.

See MARKET, page B5

Michelle and David Van Brunt are pictured at Thee Old Mill in Adrian along with three of their four adult children, Kylee, Baylee and Bradlee. Daughter Karly works nights as a nurse.

Morenci students Zackary Shields and Colsen Waltzer help a customer at the student-run farmers market on May 18 at Wakefield Park.

Two AHS students chosen to take part in Sutton Foster Awards

ADRIAN — Two Adrian High School students were chosen to participate in this year’s Sutton Foster Awards at the Wharton Center in East Lansing.

The annual awards are a celebration of high school musical theatre across Michigan. They are named for Sutton Foster, a stage actress from Michigan whose Broadway credits include the title roles in “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “Violet” and Reno Sweeney in the 2011 revival of “Anything Goes.”

AHS seniors

Madelyn Bowman and Nicholas Trevino were nominated for their performances as Morticia and Gomez Addams in Adrian High School’s recent production of “The Addams Family,” which was attended by a panel of adjudicators for the awards program.

The 131 nominees from across the state take part in a two-day workshop with Broadway professionals and then another day of workshops and rehearsals before competing on the Wharton Center stage on June 1 for a chance to represent Michigan in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, more commonly known as the Jimmy Awards, later in June.

Adrian Morning Rotary recognizes community service

ADRIAN — The Adrian Morning Rotary Club recognized local individuals and groups for their good deeds without thought of personal gain at their annual Service Above Self Award event on May 1.

The club also honored local youth who give back to the community and volunteer to help others. Youth in grades 7-12 at a Lenawee County school are eligible for the annual Service Above Self Spotlight on Youth Award. Those chosen receive $100 for the charitable organization of their choice from Adrian Morning Rotary.

The following individuals and organizations were recognized with the 2024 Service Above Self Award: The Adrian Public Schools Board of Education, Dr. Howard Pennington, Katey Morgan, the Lenawee Youth Council, Linda Tuckey, Michelle L. Lisboa Galindo, and Susan Nichols.

On Friday, May 3rd, 583 LISD TECH Center seniors celebrated their future by participating in Decision Day, an event designed to recognize high school seniors for their post-secondary educational plans. Graduating LISD TECH Center seniors have many options, including apprenticeships, military enlistment, trade school, certificate programs, and two- or four-year degree programs. Some students use their training and certifications to go straight into the workforce. No matter their plan, the LISD TECH Center celebrates the accomplishments of these seniors and wish them the best on the next step of their journey!

This school year, LISD TECH Center students earned... 2,200+ College credits and 1,200+ Certifications

Ten area high school and middle school students were chosen for the 2024 Service Above Self Spotlight on Youth (SASSY) Award.

Reese Beauleaux is a sophomore at Adrian High School. She volunteers as a coach for Adrian youth gymnastics and is captain of the Adrian varsity gymnastics team and varsity girls swim team. This summer she will be attending the National Academy of Future Physicians & Future Medical Leaders conference. Her charity was the Lenawee Humane Society.

Elliana Gutierrez is a senior at Madison High School. She has volunteered more than 300 hours during her high school career, including park and community cleanups, the Artalicious festival, school dances, food distributions, face painting at community events, the Imagination Library, grantmaking through the Lenawee Youth Council, and serving on the Lenawee Community Foundation board of directors. Her charity was Imagination Library.

Katerina Goniea is a junior at Lenawee Christian School. She has logged nearly 150 service hours in her school’s volunteer tracking system and is involved in school theater, choir and National Honor Society. She works at Culver’s, where her work ethic and commitment to excellence were recently recognized when she was named employee of the month. Her charity was the Care Pregnancy Center of Lenawee.

Gage Hammang is a junior at Lenawee Christian School. He regularly volunteers in various roles and is involved in football, powerlifting, youth group and volunteering at his church. His charity was the Care Pregnancy Center of Lenawee.

Brayden Karpinski is a senior at Blissfield High School. She is involved in the BHS Interact Club and volunteers at the senior center. She also participates in Big Buddies, the student council, Spanish club, competitive cheer, and track and field. Her charity was Imagination Library.

Olivia Kosarue is in eighth grade at Madison Middle School. She volunteers

to read to elementary school students, is a member of a local dance company, and participates in competitive cheer and the school musical. She has served on the student council and assisted with activities to support a local food pantry. Her charity was the Catherine Cobb Domestic Violence Shelter.

Dawson Mull is a senior at the JC/ LISD Academy. She has volunteered for the Red Cross Blood Drive and served on the Reproductive Health Curriculum Advisory Board. She has performed over 100 hours of community service with Neighbors of Hope, Gaslight Village Assisted Living and the Habitat for Humanity pasty project, and also served as a camp counselor at Royal Family Kids Camp for foster children. Her charity was Royal Family Kids Camp.

Nalani Schanz is a senior at Clinton High School. She is involved in volleyball, basketball, the Lenawee Youth Council, Lenawee County Education Foundation board of directors, foster care mentoring, foreign exchange programs, music, Earth Club and Hispanic Honors Society. Her charity was the Lenawee Youth Council.

Olivia Speelman is a junior at Addison High School. She is a tutor and volunteers at Senior Moment Assisted Living, the Lenawee Medical Care Facility, and her church. She is a member of the the Key Club and participates in varsity volleyball, National Honor Society and student council. Her charity was the Alzheimer’s Association.

Gabriella Tapia is in eighth grade at Adrian’s Springbrook Middle School. The teacher who nominated her noted that she is consistently concerned with others’ welfare and quick to stop her own work during class to help another student with a question or console a peer who is upset. She is active in choir and drama. Her charity was the National Eating Disorders Association. For

Madelyn Bowman

Nicholas Trevino

Recipients of the Adrian Morning Rotary Club’s 2024 Service Above Self Spotlight on Youth Awards are Reese Beauleaux, Olivia Speelman, Nalani Schanz, Elliana Gutierrez, Brayden Karpinski, Dawson Mull, Gabriella Tapia, Olivia Kosarue, Gage Hammang, and Katerina Goniea.

Recipients of the Adrian Morning Rotary Club’s 2024 Service Above Self Awards included Susan Nichols, Michelle L. Lisboa Galindo, Katey Morgan, Howard Pennington, and the Adrian Public Schools Board of Education, represented by board president Beth Ferguson.

Three teams from Lenawee County place in national bridge building competition

MADISON, Wisconsin — Eighteen teams of middle and high school students from four states competed at the 2024 AASHTO Bridge Challenge event on April 24 in Madison. The national contest was held in conjunction with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 2024 Spring Meeting.

Three teams of Lenawee County students placed in the competition. The students used their knowledge of structural and civil engineering to construct a model bridge, develop a

thorough design proposal, and give a presentation.

In the ninth and 10th grade division, the ProTRACtors from Clinton High School — Brian Ferree, Robert McDonald and Jaren Settles, all sophomores — placed third.

