The Lenawee Voice — November 2024

THE LENAWEE VOICE

Lenawee Humane Society sets its sights on a new home

Flag project aims to address veteran suicides » PAGE C1 Re-Bicycle Lenawee brightens neighborhood with new mural » PAGE C6 Lenawee County drafts five-year parks plan » PAGE A4 Local company sees opportunity in EV charging » PAGE B1 Herriman named CEO of Boys & Girls Club chapter » PAGE A3

SpongeBob Musical’ splashes onto the Croswell stage this month » PAGE D1 Bobbye’s Pizza marks 40th anniversary » PAGE B1

By Kate Mitchell The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN TWP. — Before Marcie Cornell was hired at the Lenawee Humane Society, she had a vision for what she wanted the shelter to become.

After her interview, Cornell passed a parcel of land and thought to herself: “some day, we’re going to be there.”

More than 12 years later, the exact location might be different, but Cornell is one step closer to making that dream a reality as the Humane Society breaks ground on their new location on the ProMedica Hickman Hospital campus, kicking off the construction of Phase 1 of their new facility. It might be years before the new facility is ready to accept animals, but it’s a new beginning that’s a long time coming for this staple of the Lenawee County community.

Founded more than 100 years ago, LHS has been in its current location since the early 1980s but, while the shelter has called that space home for more than 40 years, it’s left a lot to be desired. Bounded on two sides by the River Raisin and on the others by another building and the road, there is no room to grow — or do a lot of other things.

“When I started back in 2012, one of the first things I asked was ‘where do the dogs go outside?’ ” Cornell said.

The answer at the time was: They didn’t. There was no option for the dogs to have off-leash time on shelter grounds, so animals relied on employees and volunteers to take them for walks onleash. Since then, employees have started parking offsite and walking to the shelter so dogs have dedicated outdoor space. This sacrifice has been just one of

many as the shelter has made the space on Beecher work for its needs. The limited intake space makes it hard to get animals integrated into the shelter, the layout makes for a chaotic experience for potential adopters, and there isn’t adequate space to expand clinic services.

The Lenawee Humane Society broke ground on Oct. 23 on the site of its future home on the ProMedica Hickman Hospital campus. The organization is currently located on Beecher Street. PHOTOS BY LISA KAHLER

Lenawee Humane Society executive director Marcie Cornell speaks at the organization’s Oct. 23 groundbreaking.

Ideas sought for back lot of former Comstock School

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

Suggestions welcomed for back lot of former Comstock School in Adrian: According to a report by Lenawee Voice news partner Local Buzz Radio, planning is well underway to enhance and develop the area around the former Comstock School in Adrian, which now serves as the headquarters for ProMedica’s Adrian Ebeid Neighborhood Promise programming.

As that process continues, East Adrian Community Coalition members are welcoming suggestions from area residents on ways to improve the back lot at the building where Adrian Public Schools Adult and Alternative Education offerings are also housed.

Ideas can be emailed to AdrianENP@ promedica.org.

Behnke announces Commissioner Conversations date for November: Adrian City Commissioner Bob Behnke invites residents to join him at the Adrian District Library between 6 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, to talk about any city issues that may be on their minds.

Blissfield DDA distributes survey: The Blissfield Downtown Development Authority is gathering residents’ thoughts about what brings them to downtown Blissfield and what could make the downtown area better.

The survey can be accessed by going to getfoureyes.com/s/aLu5U.

Effort to repeal point-of-sale inspection ordinance advances: As we report on page A5 of this month’s paper, organizers of an effort to overturn the city’s new ordinance requiring point-ofsale inspections for residential properties have gathered enough signatures to potentially force a public vote on repealing it. We are not sure if this issue will hit your mailbox before the city commission’s Nov. 4 meeting, but if it does, that’s something to keep an eye on.

TO OUR READERS

The Lenawee Voice is pleased to announce that we have entered into a news partnership with Local Buzz Radio, the online radio station and news source operated by Doug Spade and Mike Clement.

Through this partnership, selected content from Local Buzz Radio’s newsgathering operation will appear in the monthly print edition of The Lenawee Voice. We believe this will enhance our ability to make each month’s paper a useful digest of the most important happenings in Lenawee County.

To receive breaking news directly from Local Buzz Radio, you can listen online at localbuzzradio.com or by using Alexa or other smart speakers. You can also search for and follow Local Buzz Radio on Facebook.

News tips and press releases can be emailed to news@lenaweevoice.com. To meet our print deadline, news about upcoming events should be sent by the 15th of the month before the event.

Woodworking institute hopes to build new campus

School

asks

city to consider selling part of the Witt Farm property on North M-52.

By Erik Gable The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Big plans for the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute were detailed at the Oct. 21 Adrian City Commission meeting, along with a request for the city of Adrian to consider selling 22 acres of city-owned land on the north side of town for a future campus.

Luke Barnett, founder and president of the woodworking institute, asked the city commission to consider selling 22 acres of the property known as the Witt Farm, which is located east of M-52 on the north side of Adrian. He began by giving commissioners an introduction to the woodworking institute and its programs.

“We are a college that trains people for careers in the forest products industry,” he said, adding that students come from all over to attend woodworking classes there.

The woodworking institute is currently at 1375 N. Main St., on the campus of PlaneWave Instruments. It has both a one-year diploma program, which enrolls 24 students per year, and a variety of classes that are open to the general public. In August, Barnett said, the institute was

notified that it had been approved for Title IV accreditation, which will allow it to participate in federal financial aid programs.

The diploma program has a long waiting list, Barnett said, and its graduates are highly sought-after by employers. But the institute doesn’t currently have room to expand. Another thing that’s missing, he said, is the ability to offer a traditional residential college experience.

Buying part of the Witt Farm property would allow the institute to change that, Barnett said.

The 22-acre parcel the institute would like to purchase consists of 18 wooded acres and 4 acres of farmland. The Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute is asking the city to consider selling the 18 wooded acres for $1, and the remaining 4 acres at whatever price the commission determines is fair.

In a letter presented to commissioners at the meeting, Barnett said the wooded portion of the land presents significant challenges for development.

“However,” he wrote, “these very characteristics make it an ideal setting for the college campus we envision — a place where education, nature, and craftsmanship converge. The forested area provides a unique opportunity to create a campus that complements both the natural environment and our educational mission.”

City administrator Greg Elliott said that when the city has tried to market the

Herriman to lead Boys & Girls Club

property, it has mainly focused on the farmland and has not been trying to sell the wooded sections. About five years ago, he said, a developer interested in building senior living was willing to pay $8,000 per acre, but that plan fell through. In the past, the city has received offers as high as $20,000 per acre, but that possibility might not arise again.

The Witt Farm was purchased by the city in 2000 with the goal of using it for future development. Although numerous developers have expressed interest over the last 25 years, nearly all of the projects have fallen through. Elliott said the only successful sale has been to the Gaslight Village assisted living facility, which opened in 2015.

Barnett said the woodworking institute would like to have a new campus ready to move into in four years. Its goal is to grow to 50 graduates per year in five years and 200 graduates per year in 20 years.

Phase 1 of the campus development is projected to cost $12 million, he said, and currently the institute has $4.1 million in pledges. The long-term plan is projected to cost $40 million.

The institute is also looking at land in Tecumseh, Barnett said, but proximity to the Lenawee Intermediate School District, Siena Heights University, and Adrian College make Adrian a more attractive prospect.

Commissioner Bob Behnke said the proposal seems like a good opportunity for Adrian, particularly with Jackson College

reducing its physical presence in town, and that he’d much rather have woodworking students come to Adrian for classes than see them going to Tecumseh instead.

Commissioner Mary Roberts was both supportive and cautious. She noted that the Witt Farm property is part of the Adrian-Tecumseh Local Development Finance Authority, which is intended in part to generate property taxes, while the woodworking institute is a tax-exempt nonprofit. She also said that the city has supported the woodworking institute’s plans in the past, with good results, but that there might be other businesses and organizations looking for the city’s support as well.

At the same time, she said, “I think that we need to be cautious with taxpayer land, taxpayer dollars, but we also need to take chances.”

Elliott said there is no legal restriction on the land being sold to a nonprofit.

“The goal of that property is to throw off positive economic impact, and there are different ways you can look at that,” he added. For example, he said, the University of Michigan doesn’t pay property taxes in Ann Arbor, but the economic impact of its presence far outweighs the loss of tax revenue.

The discussion at the Oct. 21 meeting was informational only, and no action was taken.

More information about the woodworking institute is available at sambeaufordwoodshop.com.

Sara Herriman

ADRIAN — The board of directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Lenawee announced on Oct. 15 that Sara Herriman will be the club’s next Chief Executive Officer. She has been the club’s Director of Community Relations and Development for the past six years, and has been interim CEO since last month.

Herriman has made Lenawee County her home for the past 21 years. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University and earned her MBA, specializing in leadership, at Spring Arbor University. She has spent most of her professional career in the world

of nonprofit philanthropy and earned her Certified Fund Raising Executive designation in 2015.

Herriman said she is looking forward to continuing to share the club’s story.

“It is an incredible honor to serve BGCL in this new capacity,” she said in a news release. “I am passionate about our mission and the many ways we can continue to positively impact the lives of youth in our community. It takes a village, and I look forward to welcoming community members into our club to learn more about our important work.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee opened its doors in Adrian in January 2001. Today the club serves nearly 1,000 members in 10 school districts and is a bus stop for students in Madison and Adrian schools.

County parks’ five-year plan published for public comment

ADRIAN — A proposed five-year plan for the Lenawee County parks system has been drafted and is currently in a 30-day public review period. A public hearing will take place during the Lenawee County Commission’s November meeting, which will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, in the old courthouse, 301 N. Main St., Adrian.

The plan was developed following a public survey that was conducted in May and June of this year. A total of 512 responses were received.

This plan only involves the parks under the jurisdiction of the Lenawee County Parks Commission. Many other parks in Lenawee County are operated by cities, villages, townships, and the state.

The parks in the county parks system, and the priorities identified are:

n Bicentennial Park, 5600 block of Tipton Highway, Adrian. This 78acre park is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and on weekends during the rest of the year when weather permits. It includes a shelter area with grills and tables, a soccer field, a volleyball court, a softball court, and a playground area, as well as a hiking trail. The survey indicated it is the most widely used park in the county system.

The biggest projects in the fiveyear plan for Bicentennial Park are an inclusive playground and a pickleball court.

n Gerber Hill Park, 14360 Carroll Road, Blissfield. This 40-acre park is open year-round and is a popular spot for sledding in the winter. It includes wooded trails, a pond, a picnic shelter with grills and tables, playground

equipment, and facilities for soccer, baseball, volleyball, horseshoe and basketball.

Major projects listed in the five-year plan include a musical playground, pickleball court, and various improvements to the pavilions.

n Iron Lake Park, 12000 block of Egan Highway, Brooklyn. This 1-acre park provides access to Iron Lake.

The one project listed for Iron Lake Park is improved signage.

n Medina Park, 9000 Warwick Road, Morenci. This 40-acre park is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and on weekends during the rest of the year when weather permits. It has two picnic shelters with grills and tables as well as a softball field and playgrounds, and also allows fishing access to Bean Creek.

The two biggest projects listed in the five-year plan for Medina Park are new playground equipment and replacing the existing basketball court with a multi-purpose court for basketball and pickleball.

n Taylor Road Park, corner of Taylor Road and Carson Highway, Tecumseh. This 80-acre park is largely undeveloped and is a habitat for wildlife, with a trail system for hiking, biking and cross country skiing.

The five-year plan calls for additional trails and improved signage.

n Ramsdell Park, 1957 Glen Hill Highway, Clayton. This 180-acre park is open all year and includes a shelter area with grills, tables and a central fireplace, playground equipment, and native prairie trails that are suitable for hiking and cross-country skiing. The plan calls for new playground improvement as well as maintenance on the house, garage and barn on the property.

Dawn Finney selected for 2024’s Norma Dell Courage

ADRIAN — The Lenawee County Continuum of Care will present its 2024 Norma Dell Courage to Care Award to Dawn Finney.

The presentation will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 3:30 p.m. at Goodwill, 1357 Division St.

“Dawn Finney is being recognized for her remarkable dedication and tireless efforts in support of the unhoused community,” Continuum of Care chair

Cara Snyder said. “For over two years, Dawn has been a steadfast advocate for those experiencing homelessness, committing her time, energy, and

to Care Award

resources to outreach and assistance programs.”

Finney was nominated by a peer because she has led and organized numerous initiatives aimed at providing essential care to the unhoused, including the collection and distribution of hygiene, warming, and hydration kits, ensuring that vulnerable individuals have access to basic necessities. She has also taken the lead in assembling and distributing countless emergency shelter kits, offering critical support. She also has been a vital part of organizing and participating in encampment cleanups.

Commission votes 5-4 against solar panels at county facilities

The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — A closely divided Lenawee County Commission shot down the idea of installing solar panels at several county facilities at its Oct. 8 Ways and Means Committee meeting.

Energy consultant Veregy had proposed installing solar panels on the roof of the old courthouse, on the carport canopy at the old courthouse, on the grounds of the Maurice Spear Campus, and on the roof of the Human Services Building. The company estimated about $4.9 million in energy savings over the course of 30 years.

Veregy’s proposal also included LED lighting upgrades estimated to save about $2.9 million over the same period, for a total of $7.8 million. The cost of the project was estimated at about $3 million, of which $640,000 could be covered by federal Inflation Reduction Act funding, reducing the county’s cost to about $2.4 million. Veregy said the net result, factoring in both savings and cost, would be a net savings of $3.8 million over 30 years.

Commissioner KZ Bolton (D-Adrian) made the motion to accept the solar portion of the proposal, saying the county would save money and should lead by example.

“The technology has vastly improved in efficiency,” she said. “Photovoltaics is a mature technology. It is no longer in the pioneering or experimental stage. Reliability, durability and performance are all more than satisfactory.”

Bolton said that solar panels continue to work in all kinds of weather, even when it’s overcast, and are angled so that snow falls off quickly. She also said the proposal was consistent with a previously adopted county policy of committing to good environmental stewardship.

“We will never run out of solar,” she added. “It is the most abundant energy source in the world.”

Commissioner Kevon Martis (R-Riga) spoke against the proposal, arguing that it was actually counter to good stewardship.

“The vast majority of these components are not recyclable and will enter into our landfills and into our waste stream,” he said.

Martis cited a 2021 article in Harvard Business Review that stated that “solar’s production boom has left its recycling infrastructure in the dust.” The authors of that article said that it costs between $20 and $30 to recycle one solar panel, but between $1 and $2 to send it to a landfill.

The U.S. Department of Energy states that although more than 85% of the materials in a typical solar photovoltaic module can be recycled, the process is nonetheless challenging. According to a 2023 publication from the Yale School of the Environment, the recycling rate for solar panels is currently about 10%. A variety of efforts are underway to change that, and the Department of Energy last year announced $20 million in funding aimed at research and development for more recyclable and longer-lasting solar panels.

The commission voted 5-4 against the solar proposals. Joining Bolton in voting yes were Dawn Bales (R-Madison Twp.), Terry Collins (R-Adrian), and David Stimpson (R-Tecumseh). Joining Martis in voting no were Nancy Jenkins-Arno (R-Clayton), Dustin Krasny (R-Onsted),

Tillotson (R-Adrian Twp.), and Jim Van Doren (R-Tipton).

In a separate vote, the commission approved spending $560,000 from the county’s capital fund. for the LED lighting proposal. That motion passed 7-2. Voting yes were Bales, Bolton, Collins, Martis, Stimpson, Tillotson and Van Doren. Voting no were Jenkins-Arno and Krasny.

In other news, the county commission:

n Reviewed health insurance rates for 2025 for Lenawee County employees. The county will see an increase of 8.32% to its premium, a monthly cost of $44,766.16. The county’s 2025 budget had included an allowance for a 10% increase. Gurdjian Insurance reported the increase in the county’s premiums was lower than some surrounding group health insurance rates.

n Approved two additional utility operators for the Lenawee County Drain Commission for the Wamplers Lake Sewage Disposal System, the cost of which will be fully reimbursed by the system.

n Approved four improvement projects at the Lenawee County Health Department utilizing a federal grant for public health infrastructure. No county funds will be used for these projects.

n Approved a quote from Creek Enterprise to connect the school and gymnasium buildings at the Maurice Spear Campus to the fiber lines currently being installed. This will allow the Lenawee Intermediate School District to separate their network from the county network and allow all buildings on campus to be connected. The cost is $22,400 to be paid from the contingency division of the capital fund.

n Approved 12 improvement projects for the Judicial Building to be paid for using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Ralph

Lenawee County Commissioner KZ Bolton (D-Adrian) speaks on Oct. 8 about a proposal to install solar panels at several county facilities. The proposal was rejected by a 5-4 vote. IMAGE TAKEN FROM ZOOM VIDEO

The Lenawee Voice

Bicentennial Park on Tipton Highway was the county park that the greatest number of people reported visiting on a recent survey. The survey was part of drafting a plan for improvements to the Lenawee County parks system over the next five years. LENAWEE VOICE

Opponents of point-of-sale inspection ordinance gather enough signatures to force a public vote

The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Opponents of the city of Adrian’s newly enacted rule requiring exterior home inspections before homes in the city can be sold have received word that they were successful in gathering enough signatures to force a public vote.

IN BRIEF

Secretary of State finds evidence of campaign finance violation by group opposed to renewable energy law

DEERFIELD — The Michigan Secretary of State’s Office has sided with Lenawee County farmer John Tuckerman in a complaint against Deerfield-based Our Home, Our Voice.

A newly passed Michigan law takes much of the regulatory authority for wind and solar installations away from local governments and gives it to the state. A group called Citizens for Local Choice attempted to force a ballot referendum to repeal the law.

Tuckerman’s complaint alleged that Our Home, Our Voice — a 501(c)4 nonprofit that is not required to disclose its donors — violated campaign finance law by pushing for the referendum, thus effectively allowing donors to the referendum drive at that point in time to remain anonymous.

“The Department has reviewed the evidence submitted in this matter and finds that sufficient evidence has been presented to support a finding of a potential violation of the [Michigan Campaign Finance Act],” regulatory attorney James Biehl wrote in a letter to Our Home, Our Voice.

In a response, the group said: “Our Home, Our Voice has always been committed to full compliance with all campaign finance laws and we believe in complete transparency, which is why we promptly formed a ballot question committee once we decided to pursue a ballot question.”

The group said they are prepared to comply with any lawful remedy.

“We look forward to discussing the matter with the Secretary of State’s office and reaching a prompt resolution,” they wrote.

LISD receives grant for automotive tech program

ADRIAN — The Lenawee Intermediate School District has received a $37,000 grant from the Margaret Dunning Foundation to purchase a state-of-the-art alignment machine for the LISD Tech Center Automotive Services Technology program.

This piece of equipment is designed to meet the Advanced Driver Assistance System calibration requirements, ensuring students are trained on the latest industry-standard technology. This technology, now a standard feature in many new vehicles, includes advanced safety systems such as lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and collision avoidance systems. Understanding these systems is crucial for the next generation of automotive technicians.

Organizers said they collected a total of 2,459 signatures.

On Oct. 24, they announced that the city clerk confirmed they had enough valid signatures to force a vote. The required number is 10% of the number of people who voted in the last city election. They fell short of a secondary goal,

which was to gather a number equal to 25% of the number of people who voted in the last city election. If they had reached that threshold, the ordinance would also have been barred from going into effect until the matter was resolved.

The city commission has two options for responding to the petition. They can

reverse course and repeal the ordinance, or they can decide to place a referendum on a citywide ballot, allowing voters to decide if the ordinance should remain in place.

The city commission will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, in the City Chambers Building, 159 E. Maumee St.

ADDISON YOUTH CENTER OPENS

A new youth center is now open at 329 Main St. in Addison. The Addison Youth Center is a free after-school gathering place for youth 13 to 18 years old in the greater Addison area, offering tutoring, workshops and events. It is open from 3 to 5:30 p.m. each day. The organization is student-led, guided by a program director, overseen by a board, and powered by local churches. Pictured here are board members Deanna Redding, Beth Shaw, Pastor Joe Masinick, Lisa Nickels, Diane Smith, and student liaison Olivia Redding.

Community Foundation seeks award nominations

ADRIAN — The Lenawee Community Foundation is seeking nominations for three awards that will be presented at its annual celebration in April. The awards are the Lenawee Leadership Award, the Stubnitz Award, and the Incito Award.

The Lenawee Leadership Award honors individuals or couples who exemplify the principle that the future of Lenawee County will be determined by the quality of its leadership. Selection criteria include residency and volunteer service in Lenawee County, leadership over time, and volunteerism in a variety of ways in the areas of civic projects, culture, health, education, or social services.

The Stubnitz Award recognizes a person demonstrating exemplary commitment to Lenawee County through volunteering with health and human service organizations and assisting with meeting the basic needs of local residents.

The Incito Award honors a young person, age 40 or under, who has emerged as a community leader by demonstrating commitment to volunteerism, philanthropy, and leadership with Lenawee Cares and other organizations in our community.

Nominations are due by Dec. 15. Nomination forms are available online at lenaweecommunityfoundation.com/ about-us/awards.

For more information, contact Kirsten Stiver at kirsten@lenaweecf.com or 517-263-4696.

Tina Bowler joins SHU team as VP of people and culture

ADRIAN — Siena Heights University recently announced the appointment of Tina Bowler as its vice president of people and culture.