In the 11th and 12th grade division, second place went to Ultimate Construction, a team from the LISD Tech Center. The students on that team were Marisela Fermin-Jacobo (Adrian High School), Nathaniel Jeffords (Lenawee Christian School), and Lucy Skampo

(Adrian High School).

Third place in the 11th and 12th grade division went to Mission ImBALSAble from Clinton High School, consisting of juniors Katelyn Baker, Mattis Riddle and Kamryn Van Sickle. After competing and placing last year in the 9th and 10th grade division, the trio faced new challenges as they took on a new style of bridge, a self-anchored suspension. They tailored their previous knowledge, collaboration skills, and innovative techniques throughout the year to place again in their new division.

MORENCI — Jonathan Miller, the middle and high school principal for Morenci Area Schools, was named principal of the year by the Align Center for Workforce Development. The designation is for a Lenawee County principal who goes above and beyond in providing college and career readiness experiences.

“From our first request to meet at the beginning of the 23/24 school year he has taken part in every meeting, voicing his opinion and sharing ideas on how we can help support the career exploration and readiness of the Morenci Middle and High School students,” Kelly McNicol, career education navigator for the Align Center, said in a statement. “Time and time again he has shown that he not only cares for his students exactly where they are but also for their futures.”

Morenci principal honored by Align Center Leah Rorick recognized for multi-sport excellence

MORENCI — Morenci High School senior Leah Rorick is one of eight students from across the state to receive this year’s Rich Tompkins MultiSport Award from the Michigan High School Coaches Association. To be eligible, a student must have competed in a minimum of three sports for all four years of high school.

According to Morenci Superintendent Jennifer Ellis, Rorick competed in five sports this year. She is the first Morenci student to be selected for the honor.

As a contest judge watches, Clinton High School students Mattis Riddle, Kamryn Van Sickle and Katelyn Baker take part in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials bridge competition in Madison, Wisconsin.

Jaren Settles, Robert McDonald and Brian Ferree from Clinton High School test their bridge at the AASHTO competition.

Nathaniel Jeffords, Marisela Fermin-Jacobo and Lucy Skampo from the LISD Tech Center are pictured at the AASHTO bridge competition.

Jonathan Miller

Leah Rorick

Equestrians compete in collegiate nationals

in Level 1

at the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association nationals.

Greater Lenawee Chamber presents annual awards

ADRIAN — The Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce presented its 2024 awards on May 1 at the Adrian Armory Events Center.

MILL SPRING, North Carolina — College students from Lenawee County competed and placed in the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association national championships, which took place from May 3-5 in North Carolina.

Miley Phillips, a Sand Creek graduate attending Albion College, placed sixth in Individual Ranch Riding. Christopher Warwick, a Madison High School graduate attending Adrian College, placed sixth in his individual Level 1 Horsemanship class.

Both riders qualified for nationals by placing first at the semifinals.

Each rider must earn 36 points in regular competition to earn a spot at the regional competition. At regionals, the rider must be in the top two to move on to semifinals, and the top four semifinal competitors move on to the national competition.

Riders do not own the horses they compete on. Instead, the horses are selected for them on the morning of the competition.

The Addison J. Comstock Award, sponsored by Citizens Gas, was presented to Keith Chapman of Goodwill Industries. This award is designed to recognize an individual or organization who is tenacious in their promotion and development of the city of Adrian, its economy, and business growth.

The Ann Hughes Legacy Leadership Award, sponsored by Siena Heights University, was presented to Kandice Karll-Newsome of Jackson College. Honoring the legacy of Ann Hughes, founding partner of the Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce, and this award is for someone who exhibits a pioneering spirit, excellence, determination, a vision for betterment of the community, and serving as a leader and mentor for women and others who are under-represented.

The Above & Beyond Excellence Award, sponsored by D&P Communications, was presented to Barrett’s Showplace Gardens. This award recognizes strong ethical values, community commitment and engagement, and environmental stewardship.

The Outstanding Young Professional Award, sponsored by Clift Buick GMC, was presented to Josh Tejkl of August Advisory LLC. This award celebrates a young person who has, early in their career, set a high standard of excellence in the workplace and in community involvement.

The Beautification Award, sponsored by Krieghoff-Lenawee Co., was presented to Hidden Lake Gardens. The award recognizes projects completed throughout the past year.

The Making a Difference Award, sponsored by Victory Builders, was presented to Community Learning Connections. This award recognizes a nonprofit organization that makes a significant impact and difference in the community.

The Growing Talent Award, sponsored by Michigan Works Southeast, was presented to Janis Montalvo of Living in Lenawee Realty. This award recognizes going above and beyond to support the talent network for their own business or the community as a whole.

The Chamber Ambassador of the Year award, sponsored by County National Bank, was presented to Marty Schoonover of Len Air LLC.

STUDENTS REPRESENT LENAWEE COUNTY AT DECA CONFERENCE

Pictured from left to right at the Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce awards are Josh Tejkl, Kandice Karll-Newsome, Keith Chapman, Marty Schoonover, Amanda Gibson, Matt Carpenter, Kara Harris, Janis Montalvo and Paul Pfeifer. ROB LEE MEDIA/GREATER LENAWEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Christopher Warwick, an Adrian College student and Madison High School graduate, placed sixth

Horsemanship

Miley Phillips, an Albion College student and Sand Creek High School graduate, competes at the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association national championships, where she placed sixth in Individual Ranch Riding.

Five students from the Marketing and Entrepreneurship program at the Lenawee Intermediate School District Tech Center attended the DECA International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, California, from April 26-30. DECA is a career and technical student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. From left to right, Edie Clark (Addison) participated in the DECA Emerging Leaders academy. Luke Barden (Tecumseh), Renee Awad (Adrian) and Kaylie Livingston (Clinton) presented their gold-level Michigan Chapter Award project. Diego Juarez (Tecumseh) presented his gold-level certification paper on the Tech Center’s school store.

Thee Old Mill

from page B1

before it was sold, has now been working at the location in one capacity or another for about 60 years. Patterson’s official hire date was in May 1975, at the age of 20. But he’s been around much longer than that, having started off coming in to sweep and dust when he was a child. He’s been with the business for so long that he has customers whose grandfathers he can remember waiting on at the store.

Patterson has seen a lot of changes over the years. One of those changes goes hand-in-hand with the way farming has changed over the years.

“Initially the bread and butter for what was then the Cutler Dickerson Co. was the small dairy farms, which hardly exist anymore,” Patterson said.

But in some ways, the return of local ownership to 507 College Ave. represents a revival of the way things used to be — getting back to family-oriented, oneon-one service in a setting where “your accounts become your friends.”

That legacy is important to the Van Brunts, both Lenawee County natives who currently live in the house where David grew up. And the next generation takes it seriously too. “We’re trying to continue the example they set way back when,” Kylee Van Brunt said. “The standards, the service that should be provided.”

It hasn’t always been easy. In particular, Cutler Dickerson’s deterioration under out-of-town ownership — which was so rapid that the business shut down less than three years after being sold — means they’ve had to work hard to gain trust. Just the store’s address was enough to raise red flags for some vendors.

And although they’re practically in downtown Adrian, their location — stretching the entire one-block length

Market

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“The Bulldog Salsa is our No. 1 hit,” Gierucki said. “It’s very popular in town.” Students can opt to take the class for more than one year. This session had three students repeating the experience from last year. There were 18 students total.

The students currently sell plants for transplanting into customers’ gardens, but Gierucki said she hopes to get to

the point where they can also offer fresh produce.

The proceeds from each year’s market fund the following year’s class.

Through the class, Gierucki hopes students will learn skills like communication and organization, as well as how to function independently and solve problems on their own.

“They need to do what needs to be done without me needing to give them step-by-step instructions,” she said.

“If they can leave this class and say ‘I can do hard things,’ I will be a very happy teacher.”

Nonetheless, they’ve been able to keep growing, and even opened a second location in Hudson about five years ago. The growth has been steady rather than rapid, and the Van Brunts say that’s how they like it.

“Our goal is to continue to grow and get more efficient,” David Van Brunt said, “and do a better job at what we can do and offer more to the community.”

For more information, go to theeoldmillstores.com or call 517-759-3170 (Adrian) or 517-448-2101 (Hudson).

Aubrey Sandusky, Emma Overmeyer, Noah Zuvers and Heaven Ohlinger staff the checkout table at Morenci Area Schools’ student-run farmers market on May 18.

True Blue feeds is Thee Old Mill’s house brand. Owners David and Michelle Van Brunt secured the right to use the name, which was originated by the old Cutler Dickerson.

General manager Kevin Van Heusen stands at “the organ,” which regulates inputs when feeds are being mixed. Thee Old Mill manufactures their feeds on site and can make custom mixes for customers.

The Hudson location of Thee Old Mill, at 393 S. Meridian Road, opened about five years ago.

of Water Street, parallel to the South Branch of the River Raisin — isn’t all that visible.

“As long as we’ve been here, people still do not know that we’re here,” Michelle Van Brunt said.

IN MEMORY

We regret that space does not allow us to print detailed obituaries. These listings are intended as a guide to the obituaries that may be found on local funeral homes’ websites. When available, brief biographical information is provided to aid the reader in determining if they knew the deceased. To view complete information, please refer to this key:

[AM] Anderson-Marry Funeral Homes, andersonfuneralservices.com

[BVH] Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home, brownvanhemert.com

[E] Eineder Funeral Homes, einederfuneralhomes.com

[H] Handler Funeral Homes, handlerfuneralhomes.com

[PM] Purse Martinez Funeral Home, pursemartinez.com

[W] Wagley Funeral Homes, wagleyfuneralhomes.com

Cynthia Gail Finnegan, 68, of Tecumseh died on April 16. A resident of Tecumseh since 1998, she was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. [PM]

Donald F. Bork, 74, of Deerfield died on April 23. He was a 1968 graduate of Summerfield High School and retired from Dundee Casting. [PM]

Bruce Rollin Hughes, 55, of Deerfield died on April 23. He was employed as a machine repairman for many years and retired from Martinrea in Manchester. [AM]

Louise (Atwood) Robarge, 88, of Addison died on April 23. She worked at Buttner Clothing Company in Plymouth until 1957, when she married her husband. They eventually settled in Addison. [BVH]

Kristie Lynn Kerns, 46, of Morenci died on April 24. She enjoyed spending time with her family, arts and crafts, and loved her miniature Siberian Husky, Sissy. [AM]

Allan “Al” Denton McGowen, 67, of Blissfield died on April 24. He owned and operated ADM Towing in Blissfield. He owned and operated Found Treasures, an antique consignment shop in Blissfield. [W]

Luella M. McCaskey, 92, of Morenci died on April 25. A homemaker most of her life, she also worked at the Morenci Rubber Company and Fauver Molding Company. She was a member of the Morenci Eagles Lodge, Morenci American Legion, and the Wauseon Elks Club. [AM]

Larry Carnahan, 87, of Onsted died on April 26. In his early days, besides being a farmhand, he was employed at Bridgeport Brass and then

Industrial Electric. He was retired from Citizens Gas Fuel Co. He was a lifetime member of the Moose Lodge #1034 in Adrian. [W]

Walter Stanley Gable, 81, of Blissfield died on April 26. He worked as a master electrician at Ford Motor Company for 40 years. He was a member of the Swan Boat Club and enjoyed boating, bowling, snowmobiling, and fishing. He also played keyboard in a band. [AM]

Paul Wayne Reinhart, 82, of Brooklyn died on April 26. He was empoyed at Hoover-NSK, RD Kleinschmidt, and Huron Valley Roofing. After retirement he started his own business, Jobs by Reinhart. [E]

Jamie W. Fox, 42, of Adrian died on April 27. She was a traveling medical assistant, working for many physicians throughout the ProMedica system. She was involved with 4-H and the FFA and served on the small animal board for rabbits. She created and operated The Ginger Bunnies Rabbitry. [AM]

Frank Eugene Rigden, 81, of Florida, formerly of Onsted, died on April 27. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam. He worked at the University of Michigan in the 1970s before moving to Florida. [E]

Shayne Michael Salsbury, 33, of Riga died on April 27. He enjoyed the outdoors, bonfires, fishing, skateboarding and road trips with friends. He loved animals, old country music and John Wayne movies. [AM]

W. Douglas Shepard, 77, of Addison died on April 27. He worked for Pittsburgh Forging and Aeroquip. He was a member of the Heart O’ The Lakes Church where he served as property manager and security. [BVH]

Elsie F. Demey , 94, of Blissfield died on April 28. She worked at the Blissfield High School cafeteria for 20 years, retiring in 1991. [W]

Joan E. Jewell, 89, of Onsted died on April 28. She lived at Sand Lake. She had worked at the Chrysler dealership in Adrian as a customer service representative. [PM]

Virginia “Ginni” Marlene Potes, 81, of Tecumseh died on April 28. She was employed as a hair stylist for 25 years and managed two salons, including at J.C. Penney. Once she retired she opened her own business, Lenawee Beauty Supply. [W]

Fern Lucille Stepp, 84, of Adrian died on April 28. She and her husband traveled the world, visiting over 50 countries on six continents. [W]

Daniel Ray Wampler, 69, of Clinton died on April 28. He worked on the family farm until it was sold. He also worked at various construction jobs and was a great finish carpenter. [E]

Marjorie Ann Harris, 89, of Jackson died on April 29. She was a member of the Jackson Seventh Day Adventist Church. She was very interested in genealogy and enjoyed sewing and quilting. [E]

Patricia Ann Hubbell, 81, of Brooklyn died on April 30. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and founding member of The Heart of the Lakes Women’s Club. [E]