In that role, she will oversee human resources and be in charge of leading employee engagement, creating strategic plans and effective policies, and building a people-first environment.

Bowler’s 20 years of human resources experience includes leadership roles in higher education and the health care industry.

Blissfield lights up the park

BLISSFIELD — “Light up the Park” will be back this December in Blissfield’s Ellis Park along the River Raisin. A limited number of trees are available for residents, businesses, churches and other groups to sponsor, with sales beginning Nov. 1.

The event is a fundraiser for Blissfield Parks and Recreation, and trees cost $80. Lit trees will be on display from Dec. 1 to Jan. 1. The display will be along the curved sidewalk leading up to the pedestrian bridge, and along the Rotary Trail near the dog park. For more information, call 517-486-4347.

PHOTO BY JOY MCCORMICK

IN BRIEF

City commission amends rules for vacant buildings

ADRIAN — On Oct. 21, the Adrian City Commission unanimously approved amendments to the city’s vacant buildings ordinance.

While the city has long required vacant buildings to be registered, and has also required exterior inspections, the ordinance will now also require regular interior inspections of those structures.

According to city administrator Greg Elliott, neglect of unoccupied buildings can lead to deterioration that renders the buildings unsalvageable over time. This particularly occurs due to stormwater infiltration. By periodically

inspecting building interiors, the city hopes to be able to require repairs that stave off these effects in time to save the buildings.

Fall yard waste collection begins Nov. 6 in Adrian

ADRIAN — Fall yard waste collection will take place on Wednesdays beginning Nov. 6, and continuing through Dec. 4, except for the week of Thanksgiving.

The city will collect yard waste and bundled branches and brush throughout the city limits. Waste must be placed at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on Wednesdays.

Yard waste must be in biodegradable or compostable paper bags and must not weigh more than 50 pounds.

Bundled branches and brush must

be tied in bundles no longer than 3 feet, must weigh less than 50 pounds, and must be placed parallel to the curb.

The compost site on Oakwood Avenue will remain open on Tuesdays from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Dec. 7. The compost site will be closed on Nov. 30.

David Comfort recognized as Fire Inspector of the Year

ADRIAN — At the fall conference of the Michigan Fire Inspector Society on Oct. 3, Adrian firefighter David Comfort was recognized by his peers as the 2024 Fire Inspector of the Year.

Comfort is a longtime public servant in the fire and emergency medical field, and has served the city of Adrian since 2000. He has been a certified fire inspector since 2017 and in July 2022 was promoted to being the Adrian Fir Department’s first dedicated full-time inspector since the department’s establishment in 1841.

Comfort, with guidance from Chief Aric Massingill, was tasked with building an inspection program from the ground up. An Adrian native, his local historical knowledge has proven helpful in performing his duties.

Speaking to the Adrian City Commission on Oct. 21, Comfort said that he was reactive in his previous firefighting jobs, and now as inspector he gets to be proactive and try to stop 911 calls from being needed in the first place.

Adrian Inn housing program coming to an end

ADRIAN — Deteriorating conditions at the former Adrian Inn mean the supportive housing program that Housing Help of Lenawee was operating there is coming to an end, according to Lenawee Voice news partner Local Buzz Radio. The city of Adrian had purchased the building and leased it to Housing Help of Lenawee to provide shelter for Riverview Terrace residents who were displaced two years ago after structural deficiencies were discovered in the 12-story, 163-unit complex.

With Riverview Terrace having reopened earlier this year, Housing Help decided to discontinue operations at the Adrian Inn after receiving from city rental housing inspectors a list of repairs that needed to be made there.

Homeless residents staying at the former Adrian Inn have been given until Nov. 13 to stay there. Several agencies are working with the affected residents to help them find new lodging, and Scott Beltz, CEO of Medallion Management, which runs Riverview Terrace, also met with them. Beltz told Local Buzz Radio recently that 60 of the 163 apartments have been rented.

Rent at Riverview Terrace ranges from $700 to $800 per unit, including all utilities. Beltz said he recognized that finding housing is a struggle for those who for the past two years have paid only $300 per month to stay at the former Adrian Inn, but noted the Riverview Terrace rates have to be Michigan State Housing Development Authority-approved, as the facility is still considered low-income housing with an annual income cap of $29,000 for singles and $33,000 for couples among the rental criteria.

David Comfort

IN BRIEF

Deerfield Township joins lawsuit over renewable energy siting law

DEERFIELD TWP. — Deerfield Township is among multiple townships around the state that are joining in a legal action to challenge a recent state ruling that deals with the siting of utility-scale renewable energy projects.

According to Lenawee Voice news partner Local Buzz Radio, township zoning administrator Kevon Martis, who is also a Lenawee County commissioner, said he expects more local municipalities will soon join the legal action.

The lawsuit, filed by the firm of Foster Swift Collins & Smith, claims the Michigan Public Service Commission overstepped its administrative authority when it recently adopted a 168-page order outlining application procedures for renewable energy projects. Attorneys at the firm allege that the order goes beyond the language included in a law passed last year that gave the Public Service Commission the final say on approving or denying such projects, rather than leaving the decisionmaking at the local level. The firm claims the order further limits local governments’ zoning abilities by imposing additional restrictions that were not provided for by the new law.

Detroit man convicted in 2023 shooting in Adrian

ADRIAN — A Lenawee County jury deliberated only about three hours before convicting a Detroit man on all counts in a murder trial, Local Buzz Radio reported.

Jurors found 48-year-old Kenyatto Sylvertooth guilty of first-degree murder, discharging a firearm from a vehicle causing death, and two felony firearm counts.

The charges stemmed from the shooting death of 27-year-old Jonathan Simmons of Detroit during an exchange of gunfire between the two vehicles they were in near the intersection of Tecumseh and Frank Streets in Adrian on Feb. 13, 2023, as a result of what a co-defendant had described as a disagreement between Sylvertooth and Simmons.

Gage Winsett, 19, of Adrian had pleaded guilty to manslaughter earlier this year for his role in the shooting.

Former United Way leader honored for advocacy

MONROE — The former head of United Way for Monroe and Lenawee Counties has been honored for her years of advocacy by the Court Appointed Special Advocates organization.

Local Buzz Radio reported that Connie Carroll received the group’s Star Award in recognition of the positive impact she has had on the community through her work with numerous nonprofit agencies and recruiting volunteer advocates.

CASA officials noted Carroll’s work with the twice-annual United Way Health Check programs in both Lenawee and Monroe counties as well as her work with programs assisting children and addressing homelessness.

New art unveiled at Morenci’s Alley 221

MORENCI — New artwork for Alley 221, a parklet in downtown Morenci, was unveiled during the city’s Fall Fest on Oct. 5.

The artwork at Alley 221 is refreshed twice a year — once in late spring and again in early fall. For the fall art reveal, paintings created by local community artists over the summer are showcased. These works, which are on plywood and treated to withstand outdoor conditions, will be on display throughout the fall and winter months. In the late spring, artwork from Morenci High School art students will take their place.

MORENCI NEWS & NOTES

Once the current artwork is taken down, it will be auctioned off, with all proceeds going toward beautification projects in Morenci. This year’s featured community artists are Deborah Stover Beck, Susan Miller, Shawne Sarnac, and Luci Shaffer.

The art displays are a project of the Revitalize Morenci Initiative, a nonprofit organization.

City awarded DNR funds for tree planting project: The city of Morenci was awarded $218,165 for a tree planting project from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry grant program. This project aligns with the goals of the

Michigan Forest Action Plan, the city’s five-year park plan, and the Downtown Development Authority’s priority of establishing an urban tree canopy.

The project is designed in collaboration with a licensed landscape architect and includes planting trees along Main and North streets. Two years of tree maintenance is included, along with training programs through the Michigan International Society of Arboriculture for city staff, students, and residents. These hands-on workshops will focus on best practices for tree planting, care, and longterm maintenance. An arborist will provide expert advice to guide the city’s Department of Public Works in maintaining trees in public spaces, including parks and cemeteries. The city will adopt tree care guidelines recommended by the DNR to ensure long-term health and sustainability, with all necessary tools for pruning, watering, and cleanup provided by the grant.

Public education is another significant component. Year-long programming, hosted by Stair District Library, will raise awareness about the benefits of an urban tree canopy.

The Morenci Area Schools’ Green Earth Club will spearhead a public outreach campaign by creating a QR code system posted on permanent stakes located near each tree. Users will be linked to educational videos about

each tree species and the environmental benefits of trees.

“The project will not only enhance the beauty of Morenci’s downtown, offering shade for pedestrians and event attendees and improving air quality, but it will also boost economic growth,” said Morenci DDA chair Chelsea Craig. “The addition of a tree canopy will make the downtown more inviting, encouraging visitors to spend more time at local businesses and events.”

Morenci awarded $240,503 for local road improvements: The city of Morenci has been awarded $240,503 for critical road improvements on North Summit Street, Sims Highway, and Page Street, making travel safer and more reliable for residents and visitors.

The grant is part of a $5.1 million statewide initiative designed to help small communities across Michigan repair their local roads more quickly and efficiently. The goal is to reduce the time and money spent by drivers on vehicle repairs and make commuting easier. Since 2018, the program has helped fund road resurfacing, crack sealing, and other preservation work in municipalities with limited resources.

The city of Morenci’s road project is part of a coordinated effort to extend the lifespan of local roads and improve the overall infrastructure in the area.

The work is expected to begin in spring 2025.

Artists involved in the current display at Alley 221 in Morenci take part in the semiannual unveiling of new artwork for the parklet at Morenci’s Fall Fest.

Sala seeks re-election as judge; Henagan mounts write-in bid

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — The Adrian attorney mounting a write-in campaign for the Lenawee County Probate Court judgeship, Tamaris Henagan, believes that the county’s current probate system “is failing a lot of families.”

Henagan is trying to unseat current Probate Judge Catherine Sala, who was elected to the position in 2018. The race has taken numerous twists and turns. Earlier in the election cycle, a challenge to Henagan’s nominating petition was successful in getting her removed from the ballot. Most recently, Henagan has filed a lawsuit alleging Sala does not have her primary residence in Lenawee County and is ineligible to serve. Because all of the Lenawee County judges recused themselves from the case, it is being heard by a Wayne County judge. Earlier this fall, that judge declined to order Sala removed from the ballot, but a second aspect to Henagan’s lawsuit, seeking to have Sala declared ineligible to serve as a Lenawee County judge, is still pending.

Sala declined to be interviewed for this story and did not provide written information.

Henagan, a private-practice attorney and former Adrian city attorney, believes that her personal story allows her to understand what many people in the probate system are going through.

The Adrian native was in high school and pregnant when she was placed in foster care, spending about the next year in various group homes or living with relatives. After she ran away from one situation at age 17, she said, she experienced homelessness, was around people who used drugs, and narrowly escaped being trafficked for sex.

And so, when it comes to many of the situations that bring people into contact with the probate system, “I’ve walked in

their shoes. … so I really can relate to the people who come into the court.”

She believes that the probate court needs to be able to do more to help the families involved.

“Our system hasn’t changed much in the last 40 years,” she said. “We still have limited resources for helping families get back on track.”

Among the shortfalls she sees are a lack of foster homes for teens and a “very limited” guardian ad litem program.

Guardian ad litem is the term for a person appointed by a court to look out for a child’s (or another vulnerable person’s) best interests.

Henagan said she also sees the need in Lenawee County for a diversion program “that has substance to it” to help a young person get back on track. She cited a juvenile drug court as one example of something she believes needs to be instituted.

“I do believe that a lot of these types of programs would be successful here,” she said. “We’re not doing anything to help kids get on the right path. We’re failing the families, failing the kids, failing our future community.”

She said that as an attorney who works with the public defender’s office, she already has relationships with agencies that could assist with such issues.

Henagan’s campaign website is tamaris4judge.com. Sala has a campaign Facebook page at facebook.com/ salaforlenaweeprobatejudge.

Catherine Sala Tamaris Henagan

Servicios de traducción

ahora disponibles en las juntas de Comisionados de La Ciudad de Adrian

ADRIAN — La Ciudad de Adrian actualmente está proveyendo servicios de traducción en las juntas de comisionados de la ciudad.

En persona: Para las personas que asisten en persona, traducción en texto será proveída en exhibición en la Cámara de la Comisión. Traducción en audio también está disponible y las personas que gusten escuchar la traducción, deberán traer un dispositivo móvil y auriculares o audífonos a la junta. Los códigos QR para acceder a los servicios de traducción están disponibles en las agendas de las juntas y en exposición en la Cámara de Comisión antes de empezar la junta.

Adicionalmente, estarán disponibles dispositivos portátiles de traducción si se necesitan servicios de traducción antes o después de la junta para hablar con comisionados de la ciudad u otros oficiales.

En línea: Residentes que vean las juntas públicas en línea pueden encontrar el enlace de servicios de

traducción en el aviso de la junta en el sitio web de la ciudad. Una vez que usted haya dado “clic” en el enlace o escanee el código QR, se abrirá una ventana de Wordly invitando a la junta. De clic en “Asistir”. Esto le llevará a la página de transcripción. Para cambiar el lenguaje, da clic en el botón de lenguaje que se encuentra en la esquina de la parte superior derecha. Hay más de 30 lenguajes disponibles para elegir, incluyendo español.

El servicio comenzará automáticamente a transcribir el audio de la junta en el lenguaje seleccionado. Si usted prefiere escuchar la traducción, de clic en los tres puntos que se encuentran en la esquina de la parte superior y seleccione “Seleccionar Voz”.

La Comisión de la Ciudad de Adrian se reúne el primer y tercer lunes de cada mes a las 6 pm en 159 E. Maumee St, Adrian. Las agendas de la junta y los enlaces para las personas que deseen ver o participar por Zoom se publican en adriancity.com.

Translation services now available at Adrian City Commission meetings

ADRIAN — The city of Adrian is now providing translation services at city commission meetings.

In person: For people attending meetings in person, text translation will be provided on a display in the commission chamber. Audio translation is available as well, and people who would like to listen to the translation should bring a mobile device and earbuds or headphones to the meeting. QR codes to access the translation services are available on meeting agendas and on the displays in the commission chambers before the start of the meeting.

In addition, a portable translation device will be available if translation services are needed before or after a meeting to talk with city commissioners or other officials.

Online: Residents watching public meetings online can find the link to

the translation service on the meeting notice on the city’s website. Once you’ve clicked the link or scanned the QR code, a Wordly screen will open, inviting you to the meeting. Click “Attend.” This will take you to the transcription page. To change the language, click the language button in the upper right corner. Over 30 languages are available to choose from, including Spanish.

The service will automatically begin transcribing the audio of the meeting in your chosen language. If you would prefer to listen to the translation, click the three dots in the upper right corner and select “Select Voice.”

The Adrian City Commission meets on the first and third Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at 159 E. Maumee St., Adrian. Meeting agendas and links for people who would like to watch or participate via Zoom are posted at adriancity.com.

If you receive a call demanding urgent action, be on high alert.

No matter how authentic a call seems, never share information like your password or Social Security number. And remember, never send money to receive a prize or larger amount of money — it’s a scam.

If you believe you have been a victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement.

This message is brought to you by Triad of Lenawee, a group of older adults and law enforcement working together for your protection.

IN BRIEF

Day of Remembrance will honor those lost due to anti-transgender violence

ADRIAN — The Lenawee Chapter of Transgender Michigan will host a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, in Comstock Park for Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Transgender Day of Remembrance is dedicated to honoring the memory of transgender individuals whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. It was founded in 1999 following the murders of Rita Hester and Chanelle Pickett.

LCF names communications and engagement manager

ADRIAN — The Lenawee Community Foundation has hired Kirsten Stiver as communications and engagement manager. With a strong background in marketing and community engagement, Stiver will help strengthen connections throughout Lenawee County, ensuring that the foundation can continue making a lasting impact on health, happiness, and hope across the region.

“Kirsten’s deep understanding of our community and her expertise in marketing will help us engage more effectively with residents, local organizations, and donors,” said Bronna Kahle, president and CEO of LCF. “Her commitment to Lenawee County and her passion for making a difference align perfectly with our mission to serve and support the people and places that make this community so special.”

Stiver will be instrumental in advancing communications strategies that bring people together, showcase positive work throughout the county, and inspire further community involvement.

“I am honored and excited to join the Lenawee Community Foundation and contribute to enhancing visibility and increasing LCF’s impact across the community,” Stiver said. “It’s encouraging to be part of an organization that is focused on bettering our community for generations to come.”

‘Project Connect’ resource fair to take place in November

ADRIAN — Lenawee County’s Continuum of Care will offer its annual Project Connect community-wide event at the Lenawee County Fair and Event Grounds in Adrian on Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This event is designed as a “onestop, one-day” resource fair that will link individuals, families, and veterans immediately to community resources, all under one roof.

The event is aimed at bringing together community resources that can support individuals and families in times of economic hardship. Approximately 50 social service providers will provide informational resources.

“This is a great opportunity for members of our community to connect with important resources in our community,” said committee member Bob Behnke. “During the event individuals can receive lunch provided by Salvation Army and many other giveaways all while they connect with local agencies.”

Kirsten Stiver

Trail in Brooklyn will give kids a safer route to school

A walking and biking trail will connect the Columbia Central School District’s campuses to downtown Brooklyn.

By Dan Cherry The Lenawee Voice

BROOKLYN — A $1.5 million walking and biking trail connecting the village of Brooklyn to the Columbia School District’s elementary and junior/senior high school campuses will give students and the community a safer way to walk.

A collaboration of volunteers, as well as local government and school officials received notification in August of a conditional commitment of $1 million from the Michigan Fitness Foundation for an official “Safe Routes to School” nonmotorized trail.

According to its website, Safe Routes to School is “an international movement and a federal program to make it safe, convenient and fun for children, including those with disabilities, to bicycle and walk to school.”

Chuck Falahee, a community volunteer and concerned citizen, said the idea for a connecting trail project started around 2016. The focus then was in looking into the possibility of a trail around Lake Columbia like the Spirit Trail around Clark Lake.

“We do a lot of walking and biking, and in using the Spirit Trail at Clark Lake, we said, ‘wouldn’t it be nice if we could do this around Lake Columbia, too,’ ” Falahee said.

The idea evolved by 2019-2020 into connecting the Columbia Central Junior and Senior High School complex, built in the late 1960s, with Brooklyn, when the possibility of a “Safe Routes to School” route came into the picture.

“We thought, ‘if you can connect the school to the village of Brooklyn, it would be a nice opportunity for people to engage in health and wellness, as well as safety in a safe manner,’ ” Falahee said.

The SRTS committee, made up of approximately 10 people over the past several years, received collaborative support from the village, Columbia Charter Township and the school.

“Jae [Guetschow] was very influential in the process” as then-village manager, Falahee said.

Christi O’Neil, then principal at Columbia Central High School, said that, at the time, “all the administrators were interested in creating a safe pathway that would connect all of our campuses and encourage overall health and physical activity.”

A community survey conducted by the school in late 2020 showed strong support, O’Neil said.

The pathway would also “cut down on parent dropoff traffic while encouraging families to be active using the path to school and from school,” she said.

The SRTS concept was familiar to the district, O’Neil said, as the students had participated in the program’s Walk and Bike to School days.

Brooklyn village manager Matt Swartzlander said the primary concern is for the “safety of students walking to the high school along Cement City Road that does not have sidewalks.”

With speed limits of 55 mph between the village and junior/senior high school, Swartzlander said, “it is an unsafe environment for youth to be biking or walking to school.”

The approximately three-mile trail will start on the school property at 11775

Hewitt Road, connect to Turk Road, then follow Cement City Road to the Brooklyn village limits, which becomes Tiffany Street. The trail will follow Chicago Street into downtown, down Monroe Street, north on Broad Street and end at the elementary school campus in the 300 block of School Street.

The Jackson Department of Transportation scoped out and engineered the details on the trail route. In addition to the $1 million commitment in August. In addition, a $450,000 grant from the state of Michigan was also affirmed.

The additional $450,000 needed for the project was secured with the assistance of State Sen. Sue Shink and State Rep. Carrie Rheinghans in the FY2025 Michigan state budget as an infrastructure grant, Swartzlander said. Because of the strict criteria, he added, “there are logistical items we have to fulfill, as well as [needing] approval of funding from the U.S. Congress.”

As part of the criteria, $50,000 must be raised locally. Falahee said $25,000 has already been received from Columbia

Charter Township, and that personal and business contributions are being accepted.

Anything raised beyond $50,000 would go toward maintenance, he said.

“We are hoping students and residents will take advantage of the infrastructure once completed, creating and maintaining healthy habits,” he said. “A lot of people believe in this project, in the safety and health of our students and residents.”

The project has moved from the engineering stage to further steps in the realization process, Falahee said.

Swartzlander said the SRTS trail is one of many ongoing enhancement projects happening in the Brooklyn community.

Projects such as the trail “also opens the door to more recreational opportunities for students and the community to have a safe nonmotorized pathway to enjoy,” he said. “It is the hope that this trail will be another step in connecting non-motorized pathways throughout the Brooklyn and Irish Hills area, creating a regional walkable community.”

Besides the benefit of a safer environment for district students, Swartzlander said, “it creates an accessible recreational asset for Brooklyn that connects downtown Brooklyn to Lake Columbia and continues to lay the ground work for an expanded trail system in the area.”

Collaborators also have a partnership with the Jackson District Library to add a walking story project along the trail for children to read stories and explore their imaginations while being outdoors.

Swartzlander said there are a “multitude of amazing programmatic ideas and plans that will accompany the project for years to come.”

Officials said the project demonstrates a true community effort.

“The project would not be where it’s at without the involvement of many people over the last three to four years of work,” Swartzlander said.

Construction on the 10-foot-wide concrete path is tentatively set to start in the spring of 2026 with a target completion that fall.

EDITORIAL

Meeting translation is a welcome step forward in inclusion

Two recent news items demonstrate that good things are happening in Adrian on the front of making our community a welcoming and inclusive one.

At the Lenawee NAACP’s annual Freedom Fund banquet, a striking statistic was mentioned: Since the Adrian District Library added a position for an English/ Spanish bilingual library assistant and started making a concerted effort to run bilingual programs, the circulation of Spanish-language material has increased by 350 percent.

This demonstrates something important about inclusion: it works best when you make a proactive effort.

Another promising development is the expansion of translation services at Adrian City Commission meetings. In addition to AI-powered two-way translation now being offered, the city announced that a portable translation device will be available for conversations before or after the meetings.

There are those who will argue that government business should be conducted only in English, and that there’s no need to reach out to residents who speak other languages. But this argument ignores something fundamental about the nature of our country.

Throughout the history of the United States, the fabric of our nation has been influenced — and made richer — by people coming here from all over the world to pursue the American dream. Frequently, the first generation of an immigrant family continues to speak their native language, while the second generation learns English in school.

This has been true throughout our country’s entire existence. If you want evidence, you need look no further than the history of newspapers in the United States. All over the country, you can see what languages people spoke at different periods in time by looking at what languages newspapers have been published in.

Here’s just one example: In Adrian in the 1870s, the speaking of German was so prevalent that, even though the city’s total population was less than 9,000, a Germanlanguage paper was published in town. It was called Adrian Anzeiger

The city’s expansion of translation services is a welcome move. In addition, we are encouraged by the fact that city commissioners seem to be thinking seriously about ways to make Spanishspeaking residents welcome and valued in the halls of city government. We hope that commissioners keep pushing in this direction and that improvements continue.

Now, as it has been throughout our history, our country and our democracy are strongest when all people can fully participate in civic life.

Nothing could be more fundamentally American than that.

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. Letters may be edited for length. Preference will be given to local authors and local topics.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Opponents exaggerate difficulties with solar panel recycling

The taxpayers of Lenawee County are, again, poorly served by the Board of Commissioners, who recently turned down a proposal to save money by installing solar arrays on several public buildings.

The leading voice against the clean energy install, Commissioner Kevon Martis, stated that solar energy “creates 300 times the toxic waste of nuclear power” and that “the vast majority of these components are not recyclable.” Mr Martis demonstrates the bombastic ignorance for which he is well known around the state, here equating a stack of solar panels, to a similar stack of spent nuclear fuel. The comparison is absurd — for one thing, standing next to a stack of solar panels won’t cause certain death within a few seconds, as would a quantity of spent nuclear fuel.

A recent paper in the journal Nature discussed the relatively tiny volumes of waste from solar generation compared to other energy production. The paper states, “crystalline silicon PV modules are 77% glass, 10% aluminium, 3% silicon and 9% polymers, with less than 1% copper, silver and tin, and less than 0.1% lead.” The only element of concern here is the lead, which is minimal, and sealed inside the panel.

That said, all or nearly all new solar panels will be recycled.

Just a few miles away in Ohio, First Solar has been the leading U.S. manufacturer of solar panels, and has had a full recycling program for all their products in place since 2005. Additionally, numerous companies are now springing up in anticipation of a larger number of panels reaching end of life.

In addition, panels still typically retain about 80% of their original capacity at “end of life.” An active

aftermarket exists for inexpensive used panels that can still produce electricity for decades to come.

It’s too bad that a few fossil fuel influencers can deprive taxpayers of much-needed savings, and future generations of a cleaner community.

— Peter Sinclair, Midland

Judging by the content of their character

“Judge people by the content of their character” is what my parents instilled in me — a core American value. My educational training supported that notion by teaching me to hire people with good character. After all, skills will become outdated, but human qualities such as integrity, honesty, truthfulness and respect never get old.

People generally agree that Donald Trump has massive character flaws. The American judicial system has confirmed and documented some of these character deficiencies by finding him guilty of several criminal acts. There will likely be more convictions as his indictments move forward.

Yet, there are people who are voting for him. When questioned why they are voting for someone who lacks basic honorable human traits, many will respond they are voting for his policies and not the person. One would wonder if this voting principle would stand true in local politics. Would people hire a school superintendent who has been convicted with 34 counts of fraud to oversee their school district’s budgets? Would they want an election suppressionist that attempted to hijack the electoral system to be their county clerk? Would they want their city mayor to incite radical extremists to storm and desecrate city hall? Would they vote for a sheriff who has been found liable for rape to lead their county’s law enforcement? I hope not.

Yet, I see Trump supporters wearing “I’m voting for the felon” T-shirts. Oh my!

Urban will get the job done

There is little that I can say about Libbi Urban that has not been said already. I had the privilege of working with her side by side as we canvassed the streets of Tecumseh, I watched her talk to Republicans and win their hearts. I strolled through a county fair by her side and watched as she connected with farmers and electricians. Listening as they told their stories, offering her own anecdotes of her years working in a shop and living in the country.

Listening to her talk about working as a union negotiator, you can see a glimmer of pride in not just her accomplishments but in her Union brothers and sisters. For 13 years she was elected to the negotiating team of her local, resulting in better pay, fairer conditions, and better opportunities for all.

Unlike the incumbent of the 5th District, Libbi Urban has already done the job for the workers, and she is ready to do the job for everyone. People across the counties, shore to shore, want a change in leadership. It is time for a change. It is time to elect someone who gives a damn and will go to Congress, get the job done for all of us and come home.

She knows what’s important to the American people: To protect Social Security and Medicare. To preserve America’s heartland and protect the family farm. A fair, balanced tax system that works for the people, not the rich. Build up our public schools so that our kids can enter the workforce confident in their skills. This and so much more.

On Nov. 5, elect Libbi Urban for the 5th Congressional District. Let’s get this district working for the people again.

— MJ O’Neill,

Britton

Do the right thing. Don’t trust a fox to guard the henhouse. Vote for Kamala Harris.

— Joel Rodriguez, Adrian

IN BRIEF

Former school bus driver faces sex crime charges

TECUMSEH — A Tecumseh man is facing charges after allegedly sending explicit messages online to someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

Michael Timothy Bonica, 44, was a bus driver for Clinton schools. The district placed him on leave upon learning of the charges.

The case arose when a volunteer with an organization that works to identify adults soliciting children for sex reported that Bonica had been engaging in explicit online chats with her via the messaging app Telegram, believing her to be a minor. Tecumseh police searched Bonica’s vehicle and house on Sept. 25. Officers said they found explicit photos of children on a device, and that Bonica admitted to possessing the images. Bonica faces charges of possession of child pornography, soliciting a child for immoral purposes, and using a computer to commit a crime.

POLICE REPORTS

Following are reports from law enforcement agencies listed in the Courts and Law Enforcement Management Information Systems (CLEMIS) database.

ADDISON VILLAGE

Oct. 4: Assault, 200 block of North Comstock Street (two reports).

Oct. 16: Larceny and property damage, 200 block of East Mason Street. Retail fraud, 200 block of South Steer Street.

ADRIAN CITY

Sept. 21: Disorderly conduct, East Church and Tecumseh streets. Operating while intoxicated, 1200 block of North Main Street. Assault, 400 block of Allis Street. Assault, 200 block of Division Street.

Sept. 22: Assault, 900 block of Bradish Street. Larceny, 1500 block of Stratford Drive. Assault, 400 block of Toledo Street. Larceny, 100 block of South Main Street. Property damage, 1500 block of Stratford Drive. Assault, 1500 block of West Maumee Street. Assault and disorderly conduct, 800 block of Savannah River Drive.

Sept. 23: Property damage, 300 block of East Church Street. Disorderly conduct, 1300 block of South Main Street. Disorderly conduct, 500 block of North Main Street. Retail fraud, 200 block of East U.S. 223.

Sept. 24: Assault, 1300 block of South Main Street. Assault, 300 block of Anthony Court. Assault, 1900 block of Northview Drive. Property damage, 300 block of Anthony Court.

Sept. 25: Drug possession, East Church and Division streets. Property damage, 100 block of Pleasant Knoll Drive.

Sept. 26: Assault, 200 block of East Church Street. Assault, 200 block of Jordan Street. Fraud, 500 block of Missouri River Court. Assault, 100 block of Dawes Street. Retail fraud, 200 block of East U.S. 223 (two reports).

Sept. 27: Operating while intoxicated, Beecher and State streets. Assault, 300 block of East Maumee Street. Property damage, 300 block of Lawrence Avenue. Assault, Michigan and Gulf streets. Larceny from a yard, 300 block of Alden Drive. Assault, 100 block of North McVicar Street.

Sept. 28: Operating while intoxicated, 1300 block of South Winter Street. Assault and property damage, 500 block of French Street.

Sept. 29: Retail fraud, 1500 block of West Maumee Street. Assault, 200 block of West Maumee.

Sept. 30: Assault, 700 block of Riverside Avenue (two reports). Assault, 400 block of North Main Street. Vehicle theft, 200 block of South Winter Street. Fraud, 900 block of Hillcrest Drive. Assault, 1200 block of East Siena Heights Drive. Retail fraud, 1500 block of West Maumee Street.

Oct. 1: Property damage, 1400 block of West Maple Avenue. Disorderly conduct, West Maumee Street and U.S. 223. Property damage, 200 block of West Maumee. Larceny from a yard, 1200 block of North Main Street. Retail fraud, 200 block of East U.S. 223 (two reports). Burglary (nonresidential, forced entry), 800 block of South Main Street.

Oct. 2: Larceny from a yard, 1200 block of South Main Street. Fraudulent procurement of drugs, 1000 block of North Main Street. Assault, 600 block of Springbrook Avenue, Assault, 300 block of East Hunt Street. Assault, 200 block of South McVicar Street. Fraud, 700 block of East Michigan Street. Vehicle theft, 300 block of Ferguson Avenue. Harassment or threats, 700 block of St. Joseph Street.

Oct. 3: Fraud, 1100 block of East Hunt Street. Drug

Motorcyclist killed in crash

SENECA TWP. — Lenawee County sheriff’s deputies responded around noon on Oct. 21 to a fatal motorcycle crash on West Weston Road near Clement Highway in Seneca Township. Deputies reported that a 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling west on West Weston Road near Clement Highway, driven by a 37-year-old man from Sand Creek. The motorcyclist lost control, laid the bike down and crossed the centerline. The lone rider became separated from the motorcycle and was struck by a 2017 Jeep Renegade driven by a 25-year-old man from Indiana who was traveling east. The motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet and died at the scene from his injuries.

Drugs and alcohol do not appear to have been a factor.

The sheriff’s office was assisted at the scene by the Lenawee County Accident Investigation Team, the Lenawee County Drone Team, the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Victim Service Unit, the Morenci Fire Department and the Lenawee County Medical Examiner’s Office.

possession, 700 block of Riverside Avenue. Property damage, 1000 block of North Broad Street.

Oct. 4: Assault, 1000 block of Howell Avenue. Larceny from a building, 900 block of North Main Street. Drug possession, 600 block of Springbrook Avenue (two reports). Retail fraud, 200 block of East U.S. 223.

Oct. 5: Operating while intoxicated and drug possession, 300 block of South McKenzie Street. Burglary (non-residential, forced entry), 1000 block of Oakwood Avenue. Burglary (residential, forced entry), 500 block of French Street.

Oct. 6: Property damage, 300 block of State Street. Assault, 800 block of Frank Street.

Oct. 7: Larceny from a building, 100 block of East Maumee Street.

Oct. 8: Assault, 200 block of Cross Street. Property damage, 1000 block of North Broad Street. Property damage and burglary (residential, forced entry), 500 block of Tabor Street. Retail fraud, 1500 block of West Maumee Street.

Oct. 9: Assault, 800 block of North Main Street. Assault, 1200 block of North Main Street. Larceny from a yard, 200 block of Division Street. Disorderly conduct, 600 block of North Locust Street.

Oct. 10: Aggravated assault, 200 block of Clinton Street. Assault, 500 block of Dennis Street. Drug possession, 700 block of Riverside Avenue. Larceny from a yard, 1300 block of South Main Street.

Oct. 11: Disorderly conduct, 400 block of South Winter Street. Assault, 1300 block of South Winter Street. Property damage, 1300 block of South Main.

Oct. 12: Assault, 1500 block of West Maumee Street. Retail fraud, 200 block of East U.S. 223. Assault, 800 block of Erie Street. Assault, 100 block of Sand Creek Highway.

Oct. 13: Operating while intoxicated, Michigan Avenue and Park Street. Assault, 400 block of Merrick Street. Larceny from a vehicle, 1000 block of South Main Street Vehicle theft, 500 block of College Avenue. Assault, 900 block of Oak Street Larceny from a yard, 500 block of State Street. Burglary (nonresidential, forced entry) and larceny from a building, 1500 block of West Maumee Street.

Oct. 14: Vehicle theft, 200 block of Race Street. Drug possession, 600 block of Springbrook Avenue. Disorderly conduct, 1500 block of West Maumee Street. Fraud, 400 block of College Avenue (two reports).

Oct. 15: Larceny from a building, 300 block of East Church Street. Assault, 400 block of College Avenue. Identity theft, 100 block of East Maumee Street. Identity theft, 400 block of College Avenue. Assault, 700 block of Erie Street. Larceny, 300 block of Logan Street. Vehicle theft, 500 block of Division Street.

Oct. 16: Operating while intoxicated, South Main and Metcalf streets. Property damage, 200 block of Division Street. Assault, 1500 block of West Maumee Street. Retail fraud, 1300 block of South Main Street. Assault, 600 block of Springbrook Avenue. Assault, 500 block of French Street. Disorderly conduct, 1300 block of South Main Street.

Oct. 17: Assault, 200 block of Finch Street. Property Damage, 1500 block of Shrewsbury Avenue. Larceny from a building, 200 block of North Broad Street. Assault, 1000 block of South Main.

Oct. 18: Assault, 1000 block of South Winter Street. Vehicle theft, 500 block of East Hunt Street. Burglary (residential, no forced entry), 1300 block of Spencer Place. Assault, 400 block of Merrick Street. Larceny, 1300 block of South Main Street. Vehicle theft, 800 block of Ormsby Street. Assault, 1500 block of West Maumee Street.

Oct. 19: Operating while intoxicated, 1100 block of North Main. Assault, 700 block of Frank Street. Property damage, 300 block of North McKenzie Street. Assault, 200 block of South Winter Street. Sexual assault, 1100 block of June Lane. Assault,

Four people killed in crash

ADRIAN TWP. — On Oct. 1 at approximately 6:43 p.m., Lenawee County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a twovehicle crash at the intersection of Tipton Highway and Shepherd Road.

According to sheriff’s deputies, a 2019 Chevy Traverse was traveling south on Tipton Highway, driven by an 83-year-old man from Adrian with his 79-year-old wife and 52-year-old daughter also in the vehicle.

A 2020 Jeep Cherokee was traveling west on Shepherd Road, being driven by a 51-year-old man from Clayton.

The Jeep failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection with Tipton Highway, hitting the driver’s side of the Chevy Traverse. Both vehicles went off the road and came to rest in a field.

All three of the passengers in the Chevy Traverse, as well as the driver of the Jeep Cherokee, were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this crash and all occupants are believed to have been wearing their seat belts.

June Lane and April Lane. Assault, Ormsby and Toledo streets.

Oct. 20: Assault, 800 block of Erie Street.

ADRIAN TOWNSHIP

Sept. 30: Assault, 5600 block of North Adrian Highway.

Oct. 1: Assault, 3100 block of North Adrian Highway.

Oct. 4: Assault, 1700 block of Shepherd Road.

Oct. 20: Assault, 2900 block of Hunt Road. Assault, Bent Oak Highway and Hunt Road.

BLISSFIELD TOWNSHIP

Oct. 20: Assault, 11500 block of Deerfield Road.

BRITTON VILLAGE

Sept. 25: Telephone harassment or threats, 200 block of College Avenue.

Sept. 29: Assault, 300 block of Oak Street.

CAMBRIDGE TOWNSHIP

Sept. 28: Burglary (residential, forced entry), 7100 block of Onsted Highway.

DEERFIELD VILLAGE

Sept. 22: Assault, 100 block of East Keegan Street.

Oct. 12: Assault, 300 block of Elm Street.

DOVER TOWNSHIP

Sept. 26: Burglary (non-residential, forced entry), 7200 block of West Gorman Road.

Oct. 4: Fraud, 5100 block of Gorman Road.

Oct. 10: Larceny of parts or accessories from a vehicle, 4900 block of Furman Highway.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP

Sept. 26: Larceny from a vehicle, 6600 block of Pawson Road.

Oct. 5: Operating while intoxicated, M-50 and Wisner Highway.

Oct. 10: Fraud and illegal credit card use, 7200 block of Country Drive.

Oct. 18: Telephone harassment or threats, 12900 block of Tipton Highway.

HUDSON TOWNSHIP

Oct. 2: Operating while intoxicated, Morey Highway and Beecher Road.

Oct. 12: Intimidation, 5400 block of Morey Highway.

Oct. 13: Assault, 13300 block of Lawrence Road.

MACON TOWNSHIP

Sept. 30: Property damage, 7000 block of Hack Road.

Oct. 5: Fraud, 7200 block of Welch Road.

MADISON TOWNSHIP

Sept. 23: Larceny, 5400 block of Treat Highway. Assault, 6100 block of Sand Creek Highway. Larceny, 2900 block of Treat Highway.

Sept. 24: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

Sept. 26: Assault, 200 block of Kirk Street. Assault, 2600 block of Woodridge Drive.

Sept. 27: Telephone harassment or threats, 3100 block of South Winter Street.

Sept. 29: Burglary (non-residential, forced entry), 5400 block of South Adrian Highway.

Oct. 2: Drug possession, 3400 block of Treat Highway.

Oct. 3: Assault, 2700 block of Sharon Drive.

Oct. 4: Fraud, 3000 block of Baldwin Highway.

Oct. 5: Operating while intoxicated, 3000 block of Marvin Drive.

Oct. 6: Assault and attempted murder, Cadmus and Airport Road. Assault, 2700 block of Park Drive.

Oct. 16: Assault and disorderly conduct, 2000 block of Allan Street.

Child dies after being backed over by semitrailer

ROME TWP. — On Oct. 4 at 10:39 a.m., Lenawee County sheriff’s deputies responded to the 3000 Block of Hawkins Highway in Rome Township for a report of a 1-year-old child being struck by a semi truck.

According to sheriff’s deputies, a semi truck and grain trailer driven by a 63-yearold man from Zeeland was backing up in the driveway of the residence to pick up a load of grain.

While the semi and trailer were backing in the driveway, a 1-year-old boy who lived at the residence ran behind the trailer and was run over by the grain trailer. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The family was home at the time.

The Lenawee County Accident Investigation Team was called to the scene and the death is under further investigation. Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Adrian Police Department, the Sheriff’s Office Victim Services Unit, Cambridge Township Fire Department, and Lenawee Community Ambulance.

Oct. 19: Stalking, 100 block of Storr Street.

Oct. 20: Operating while intoxicated, South Adrian Highway and James River Blvd.

MEDINA TOWNSHIP

Sept. 30: Illegal credit card use, 8200 block of Munson Highway.

Oct. 8: Assault, 12900 block of State Line Road.

OGDEN TOWNSHIP

Oct. 7: Assault, 9900 block of Loar Highway.

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP

Sept. 26: Burglary (forced entry), 3700 block of East U.S. 223.

Oct. 2: Burglary (residential, no forced entry), 6600 block of Pixley Road.

Oct. 8: Assault, 4700 block of Etter Road.

Oct. 10: Assault, 3000 block of Manor Drive.

Oct. 13: Vehicle theft, 3200 block of Manor Drive.

Oct. 20: Property damage, 3300 block of East U.S. 223.

RIDGEWAY TOWNSHIP

Oct. 14: Assault, 7100 block of Ridge Highway.

RIGA TOWNSHIP

Sept. 29: Assault, 8800 block of Rodesiler Highway.

ROLLIN TOWNSHIP

Sept. 21: Operating while intoxicated, Rome Road and Geneva Highway.

Oct. 5: Operating while intoxicated, 300 block of Park Street.

ROME TOWNSHIP

Oct. 2: Drug possession, 9900 block of Stoddard Road. Operating while intoxicated, 9900 block of Stoddard Road.

Oct. 15: Illegal credit card use, 11400 block of Forrister Road, Oct. 17: Larceny, 6500 block of Plank Road.

Oct. 19: Burglary (non-residential, forced entry), 12300 block of West U.S. 223.

SENECA TOWNSHIP

Oct. 19: Assault, 10000 block of North Morenci Road.

TECUMSEH CITY

Sept. 25: Larceny from a yard, 300 block of North Union Street.

Sept. 28: Assault, 200 block of South Occidental Highway.

Oct. 1: Telephone harassment or threats, 5800 block of Milwaukee Road. Telephone harassment or threats, 300 block of North Maumee Street.

Oct. 3: Telephone harassment or threats, 300 block of North Democratic Street. Burglary (residential, no forced entry), 100 block of East Logan Street.