Steve Hartman, 83, of Tecumseh died on May 1. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam. He was a lifetime member and past commander of the Tecumseh American Legion Post #34, past Chef de Gare of Voiture 997 40/8, and a member of the Brooklyn Eagles and Moose. He worked at General Motors for 28 years, retiring in 1993. [H]

Nancy Willnet Boyd, 88, of Sylvania died on May 2. She grew up on the family farm in Medina Township. She taught numerous foreign languages at Sylvania Northview High School, Tecumseh High School, and Toledo Public Schools, then became a professor at Bowling Green State University. [AM]

Barbara “Barb” Jean Goble, 74, of Adrian died on May 2. Early in her career she taught school in Indiana and Ohio. After moving to Adrian in 1984, she worked as a paraprofessional for Adrian Public Schools. [W]

Cooper Charles Kipke, 23, died on May 2. Though his journey in life was marked with challenges from autism, he found happiness in the simple pleasures of life, and brought joy to those around him. [E]

Ron Rentschler, 75, of Tecumseh died on May 2. He was a 1966 graduate of Tecumseh High School and served in the U.S. Air Force. He was well known to the youth of the community for his participation in University of Michigan baseball camps and clinics and hitting clinics in Tecumseh. He was a member of the Tecumseh Volunteer Fire Department, Tecumseh American Legion Underwood Orr Post #34, and Tecumseh Masonic Lodge #69. [PM]

Leann Sines, 73, of Brooklyn died on May 2. She worked as a truck driver, starting with Swift Transportation and retiring from Apollo Transportation. As a young child she learned about cars at her father’s service station, and her first job was in the automotive department at Montgomery Ward. She raised and showed Norwegian Elk Hounds. [AM]

Michael Lynn Call, 66, of Tecumseh died on May 3. He was an outdoorsman and a collector of coins, silver, and knives. He worked at Leforge Welding with his brotherin-law. [H]

Diane Marie Ebright, 63, of Blissfield died on May 4. She worked at Paramount Insurance for 20 years. She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed knitting and antiquing. [W]

Brock Griewahn, 37, of Tecumseh died on May 4. He worked for K&B Asphalt Sealcoating. He loved his children and animals, especially dogs. [AM]

Loretta Eileen Hammac, 87, of Addison died on May 4. She was raised in Rhode Island and moved to Lenawee County after she was married. She lived in Florida for a period of time and then returned to the Addison area. She was a cook at Adrian College for several years. [BVH]

Laurel “Laurie” Joyce Raymond, 82, of Adrian died on May 4. While vacationing in Spain in 1973 she met her current husband. In 1976 the family moved to Adrian to manage their Ford dealership. She worked at the first all-women advertising agency in Detroit. In Adrian she and a friend started a wallpapering and painting business. [W]

Cheryl Stubbins, 66, of Manitou Beach died on May 4. She worked as a caregiver at Christ Centered Homes. She enjoyed crafting, baking, crocheting, and birdwatching. [AM]

Doris Ann Bowman, 90, of Jackson, formerly of Brooklyn, died on May 6. A 1951 Onsted High School graduate, she worked at Jackson Community College as an account specialist, retiring in 1989. [E]

Paul Creger, 48, of Tecumseh died on May 6. He worked at Tecumseh Products and attended Tecumseh Assembly of God. [PM]

Birdie J. Guffey, 77, of Brooklyn died on May 6. She enjoyed riding in antique cars that her husband owned and restored. She loved spending time at her home on the lake, gardening, and fishing. [W]

Juliene Kay Sims, 82, of Adrian died on May 6. She worked at Bixby Medical Center in the staffing and scheduing nursing office for 37 years, retiring in 2007. She was a member of Bethany Assembly of God. [AM]

Wendell “Dean” Ward, 67, of Weston died on May 6. He was born in Morenci, graduated from Sand Creek schools, and served in the U.S. Army. [AM]

Anthony Wayne Watson, 63, of Addison died on May 6. He attended Onsted High School and lived in the Addison area for many years. [BVH]

Kathleen Virginia Clymer, 68, of Adrian died on May 7. Throughout life she faced the challenges of multiple sclerosis with courage and grace. [AM]

Keith Goll, 71, of Palmyra died on May 7. He served in the U.S. Army and then became a self-employed truck driver. [AM]

Douglas “Doug” D. Lake, Jr., 71, of Manitou Beach died on May 7. He worked at TC’s Garage and Adrian Hardware, and also owned Lake Contracting Service. He played guitar with several area bands. [W]

Barbara Jo Foss, 70, of Clear Lake, formerly of Morenci, died on May 8. She was a member of the Morenci PTO. She enjoyed sewing and found joy in creating. She and her sister began Beeyond Paper, creating beautiful pieces for their clients. [AM]

Charles “Chuck” Wayne Green, 63, of Adrian died on May 8. He worked at Venchurs in Adrian as a Hi-Lo driver. He enjoyed fishing, playing pool, and going to Club 109 with his friends. [W]

Harvey F. Souders, 80, of Adrian died on May 8. He worked at Bank of Lenawee for 43 years, starting in the mailroom and working his way up to vice president. Later he worked as the General Manager for Sand Creek Communications. He served on the Sand Creek School Board for 36 years, was a charter member of Civitan, and worked as a contractor for the U.S. Postal Service. [AM]

John E. Witt, 88, of Deerfield died on May 8. He served in the U.S. Army and worked as a commercial carpenter for Ann Arbor Ceiling and Partition for 35 years. He was a member of Deerfield American Legion Post 392. [W]

Kelly Jeanne Zuvers, 58, of Morenci died on May 8. During high school she began working as a dishwasher at the Village Inn and worked there several days a week for over 25 years. She was a lifetime member of the Hope Community Center. [AM]

Fay D. Carswell, 94, of Tecumseh died on May 9. She worked at Tecumseh Products for many years. She was a member of the Tecumseh Missionary Baptist church. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, and being active in her church. [PM]

Anita Jane Duke, 88, of Adrian died on May 11. She worked for many years at Bixby Medical Center in the pediatric department. She later chose to do homecare nursing well into her 70s. [AM]

Viola E. VanEtten, 87, of Adrian died on May 11. She was employed at Fisher Body Tecumseh for 21 years. She enjoyed bowling and tending to her vegetable and flower gardens. [W]

Lucas Zachariah Barron, 24, of Tecumseh died on May 12. He enjoyed working on cars with his dad at Steve Barron’s Auto Repair and Towing in Tecumseh. [H]

Davina Michelle Carey, 45, of North Aurora, Illinois, formerly of Adrian, died on May 12. Visitation will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 13, followed by a service at noon at First United Methodist Church in Adrian.