Oct. 5: Operating while intoxicated, North Evans and Pottawatamie streets.

Oct. 8: Stalking, 1400 block of West Chicago Blvd.

Oct. 12: Vehicle theft, 700 block of South Occidental Highway.

Oct. 13: Assault, 600 block of West Kilbuck Street.

Oct. 17: Stalking, 500 block of Herrick Park Drive.

Oct. 18: Illegal credit card use, 400 block of Seminole.

Oct. 19: Operating while intoxicated, Raisin Center Highway and Comfort Road.

Oct. 20: Operating while intoxicated, Evans Street and East Chicago Blvd.

TECUMSEH TOWNSHIP

Oct. 16: Fraud, 5100 block of Turnberry Court.

DNR urges caution with outdoor fires amid drought

By Izzy Ross Michigan Advance

MARQUETTE — Federal monitors say parts of northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula are experiencing a drought.

Dry weather and high winds mean there’s a higher chance of fire, according to the state Department of Natural Resources, which is asking people to be careful.

The weekend brought some rain and cooler weather to the region, said Keith Murphy, a fire management specialist for the DNR in Marquette, and they have the situation under control. Still, they’ve been busy.

IN BRIEF

Investment planned in anaerobic digesters at Morenci farm

MORENCI — A Morenci dairy farm is poised to begin converting animal waste into renewable natural gas following recent action by the Michigan Strategic Fund board.

The board approved a $100 million tax-exempt bond authorization for Chevron, which the oil company plans to use to invest in anaerobic digesters at five dairy farms in Michigan, including the SunRyz Dairy Farm in Morenci. Officials say since the projects have already gone through the development phase, the bond financing will enable reimbursement of costs already expended.

The digesters capture the biogas created when manure breaks down into renewable natural gas that can be used to power vehicles with any solid material that remains available to be used as fertilizer.

This report was provided by Local Buzz Radio, a news partner of The Lenawee Voice.

Michigan ranked sixth in U.S. for clean energy jobs

LANSING — A recent study, the 2024 Clean Jobs America Report from environmental advocacy group E2, ranked Michigan sixth in the nation for adding renewable energy jobs, based on an analysis of the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2024 Energy and Employment Report.

According to the report, Michigan is home to 127,690 clean energy jobs, outpacing 44 states’ job numbers.

The report also found Michigan, behind only Texas and California in overall energy sector job growth.

“It bought us a couple days in certain portions of the Upper Peninsula, and then other portions, like southern U.P., still have very high fire conditions,” he said. “We haven’t stopped running fires, even with the rain that came through.”

Murphy said they’re also keeping an eye on the winds, which have knocked trees onto power lines, though that hasn’t caused any major fires. A lightning storm over the weekend could pose additional threats.

The department has restricted burning in much of the region. Rain over the weekend offered some reprieve, but Murphy said conditions are still risky;

fires can burn for a long time when so much vegetation has dried out.

“They were already dry, super dry, beforehand,” Murphy said. “They get a little rain, and everybody thinks it’s good to go, but we have the winds that dry those fuels right back out very quickly, and we’re in the conditions that fires will spread easily.”

Most wildfires are started by humans. Managers want to limit the chances of new fires starting and spreading, Murphy said, “because of the dry fuel, the big winds, and then it takes so long to put these fires out because of the drought.”

The department has restricted burn permits in many parts of the state, including northern lower Michigan and much of the Upper Peninsula.

Murphy said campfires are still allowed, but recommended that people who do start campfires ensure that the fires are completely extinguished before leaving.

“Turn over logs. If you need water, put water on that. Stir everything up. Stir it up some more,” he said. “If you think it’s out, put some more water on it. Stir it up some more.”

Murphy’s parting advice: “If you don’t have to burn, just don’t burn.”

Let the leaves fall, and then leave them be

This November, consider yourself a wildlife gardener and see the leaves in a new light.

Every year, our deciduous trees undergo what is called leaf senescence. This is the process of aging in which plants degrade their chlorophyll (what gives leaves their green color), and nutrients are transported from the leaves to be stored by other plant organs over the winter. The green chlorophyll masks the other colors throughout the year. Without the chlorophyll, the leaves of maples appear scarlet, oaks appear russet, and hickories appear bronze. All throughout Michigan, it is a miraculous display of color we all can enjoy.

Imagine yourself on a stroll through the woods, listening to the whistling wind and watching as the leaves catch the sunlight falling gently to the earth. Maybe you catch the leaves for good luck, maybe you take some home to make leaf art, or maybe you simply enjoy the crisp air and the sound of crunching leaves beneath your feet. Remember the magic of nature’s gifts, and they’re not just for us.

In forests, prairies, and wetlands alike, a fresh layer of plant material settles to cover the ground every autumn, forming a rich layer of mulch. This natural mulch is important — it provides the winter homes for countless critters and creatures, from salamanders to boxturtles to fireflies. In fact, thousands of species of pollinator insects, including 94% of moth species, use the leaf litter during their life cycle. Many backyard birds, in turn, feed their babies with moth caterpillars in the spring. Leaves and twigs also decompose to recycle nutrients to the soil, and the seeds in acorns and berries are food for birds and mammals. The mulch also insulates the ground, keeping soil invertebrates warmer over the winter and retaining moisture in the soil.

If you’re a homeowner, you can have a positive impact by creating wildlife habitat this winter by preserving it instead of removing it. Instead of clearing all of the leaves off the lawn and treating them like

a waste product, consider ways to keep some of the leaves on your property. Do you have a garden bed? Leaves will make great mulch by adding nutrients back into the soil and suppressing weeds. Covering any bare soil with leaf mulch will also prevent erosion of topsoil over the winter. Can you start a compost pile? Dry leaves and twigs contribute the brown source material (higher in carbon), while food scraps and grass clippings will contribute the green source material (higher in nitrogen), both of which are needed for a balanced compost pile. If there are trees in your yard, consider concentrating the leaf litter into donut piles surrounding the tree trunks. This will protect the tree roots and provide much better habitat than lawn grass that requires mowing.

like lawn mowers, trimmers, chain saws, and snow blowers. Shredding leaves where they lay with a lawnmower is another alternative to removing them entirely. Leaf clippings will decompose quickly into the soil and provide free fertilizer for the grass. Maintaining some areas with whole leaves is still the best option for creating wildlife habitat and providing weed suppression.

Instead of clearing all of the leaves off the lawn and treating them like a waste product, consider ways to keep some of the leaves on your property.

In addition to rethinking where you can leave the leaves, also keep in mind how you may try to move them, if at all. Traditional gas-powered leaf blowers and lawn mowers emit a significant amount of air pollution. According to the EPA’s 2020 National Emissions Inventory, the lawn care industry in the U.S. released 68,000 tons of nitrous oxide and 30 million tons of carbon dioxide. Leaf blower gas-powered engines are extremely inefficient and generate awful noise pollution. Electric leaf blowers are a great alternative — they are quieter, don’t generate emissions, and will likely save you money in the long run. Their lithium-ion batteries are also interchangeable with other electric tools

To make things interesting, the conservation district polled all of the staff in the USDA service center, which includes employees of Farm Service Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and the Lenawee Conservation District. We asked staff if they had trees and a yard, what did they do with their leaves in the fall? Of the 12 people surveyed, five mow the leaves into their yard; three relocate them into compost piles, mulch for garden beds, or neighboring wooded or pasture areas; and four decide to leave the leaves where they fall and do nothing with them. And while some might consider this last option lazy, you now have a great excuse for doing less with the leaves and benefiting the environment. Whatever your yard size, you have an opportunity to steward the land by leaving the leaves this November. If you don’t have enough leaves and want more, you can visit the Adrian Compost Site to pick up large paper bags full of leaves from the Maple City. Leaves have so many benefits, from nature play, to nutritious compost, to wildlife habitat. If you would like to learn more about the Leave the Leaves campaign by Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, you can visit xerces.org/leave-the-leaves. We hope you’ll appreciate the holistic value of the many leaves (nature’s gifts) that fall upon you.

Allegra Baird is a conservation specialist with the Lenawee Conservation District. She can be reached at allegra.baird@macd.org or 517-263-7400.

ALLEGRA BAIRD

Humane Society

The new facility has been designed with care and expertise to solve all of these problems, making for a better experience for humans and animals alike.

“Our goal is coming true,” Cornell said. “Not just for me but for the staff who have been here.”

Phase 1 will expand the intake space, meaning more animals can be safely brought into the shelter after a quarantine period. It will also provide for a smoother experience for adopters as they come in seeking a companion and expand the clinic space as the shelter looks to become more self sufficient.

The clinic is an important piece in the shelter’s plans for the future. Because it receives no state or federal funding, the shelter is funded almost entirely by donations. One of the only other ways it has to bring in money is the on-site clinic. Started in 2014, the clinic began as a way to do low-cost spay and neuters for those in need. The first year, LHS wanted to spay or neuter 1,000 unowned community cats in the first 12 months. In that first year, they fixed 1,600 cats.

“It was definitely a resource the community needed,” Cornell said. “The clinic has to be bigger to keep up.”

With the new facility, the shelter hopes to expand offerings so that animals in the community can get the care they need.

“We aren’t there to compete with vets,” Cornell said. “We’re there to provide services to those who can’t afford to go to the vet but still have dogs and cats. They still have a right to have that kind of love but the animal should be taken care of.”

With the expanded clinic space, LHS will add another vet and handle basic care with things like regular checkups and vaccines, helping the shelter build toward a more self-sustaining future.

The new location is remarkable in other ways, too. It’s the first humane society in the United States to be built on

a hospital campus, offering benefits for animals and humans alike.

“There are tons of research that will tell you the benefits of owning an animal on your health, both physical and mental,” Cornell said. “Plus, being next to the hospital, we see it as we just increased our visitor pool and volunteer pool tenfold. Hospital employees can come over on their lunch hour.”

The hospital location is a big part of making the dream of a new shelter for LHS a reality. When Cornell approached them a few years ago to see if they could sponsor an event, the hospital offered them land instead. She was skeptical at first — what about the sound of sirens and helicopters? — but it didn’t take long for her to come around and for plans to start to move forward.

Even with donated land, those plans come at a cost, one that the shelter has been fundraising for since before the COVID-19 outbreak put a damper on efforts like theirs. Phase 1 of the shelter will total about $6.5 million and is slated to be completed in 2026. Phase 2 will add offices for staff — “We gave up most of our offices in phase one because we don’t have offices now,” Cornell said — and a sallyport that will allow first responders to drop off animals in emergency situations.

The new shelter is 65% funded now and Cornell is confident the community will continue to support their mission of saving the lives of animals while enriching the lives of humans.

“I have met so many amazing people who are so passionate about making a better area, better shelter, better life for the animals,” Cornell said. “I just feel extremely lucky to be surrounded by so many caring and giving people, especially in a world where you hear a lot of negativity and hate. We see awful things but we’re able to make a difference with those awful things and turn them around because of our community. It’s really heartwarming.”

To donate to the shelter, visit lenhumanesoc.org and click on the “Donate” button.

Bobbye Sanford is pictured in the kitchen of Bobbye’s Pizza and Dairyland, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year.

JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

Bobbye’s celebrates 40 years as a mainstay of Hudson

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

HUDSON — Bobbye’s Pizza Place and Dairyland in Hudson celebrated its 40th anniversary on Sept. 20, and owner Bobbye Sanford has been a fixture in the Hudson community ever since its opening.

Sanford got her start in the restaurant business while she was working for Jim Howe as the manager at the Kountry Kettle restaurant in Hudson. Howe also owned a restaurant at 102 E. Main St., and when he needed someone to take over that business from him, he

Local company sees opportunity in electric vehicle infrastructure

By Arlene Bachanov

The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — A variety of EV and hybrid vehicles helped Creek Enterprise introduce the public to the company’s expansion into EV charging infrastructure at an open house at its Adrian headquarters on Oct. 4.

Creek Enterprise has 16 locations in seven states — in Jackson and Adrian as well as in Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Florida, Minnesota, and Missouri.

The Adrian headquarters is at 638 W. Maumee St., in what used to be the YMCA.

The company has long been an end-to-end information-technology company, providing customers with the infrastructure and related services

they need in their own operations.

Ron Hillard, vice president of technical services for the Midwest and Southwest, explained in an interview during the October open house that the company, which has been in business since 2003, started out in telecommunications construction, putting “fiberoptics in the air and in the ground” for companies such as Frontier and what is now Lumen.

More recently, the company has moved beyond external installation work to also providing state-of-theart services on the other end of the fiberoptic cables.

These services include installing and administering IT infrastructure; application development; systems administration; cybersecurity services

such as assessments, employee training, antivirus solutions, and penetration testing; surveillance and access systems, VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone systems, and more.

And so, as electric vehicles have become increasingly common, it was logical for Creek Enterprise to expand into that field as well, installing the infrastructure needed to charge EVs including the chargers themselves and the related electrical conduit that runs into a building.

“Michigan needs 90,000 Level 2 chargers” to meet the growing demand, said Andrew Pickford, project manager of renewable resources.

Andrew Pickford of Creek Enterprise demonstrates an electric vehicle charging station during a recent open house. The Adrian-based company, which has locations in seven states, is expanding into EV charging infrastructure. ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE

approached Sanford about leasing the business for herself.

“You run it,” Howe told Sanford. “It’s your baby.”

After talking to her husband, Bobbye’s Pizza Place and Dairyland opened, and 40 years later it’s become a Hudson fixture. She bought the building outright from Howe on February 8, 1985.

“I was 27 years old at the time,” Sanford said.

When Sanford opened the restaurant, it was the only pizza business in Hudson. It was soon followed by other competition, including McDonald’s.

While the Dairyland is a seasonal business, Bobbye’s Pizza is open yearround. Sanford estimates that she sells 500 pizzas a week. The restaurant features takeout-only service.

Over the years, the menu has changed to meet the changing tastes of local pizza consumers. While tastes have changed, the way the pizzas are made hasn’t. Sanford uses the same brick ovens to bake the pizzas as she did when the pizzeria opened, she said.

“My ovens are the same as back then, 40 years ago,” Sanford said. The menu items are “all ovenable products.” She said she has a grill on site, but she uses the brick oven to prepare all the menu items.

“I was just pizza, subs and salads back then,” Sanford said of the restaurant’s early days. “But then I started to cater to the factories in town, and so I opened more of a variety, so now I have a full menu.”

Most of the pizza toppings that were originally offered in 1984 are still on the

menu, but items added more recently include current favorites such as Spicy Chicken, Taco, BBQ Chicken, Chicken and Bacon Ranch, and Baked Potato featuring nacho cheese and tater tots.

“We’ve changed the specialty pizzas over time,” she said.

In addition to pizza, Bobbye’s also offers 14 different types of subs that are made on buns Sanford bakes herself, she said. There are two kinds of dessert pizzas, homemade cinnamon sticks, Bosco sticks and pretzel sticks. Bobbye’s also offers specialty “extras” such as calzones, croissant sandwiches and garlic cheese bread.

The menu also features burgers, hot dogs, nachos, tacos, quesadillas, wings, chicken tenders, specialty baked potatoes, and more.

Pizza by the slice is available from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Dairyland offers both hard and soft-serve ice cream. Their specialty is cinnamon ice cream, and Sanford said that people will drive “for miles around” just to purchase that flavor. The “Flavor of the Week” feature is another big draw for customers.

After 40 years of running the pizzeria, Sanford has decided to turn things over to the next generation. Her son, Chad,

bought the business, but Sanford is planning on staying while he learns the ropes.

She leaves a legacy of service to the Hudson community after her 40 years in the restaurant business.

“I’ve been in the community all my life,” she said.

“I’ve been a mainstay,” she continued. “Everybody knows that I want to help out.”

Bobbye’s Pizza and Dairyland is at 102 E. Main St., Hudson. Hours are Sunday from noon to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call 517-448-7104.

Creek Enterprise from page B1

Chargers come in three levels, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, each of which provides different charging capabilities.

A Level 2 charger will charge a vehicle in a couple of hours, while a Level 3 charger is considerably faster.

Level 1 chargers are basic at-home chargers, while Level 2 chargers are the type that might be installed either at a home or at a business and Level 3 chargers are designed to be used for “on the go” charging during, say, a trip.

Getting into the charger business “allows us to use our existing expertise,” Pickford said. “It ties into what we already do.”

The company employs about 250 people in all, according to Hillard, with about 30 of those workers based in Adrian. There’s also a sister company near Tecumseh, Creek Plastics, located at the intersection of M-50 and M-52, that manufactures the conduit needed to encase the various types of cables the company installs — large spools of which were on hand at the open house for people to see.

The October event featured giveaways, music, food, and a look at some of Creek Enterprise’s expanding capabilities.

Visitors could tour the company’s solar-powered workstation, a trailer which is designed to provide a selfcontained mobile office — it could, for example, travel to an area where the IT infrastructure needs rebuilt after a natural disaster — and see how Creek Enterprise’s newly installed Level 2 charger works.

They could also get a look at a number of vehicles emblematic of the new EV technologies, including a Tesla Cybertruck displayed by Burt and Kelli Sloan of the Tesla Owners Club of Michigan and several cars and SUVs provided by local dealers, such as a Hummer EV, a Chevrolet Equinox EV, and a Cadillac Lyriq.

Ashley King, office manager for the IT and infrastructure team, helped plan the open house along with Ashleigh Benson, the company’s marketing manager.

“This has been fun,” King said. “We wanted to showcase our end-to-end connectivity services. We’re trying to move ahead with the times, and this has let us show people where Creek is.”

Bobbye Sanford has been in business in Hudson since 1984. JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

This trailer is a solar-powered workstation, providing a self-contained and self-sufficient mobile office. ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE

IN BRIEF

New restaurant at the Four Corners now open

ADRIAN — Following a successful Sunday dinner event on Oct. 6, the owners of Maumee Street Taproom + Kitchen announced that even though they are still waiting for their liquor license, they will begin serving dinner Thursdays through Sundays from 4-10 p.m.

The restaurant offers a menu of seasonal small plates with gourmet-style comfort food made from locally sourced ingredients.

It is located at 101 E. Maumee St., at the corner of Maumee and Main. For more information, go to maumeestreet.com.

Calley to headline Economic Club Luncheon

ADRIAN — Lenawee Now and the Align Center for Workforce Development will host their fourth Economic Club Luncheon on Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Centre in Adrian.

The luncheon provides networking opportunities and will feature Brian Calley, former lieutenant governor of Michigan and current president and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, as keynote speaker.

Economic Club Luncheons began in 2022 and provide various perspectives and dialogue on key economic issues.

Organizers are creating a speaker series for 2025, with luncheons and presenters held three times a year, in winter, spring and fall.

“We are pleased to be able to provide forums related to economic development,” said Ron Griffith, interim executive director of the Align Center for Workforce Development.

For registration information, go to lenaweenow.org.

Align Center plans satellite facility on U.S. 12

ADRIAN — As the Align Center for Workforce Development prepares to open its state-of-the art training and service facility next year in Adrian, an expansion of its services is already underway as the center has signed a contract to outfit a satellite facility on U.S. 12 in northern Lenawee County, designed to bring Lenawee, Hillsdale, and Jackson Counties together for hands-on training in the trades industries.

Local Buzz Radio reported that the Align Center is currently working to outfit the building with furniture, information technology, and infrastructure, and the first classes will be offered soon. The initial focus will include a 20-week basic floor covering course with training on carpet, hardwood, tile, and resilient flooring installation. Future classes will include plumbing and HVAC, as well as a 12-week hospitality business management certificate program that will teach a variety of key business skills.

A 20-year taste adventure

Two decades on, Boulevard Market is thriving in downtown Tecumseh

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

TECUMSEH — Back in November 2004, when John and Erika Aylward opened the Boulevard Market at 102 E. Chicago Blvd. in Tecumseh, they had no idea what the future would hold for their business.

“We had a young family, and we always looked at it as, if we failed we were young enough to recover,” Erika said.

But the Aylwards quickly turned their love of all things food-related into a thriving business that marks its 20th anniversary this month.

Along the way, they became international travelers, seeking out small businesses around the world that make interesting products and being invited by many of those suppliers to see their operations up close.

The couple also became culinary craftspeople themselves, learning to make their own cheeses, chocolate, and dry-cured salame. Just this past June, they were inducted into La Guilde des Fromagers, an international cheese guild based in France. Erika also recently released a cookbook, “Taste the World,” featuring her own recipes with photography by Sarah Chinavare and graphic design by Nanci Bridget, both of Tecumseh.

“It has been a trip,” Erika said. “We’ve had a blast. We’ve had so many opportunities and met so many really, really fantastic people.”

Erika grew up on a farm in Macon, while John comes from Ridgeway. All three of their children attended Tecumseh schools. The couple lives in Macon, where from 2000 until earlier this year they also owned the Macon Grocery.

The Aylwards also operate The Inn on Evans, an Airbnb consisting of three studio apartments, each with a different international theme, above the market. “It’s been a great use of our building,” Erika said, and the people who rent the rooms “just love Tecumseh.”

The Boulevard Market sells a wide range of beverage items, many of them from producers in Spain, Italy, France, and England. Other product lines come from countries such as Greece and

Poland. There are also a number of Michigan-made products.

Most of their suppliers “are pretty small companies and they’re doing some amazing stuff,” Erika said, and the results give the market’s products “a curated appeal.”

The Aylwards always prefer using small producers. “It makes a big difference to us to be involved in small businesses around the world,” Erika said.

“One of the most attractive things about what we sell is that it’s all old traditional foods,” she added, “and the people creating these products today are reflective of those traditions and values.

... We need things that taste great and are beautiful and come from some guy in the south of France.”

In the market’s back room one recent afternoon, she opened some of the boxes that had arrived containing products the shop will sell for the holidays.

Out of one box came cans of choucroute, a French sauerkraut. “It’s all the sauerkraut you know, but sophisticated,” Erika said, laughing.

Another box held packages of honey gingerbread, while others contained everything from violet-infused candies, to a custard in orange cognac, to duck leg confit, to chocolates. One type of chocolate is covered in crystallized roses. Another is shaped like oysters and comes packaged in an oyster box.

Such items are typical of the variety customers will find on the Boulevard Market’s shelves, and represent the Aylwards’ passion for finding great items from around the world and bringing them home to Tecumseh.

“We’ve been able to bring all the things we love into Boulevard and share them with people,” Erika said, and owning the shop for 20 years and counting has given the couple “that opportunity to do what you love, every day. ... We feel really fortunate to have such a great community, both locally and globally.”

The Boulevard Market is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. It can be reached by phone at 517-423-6000 or on Facebook. Its website is www.boulevardmarket.com.

John and Erika Aylward opened The Boulevard Market 20 years ago with no idea whether they’d be successful. “We always looked at it as, if we failed we were young enough to recover,” Erika recalls. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TECUMSEH HERALD

Passion 4 Fashion marks 10 years in downtown Adrian

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Passion 4 Fashion, a clothing, accessories, jewelry and gift boutique in downtown Adrian, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Owner Gloria Kuntz, who also owns a boutique by the same name in Wauseon, Ohio, has been helping customers find unique items since she opened the store.

Kuntz got interested in opening a store in Adrian because it’s a college town, and because it’s a quick commute from her home at Devils Lake. She also saw an opportunity in Adrian that she was interested in taking advantage of.

“I felt that there is a need here,” Kuntz said. “There wasn’t anything really downtown at the time that had as much as apparel offering as what we have.”

Kuntz travels to trade shows in Atlanta, Nashville and Las Vegas to find items for Passion 4 Fashion. She focuses on buying for her customer base on the shopping trips.

“The biggest percentage of our business is our apparel,” she said. Passion 4 Fashion carries Brighton Jewelry, a line of jewelry that is typically sold in freestanding retail stores owned by the business, Kuntz said. She had to go through an approval process before she could carry the line of jewelry in her boutique.

“I feel so very lucky to bring it in here,” she said, “and we have a following for it.”

Passion 4 Fashion also carries jewelry by Katie Loxton, a British company.

Passion 4 Fashion carries casual and more formal wear, priced in a range that makes it affordable for the shopper.

“A lot of times, people hear the word ‘boutique’ and they think ‘Oh, I can’t afford it,’ ” Kuntz said.

“We do have some higher-end items for sure, and we do have some moderatepriced items as well,” she continued, but Passion 4 Fashion also has gift items and jewelry priced for $20 and under.

Seasonal winter items that are in stock include vests, gloves, hats, shoes and socks.

Passion 4 Fashion carries lotions, soaps, sponges and other body care products from the Caren line and Dr. Squatch. The Caren line of products was originally created for breast cancer patients who needed products that their skin could tolerate, Kuntz said. Dr. Squatch products for men include a soap line and gift items.

Kuntz sees the focus of Passion 4 Fashion as the one-on-one service that the boutique offers.

“We make it a very personal shopping experience,” Kuntz said. “We get to know our customers; we get to know what they like.”

“If they’re having a bad day or whatever, we’re here to be a positive influence in their life,” she added. “I think that’s why we’ve lasted so long, because when they come in, they know they’re going to get a positive, friendly, uplifting shopping experience.”

Gloria Kuntz is pictured inside Passion 4 Fashion, the downtown Adrian boutique that she opened 10 years ago on North Main Street. The store offers clothing, accessories, jewelry, and gifts. JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

Mr. Holdridge’s Men’s Collection features natural products for men

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

TECUMSEH — Michaela Holdridge, owner of Anthro Apothecary, now operates a second business in downtown Tecumseh that features natural products made on site.

Mr. Holdridge’s Men’s Collection, located in downtown Tecumseh, is named to pay tribute to the family history of her husband, Matthew. The Holdridge family has been in the Tecumseh area since the 1830s, and helped settle the area.

“We really wanted the name to represent the history of the town,” Holdridge said.

Mr. Holdridge’s Men’s Collection is created around the idea of “Curated Excellence,” Holdridge said. The new store opened in September. Its product line features natural bath and body products, shaving syrups, organic simple syrups and drink mixes, as well as accessories such as hats, gloves and leather accessories.

Holdridge said the men’s line of products featured in the Mr. Holdridge’s Men’s Collection started in her Anthro Apothecary store, and it was so popular that, when the attached property became available, she “decided to go ahead and go for it and turn it into a specific men’s store.”

Anthro Apothecary opened in April 2020. Holdridge started marketing her “natural products for your health and more” in 2019, and sold them at the Tecumseh Farmer’s Market.

Her line of merchandise proved to be so popular that she decided to open

C.

a brick-and-mortar store. One benefit of operating out of a store is that Holdridge is able to make most of her products in a commercial kitchen that is located right in the store.

“I was actually teaching some college courses at the time, and then COVID hit and those courses kind of got put on hold,” Holdridge said. “I needed something to do with my time, and so I turned my hobby into a business.”

Holdridge named the store Anthro Apothecary because of her background in cultural anthropology.

“I did a couple of immersion studies in my Master’s program and really fell in love with how other cultures use herbs,” she said.

Anthro Apothecary features over 26 types of tea blends that are blended inhouse. The kitchen and home section includes spices, and herbs by the ounce.

The natural bath, body and face care line uses herbs and oils that benefit the skin. Jewelry and other accessories are also part of the collection. All the ingredients used in the products are ethically sourced, she said.

Mr. Holdridge’s Men’s Collection and Anthro Apothecary are at 128 E. Chicago Boulevard in downtown Tecumseh. The stores can be reached at 517-798-1732 or online at anthroapothecary.com. Store hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Nova’s gets creative to fill a need for downtown Adrian residents

By Deborah J. Comstock The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — If you live in downtown Adrian and find yourself short on necessities with no time to run to one of the big stores, Nova’s Soda Pop Candy Shop has you covered.

Owners Dave and Nova Spencley are now offering basic products like detergent, diapers, toilet paper and more for city residents who need something fast. They also stock shampoos and even cosmetics in their store at the corner of Church and Main streets.

Nova’s started out in 2002 as a candle store. When candles were not selling during the summer as they hoped, they decided to purchase a bigger building. They bought their current location at 105 E. Church St., in 2012 and expanded

their inventory to nostalgic metal signs, custom-made soda drinks and vinyl records. They even sell the suitcase record players to play the vinyl, and they buy old and new vinyl locally and nationally. Their son, Chad, has a nostalgic comic book and baseball card room in the building.

And now, they have an entire room of household supplies and basic necessities. They call it the convenience corner.

It’s a labor of love for Nova. She tracks down stores that are closing and buys their inventory. She finds clearance sales and buys that inventory too. Then, as an active couponer, she buys inventory when the price is right, and passes all those discounts down to their customers.

“We have a passion for what we do here,” Dave said.

Michaela Holdridge is pictured inside Mr. Holdridge’s Men’s Collection, which she opened next to her existing store, Anthro Apothecary, this fall. JULIE

CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

Nova and David Spencley saw a need for a convenient place for downtown residents to buy household staples, so they added one to their store. DEBORAH J. COMSTOCK/LENAWEE VOICE

Homeless students assisted by Gleaner Life service group

ADRIAN — Students experiencing homelessness in Lenawee County schools received needed supplies thanks to a Gleaner Life Insurance Society service group. Legacy Arbor donated six boxes of items and gift cards to mark the start of the 2024-25 school year.

Gleaner Life employees donated several boxes of hygiene items including carrying cases, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, soap and personal care items, plus pencils, binders and other school supplies. In addition, the service group purchased 60 hooded sweatshirts to go along with 60 $10 McDonald’s gift cards. The total value was just over $2,000.

“We are grateful for Gleaner’s generous donation to our students,” Angela Pooley, coordinator for the Families in Transition program, stated. “These essential items help break down barriers that often stand in the way of their education, providing comfort and security. With their basic needs met, students can focus more on their studies and less on the challenges of their circumstances.”

Supplies were delivered to the Families in Transition office located at Adrian High School.

“Legacy Arbor is always excited to find ways to support the local community,” Legacy Arbor President Julie Tison said, “and we were thrilled to be able to help some of our local youths feel better prepared for school.”

Founded 130 years ago, Gleaner Life Insurance Society is a nationally recognized not-for-profit fraternal benefit society. As a fraternal organization, Gleaner supports outreach programs and volunteer opportunities that make a difference in the lives of its members and the communities where they live, work and serve.

Members of Gleaner Life’s Legacy Arbor service club (from left) Mark Lenz, Liz Greenwell, Elly Sager and Christine Zeller deliver supplies to Angela Pooley, coordinator of the Families in Transition program located at Adrian High School.

Michigan sees lowest unemployment rate in 20 years

By Kyle Davidson Michigan Advance

LANSING — Michigan’s labor market is continuing to show improvement, according to a new report from the Michigan Center for Data and Analysis, with initial data for 2024 pointing toward continued progress on unemployment and jobs following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2023 Michigan Economic Analysis Report examines Michigan’s performance through various economic indicators, noting that 2023 marked the state’s highest payroll job level and lowest unemployment in 20 years.

“Michigan’s labor market hit historic levels in 2023 and continued to improve in the first six months of 2024. The state’s unemployment rate was low for multiple demographic groups, while the number of jobs and labor force continued to expand,” said Scott Powell, chief data officer and director of the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “Looking forward, our recent projections indicate that any growth in the coming years will require more people moving into Michigan.”

While unemployment has continued to decline, Michigan has consistently shown higher unemployment than the nation as a whole, reporting 3.9% unemployment in 2023 compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Michigan also tied Arizona, Texas and West Virginia for the 10th highest unemployment rate in the nation.

Nevada ranked the highest of all states, with an unemployment rate of 5.1%.

Following fluctuations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, employment has recovered within the state, with 2023’s employment total surpassing levels from 2019. Additionally, the six-month annual average employment level for 2024 of 4,850,000 people marked the highest average employment total for Michigan since 2001’s annual average of 4,872,000 people.

When examining demographic data, the Center for Data and Analysis found that male joblessness hit a five-year low in Michigan, closing the state’s gap with the national male jobless rate before seeing an uptick in 2024. While the female unemployment rate rose nationally, female joblessness saw a decrease in Michigan in the first half of this year.

While the unemployment rate for women was lower than men in 2019, 2020, 2021 and the first half of 2024, workforce participation was higher for men than women during this period.

Although data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Current Population Survey found that Black residents saw higher rates of unemployment than white individuals from 2019 to 2024, the gap narrowed considerably in 2023 and has continued to close. In the first half of 2024, the jobless rate for Black residents was 5.5%, a 1.9 percentage point gap from the white jobless rate of 3.6%.

While workforce participation for white individuals exceeded levels of Black residents from 2019 to 2023, Black Michiganders saw a higher level of workforce participation in 2024.

The report found nonfarm payroll jobs had completely recovered in Michigan within three years of the COVID-19 recession, but it also noted a slowdown in job growth. In examining the recovery of payroll jobs lost during the pandemic, the report noted it took nearly eight years for payroll jobs to recover to 2007 levels following the Great Recession.

Six of Michigan’s 11 major industry sectors reported growth in employment since June 2023, but growth in jobs has seen a slowdown, with Michigan reporting a 1.3% job growth rate in the first half of 2023 and .7% growth in the first half of 2024. However, job growth rates in the U.S. have been shrinking since 2021. The report also examined the change in wages for Michigan workers, finding that while hourly wages have increased in recent years, those gains were undercut by inflation. Although average hourly earnings in Michigan’s private sector rose from $26.40 in June 2019 to $32.15 in June 2023, inflation has resulted in a .7% decrease in real earnings.

It also noted that Michigan is seeing a shift from low-wage jobs toward midrange and high-paying jobs. Jobs paying $15 per hour or less have declined significantly over the past three years as occupations paying more than $40 per hour have grown by 3.9 percentage points overall in the last three years.

BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY

Adrian Morning Rotary Club marks its 25th anniversary this year » PAGE C8

American flag project that started in Clayton is growing every year

The project, which started with a simple conversation between neighbors, aims to address veteran suicides in the U.S.

By Erik Gable The Lenawee Voice

CLAYTON — An effort that started two years ago in Clayton’s village park has grown into a fledgling nonprofit organization whose impact can be seen across Lenawee County and is beginning to spread nationwide.

The goal is to call attention to — and reduce — the problem of veteran suicides in the United States. Because the suicide rate among veterans is estimated at an average of 22 people per day, organizers put out 22 American flags every day throughout the month of September. By month’s end, the result is a huge — and visually striking — field of flags, each with its own light, each representing a veteran who has been lost.

The project began in 2022 with neighbors Erika Behm and Denyelle Grubbs, who live next to Clayton’s village park. They started talking about it one night at a bonfire in Grubbs’ yard.

The committee that first year was small: Behm and Grubbs were joined by Behm’s father, Don; Brent “Peewee” Johnston; and Bill Deo, who maintains the grass in the park. They were helped by the village of Clayton and village president Shannon Johnston.

It was a shoestring operation at first — figuring things out as they went along and traveling from store to store, buying as many flags as they could at each stop.

Since that first display in 2022 in Clayton, the group has started working with other organizations to coordinate more displays, both in Lenawee County and elsewhere.

Now they’ve formed a nonprofit organization to manage the efforts. It’s called VALOR, an acronym for Veterans And Loved Ones’ Resources.

“You see people come down and they just sit there and stare, and go through their emotions, and walk through it to grasp everything.”

— Denyelle Grubbs

In 2023, the number of displays grew to seven.

This year, in addition to Clayton, there were displays at Tecumseh Assembly

of God, at Siena Heights University, on North M-52 across from ProMedica Hickman Hospital, underneath the American Legion helicopter display on North Main Street, on the old Lenawee County Courthouse lawn, and in Hudson at the corner of M-34 and Munson Highway. There was also a display in Hillsdale and one at the Veterans Administration medical center in Ann Arbor. As members of the group spread the word to their friends and family in other places, a few displays have been

created out-of-state as well. Each display is managed by a partner organization.

Organizers say that the statistic of 22 per day hits home differently when you see an entire field of flags and can picture what the number really means and the people behind the statistic.

“Once you start putting out 22 a day ... it hits you what the flags and lights represent,” said Scott Gray, who serves as president of the new nonprofit.

NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 1

Erika Behm speaks at the retirement of 660 flags that were placed in Clayton’s village park throughout September. The flags, 22 of which were placed every day, represent veterans who have been lost to suicide. ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

See FLAGS, page C15

Lenawee NAACP honors community service

ADRIAN — The Lenawee County chapter of the NAACP honored several area residents for their service to the community at its 30th annual Freedom Fund Banquet, which took place on Oct. 13 in the Adrian Tobias Center at Adrian College.

Two people were presented with the NAACP’s annual Community Service Award. Local businessman Don Lofton was introduced by Kasey White.

“He has stuck around this community when this community has not always been there for him,” White said of Lofton. “He could have moved his businesses to larger, more diverse cities, but he stuck with us at home. He is a positive Black role model, an innovator, and an entrepreneur. With over 60 employees, he does not hesitate to employ minorities or give second chances. He requires his employees to give back to the community through community service work and he leads by example. He has sponsored and helped out at the NAACP’s Juneteenth events, the M Society’s Pride event, the Daily Bread,

back-to-school bashes to distribute school supplies, and much more when it comes to local family fundraisers.”

Lizbeth Perez-Cazares, bilingual library assistant at the Adrian District Library, was introduced by Aaron Chesher-Moorman, who said that since Perez-Cazares stepped into that role, the library has seen a 350 percent increase in the circulation of Spanish-language material.

“She has also run about 18 to 20 bilingual programs a year since she’s been there,” Chesher-Moorman said. “In all areas she is entrusted with the awesome responsibility of tearing down the language barrier that stands in the way of many opportunities for our neighbors who may only speak Spanish.”

Perez-Cazares thanked the library for taking the step of creating the bilingual assistant position. “For someone who is passionate about books and who loves to read, I couldn’t find a better job,” she said. “I love what I do, and when you love what you do, it doesn’t become a job, and it’s so easy to do it with passion and with love.”

Perez-Cazares remembered her mother’s words when she started her first job, which was in public health: “Siempre trata bien a la gente, especialmente a la gente que viene de otro lugar porqué nunca sabes lo que pasaron para llegar aquí,” or “always treat others very well, especially others that come from other

places, because you don’t know how they struggled to get here.”

In addition to the community service awards, Andre White and Javon Jenkins were recognized for stepping up to organize a 3-on-3 basketball tournament that was added to the NAACP’s downtown Adrian Juneteenth celebration this year.

Don Lofton is pictured with Kasey White, who introduced him as one of the recipients of the annual Community Service Award at the Lenawee NAACP’s 30th annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Oct. 13. PHOTOS BY THOMAS GERWECK

Lizbeth Perez-Cazares, center, is pictured with Adrian District Library colleagues Megan Boles, left, and Chelsey Boss at the Lenawee NAACP’s annual Freedom Fund Banquet at Adrian College.

The NAACP thanked Andre White and Javon Jenkins for their role in helping the annual Juneteenth celebration expand, by organizing a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for the first time this year.

The Lenawee Voice

Lions offer resources to help with vision care

ADRIAN — Nearly 100 years ago Helen Keller challenged the Lions Club to become “Knights of the Blind.” Members of the Adrian Breakfast Lions Club honor that challenge along with the Lions motto, “We Serve.”

Assisting in the purchase of eye exams, glasses, and visual aids is a main focus of the club. Their efforts were on display recently when a local resident, Mable Baty, needed help. Baty is in her 90s and has been diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition. She contacted Terry Hicks, the club’s president and vision assistance coordinator, about getting a device to help her magnify printed material so she could read.

The club had a used desktop video magnifying reader which they provided to her at no cost. However, after several months the device stopped working and was too expensive to repair. A second used magnifier was located and delivered to Baty. It was old and, unfortunately, didn’t last too long either.

Luckily, the story doesn’t end there. The club is small, with only 12 members, and only has one fundraiser a year, a radio auction held every April. This year’s auction was very successful and provided the club with extra funds. As a result, the club members decided to purchase a new desktop video magnifying reader for Baty to use. She reports that it helps her to stay more independent.

Adrian Breakfast Lions Club members are currently seeking additional funding sources so they can provide expanded assistance to residents with vision problems.

A major program for the Lions is to help residents with vision care who cannot afford exams or eyeglasses. They have partnered with local optometrists to get reduced costs for both. In addition, the club will help with some of the cost. Those seeking assistance need to contact the club and complete an application form before getting an exam. Community residents needing assistance with vision care can contact the club by sending a request to the Adrian Breakfast Lions Club, PO Box 412, Adrian, MI 49221, or by emailing adrian.lions@yahoo.com.

Renovations enhance Salvation Army’s ability to help those in need

ADRIAN — Recent renovations at the Salvation Army, located at 217 W. Church St. in Adrian, have improved the organization’s ability to serve people in need in the community.

The renovations, which were completed this summer, were largely paid for using $374,000 in federal funds through the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act. They include:

n An ADA-accessible entrance in front of the building, where previously the only ramp was located in the back. In addition, the front entrance has been widened and the doors can now open with a button.

n Renovations to the food pantry, including replacing the old carpet with vinyl flooring, replacing the old work tables with sturdier ones, and replacing the old shelves, which couldn’t hold very much, with steel shelves that can hold thousands of pounds of food.

n Replacing the windows in the front of the building, which were old and drafty, with energy-efficient, double-insulated windows.

In addition to renovating the building, the Salvation Army was able to replace its old box truck, which was barely in working order, with a new one that includes a working lift. This is used for food pickup to keep the pantry stocked.

The changes have significantly improved the Salvation Army’s ability to help people in need of food assistance and meet a growing need in the area.

The organization provides to-go meals every Monday and Wednesday evening, and has recently been serving about 150 people every time. Bags of food from the pantry go out twice a week, to about 20 families every time. And the Salvation Army’s fresh food distribution program, which provides produce and other fresh foods, serves about 175 people twice a month.

Operations at the food pantry are funded by the Salvation Army thrift store next door at 247 W. Church St., noted Laura Lunnam, who serves as captain along with her husband, Curtis.

The Lenawee County corps of the Salvation Army has been operating since 1896.

The Salvation Army is currently getting ready for its annual red kettle campaign, which will offer a “Tap to Give” option where people can donate by tapping their debit card or their phone at the kettle stand if they aren’t carrying cash. Anyone interested in being a bell ringer can go to RegisterToRing.com.

Volunteer Bob Ulrich works in the Salvation Army’s newly renovated food pantry, packing bags to be distributed to local families.

Marty Nichols loads empty crates onto the Salvation Army’s new truck in preparation for a food pickup run.

Mable Baty is pictured with a desktop video magnifying reader that allows her to keep reading despite having a degenerative eye condition. The reader was provided by the Adrian Breakfast Lions Club, which works to help area residents who need vision care.