Robert Avad Ochoa, 74, of Adrian died on May 12. He worked as a Hi-Lo driver at Conagra Canning Company. He and his wife started and ran the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Food Pantry in Toledo. He was a member of Latinos United in Toledo. [AM]

Alex Sands, 80, of Adrian died on May 12. He worked at Ford Motor Company for over 46 years. [AM]

Lonnie Lee Spiegel, 78, of Adrian died on May 12. He worked for Aget Manufacturing for nearly 43 years. He loved to travel and was skilled in scuba diving, carpentry and gardening. [AM]

Kelly Marie Strong, 46, of Jasper died on May 12. She was a graduate of Sand Creek High School. She worked at Jeep of Toledo. [AM]

Rosa Tovar, 81, of Adrian died on May 13. She was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Parish, St. Mary’s Campus. [AM]

Jaime Nicol Dillon, 48, of Adrian died on May 14. She was employed at Kmart and Lowe’s in Adrian for several years. [W]

Charlotte Lee Worrick, 75, of Onsted died on May 14. She worked in housekeeping at Provincial House for many years. [W]

James Archer Dale, 77, of Jackson died on May 15. He served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. Later he reenlisted in the military and served for 22 years, then worked at and retired from Jackson College. [E]

Jeffrey Charles Frattini, 69, of Tecumseh died on May 15. He worjed at Wacker Chemical for nearly 40 years, retiring in 2018. He had a love of baseball, which he coached for years in Detroit. [AM]

Louis Secor, 72, of Palmyra died on May 15. He was a graduate of Summerfield High School and worked at Dura/Budd Company as a quality control engineer. [AM]

Dorothy Ann Waltz, 96, of Adrian died on May 15. She worked at Stauffer Chemical in Weston for 28 years. She volunteered at Bixby Hospital and was involved with the Eastern Star, Adrian Garden Club, and PEO. She played in several golf leagues. [W]

Judy Carole Backiel, 83, of Brooklyn died on May 16. She worked for 30 years as a secretary for Wayne Westland Schools and Livonia Public Schools. She was an artist, crafter, and an entrepreneur, creating reborn baby dolls during her retirement. [E]

Barbara J. Kane, 95, of Tecumseh died on May 17. She retired from First Federal Bank in Adrian. She enjoyed traveling, knitting, watching sports, and making chocolate confections during the holidays. [H]

Willis H. Rickard, 86, of Adrian died on May 17. He worked at Ford Motor Company in Saline for 30 years. He went to the Adrian Senior Center five days a week and enjoyed playing pool. [W]

Robert Harold Stiever, 71, of Tecumseh died on May 17. He was retired from Ford Motor Company. He was a member of the Centurions Motorcycle Club. [AM]

Betty Jean Whitehead, 68, of Sand Creek died on May 17. She worked at Merillat Industries for 33 years. She attended Jasper Bible Church. [AM]

Carol Sue Jones, 66, of Onsted died on May 18. Carol was a 1984 graduate of Napoleon High School. She loved coffee, camping, and bingo. [E]

Looking for a career with purpose? Join our team at the LISD! Whether in a classroom, on a school bus, or in an office, our goal is the same: supporting and serving learners.

ARTS & LIVING

Art by the shore

Devils Lake Festival of the Arts marks its 10th anniversary this year

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

MANITOU BEACH — As developers David Gajda and Jose Malagon started buying commercial properties in Manitou Beach some 14 years ago, they wanted to find a way to draw people to the area and saw that other parts of Michigan such as Harbor Springs and Saugatuck were doing just that through art festivals.

A few years later, in 2014, dream became reality with the Devils Lake Festival of the Arts.

Devils Lake Festival of the Arts

DATE AND TIME: Saturday, June 22, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

LOCATION: Downtown Manitou Beach

COST: Free and open to the public

MORE INFO: devilslakefestivalofthearts.com

children to enjoy. Organizers expect some 5,000 people to attend.

The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 22.

“It gets bigger and better every year,” festival producer Kelly Stickel said.

Juneteenth celebration returns to downtown Adrian

ADRIAN — Juneteenth, the annual celebration of freedom that commemorates the end of legalized slavery in the United States, will be celebrated in Adrian on Saturday, June 15, with a downtown festival organized by the Lenawee County NAACP.

Juneteenth marks the anniversary of the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas on June 19, 1865, following the end of the Civil War. It became a federal holiday in 2021.

A Juneteenth celebration has taken place in Adrian every year since 2018, although it was virtual in 2020.

Most of the festivities will take place from 1 to 8 p.m. in the 100 block of East Maumee Street, between Main and Broad Streets.

Live entertainment will take place throughout the day. The headline band is Soundproof. Area nonprofits will have informational tables set up, and there will be a bounce house for children.

Earlier in the day, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for youth will take place at 119 N. Broad St., with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. and tipoff at 9 a.m.

That first festival drew 25 fine artists and about 1,500 visitors. Over time, more and more activities were added, as was a Crafters Market to broaden the appeal even more.

This year, as the festival marks its 10th anniversary, it will do so with 50 artists from around the region and as far away as the East and West coasts, along with 50 crafters, 10 food vendors, and a wide range of activities for both adults and

The art featured at this year’s festival will run the gamut of media, including painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, metal work, and more. “We have tons of great returning artists as well as new ones,” Stickel said.

The festival is a juried show, meaning that artists must have their work evaluated by a committee of artists in

The NAACP is sponsoring a blood drive with the American Red Cross from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Adrian District Library and will give a $25 gift card to anyone who completes a blood donation.

Juneteenth celebration

DATE AND TIME: Saturday, June 15, from 1 to 8 p.m.

LOCATION: Downtown Adrian

COST: Free and open to the public

MORE INFO: facebook.com/lenawee.naacp

Visitors browse the displays at last year’s Devils Lake Festival of the Arts. The festival is 10 years old this year and will take place on Saturday, June 22, in downtown Manitou Beach. COURTESY OF DEVILS LAKE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

The Lenawee Voice

Adrian Armory kicks off centennial celebration

The public is invited to tour the building and learn about its current programs during an open house on July 5

The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — The Adrian Armory Events Center will open to the public for an open house on Friday, July 5, giving residents a chance to see the renovations the building has undergone over the past several years and learn about the programs that currently take place there.

The open house comes as the armory celebrates its 100th anniversary. The process of building the armory a century ago was a long, drawn-out one — so much so that the building didn’t open until March 1926. But 1924 is the year inscribed on the front of the building, so the armory’s current owners have chosen to mark the centennial this year.

Mark and Mary Murray led the effort to rehabilitate the building after the Michigan Army National Guard stopped using it about a decade ago.

At the time, there was a lack of appropriate gathering spaces for large community events in Adrian. Though the armory was primarily a military installation, it was also built with the intention of filling an unmet need in the city.

this

“This is a really cool, unique armory because it was designed to be a community service facility as well,” Mark Murray said.

The armory is steeped in local heritage — both because of its own history and because of the elements of other Adrian buildings that were integrated into its renovation. For example, wood salvaged from Garfield and McKinley elementary

schools was used in the project. And a stained glass window, which was donated to the old Adrian High School by a graduating class in the 1930s, occupies a place of pride.

The renovations, which started in 2017, were extensive. A drop ceiling had been installed underneath the beams in the drill room. Much of the beautiful trim was soiled from years of people smoking in the building.

However, Mark Murray said, “the goal was to not make one change to the original building that we didn’t have to.”

Today, the armory combines one of its original purposes — that of serving as a community gathering space — with a new one. The armory is now the home of Launch Lenawee, a small business development center whose purpose is to expand Lenawee County’s economy from the ground up.

Often, Mark Murray said, people feel that economic development is a matter of getting a 600-person factory to move into town and save the community. But throughout Lenawee County’s history, much of its economic development has actually come from within.

“People like Elmer Kapnick, people like Orville Merillat, started in a garage or a living room,” he said, referring to the founders of Kapnick Insurance and Merillat Cabinets.

Launch Lenawee runs an annual training program for entrepreneurs and also has a commercial kitchen where people who want to start food-based businesses can get their ventures off the ground without having to bear the upfront cost of kitchen equipment.

The July 5 open house will take place from 4 to 8 p.m., during Adrian First Fridays and before the city’s fireworks display.

Volunteers will be on hand to take visitors through the armory and talk about its story.

Mark and Mary Murray are pictured inside the Adrian Armory Events Center. In addition to its own heritage, the building contains echoes of other local landmarks — such as

stained glass window, which was once part of the old Adrian High School.

The Adrian Armory is at 230 W. Maumee St.

IN BRIEF

Adrian library kicks off summer on June 8

ADRIAN — The Adrian District Library is hosting its Summer Reading Kickoff Event on Saturday, June 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event will be held outdoors in Library Square, weather permitting, at 143 E. Maumee St. in downtown Adrian.

Participants are encouraged to sign up for the library’s summer reading program at this event, which is open to all ages and includes Indiana Joel’s Magic Show. The show includes magic, wacky stunts, upbeat music, and lots of audience participation. Refreshments will be provided.

There’s no cost to attend, and registration is not required.

Learn more about upcoming programs and special events by visiting Adrian District Library’s website at adrian.lib.mi.us or calling 517-265-2265.

Dog Days is theme for June’s First Friday event

ADRIAN — The theme for the June installment of Adrian First Fridays will be Dog Days, with a focus on all things related to canine friends. The Dog Days portion of the event was originally scheduled for May but was postponed due to the weather forecast at the time.

First Fridays will be on Friday, June 7, on the streets of downtown Adrian, with most activities falling between 5 and 8 p.m. More information is available online at facebook.com/adrianfirstfridays.

Family fun at Parish Park

ADRIAN — The All About Adrian (A3) Resident Coalition will host a Second Friday event on Friday, June 14, at Parish Park, 721 Erie St., Adrian.

The event will include music, information about community resources, a scavenger hunt for kids, a bike giveaway, and snacks and beverages while supplies last.

For more information about Second Fridays or the A3 Resident Coalition, email Joaquin Ramos at a3coalition.chair@gmail.com.

Music of Whitney Houston takes the spotlight in Croswell’s ‘The Bodyguard’

ADRIAN — The music of pop legend Whitney Houston, one of the bestselling music artists in history, will take center stage at the Croswell Opera House when the theater produces “The Bodyguard” from June 7-16.

The musical is based on the 1992 film of the same name. It follows the story of a fictional singer, Rachel Marron — played by Houston in the movie — and the former Secret Service agent who is hired to protect her from a stalker who has been sending her death threats.

The show includes many of Houston’s biggest hits, including “I Have Nothing,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “Queen of the Night,” and “I Will Always Love You.”

In the Croswell’s production, the role of Rachel is played by Arielle Crosby, a Detroit-based professional actress whose recent credits include “The Color Purple” at Short North Stage in Columbus, Ohio; “Little Shop of Horrors” and The Who’s “Tommy” at Flint Repertory Theatre; and “Ain’t Misbehavin’” at The Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter.

Outside the area, she has performed at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon, and was in the national tour of “Motown: The Musical.”

The show is directed by Michael Yuen, with music direction by Josh Glover and choreography by Sarah Nowak.

Anjewel Lenoir of Adrian plays Rachel’s sister, Nicki. Steven Kiss of Lambertville plays the titular bodyguard, Frank Farmer. King Brinson of Adrian plays Rachel’s young son, Fletcher. Maxwell Lam of Adrian plays the stalker.

Additional roles include Megan Clark of Adrian as Rachel’s publicist, Tori Bruce of Onsted as her manager, Aaron Treadway of Adrian as Rachel’s previous bodyguard who resents Frank Farmer’s presence, and Aiden Ketola of Adrian as Rachel’s concert stage manager.

In the ensemble are Kylie Bushman, Rafe Jacobs, Abigail Knight, Isabela Orozco-Guerrero, Xavier Sarabia and Eli Stachowske, all of Adrian; Matelyn Yarbrough of Cement City; Quinn Fritz of Commerce Township; Sophia Zebrowski of Saline; Leah Wathen of Ypsilanti; and Nathan Glover of Toledo.

Performance dates and times are:

n Friday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m.

n Saturday, June 8 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

n Sunday, June 9 at 2:30 p.m.

n Thursday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m.

n Friday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m.

n Saturday, June 15 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

n Sunday, June 16 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $22 to $44 for adults and $15 to $25 for students.

The show is listed as suitable for adults and teens. It contains some sexual situations.

The Croswell is reminding patrons that third-party resale sites are not authorized by the Croswell, and often attempt to charge prices far in excess of the tickets’ face value. These sites often advertise on search engines to try to get people to buy from them instead of directly from venues. The Croswell never sells tickets to any show for more than the advertised price.

Tickets may be ordered in person at 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian; by calling 517-264-7469; or online at croswell.org.

Summer season continues with ‘School of Rock’ and ‘Newsies’

ADRIAN — The Croswell Opera House’s summer season continues in July and August with two musicals based on popular films.

“School of Rock” runs from July 1221. Based on the 2003 Jack Black film, it follows an out-of-work singer and guitarist who moonlights as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school, and — when he realizes the musical talent his students have — transforms them into a guitar-shredding rock band.

The show is directed by Erin Pifer, a Madison Elementary School teacher whose previous directing projects at the Croswell include 2022’s “Footloose” and 2023’s “Mary Poppins.”

“School of Rock” includes music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It’s one of the newer shows in the Croswell’s current season, having made its Broadway debut in 2015.

The students who make up the core of the rock band have been working one-on-one with some of the Croswell’s frequent orchestra members to prepare for their roles in the show.

“School of Rock” is sponsored by the Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation, which supports the performing arts in Lenawee County, with its primary focus being on performing arts education.