Adrian College honors outstanding alumni

ADRIAN — Seven members of the Adrian College community were honored during an Alumni Awards Ceremony on Sept. 28 during Homecoming weekend.

Each of the award recipients was also introduced later that afternoon during the college’s Homecoming football game.

The seven alumni award recipients were lauded by the alumni board as some of the best alumni and nonalumni representatives imaginable, with distinguished careers and charismatic personalities.

“One role of the volunteer alumni board is to help engage alumni in the life of the college and to offer recognition and gratitude for their accomplishments,” said Desmond Upshaw ’08, vice president of the Alumni Association board of directors. “And also, for their service and commitment to their alma mater, fellow alumni and their greater communities.”

The Distinguished Alumni Award is for having a distinguished career, as well as involvement in assisting communities. The honoree was Tina Hubbard ’89.

Starting out as director of sales and marketing, Hubbard quickly moved into leadership roles including vice president of marketing and product management and chief operating officer before ultimately becoming CEO of HDA Truck Pride.

In addition to her professional achievements, Hubbard gives back to the community and industry by serving on numerous boards including Auto Care, AWDA, HDDA, CVSN, HDAW, Women in Auto Care, AAIA, and Adrian College.

The Young Alumni Award is for experiencing extraordinary professional or personal success within 20 years after graduation. The recipient was Charley Decker ’09.

After graduating with a degree in criminal justice and a minor in religion, Decker has been a member of the Chattanooga Police Department for the past 13 years and earned the rank of sergeant two years ago. He also serves as a staff sergeant and military police officer with the Tennessee Army National Guard.

The Alumni Service Award is for volunteering time, talent and service to support students and promote the college.

Michele White ’90 was recognized for dedicating her life to empowering individuals and families as a seasoned counselor, author, and community leader.

She shares her insights on faith-based counseling and family dynamics in her books, including “Against the Grain: Raising Christ-Focused Children from A to Z” and “PRAY before you eat: Pursue Rightly And Yield in God’s Word.”

She also founded the A5 Scholarship Charity, which helps students pursue higher education and serves on numerous boards, including the Executive Board of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan and the Washtenaw Christian Academy School Board.

The Alumni Humanitarian Award recognizes alumni who demonstrate an altruistic lifestyle that reflects a spirit of service to others.

For the past 11 years, Chris Howard ’02 has been working for the Lenawee Intermediate School District as the truancy prevention, school safety, and homeless education coordinator. He has been instrumental in supporting students facing homelessness, ensuring they have access to educational opportunities.

Howard participates in the Kiwanis Club of Adrian and serves on the Executive Committee of the Lenawee

County Continuum of Care.

He has been recognized with several awards for his work, including the 2022 LISD Community Service Award, the LISD Innovations in Partnerships Award, and the LISD Non-Teaching Excellence Award.

The Honorary Alumni Award honors non-alumni who have shown great affection for the college over time or have made significant contributions to special projects and the campus community.

With over four decades of experience in the insurance industry, Londa Pickles was honored for establishing herself as a respected professional and business leader. She began her career at Gurdjian Insurance Group in 1977, and in 2019, she took ownership of the company, where she now serves as president.

She is board chair of Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County and president of the Athena Council and is also a board member of Lenawee Cares and a trustee of Adrian College.

Pickles’ passion for youth development and education is evident in her involvement with the Lenawee 4-H

Council and District 12 Council for MSU Extension.

The AC Stewardship Award was established to include non-alumni and current or former employees who have demonstrated exemplary service to the college.

Chris Stiver began his career at Adrian College in 1996 as a custodial delivery worker. For 28 years, he has steadily risen through the ranks and became director of facilities and grounds 10 years ago.

The Outstanding Alumni Employee Award is given to an alumni employee who has been with the college for at least five years, displays strong pride, and has a professional attitude and a commitment to the institution and its students.

Michael Neal ’12 began his career at Adrian in 2013 as a multimedia designer in the marketing office. The next year, he founded ACTV, a student-run television station that provides hands-on experience in media production.

Neal was promoted to multimedia coordinator in 2017, the same year he transitioned to a full-time faculty role in the Department of Communication Arts.

Tigers’ ties to Lenawee County discussed in library talk

Roger Yoder talked about his new book and the Tigers’ connections to the Adrian area in a recent presentation at the Lenawee District Library.

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — It took Roger Yoder 12 years to put together his new book, and in the end, he compiled a 900-plus page volume of statistics about the Detroit Tigers baseball team that date back to the early days of the team.

Yoder spoke about his new book, “Detroit Tigers: Michigan’s Favorite Sports Team,” on Sept. 5 at the main branch of the Lenawee District Library. Yoder spent the evening discussing his new book, which, in part, focused on

connections from the Lenawee County area that are part of the history of the Detroit Tigers.

The earliest of those connections was Francis Joseph “Frank” Navin, who was born in Adrian on April 18, 1871. Navin attended the Detroit College of Law, and worked as accountant for an insurance agency owned by Sam Angus, who bought the Detroit Tigers in 1901, Yoder said.

Angus named Navin to the Tigers staff, where he held a variety of positions including bookkeeper, secretary, treasurer, business manager, farm director, chief ticket agent and advertising manager, according to Yoder. Navin purchased $5,000 worth of stock in the Tigers in 1903 and went on to buy almost half the club in 1908. He was principal owner of the Tigers for 27 years, from 1908 to 1935.

During his time with the Detroit Tigers, Yoder said, Navin signed outfielder Ty

Cobb and manager Hughie Jennings to the team, which led to three straight trips to the World Series, from 1907 to 1909. Navin also acquired Mickey Cochrane, who led the Tigers to back-to-back pennants in 1934 and 1935.

Navin went on to serve as vice president and then acting president of the American League. He died in Detroit on November 13, 1935, at the age of 64, according to Yoder.

Mike Marshall was born in Adrian on Jan. 15, 1943. He graduated from Adrian High School before moving on to Michigan State University, Yoder said. Marshall, a right-handed pitcher, was signed as an amateur free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies on Sept. 13, 1960.

Marshall signed with the Detroit Tigers in 1967, when he pitched one inning against the Cleveland Indians. Marshall made 37 relief appearance for the Tigers during his first season, Yoder

said. Marshall was sent to the minor leagues for 1968, where he was drafted by the Seattle Pilots during the 1968 expansion draft, according to Yoder’s information.

Duane Below was born in Britton in 1985. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers during the 2006 MLB June Amateur Draft from Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, according to Yoder. Below, a lefthanded pitcher, threw his first game with the Tigers on July 20, 2011, and played with the team until May 27, 2013, Yoder said.

Yoder himself graduated from North Adams-Jerome High School in 1978. He is a member of the Society for American Baseball Research and MLB Press box. Included in the book are statistics on the five all-time teams, the top-10 players by position, the top-50 starting pitchers, the top-50 relief pitchers, the player and pitcher of the decade, all-decade teams and pitching staff.

Pictured from left to right are Adrian College Alumni Award recipients Michele White, Tina Hubbard, Charley Decker, Chris Howard, Londa Pickles, Chris Stiver and Michael Neal.

Adrian Dominicans welcome three new associates

ADRIAN — The Adrian Dominican Sisters welcomed three new Associates on Oct. 3 during an evening Commitment Ceremony held in Holy Rosary Chapel on the Motherhouse Campus.

Associates are women and men, at least 18 years of age, who feel called to the Dominican Charism (spirit) and who make a non-vowed commitment to associate themselves with the Adrian Dominican Sisters. While maintaining their independent lifestyle, they are invited to share in the Sisters’ mission, ministries, and spiritual and social activities.

Celeste Mueller, a self-employed practical theologian and leadership formation facilitator from University City, Missouri, is the great-niece of Sister Rose de Lourdes DeSchryver, OP. She earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and theology at the University of Notre Dame and came to know the Adrian Dominican Sisters while studying at Aquinas Institute of Theology, a graduate school in the Dominican tradition, in St. Louis, and later by serving there as an Assistant Professor. Sister Patricia Walter, OP, a former colleague at Aquinas, was her mentor. Mueller and her husband, Tom, have two grown children and one granddaughter.

“I am inspired by the creative and deeply committed spirit of the vowed Adrian Dominicans, and I have been deeply impressed by their hope-filled engagement of profound issues and their willingness to collaborate with nonvowed Associates to assure and even expand the impact of the Dominican Charism in the world,” Mueller said.

Peggy M. Pantelis of Chesterfield heard about Associate life for years

from Sister Mary Kay Homan, OP, her mentor. A retired teacher in the Macomb Intermediate School District, Peggy remains active as president of the St. Basil Conference of St. Vincent de Paul. She also works one or two days each week with visually impaired students. She and her husband, Gary, have two children: Elizabeth and Paul, who is married with a 4-year-old son.

Pantelis enjoys joining and leading discussion groups for church programs. Becoming an Associate “seems like the next step,” she said. She brings to Associate life compassion and the ability

Stadium press box dedicated in honor of Del Cochran

ADRIAN — The press box at Maple Stadium has been dedicated in honor of former Adrian Public Schools superintendent Del Cochran. Cochran graduated from Adrian Public Schools in 1961. From 1967 to 1999, he was a teacher, coach, and administrator for his alma mater. He served as principal of Comstock, Prairie, and McKinley elementary schools and then as principal of the Adrian Middle School 5/6 Building, now the Drager Early Childhood Center. He also served as vice president of the Adrian High School Alumni Association from 1987 to 1989.

In 1999, Cochran retired from the district after 32 years of service to the school and community. He then was elected to the school board in 2002. He came out of retirement in 2004 to serve the district again as superintendent, a position he held until 2008. Cochran was also instrumental in passing the 2004 Apple Bond, and in 2014, he served as interim superintendent during a transition period. He was the voice of Maple football for 40 years at Maple Stadium.

After receiving favorable public input, the school board unanimously approved the dedication at its Sept. 27 meeting.

to teach and hopes to find “growth in my prayers, the ability to share my faith with others, and [involvement] in something that would impact lives.”

Stephen Wolbert, a native of Flint, is the CEO of Social Impact Philanthropy and Investment (SIPI), serving as a consultant, primarily with nonprofit organizations in North Flint. In his work, he positions nonprofit organizations, helping them to expand their mission and serve more people.

Wolbert came to know the Adrian Dominican Sisters through Sister Carol Weber, OP, executive director of St. Luke

NEW Life Center in Flint. He said he became “really amazed with [the Sisters’] ministries and vision for how to sustain them long-term.”

The new Associates and their mentors concluded the ceremony by signing papers declaring their commitment as Adrian Dominican Associates. They each received the Associate pin and a candle as a symbol of their new commitment. For information on becoming an Adrian Dominican Associate, contact Nancy Mason Bordley at 517-266-3534 or visit www.adriandominicans.org/ MeetDominicans/Associates.

ADRIAN LAUNCHES LEGO ROBOTICS PROGRAM

Adrian Public Schools recently announced the launch of Lego Robotics teams for fourth- and fifth-grade students. Michener Elementary School teacher Trischa Fischer is spearheading the program in collaboration with parent Jeremy Andrews and Adrian High School teacher Josh Smith.

The robotics initiative began after Fischer expressed her desire to expand STEM opportunities to Ann Lacasse, principal at Michener. While Michener was the original focus, she envisioned a districtwide program that could engage students from across Adrian Public Schools.

“I wanted our students to have an opportunity where they could collaborate, explore, and experiment with real-world problem-solving through robotics and Legos,” Fischer said. “It’s amazing to see how enthusiastic the students are about the program.”

She met with assistant superintendent Derrick Richards, who helped facilitate the district-wide expansion to bring the idea to fruition.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our students to engage in competitive hands-on, innovative learning,” Richards said. “It’s also a great experience for students from different elementary buildings to come together, collaborate, and build new friendships.”

Participating in the Commitment Ceremony for new Adrian Dominican Associates are, from left, Sister Patricia Walter, OP, mentor, with Celeste Mueller; Sister Mary Kay Homan, OP, mentor, with Peggy Pantelis; and Sister Carol Weber, OP, mentor, with Stephen M. Wolbert.

Del Cochran is the former superintendent of Adrian Public Schools and also served the district as a principal, coach and school board member at various times over the course of the past 50-plus years.

New mural at Re-Bicycle Lenawee brightens the neighborhood

ADRIAN — A new mural at ReBicycle Lenawee, 313 E. Maumee St., is brightening the neighborhood while calling attention to cycling in the Adrian area.

According to Jerick Timm, chair of the Re-Bicycle Lenawee board, when the board was discussing building improvements, painting the west side of the building was brought up because it was in need of attention.

“We decided to do a mural on that side of the building to add to the vibrancy of the neighborhood while also serving as a reminder of the ever-increasing number of people using bikes in our community as visibility is a key part of safety for vulnerable road users,” Timm said.

The organization held a contest for the design, with contestants limited to people living in or attending schoool in Lenawee County. The winning design was submitted by Brian Turner, and then the board consulted with Holly Risch, the owner of Inevitable Art LLC, on turning the design into a mural.

“She proved to be invaluable to the project,” Timm said. “She and Brian worked together to refine the design and they came up with three different color variations. We took to our Facebook followers to get opinions on which color scheme was the best and this was the overwhelming favorite.”

Volunteers started painting the mural on Oct. 5 and finished the work later in the month.

In addition to Timm, Re-Bicycle Lenawee’s board members are Jeff DiCenzo, Haylee Doyle, Stacy Downing, Gregg Iddings, John Lark, Nicole Ryan, Dan Robertson and Spencer Ruffner.

Re-Bicycle is a nonprofit, volunteerrun community bike shop. It can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/ rebikelenawee.

A mural was recently painted on the side of Re-Bicycle Lenawee, 313 E. Maumee St., Adrian. PHOTO COURTESY OF JERICK TIMM

Holly Risch of Britton, owner of Inevitable Art LLC, works on painting the new Re-Bicycle Lenawee mural on Oct. 5.

Scott Elliott of Adrian and Sally Dickson of Adrian refresh their paint while painting the new mural. ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

92 and still going strong

Palmyra farmer Lawrence Marks thrives by keeping busy at his Deerfield Highway farmstand

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

PALMYRA — Lawrence Marks surveyed the array of produce — tomatoes, butternut squash, pumpkins, gourds, peppers, and more, including corn stalks and even fresh eggs kept in a cooler — for sale at his farmstand on Deerfield Highway in Palmyra on a recent Sunday afternoon, and nodded in satisfaction.

“This year is the best I’ve had in eight,” he said of the amount of vegetables his two-acre plot has delivered this season.

The trailerloads of pumpkins he sells in a typical year are purchased from a neighbor for resale at the stand, but other than that, all the produce is grown on Marks’ farm nearby on Grosvenor Highway, two 50-acre plots which he rents to his son, David.

His grandson Matthew, the fifth generation of the Marks clan to be a farmer, owns the farm on Deerfield Highway where he has run his farm stand for about eight years now.

Marks sets up his stand, called “Opa’s Fresh Veggies” after his grandchildrens’ name for him, at that location because Deerfield Highway gets far more traffic than what comes down Grosvenor.

Marks’ energy level belies his 92 years. In addition to tending his vegetable plot, he volunteers with the Salvation Army, which is also the recipient of any extra produce he has, every two weeks when it does its food distribution.

“I have to be there at 6:15, so I get up early,” he said, chuckling. And, every three months, he serves as a Meals on Wheels driver through his church, Immanuel Lutheran in Palmyra, a volunteer task he said he very much enjoys doing.

He’s been a Lutheran all his life. “My granddad was a Lutheran minister, so I guess it kind of rubbed off on me,” he said.

The Marks family has long ties to the area. His grandparents came to the U.S. from Germany in 1890, settled in New York, and decided to move to Palmyra because his grandmother had a sister who lived nearby.

The couple bought the farmland on Grosvenor in 1893, arriving by train at what was then known as Lenawee Junction, not far away. Later, Marks’ father took over the farm, and Marks was the youngest of five children born in the farmhouse. He’s lived his whole life on the same piece of land.

Growing up as he did during the Great Depression, “things were rough,” he said. But living on a farm at least meant they had plenty to eat, between the vegetables the family grew, the eggs and meat from their contingent of chickens, and the livestock they had.

Plus, his mother did plenty of canning, made the family’s shirts (being farmers, they needed denim overalls, so those had to be bought) and darned their socks. Getting new socks simply because one of them got a hole in it was unheard of in those days.

His only schooling came at the country school a mile away, which the children walked to. “My dad was a true German and you didn’t get the car out to go a mile to school,” Marks said, adding the familiar joke about how school “was a mile away and it was uphill in both directions.”

He attended that school until eighth grade. When it came time for high school, however, he never got to go because his father lost a leg to infection and he was needed to help out on the farm. For the same reason, he was exempted from military service.

Marks was 25 when he and his wife, Charlotte, married and moved into a new home they built on the family farm.

They had two children, David and Brenda — followed over time by five grandchildren and 15 great-

grandchildren — and enjoyed 48 years of marriage before she died 18 years ago. He then found love a second time with Judy Hensley, who died this past April.

In addition to all the hard work it always takes to run a farm, Marks held down another job full-time for most of his life. He worked for 44 years as the produce buyer for the A&P grocery store, 34 of those years in Adrian and 10 more years at the chain’s Saline location after the Adrian store closed, so that he could work for A&P until retirement.

He also spent many years, until retiring just recently, as a funeral assistant for what is now the Wagley Funeral Home Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield, where his duties included helping transport the deceased and working at visitations and funerals.

So, with the way he keeps so busy, does he have time for any hobbies?

One thing he used to do in his “spare time,” such as it was, was chair caning. “Twenty years ago, a chair was expensive if you had to have it caned,” he said. “But now, that’s a thing of the past.”

But with everything he continues to do to serve others, enjoy time with his family, and, in season, tend his vegetables and keep his farm stand well-stocked, he has no plans to stop being active any time soon despite his age. “God has blessed me well with good health,” he said.

Judy Marcus of Palmyra, a longtime

friend, knows all about Marks’ inability to slow down.

“He can’t sit still,” she said, to the point that he recently applied for job as a bagger at a local grocery store and, when he wasn’t hired, fretted because he thought he needed more to do.

“He’s got to be busy or he’s not happy,” she said.

Marcus first met Marks while he was at the Adrian A&P and she worked at the nearby Grant’s department store. They’ve been friends ever since, and Marcus volunteers alongside him at the Salvation Army.

She’s seen firsthand how the later generations of Markses inherited his helping ways. Marks’ grandchildren also volunteer at the Salvation Army, and only recently they arrived at Marcus’ house to help clear her yard of sticks that had blown down after a wind storm.

“The grandkids are as sweet as he is,” she said. “I’ve never met a family like them.”

Marcus described her friend as “such a character. He’s a lot of fun, and he just wants to do everything for everybody.”

“He’s willing to help anywhere and everywhere he can,” she added. “He’s just a very caring person, and he cares about his family, and everybody who knows him would say the same thing. If you need anything, he’ll get it for you. If you need anything done, he’ll do it for you.”

Lawrence Marks looks through vegetables at his farmstand, Opa’s Fresh Veggies, on a recent Sunday afternoon. ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE

Adrian Morning Rotary marks 25 years of service

By Julie C. Clemes

The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — In honor of the 25th anniversary of the club, members of Adrian Morning Rotary recently planted a tree at the Adrian Community Preschool, in hopes that the tree lives to see another 25 years of the club’s existence.

“Celebrating our 25th anniversary, we wanted to do something that would be around for the next 25, 50 years, and we thought “Well, let’s try a tree,’ ” said Jim Hartley, president of the club.

Hartley said the idea came about after the club did some work on the inside of the preschool, which provided expanded space when 3-year-old students were added to the preschool this year.

The tree planting coincided with a visit from Nick Krayacich, who is the Rotary District Governor of District 6400, of which the Adrian Morning Rotary Club is a part. Krayacich said the tree planting ties into the environmental initiatives that are an area of focus for Rotary.

“Not only will this tree grow up to provide beautiful shade, but it will be part of our environmental area of focus, and the kids can sit under this tree in the beautiful shade it will provide them,” Krayacich said. “It’s a wonderful project.”

The Adrian Morning Rotary Club started on Sept. 1, 1999, Hartley said.

“There’s been a noon club in Adrian for a long time and it just wasn’t convenient for some people to be in a noon club.” he said. The Adrian Morning Rotary Club started with a few members of the noon club, and soon added more members who found that the morning meeting fit their schedule. Currently, four of the charter members of the club are still active.

One of the club’s ongoing projects is maintaining the Little Free Libraries

that have various locations around town.

The Morning Rotary Club also provides “Weekend Snack Sacks” for almost 600 elementary school students in Adrian Public Schools and the Madison School District.

Dave Maxwell has been in Rotary since 1976, and is a charter member of the Morning Club.

“Service Above Self is our motto, and that’s why I’m here,” he said. “We provide community service, just like today.”

Rich Donner, another charter member of the Rotary Morning Club, has been in Rotary for 25 years, including the time he spent with a club in Dearborn Heights. He said there are two things that keep him interested in belonging to Rotary.

“First is the work that we do in the community and the people that we serve,” he said. “I’m committed to that.

“The other thing is, it’s a great group of friends, just to hang out with,” he continued. “It’s nice to have a bunch of other people who kind of think the same way and have the same ideas.”

Brandi Johns, who joined the Morning Rotary Club in February, is presidentelect of the club for 2025-2026.

“Just being a Rotarian, the network and the fellowship of philanthropy is wonderful,” she said, describing her reasons for membership with the club.

Johns said her goals for her tenure as president include establishing membership, cultivating more membership, and also working on inclusion, representing different ethnicities and cultures.

“Just being more progressive with our future, because we’ve been here for 25 years now,” Johns said. “We have a legacy to stand on.”

The Adrian Morning Rotary Club meets at 7 a.m. on the first and third Wednesday of every month at The Centre, 1800 U.S. 223, Adrian.

Dave Maxwell, Jim Hartley and Rich Donner, three of the charter members of the Adrian Morning Rotary Club, are pictured during a recent tree planting at Adrian Community Preschool. The club marked its 25th anniversary this year. JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Prepare for winter by protecting yourself from respiratory illness

The fall and winter virus season are upon us, bringing an increased risk of respiratory illnesses like the flu, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

These illnesses tend to surge during colder months when people gather indoors. However, there are steps you can take to safeguard yourself and your loved ones.

Vaccines: Your best defense

Vaccines remain one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of serious illness from common respiratory viruses.

The Lenawee County Health Department offers vaccines for the flu, COVID-19, and RSV every Monday, Wednesday and Friday by appointment. Here’s what you need to know:

Flu vaccine: The annual influenza vaccine is recommended for almost everyone aged six months and older. It helps reduce the severity of flu symptoms and lowers the risk of hospitalization. The vaccine is updated each year to protect against the strains most likely to spread in the upcoming season.

COVID-19 vaccine: COVID-19 continues to circulate, and staying up to date on boosters is crucial, especially for high-risk individuals such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. The updated vaccines target current variants and offer strong protection, reducing the risk of severe illness.

RSV vaccine: RSV vaccines are available for infants, pregnant persons, adults aged 60 and older, and others at higher risk of severe illness. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if this vaccine is right for you.

Basic hygiene: Your first line of defense

Practicing good hygiene is one of the easiest ways to stay healthy. Follow these key tips.

Handwashing: Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing.

Hand sanitizer: If soap and water isn’t available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Coughing and sneezing etiquette: Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, cough into your elbow.

Cleaning surfaces: Clean frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, handrails, and shopping carts, to help prevent the spread of germs.

Recognize symptoms early and seek care when needed

Recognizing early symptoms of respiratory illnesses, such as fever, coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat, or fatigue, is crucial for timely treatment and preventing the spread of illness to others. Early detection is especially important for individuals at higher risk of complications.

TOWLER FAMILY DENTISTRY

MONICA HUNT

COVID-19 tests: Free at-home COVID-19 tests are available for pickup at the health department during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1-4:30 p.m. You can also order four free tests online at COVIDtests.gov, delivered straight to your home.

If you develop symptoms: The CDC recommends avoiding close contact with others, staying home until you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and your symptoms are improving. Wearing a mask around high-risk individuals, such as the elderly or those with weakened immune systems, provides added protection.

Know when to seek health care: See your healthcare provider if you or a loved one experience symptoms of a respiratory virus and are at risk for severe illness. Treatments for the flu or COVID-19 can reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of illness if started early.

Take action

As we head into the 2024-2025 virus season, it’s more important than ever to protect yourself and your

community. By getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene, and staying home when you’re sick, we can all help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses and keep our loved ones safe this fall and winter.

For more information on the services we offer, visit our website at lenaweehealthdepartment.org or give us a call at 517-264-5226 (select Option 2) to schedule an appointment for a flu, COVID-19, or RSV vaccine.

Julie joins our team with almost 30 years of dental experience in Lenawee County. Julie conveniently

offers 7am appointments, so you can get your day started with a clean and healthy smile!

Call today for immediate availability (517) 265-7411

At Towler Family Dentistry we provide all aspects of general and cosmetic dentistry including:

•Preventative Care

•General Dentistry

•Periodontics

IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY

MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY AM— PM

•Endodontic/Root Canals

•Dental Implants

Monica Hunt is the Lenawee County Health Department’s Health Officer.

THERESA SHOEMAKER

Health Insurance Agent – Medicare Products (517) 265-2891 | tshoema@ctyfb.com

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 5 organizations which offer 34 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options. Medicare questions? We can help!

Hospice care workers help people cope with a deeply personal time

As we move through life, we often rely on partners for support and celebration. In high school, it might have been friends who helped you through a difficult class or teammates from a sport. As you raised your children, other parents became key supporters, and in your career, colleagues shared the journey. When chronic illness or advanced aging becomes part of life, a new circle of support begins to form.

This circle includes doctors, nurses, therapists, care specialists, and social workers. Yet one group plays a particularly special role during life’s final stages — hospice care workers.

These caregivers are humbled and honored to be part of their patients’ and families’ lives during this deeply personal time. Since everyone processes a diagnosis differently, each hospice family embarks on the journey in their own way, bringing a unique blend of emotions, expectations, and needs.

So, what does the role of hospice look like for patients and their families?

Hospice is not a location but a philosophy of care that centers on both the patient and their loved ones. Hospice care can be provided wherever the patient calls home, whether that’s a private residence, an assisted living facility, or a nursing home. While some patients may require a dedicated hospice home, most prefer to remain in the comfort of their own home,

CARI REBOTTARO

surrounded by familiar things and people.

Opting for hospice care shifts the focus to quality of life, allowing patients to live as fully as possible while managing their illness. Hospice programs often help patients find meaningful ways to embrace life’s final moments — whether it’s reconnecting with loved ones or enjoying a quiet fishing trip by the pond.

Concerns about health care costs are common, but hospice benefits are typically covered by Medicare, most Medicaid plans, and many private insurance policies. This coverage often includes medications, medical supplies, and equipment related to the diagnosis.

The hospice journey impacts not only the body, but also the mind and spirit of both the patient and their family. To offer holistic care, hospice provides a team of professionals including physicians, nurses, home care workers, social workers, and even clergy. Available 24/7, they offer assistance by phone or in person whenever it’s needed.

Hospice caregivers are dedicated professionals who offer support, care, and education throughout each phase of the illness. Their work is most effective when patients and families begin planning early, considering what matters most to them. Having these important conversations with health care providers can offer peace of mind for everyone involved.

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month — a perfect time to recognize the important role these caregivers play. Hospice workers can be a valuable addition to any care team, helping to support and celebrate life with both patients and their loved ones. There are many hospice providers serving Lenawee County. Perhaps this month is a good time to learn more about them. You can find a listing in the Older Adult Resource Guide at www.lenaweeseniors.org.

Cari Rebottaro is director of the Lenawee County Department on Aging. She can be reached at Cari.Rebottaro@lenawee.mi.us.

IN BRIEF

Michigan receiving funds to help people with substance use disorders

LANSING — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has received a nearly $36.4 million State Opioid Response grant for FY2024 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Over a three-year grant period Michigan is slated to receive more than $109 million in federal funding intended to address the overdose crisis.

“These federal funds help our state address the multi-generational impact of the opioid epidemic as well as well as the racial disparities that exist with substance use disorder,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Programs focused on prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery are saving the lives of Michigan residents each and every day. We will use these dollars to continue investing in supports, improvements and enhancements that further our efforts to decrease substance use disorders, improve treatment options and improve recovery success.”

State Opioid Response funding will be used to increase access to medications for opioid use disorder using the three FDA-approved medications; reduce unmet treatment needs; reduce overdoserelated deaths through the provision of prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery activities for opioid use disorder and stimulant use disorders; and improve the quality of treatment.

Agencies receiving funding under this grant include Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and various state and local agencies providing substance use disorder services.

Key new and continuing projects include:

n A “warmline” that people can call to be connected to a medication prescriber.

n Peer recovery coaching services for individuals enrolled in treatment or recovery programs, as well as support for peer recovery coaches in emergency departments, jails, parole and probation offices and shelters.

n Evidence-based prevention programs for youth in schools and community settings.

n Naloxone distribution and overdose education.

n Treatment, case management and harm reduction education in tribal nations, as well as support for mothers and families impacted by neonatal abstinence syndrome.

n Recovery Friendly Workplace training and designation for employers statewide.

n Linkage to services by local community coalitions that work with health disparate populations.

n Recovery housing overnight stays for individuals in need and certification of Michigan’s recovery homes according to the National Association for Recovery Residences standards.

The UNITED Michigan campaign aimed at combating the stigma of opioid use disorder and celebrating individuals in recovery.

State of Michigan will provide free birth control during November

By Anna Liz Nichols Michigan Advance

LANSING — Throughout November, federally qualified health centers across Michigan will be providing free, over-thecounter oral birth control pills, condoms, emergency contraception and family planning educational resources, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced on Oct. 23.

Funding for the Take Control of your Birth Control program comes from the $5.6 million allocation in the state budget to support the state health department expanding its family planning program.

“We want to make sure that individuals who need and want these tools can easily obtain them, and we are committed to helping people take control of their reproductive health in a way that is both empowered and informed,” chief medical executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian said in a news release.

The goal of the program is to get Michiganders in the door at family planning centers and provide them with free birth control and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention supplies for the month of November and then connect those in need of affordable care with appropriate resources and education.

Information about Plan First is available at this link.

Michigan is working towards protecting reproductive freedom for all, Whitmer said in a news release, and the Take Control of your Birth Control program is one area of that work.

“Everyone, no matter how much money they make, deserves to make

their own decisions about their own reproductive health and future,” Whitmer said. “By expanding access to essential family planning tools, we are underscoring our commitment to ensuring Michiganders, along with their families and trusted health care providers, can make their own decisions about their own bodies and lives.”

Those interested in participating in the program to get free resources can also access information about the application process for coverage through Medicaid and the Plan First program, which can offer coverage for family planning services like contraceptives, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment.

More information about Plan First is available at www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/ assistance-programs/healthcare/adults/ planfirst.

Thumb pain or numbness? It could be osteoarthritis

Provided by ProMedica

Thumbs are integral to how we use our hands. They help us open jars, grab bags and hold pencils. As we age, the joint in our thumb can deteriorate from wear and tear, just like other joints in the body. The condition is called carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis. It leads to numbness and pain near the thumb, and it’s more common among women than men.

Joint instability at the base of the thumb: The base of the thumb may not be where you think it is. It’s where the meaty part of your palm below the thumb meets the wrist. This is the carpometacarpal joint.

“Carpometacarpal osteoarthritis can also be referred to as basilar thumb arthritis, as in the base of the thumb,” explained Dr. Matthew Grothaus of ProMedica Physicians Defiance Orthopaedic Center. “If you get some instability in these joints, then you start to have not so much a compressive, or

pressing, force across the joint, but a shearing, or sliding, type of force.”

The shearing force from joint instability acts like sandpaper, wearing away the cartilage at the joint of the thumb. In the early stages of CMC arthritis, individuals can develop bone spurs, plus widening or narrowing of the joint. This can lead to numbness, pain between the thumb and the wrist, loss of grip strength and difficulty using the hand.

“Progressively what happens is you go through these four stages of CMC arthritis, and it just gets worse. At stage four, there’s basically no remaining cartilage. Accompanied with the instability of the joint ligament, it can actually cause that thumb joint to come out of the socket,” Grothaus said.

CMC arthritis tends to affect more women than men: CMC arthritis can affect both men and women, but it seems to be more common in women. Why? The medical community isn’t completely sure.

“We don’t truly have an answer yet as to why it happens more in women. It’s been postulated that it’s because of hormonal factors — maybe the estrogen/ progesterone factor. But then there’s been some other studies that have completely refuted that,” Grothaus said. “It may very well be the way that women tend to use their hands, which is in a different manner than men.”

While osteoarthritis in general does have some hereditary influence, CMC arthritis is more of a “wear and tear” type of arthritis. That means you’re more likely to develop it from how you use your thumb than due to genetic factors. It’s a multifactorial condition, meaning it’s caused by many things. Age may also play a role as the condition tends to affect individuals in their 50s and 60s.

Treatment for CMC arthritis:

Conservative treatments should be used first when it comes to managing CMC arthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) and a brace to

stabilize the thumb may help reduce inflammation and pain. Cortisone, or corticosteroid, injections can also be helpful for pain relief because they reduce swelling and inflammation.

“If CMC arthritis is causing you to not do the things you enjoy, it’s affecting your daily life and decreasing your quality of life, and conservative treatments have failed, surgery may be an option,” Grothaus said. “At that point, you have a smorgasbord of procedures that can be done.”

Being fellowship-trained in hand and upper extremities from the Indiana Hand Center, Grothaus has seen a variety of procedures used for CMC arthritis. One is the initial procedure used back in the early 1900s. “The mainstay of that procedure is taking the little bone out of the base of the thumb,” he said.

Other procedures add biological tissue to suspend the bone or act as a cushion. Implants can also be used, similar to knee and hip procedures.

‘Sweater weather’ and sustainability: Tips for reducing waste

Is that a crispness I detect in the air? Fall has finally arrived, and that means sweater weather is here! When you are bringing down your boxes of fall clothes and putting away your shorts and tank tops — don’t forget to keep the three R’s in mind! Reduce, reuse and recycle those clothes. Here are some things to keep in mind:

n While big plastic totes are often popular for storing clothing, take advantage of any large shipping boxes you may have to keep them in instead. This will give both the boxes and clothes a second life!

n When you open your fall clothes box and discover things that don’t fit or will no longer be something you’ll wear, donate it to friends or family, or to the thrift store.

n Packing away is not just for clothes! Instead of repurchasing outdoor toys such as water guns, bubble wands, shovels and buckets, pool toys, etc., clean off the ones you can salvage and save them for next year.

n Take a good inventory of how much clothing you actually used during the season. Keep in mind what you might need next year. By figuring that out ahead

of time, it helps you resist the urge to go on a shopping spree when the weather changes and keeps you from buying things you don’t need.

n Search for any missing pieces you might need for your fall wardrobe at the thrift or consignment stores before purchasing new.

n If something doesn’t fit or is no longer your style, donate it to a community or a thrift store. Or you can utilize one of the several consignment stores we have in the community. You could contribute to keeping someone warm this winter!

n Does your favorite sweater or pair of jeans have some damage? Patch, don’t trash! We’ve gotten out of the habit of mending our clothes, but there are so

many modern ways to do so that make it easier than ever. You can ask your friends or family for advice ... or even someone at the local craft shop!

n Finally, if that hoodie is so wellloved that it has started falling apart, or those clothes have a stain that just won’t come out of them, it may be time to say goodbye. But that doesn’t mean your clothes should head to the landfill! Both Goodwill and Neighbors of Hope accept donations of textiles (clothing, bedding, etc.), even if they might not be up to resale standards in the shops. These textiles get sold as a recyclable and start a new life as something else, often as industrial rags.

Julie Maurer is the solid waste program coordinator for the Lenawee County Health Department.

JULIE MAURER

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:

[ADS] Adrian Dominican Sisters, adriandominicans.org

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

[BECK] Beck Chapels, beckchapels.com

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

[E] Eineder Funeral Homes, einederfuneralhomes.com

[H] Handler Funeral Homes, handlerfuneralhomes.com

[PA] Purse Funeral Home in Adrian, pursefuneralhome.com

[PS] Gil Purse & Son, gilpurseandson.com

[SHEL] Shelton Funeral Home, sheltonfuneralhome.net

[W] Wagley Funeral Homes, wagleyfuneralhomes.com

Roxann Marie Steeb, 63, of Adrian died on Sept. 16. She was a clerk for the Adrian post office for over 25 years until her retirement. [AM]

Dennis Randoph, 71, of Morenci died on Sept. 17. [PA]

Mary Ann (Blakley) Gratz, 61, of Adrian died on Sept. 18. She was a 1982 graduate of Columbia Central High School and earned an accounting degree from Jackson Community College and later obtained a nursing degree. She worked in long-term care facilities in Lenawee and Hillsdale counties. She retired as a nurse from the correctional system. [W]

Ruth Laura Putirka, 96, of Onsted died on Sept. 18. She attended St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in the Irish Hills for many years. She was active with the Onsted Senior Center. [E]

William Edward Foster Sr., 60, of Morenci died on Sept. 19. He served U.S. Army and the National Guard. He owned and operated City Service Towing and Auto Service, served as the mayor of Morenci from 2013-2015, and organized many of the Morenci Town and Country Festivals. He was also a member of the Legion and the Eagles. [AM]

Patricia A. Waldfogel, 81, of Adrian died on Sept. 19. She worked as a beautician for many years and retired in 2005 from New Image Hair Salon. [AM]

Constance Mae Gonser, 92, of Tecumseh died on Sept. 20. She worked for many years as a public school teacher, primarily in Saline, and then as a substitute in Tecumseh. She was one of the early members of the Needle Art Guild in Toledo. [H]

Flora Ann Kemp, 85, of Brooklyn died on Sept. 20. She worked for many years as a cook and also as a pastry chef. She was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church for many years and belonged to the Good Sam’s Club. [W]

David Allan Schneider, 79, of Brooklyn died on Sept. 20. He worked for 30 years at Clark Lift of Detroit. He was a past member of the Somerset Township Fire Department, where he was the chief and the assistant chief. He volunteered at the Columbia School district where he made popcorn and read to the children and was known as the “popcorn man.” He was a past member and president of the Inter Lakes Lions Club. [E]

Carl Richard LaForest , 81, of Hudson died on Sept. 21. He was a lifelong parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Hudson. [AM]

Steven “Steve” Robert Sailus, 65, of Tecumseh died on Sept. 21. He was employed for General Motors for 15 years. After college he began working in computer science as a programmer and later as a project manager until his retirement. [H]

Evanjelena “Lena” Silva, 77, of Blissfield died on Sept. 21. She worked as a production operator for Parker Hannifin in Metamora, Ohio, for nearly 20 years, retiring in 2006. She was a lifetime parishioner of Light of Christ Parish, St. Peter the Apostle Church in Blissfield. [AM]

Sophia M. DeLaCruz, 79, of Adrian died on Sept. 22. She worked for Children’s Protective Services, Healthy Moms Happy Babies, and Dial-A-Ride. [AM]

Marilyn Lucille Sherman, 87, of Adrian died on Sept. 22. She obtained her teaching degree in 1959. She loved playing the flute, piano, and the pipe organ. She took several mission trips to the Philippines and the Dominican Republic where she ministered to students through Free Methodist VISA ministries. [W]

Shirley Luann Van Benschoten, 71, of Tecumseh died on Sept. 22. After receiving a BFA in painting from Siena Heights College, she spent her life as an artist. She worked on the Lenawee County Millennium Sculpture Project. She was a longtime member of the Lenawee Council for Visiual Arts, at one point serving as president, and helped open the current Adrian Center for the Arts. She worked as a postal clerk for many years. [H]

Gregory Lewis Betz, 69, of Morenci died on Sept. 24. He was a 1974 graduate of Sand Creek High School. He worked at Stauffer’s for 15 years, and then was the owner of G&S Steel. He hauled campers for Quality Drivers until his retirement. He enjoyed spending time tinkering in his garage and gardening. [AM]

Doris Fay Burgess, 93, of Adrian died on Sept. 24. She grew up on the family farm in Alabama and picked cotton. She moved to Michigan in 1946. She worked at Stubnitz Greene for 32 years. [W]

Joseph Allen “Joe” Cassell, 67, of Adrian died on Sept. 24. He was a 1975 graduate of Adrian High School and also attended Siena Heights College. He worked a variety of jobs throughout his career including welding, deep well drilling, and long-haul trucking. He was a member of First Christian Church in Adrian. [PA]

Timothy “Possum” Hill, 87, of Addison died on Sept. 24. He was an avid outdoorsman and a past member of the VFW, Eagles, and Teamsters Union. [AM]

Marian Ann Kafer, 92, of Blissfield died on Sept. 24. She was a 1950 graduate of Blissfield High School. She spent her early years as a homemaker and raising her children. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, baking, reading, and camping. [AM]

Brian David Shelle, 66, of Hudson died on Sept. 24. He worked at Rima Manufacturing in Hudson for 19 years before he went to work for Health Specialists of Tecumseh as their maintenance manager for 19 years, before retiring in 2015. [BVH]

Bart Herman Bartels, 73, of Adrian died on Sept. 25. He was employed as a teacher and coach in Manchester, Britton, Clinton, Tecumseh and Adrian. He enjoyed spending time at Devils Lake. [W]

Leonard Jamie Brighton, 51, died on Sept. 25. After attending high school in Brooklyn he started his own lawn care business. [AM]

Dorothy May Rogers, 97, of Saline died on Sept. 25. She is survived by two sons in Tecumseh. [PS]

Harold E. Chaney, 84, of Manitou Beach died on Sept. 26. He retired from Waldron Industries as a supervisor in 2001 after 40 years. He enjoyed woodworking and being at the lake. [AM]

Theresa “Terri” A. Byrnes, 63, of Adrian died on Sept. 27. She worked as an administrator in her husband’s physician’s office for many years. [AM]

Cole Anthony Denig, 33, of Tecumseh died on Sept. 27. He was a 2009 graduate of Tecumseh High School. He enjoyed watching WWE wrestling and playing video games. [PS]

Maryanne T. Figurski, 72, of Manitou Beach died on Sept. 27. She was a member of St. Rita Catholic Church in Clarklake and a lifetime devout Catholic. [BVH]

Clifford “Cliff” Duane Lambright, 87, of Adrian died on Sept. 27. He joined the Army in 1960 and served for four years, after which he began a career in law enforcement. He served as the chief of police in Clinton. [W]