The summer season continues in August with “Newsies,” running from Aug. 9-18. “Newsies” features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by Harvey Fierstein. It is based on the 1992 Disney film of the same name, which in turn was based on the true story of the New York City newsboys’ strike of 1899.

“Newsies” premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 2011 and debuted on Broadway in 2012.

The show’s Broadway production was nominated for eight Tony Awards, one of which has a local connection. Tobin Ost, who shared a Tony nomination with Sven Ortel for scenic design on the show, grew up in Adrian learning about theatrical design from Bob Soller, the Croswell’s longtime artistic director.

The Croswell’s production of “Newsies” is helmed by Debra Ross Calabrese, whose previous directing credits at the Croswell include last year’s production of “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.”

“Newsies” is sponsored by the Lenawee Community Foundation.

The Croswell’s 2024 Broadway Season runs through December. Tickets range for each show range from $22 to $44 for adults and $15 to $25 for students. For more information, call 517-264-7469 or go to croswell.org.

Arielle Crosby plays Rachel Marron in “The Bodyguard,” which opens June 7 at the Croswell Opera House.

IN BRIEF

Watershed Council plans birding meetup

MANCHESTER — The River Raisin Watershed Council invites area birders to a casual get-together at Leonard Preserve, 375 N. Union St., Manchester.

The meetup is a chance for people to learn from experienced birders and share their own sightings. It’s open to anyone with an interest in birds. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and people are also welcome to bring binoculars, field guides, and folding chairs.

For registration and more information, go to riverraisin.org/ upcoming-events.

Youth activities planned at the county library

ADRIAN — Following are some of the youth activities planned for June at the main branch of the Lenawee District Library, 4459 West U.S. 223 in Adrian.

n Messy Monday: June 10 and June 24 at 10:30 a.m. During this outdoor program, toddlers can enjoy a variety of fun, messy-themed sensory exploration activities. Older siblings are welcome.

n Origami for teens: Teenagers can learn about the art of origami on Tuesday, June 11 from 3 to 4 p.m.

n Ming the Magician: A magic show for all ages. Monday, June 17 at 6 p.m.

n Magician Jeff Wawrzaszek: Wednesday, June 26 at 2 p.m.

The library also has a variety of drop-in programs that will take place throughout the month, as well as programs for adults. For more information, go to lenawee.lib.mi.us or call 517-263-1011.

Woodshop offers course on artist Wharton Esherick

ADRIAN — The Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute will offer a five-day intensive study from June 10-14 on the life and legacy of renowned American artist Wharton Esherick. Participants will explore his innovative methods and artistic philosophy, culminating in the crafting of his iconic piece, the Wharton Esherick Music Stand. For more information, call 517-759-3070 or email dena@ sambeaufordwoodshop.com.

Adrian College art gallery hosting ‘Stars and Stripes’ exhibit through July

ADRIAN — Adrian College’s Hickman Gallery is hosting “Stars and Stripes: Artistic Dialogues on the American Flag” through July 26. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

“Stars and Stripes: Artistic Dialogues on the American Flag” is a juried art exhibition featuring artists in all media who delve into the symbolism, history, and diverse perspectives surrounding this iconic emblem. From traditional interpretations to avant-garde expressions, the exhibit features works that reflect the myriad ways in which the American flag serves as a powerful symbol of identity, unity, and freedom.

ART EXHIBITS

“American Beauty” by Kari Souders is one of the pieces in “Stars and Stripes: Artistic Dialogues on the American Flag” at Adrian College’s Hickman Gallery.

Adrian College assistant professor of art Travis Erxleben said the exhibition will explore the American flag through the lens of contemporary art and promises to be a thoughtprovoking and visually stunning experience.

The national juried exhibition had artists from all over the country submit their works for consideration. Erxleben received 91 pieces from 41 artists representing 16 states. From those submissions, about three dozen were selected to be included in the exhibition.

“We are excited to invite the community to join us for this extraordinary exhibition,” Erxleben said. “We aim to foster a dialogue about the complexities and nuances inherent in the visual representation of our nation’s identity. Through the creative lens of contemporary artists, we hope to inspire reflection and discussion on the significance of the American flag in our society.”

The exhibition will feature a diverse selection of artworks, showcasing the talents of artists who have reimagined and reinterpreted the Stars and Stripes in innovative ways.

“Visitors can expect to encounter a rich tapestry of artistic expressions that challenge conventional notions and provoke new insights into this enduring symbol,” Erxleben said.

The Hickman Gallery is on Adrian College’s campus in the Mahan Center for Art and Interior Design and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, email Erxleben at terxleben@adrian.edu.

Art by Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates highlighted: An exhibit showcasing the artwork of Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates will be open to the public through Sunday, July 28. The exhibit is in the INAI gallery on the Dominican Sisters campus, 1257 E. Siena Heights Dr.

“INAI: A Retrospective” features a variety of media used by Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates, including painting, sculpture, quilting, weaving, and photography.

“The creative contributions of Dominican Sister and Associate artists have a long history and have enriched the local community, Siena Heights University, Weber Center, residents, and all who visit the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ campus,” said Sr. Suzanne Schreiber, OP, coordinator of INAI. INAI (pronounced in-EYE and meaning “within” in Japanese) is a ministry of Weber Center on the Motherhouse Campus of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 E. Siena Heights Dr., Adrian. Enter the campus in the eastern driveway by the solar parking lot and follow the signs for Weber Center/ INAI.

INAI Gallery is next to the Weber Center. Watch for the bright green door.

INAI is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, call 517-266-4090 or email inaispace@adriandominicans.org.

This will be the INAI gallery’s final exhibit. As part of a campus transformation, the INAI building will be used for another purpose after this exhibit, but plans are in the works for a new space that can continue to offer the community a place of reflection, art, and beauty.

Current and upcoming exhibits at the Adrian Center for the Arts: The following exhibits are taking place at the Adrian Center for the Arts on the campus of Planewave Instruments, 1375 N. Main St., Adrian.

n Echoes of Inspiration. An exhibit of work by students in the ACA’s youth art clubs and Prairie Elementary School, each paired with a response piece created by an adult ACA member. On display June 10 to July 21, with a reception on Sunday, June 9 from 2 to 4 p.m.

n Jewelry and Objects: Michigan Silversmiths Guild 2024 Membership Exhibition. Founded in 1948, the Michigan Silversmiths Guild is a community of craftspersons dedicated to the fields of metalsmithing and jewelry. Juried by metalsmith and educator Suzanne Pugh, this exhibition showcases the exceptional works of guild members, and celebrates the reach of the guild in supporting jewelry and metalsmithing education locally, regionally and beyond. On display from July 29 to Aug. 29, with a reception on Sunday, Aug. 4 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The Adrian Center for the Arts gallery is open from Thursday through Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. More information is at adriancenterforthearts.org.

“Facets” at Flatlanders: “Facets,” an exhibition of mixed mediums produced through the “different artistic personalities” of artist Jim Foos, is on display at Flatlanders Art Galleries through June 21.