Pauline Mary MacDonald, 71, of Brooklyn died on Sept. 27. She was a manager at Denver Bumper. She loved to garden, decorate and sing at church. [E]

Ilene Anna Kuhl, 96, of Clinton died on Sept. 28. She was a longtime Adrian resident, and she and her husband owned and operated Kuhl Industrial Supply Co. [AM]

Timothy David Redlin, 81, of Jasper died on Sept. 29. He served in the National Guard, was a lifelong farmer, and worked for many years at Dura Corp. in Adrian. [AM]

Alicia Faye (Riffle) Wiles, 51, of Adrian died on Sept. 29. She was a 1991 graduate of Summerfield High School and had a degree in medical billing/coding from Davenport College. [PA]

Terry Senkewitz, 77, of Brooklyn died on Sept. 30. She was a 1967 graduate of Clinton High School. She loved music and played the flute, piccolo, and banjo. She worked for IBM as a keypunch operator for many years and also for Columbia Options School. She volunteered at Miller Elementary for many years. [PA]

Don Charles Bacon, 51, of Clayton died on Oct. 1. He was a 1990 graduate of Tecumseh High School. He had a passion for cars and loved spending time at the track. [AM]

Helen Banda, 85, of Tecumseh died on Oct. 1. She was a homemaker her entire life. [PS]

Gregory John Lamley, 89, of Morenci died on Oct. 1. He was a 1953 graudate of Adrian High School. He served in the U.S. Army, and taught science at Morenci Area Schools for most of his career. He also coached football, basketball, and baseball and served as athletic director. [AM]

Robert Larry Wagner, 83, of Morenci died on Oct. 1. He served in the U.S. Navy. He worked as an electrical engineer, making significant contributions to several companies including Lennox, Rockwell International, Addison Products, and Tecumseh Products, from which he retired. [AM]

Aletta Wagner, 79, of Morenci died on Oct. 1. She had a lifelong interest in crafting and baking, and she worked for many years as a loan officer. [AM]

Dorrene Roberts, 52, of Morenci died on Oct. 1. She was a graduate of Onsted High School and served in the U.S. Air Force. She was stationed in Germany, Nebraska, and deployed to the Middle East as a weather specialist during Desert Storm. She worked as the apartment manager at Adrian Village and was honored by the state for her commitment to hiring veterans. [AM]

Leon Arthur Lewis, 96, of Tecumseh died on Oct. 2. He worked as a custodian at Tecumseh Public Schools. In his earlier years he farmed and raised chickens. He was known as the “egg man” on his delivery routes in Tecumseh and Adrian. He was a proud Army veteran, having served in Korea. [H]

Beverly Bea Loveland, 84, of Adrian died on Oct. 2. She was an excellent cook and worked for over 20 years at R&B Catering in Adrian. She also worked at Flowers & Such for 10 years delivering flowers. [W]

Susan Ann Pelham Robinson, 80, of Adrian died on Oct. 2. She volunteered for many years with the Red Cross, Onsted Festival Committee, and Onsted Alumni Association. [AM]

Ethan Earl “Zeke” Wolverton, 54, of Hudson died on Oct. 2. He attended Onsted schools through sixth grade and then graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1990. He participated many years in the Lenawee County Special Olympics. He was a member of Holy Family Parish, St. Mary Campus, in Adrian. [AM]

Alice Irene Bryan-Gamble, 84, of Morenci died on Oct. 3. She enjoyed making crafts, and she and her husband enjoyed many motorcycle trips. [AM]

Christopher Allan Doutre, 49, of Clinton died on Oct. 3. He had many interests, ranging from video games and cars when he was a young man, to Kung Fu and horror movies. As an adult he loved Detroit sports. [H]

Ignacia “Nacha” Pabolo, 90, of Adrian died on Oct. 3. She was a member of the Inglesia Bautista Cristiana Church for nearly 35 years. She was employed with Braun Funeral Home for over 20 years. [AM]

Jethro Kyle Weaver, 1, of Manitou Beach died on Oct. 4. Jethro was a lively little farm boy who lived his short life to its fullest. His cheerful presence will be greatly missed. [AM]

Larry D. Bush, 74, of Britton died on Oct. 5. He was a 1968 graduate of Britton-Macon High School. He was a member of Ridgeway Church of the Nazarene. A lifelong farmer, he owned and operated Bush Farms. He was the president of the Britton-Macon school board for eight years and also served on Macon Township Board of Review and Ridgeway Church of the Nazarene board. [PS]

Duaine Thomas Morin, 87, of Brooklyn died on Oct. 5. He worked for the New York Central Railroad, which later became Penn Central and Conrail, for 39 years. He ran a small TV repair and antenna business for the next several years, and later owned and managed apartments in Brooklyn. [E]

Sandra Kay Dillon, 71, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, died on Oct. 6. She was a 1971 graduate of Adrian High School. She worked for United Bank & Trust for many years. [PA] Olga Violet Fodor, 97, of Jackson died on Oct. 7. She worked as a secretary in Allen Park retiring in 1992, when she moved to Brooklyn. She attended St. Rita Catholic Church. [E] Evelyn Louise Simpson, 89, of Hudson died on Oct. 7. She worked in the bakery at Bob’s Market House for many years. [BVH]

Dale E. Spohr, 92, of Adrian died on Oct. 8. He was employed at Tecumseh Products, Brady Sand and Gravel, and Wilson’s Construction, retiring at 79. [W]

Randy Bleich, 82, of Hudson died on Oct. 9. He was a 1962 graduate of Adrian High School. He was a charter member of Compelled Church in Temperance. He was also a member of the MMPA and Farm Bureau. [AM]

Garrett “Garry” G. Neice, 80, of Adrian died on Oct. 9. He was employed for 35 years with Stauffer/Wacker, retiring in 1999. He enjoyed landscaping, collecting stamps, and taking care of his feral cat colony. [W]

Nancy L. LaVoy, 83, of Adrian died on Oct. 10. She attended Lutheran Church of the Lakes, singing in the choir and volunteering for the fish fries. She sang in the Adrian Community Choir and made crafts for the Monroe County Fair. She was a talented cook and baker, making pies for Kate and Emily’s Cafe. She retired from J.C. Penney in Adrian when the store closed. [W]

Anita M. “Bunny” Underwood, 94, of Tecumseh died on Oct. 11. She was a 1947 graduate of Adrian High School. During her working years she was employed with Underwood Chevrolet in Clinton. [PS]

Mary Ann Allen, 81, of Clinton died on Oct. 12. She had a variety of interests, including her love for gardening and collecting antiques, but most of all was dedicated to taking care of and sheltering stray cats in Lenawee County. [H]

Ella Fay Butts, 93, of Swanton died on Oct. 12. She attended Addison Public Schools. She was a member of the DAV Auxiliary Lenawee Chapter #20 in Adrian. [BVH] Violet Johan Hall, 87, of Clinton died on Oct. 12. She worked as a medical secretary, both in private practice and at the University of Michigan. [H]

Sandie Lee Heath, 67, of Adrian died on Oct. 12. She loved life’s adventures, skydiving, bingo, and trips to the casino. [AM]

Robert James Cantu, 76, of Taylor, Texas, died on Oct. 13. He was a graduate of Adrian High School and attended Siena Heights College and Eastern Michigan University. He served in the Army during Vietnam. He was a talented musician and mentored many musicians. He was a founding member of the local band, The Royal Coachmen, who were inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. [BECK]

Terry L. Clark, 66, of Palmyra died on Oct. 13. He was a graduate of Adrian High School He worked at Country Market and the Pointe Grocery in Adrian. [PA]

William Scott Taylor, 83, of Jerome died on Oct. 13. He served in the Air Force, where he was a mechanic on B-52 bombers. He went to school to become a flight engineer. He was a member of Cornerstone Community Church in Brooklyn and sang in the choir. [W] Vickie Lynn Kinkade, 76, of Tecumseh died on Oct. 14. She volunteered with the Tecumseh Kiwanis Club, at one point serving as president. She loved working the infield entrance at Michigan International Speedway. [H]

Bethelene C. Kuney, 78, of Adrian died on Oct. 14. She was a 1965 graduate of Adrian High School and was employed by the state of Michigan for over 35 years, retiring in 2007. [AM]

IN MEMORY

James John Siemik , 88, of Adrian died on Oct. 14. He served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1962. After the Navy he worked in management with J.C. Penney and Simplex Industries. He was a member of the Adrian American Legion Post 97. [AM]

Wanda Mae (Spencley) Van Etten, 86, of Adrian died on Oct. 14. She was a member of the Sand Creek Community Church, the Ladies Aid Society, and the Red Hat Society. She played the piano at Sand Creek Community Church and the Canandaigua Church for the past few years. [AM]

Kathleen A. Cole, 88, of Hillsdale died on Oct. 15. She was a graduate of Hudson High School. She operated an in-home business, Cole Bookkeeping and Tax Service, during the 1970s. She played the piano and organ at various churches over the years. She was also a past member of the Midwest Tool Collectors and the Perennial Park Handbell Choir. [EM]

Connie Jeanne (Sheldon) Cox, 71, of Blissfield died on Oct. 15. She was a 1971 graduate of Blissfield High School. She worked as an account representative at Sunderland Insurance in Tecumseh for over 40 years. She enjoyed camping for many years at Sunny’s Campground in Wauseon. [W]

William “Bill” Frisby, 90, of Brooklyn died on Oct. 15. He was a member of Cornerstone Community Church in Brooklyn. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1956 after four years of service. [AM]

Linda Carol Randolph, 71, of Adrian died on Oct. 15. She was a 1971 graduate of Madison High School and worked as a factory line worker for over 25 years. [PA]

Kaye Francis Blakeman, 84, of Brooklyn died on Oct. 16. She worked at John Ganton as a nurse’s aide for 28 years. [E]

Donald Joseph Butler, 97, of Onsted died on Oct. 16. He was a lifelong farmer and retired from Tecumseh Products. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the Army, and was stationed in Italy. [PS]

Robert A. Carr, 73, of Hudson, formerly of Adrian, died on Oct. 16. [BVH]

Susan Marie Fucinari-Stranges, 68, of Adrian died on Oct. 16. She began her teaching career at Deerfield Public Schools and then moved to Springbrook Middle School in Adrian. She retired from teaching after 30 years. [W]

J.M. “Jim” Palmer, 85, of Tecumseh died on Oct. 16. After the U.S. Navy, he worked at several local businesses including Tecumseh Products, Oral Manufacturing, Kewanee Manufacturing, Adrian Piston Service and Diesel Fuels Systems of Blissfield. He was the owner of Tecumseh Automotive Parts (NAPA) for over 25 years. He was a Realtor for Abraham Realty, Red Carpet Keim, the Real Estate Center, and Faust Real Estate. [W]

James “Jim” Robert McCann, 84, of Adrian died on Oct. 17. He had a passion for the history of Tecumseh. He was a member of the Union Building and eventually helped with its restoration. As an entrepreneur and founder of The Chocolate Vault, he also enjoyed working as a chocolatier. [AM]

Craig David VeuCasovic, 48, of Adrian died on Oct. 17. He was interested in cars and working on them with his brother-in-law. [H]

Glenn Charles Williams, 81, of Hillsdale died on Oct. 17. He was born in Addison and graduated from Cement City High School. He spent his career in construction. [BVH] Ena Grace Beach, 90, of Hillsdale died on Oct. 18. She worked on the assembly line at American Chain and Cable in Adrian, retiring in 1987 after over 34 years of service. [W]

Kay Katherine Miller, 80, of Adrian died on Oct. 18. She was employed at Ace Hardware, Adrian College and Lenawee Development. [W]

Karen Jean Garnsey, 74, of Sand Creek died on Oct. 19. She was a 1968 graduate of Catholic Central. She worked in clerical positions before her marriage. She had a lifelone passion of raising German Shepherds. Her love of animals led her to grow and develop her own family farm in Sand Creek. [AM]

William Edward Samples, 71, of Clinton died on Oct. 19. He worked at Ford and was an avid outdoorsman. [PS]

Joe Thomas Sanford, 83, of Britton died on Oct. 19. He served in the U.S. Army and was a member of the Britton Bethel Baptist Church. [AM]

Stephen Schnurmacher, 86, of Adrian died on Oct. 19. [AM]

Robert John “Jack” Clarke, 95, of Onsted died on Oct. 20. He worked at the U.S. Rubber Co. (Uniroyal Tire) in Detroit as a sales account manager. In retirement he enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching sports, and golfing. He was a member of the Onsted Kiwanis and volunteered with Meals on Wheels. [E]

Lawrence Arnold Walt, 90, of Decatur, Alabama, died on Oct. 20. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was a minister for more than 50 years and served as pastor at the Adrian Church of God in the late 70s. [SHEL]

Jason Paul Johnson, 37, of Sand Creek died on Oct. 21. He was employed at Adrian Steel as a spot welder. [AM]

Timothy Berggren, 74, of Clayton died on Oct. 21. He was the owner of Berggrens Shoe Repair in Adrian from 1980 to 2018, when he retired. [PA]

Gregory Lynn Betz , 69, of Adrian died on Oct. 22. After high school graduation he worked as a linesman and master tech for the phone service. He was a member of the Eagles Club of Adrian and past firefighter on the Madison Fire Department. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. [AM]

Keith Brown, 81, of Onsted died on Oct. 22. He had his own chiropractic office in Adrian, Brown Chiropractic, retiring in 2011. He loved automobiles, including racing, restoration and going to car shows. [W]

Richard Philip Phelps, 94, of Clinton died on Oct. 22. He served in the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division. After his service he was employed at Ford Motor Company. He was a longtime member of St. Dominic Church in Clinton. [H]

Tereasa Darlene (Herron) Hill, 62, of Blissfield died on Oct. 23. She enjoyed fishing trips, Christian music concerts, and being out on the water. [AM]

Peggy Mabrey, 84, formerly of Tecumseh, died on Oct. 23. She was a former resident of Tecumseh. [PS]

William “Bill” Mortimer, 88, of Adrian died on Oct. 23. He was a sales manager for Brazeway until 1992. He then became President of Metro Trailer Manufacturing in Romulus, retiring in 1997. He was a longtime supporter of the American Red Cross. [W]

Patrick James Riley, 81, of Adrian died on Oct. 23. He was employed with General Motors for 20 years. He was a member of the NRA and Lenawee Carvers Group. [AM]

Edward Alfred Roe Jr., 77, of Tecumseh died on Oct. 23. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea, then went to work at Ford Motor Co. in Saline for 34 years until his retirement in 2002. For the next 13 years he mowed the fairways at the Raisin Valley Golf Course. He was a member of the Ridgeway Church of the Nazarene, current president and treasurer of the Ridgeway Cemetery Board, and a member of the Lenawee Conservation League. [H]

Nelita Larue Welsh, 81, of Adrian died on Oct. 25. She was born in Clayton and graduated from Hillsdale High School. She worked at the Lenawee Country Club for many years, retiring in 1996. She attended St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. [AM]

Flags from page C1

Gray estimated it costs about $2,000 to put together a display, a figure that includes the flags themselves, the solar-powered lights that keep them illuminated all night, and signage.

Living next door to the Clayton display, Behm and Grubbs have been able to get an up-close look at how the sight of 660 flags, each representing somebody whose light has been lost to the world, affects people.

“I get a lot of amazement,” Grubbs said. “They are overwhelmed with emotion, especially if they are a veteran themselves or a loved one who has lost someone.”

“You see people come down and they just sit there and stare, and go through their emotions, and walk through it to grasp everything,” she added.

Organizers also use the display to publicize resources that are available for veterans, with the intent of providing hope to anyone who may be feeling hopeless.

The end of each year’s project is marked with a ceremony. This year, the Hudson American Legion offered a 21gun salute.

At the end of the ceremony, the flags are gathered up and, because it is likely that some of them touched the ground at some point during the 30 days, they are retired in the traditional way, by burning.

For anyone who would like more information about VALOR, a Facebook page maintained by the group can be found by searching for “The Ongoing Cost of War.”

A total of 660 American flags, representing the 22 American veterans lost to suicide every day, are retired by burning in a ceremony on Sept. 30 at Clayton’s village park. The flags were placed in the park at a rate of 22 per day all month.

ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

South African youth drummers to host community drum circle and performance » PAGE D2

ARTS & LIVING

Adrian Symphony welcomes violinist Fabiola Kim for November concert » PAGE D3

THE LENAWEE VOICE

FOURTH SECTION

NOVEMBER 2024

‘SpongeBob Musical’ not just for kids

Inventive visuals, an all-star soundtrack and a charming story highlight Croswell’s musical trip to an undersea world

ADRIAN — Ever since the animated series “SpongeBob SquarePants” first splashed its way onto TV screens in 1999, an entire generation of kids has grown up charmed by the adventures of SpongeBob and his friends from the imaginary undersea town of Bikini Bottom.

But you don’t need to be a kid — in fact, you don’t even need to have seen a single episode of the TV series — to fall in love with “The SpongeBob Musical” and its whimsical characters, says Debra Ross

Calabrese, who is directing the show at the Croswell Opera House this winter.

“It’s such a warm, loving show, and the characters are jumping right out of the TV screen onto that stage,” Calabrese said.

The musical opens with SpongeBob and his friends getting ready for another day in Bikini Bottom. But it isn’t long before their peaceful existence is threatened by an underwater volcano, and they must race against time to stop their homes from being destroyed.

At the center of it all, of course, is SpongeBob SquarePants, a character Calabrese said the audience can’t help but love.

“SpongeBob is such a kind, loving earnest character,” she said. “He always sees the good in everything.”

In this production, the role is played by Steven Kiss of Temperance, a frequent Croswell performer whose recent credits include Frank Farmer in “The Bodyguard,” Gerry Goffin in “Beautiful:

The Carole King Musical,” and Billy Crocker in “Anything Goes.”

The role of best friend Patrick Star is played by Matthew Johnston of Maumee, Ohio. SpongeBob’s cranky neighbor, Squidward, is played by Jeffrey Beam of Sylvania. Sandy Cheeks, a squirrel (yes, a squirrel) who’s also a scientist and inventor, is played by Sabriyah Davis of Toledo.

See CROSWELL, page D7

Many of the cast members from “The SpongeBob Musical” at the Croswell Opera House pose for a photo during a recent rehearsal. In the back row are Amelia Bowman, Jase Sword, Jordan Marquez, Dean Sumner, Zameon Conway, Mitchell LaRoy, and Trent Aneed. In the middle row are Briella York, Reed Schwieterman, Libby Pifer, Erin Yuen as Mrs. Puff, Delayna Garcia, Madison Good, Ella Flumignan, Tori Bruce, Michael Cicirelli, Emma Brooks, Jeffrey Beam as Squidward, Joshua Egnatuk, Angie Sword Heath as the mayor, Becca Glover, Amanda Nummy, Jerold King, AJ Landingham, and Christopher Harlan. In the front row are Matthew Johnston as Patrick Star, Luke Durling, Steven Kiss as SpongeBob, Sabriyah Davis as Sandy Cheeks, Jeffrey King as Eugene Krabs, and Kylie McElrath as Patchy the Pirate.

South African youth drummers to perform in Tecumseh

TECUMSEH — This November, the South African Volmoed Youth Drummers Project (VYDP) will be touring Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois.

On Tuesday, Nov. 19, they will be in Tecumseh leading a free community drum circle at Adams Park next to Tecumseh City Hall at 3 p.m. and performing at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 211 W. Chicago Blvd.

A freewill offering will be collected at the church. The church can be contacted at 517-423-3470.

The VYDP is part of the Volmoed Youth Leadership Training Programme (VYLTP), which began in 2016 at the Volmoed Retreat Center outside Hermanus, South Africa, for young men and women from Zwelihle and Mount Pleasant townships.

These young people learn how to make drums out of discarded pallets, play, entertain, and create an income from the drums they create. They perform in schools, hospitals, corporate events, worship, and other venues.

In the rebuilding of the new, postapartheid South Africa, these young people from their country’s most impoverished townships create community, are psychologically and spiritually empowered and deal with issues of ongoing racism and youth unemployment.

In 2024, a group from Tecumseh and Fort Wayne, Indiana, walked with these young people through their township, visited their workshop, and drummed

IN BRIEF

Weber Center Shop offers Christmas open house

ADRIAN — The Weber Center is offering a chance to get a head start on Christmas preparations. The Weber Shop will host a Christmas Open House from Wednesday, Nov. 13, to Saturday, Nov. 16. The shop is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

The festivities include an open house kickoff and preview during the monthly Lunch and Learn at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13. Bring your lunch to hear more about the items for sale and to participate in special raffles and door prizes. Refreshments will be served.

The Weber Shop offers unique art pieces and other gifts created by Adrian Dominican Sisters, nativity sets, Christmas cards, original ornaments, and other special items.

For information, contact the Weber Shop at 517-266-4035 or webershop@ adriandominicans.org.

Croswell offers free drop-in improv classes for adults

ADRIAN — The Croswell Opera House has begun offering free improv classes for adults on the first Sunday of every month.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned expert, you’ll enjoy thinking on your feet, exercising your wits, and spinning tales in fun-filled sessions directed by Kylie McElrath.

The classes take place at 6 p.m. on the first Sunday of every month, except for January. Although the classes are free, advance registration is appreciated.

For more information about improv classes or other educational programs at the Croswell, call 517-264-7469 or go to croswell.org/education.

with them. The group was moved by their commitment to each other, their skill in drum making, their personal dreams and vision as well