Admission is free. Flatlanders is at 11993 East U.S. 223, Blissfield. Hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Morenci’s Town & Country Festival is June 13-15 at Wakefield Park

The Lenawee Voice

MORENCI — A carnival, live music, and a variety of contests will all be part of Morenci’s 44th Town & Country Festival, which is scheduled for June 13-15 at Wakefield Park on the west side of town.

The carnival will be set up throughout the festival. Hours of operation are Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight.

A festival royalty contest will take place on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. on the festival’s main stage.

Also on the main stage, two Morenci natives will return to their hometown with their bands.

Chris Diccion with the five-piece band Crossing Woodward will perform on Friday from 7-10 p.m.

Rod Wilson with Lightnin’ Rod and the Thunderbolts will perform on Saturday from 7-10 p.m. He has been recording since 1984 and is a three-time Josie Music Award winner, an honor in the independent music industry; his music is a blend of blues, soul, Motown, rock, gospel and roots.

Saturday’s activities will kick off with a parade at 11 a.m. The parade begins at the Morenci High School parking lot, and will travel west on Coomer Street, south on East Street, and west on Main Street, ending at Wakefield Park.

The festival conclude with fireworks after sunset on Saturday.

The Town & Country Festival has a Facebook page where they share information, and a schedule with information will also be available on the city’s website at cityofmorenci.org.

The Town & Country Festival parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 15.

Carnival rides are among the attractions at the annual Town & Country Festival at Wakefield Park in Morenci. COURTESY OF THE CITY OF MORENCI

Lenawee Pride moves to Tecumseh for 2024

By Erik Gable The Lenawee Voice

TECUMSEH — The annual Lenawee Pride festival has a new date and a new location this year.

Instead of September, the event will move to June, which has been the traditional month for Pride celebrations ever since the early 1970s. And instead of downtown Adrian, it will take place in Tecumseh.

The festival will be on Saturday, June 22, from 3 to 10 p.m. on the grounds of the Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 400 N. Maumee St.

Lenawee Pride

While a few protesters did come with the intent of harassing people, Sevilla said, overall “the response from the public was wonderful.”

DATE AND TIME: Saturday, June 22, from 3 to 10 p.m.

LOCATION: Outdoors at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh

The event will include a stage with live entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening, kicking off with a performance by local artist Hornet’s Daughter at 3 p.m. A line dancing demonstration by Cypressene Fitness will be among the offerings, and the event will close with a DJ and dance party from 9 to 10 p.m.

Sevilla said one common response from attendees was amazement at seeing an event that they never would have imagined happening in their hometown, with even some grown adults brought to tears of happiness. One attendee commented that “I never thought I’d be walking in a Pride parade in Adrian where I grew up.” Another was delighted to say that “I got to hold my boyfriend’s hand and it wasn’t weird.”

COST: Free and open to the public MORE INFO: campsite.bio/ lenaweepride

A schedule will be posted closer to the event at campsite.bio/lenaweepride.

The event is organized by the M Society, a local organization promoting equality, acceptance and quality of life for Lenawee County’s LGBTQIA+ residents and their friends and family.

Socorro Sevilla, president and founder of the M Society, said the first Lenawee Pride event took place in 2019, and it started out small.

“We had a picnic at Burr Ponds Park,” they said. “We had a pretty decent-sized group. I’d say it was probably about 70 people.”

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the next event didn’t take place until 2021. It was another picnic, and this time nonprofit groups were invited to come and set up tables.

Then in 2022, organizers decided to move to downtown Adrian and adopt a festival model. Despite the group doing minimal advertising, Sevilla said, organizers estimated it drew about 3,000 people over the course of the day. And then in 2023, Sevilla said, “we decided to go bigger.”

Despite that, Sevilla said, frustrations with city government almost led the M Society to decide against organizing a Pride event in 2024. But then the owner of Paper Street Soap in Tecumseh reached out about an event she was hoping to organize at her store, and those plans evolved into the idea that Pride would take place in Tecumseh. Then somebody from Tecumseh City Hall reached out to Sevilla, said “we don’t think you have enough space,” and offered to help scout possible locations.

“There’s been support coming out of the woodwork,” Sevilla said.

People’s joy at seeing a Pride celebration in Lenawee County has made it relatively easy to line up entertainment, Sevilla said. Musicians who grew up in the area and have since moved away are so happy to see the event happening that they’re eager to return to their hometowns and be part of it.

Sevilla said it’s important that rural communities, not just cities, be seen as welcoming places.

“I want to live in the country,” they said. “I shouldn’t have to live someplace else just because of who I am.”

In addition, they noted, not everyone has a choice about where to live.

Sevilla said that although past Pride events have attracted a small number of detractors, the overall public reception has been welcoming.

“A lot of people around here are very caring people and they want to be supportive.”

People walk along South Main Street in Adrian during last year’s Lenawee Pride festival.

Devils Lake

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order to participate. Crafters are juried as well. Both artists and craftspeople are encouraged to demonstrate their art during the event, giving festival visitors an up close and personal look at the creative process.

“We’re making sure we have vibrant artists who are creating great experiences,” Stickel said.

In addition to browsing all the art, visitors can participate in a number of family-friendly activities beginning with a 10 a.m. puppet show on the festival’s main stage featuring Goosey Lucy that comes complete with interactive storytelling and children’s activities.

Kids can even make their own art at the Manitou Beach Creative Children’s Art Tent, located in front of the Devils Lake Inn. Also at the tent, visitors can purchase art, including cards, created by young participants in the same community arts program. Proceeds go toward the purchase of more art supplies for the program.

But the art-making opportunities extend to more than just the kids. Festivalgoers of all ages can sign up to Chalk the Walk in front of Trends Hair Salon, using chalk to create colorful sidewalk art.

Other activities for the whole family include a unique pickleball experience that combines lessons in how to play the game with stories shared by children’s author Jackie Freeman.

Children can also get their faces painted by artist Tami Hindes and visit the Kids Petting Zoo, where they will be able to interact with furry and feathered animals including goats, llamas, chickens, and rabbits. “And if it’s a really nice day,

the tortoise will be there,” Stickel said.

Sunrise yoga at the Devils Lake Yacht Club, musical entertainment throughout the day, a variety of food options, and a beer/wine tent are among the festival’s other attractions.

Between the festival and the various dining, shopping, and other options available in the area, “a family could make a whole weekend out of it,” Stickel said. “There are lots of things to do to

make this a full weekend.” Shuttle buses will run all day between the venue and several marked parking areas on Devils Lake Highway. Shuttles will also operate to and from the hotels in Adrian that have partnered with the festival.

More information can be found at devilslakefestivalofthearts.com or facebook.com/DevilsLakeFestivalOfTheArts.

Youth art activities are among the offerings at the annual Devils Lake Festival of the Arts. COURTESY OF DEVILS LAKE FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS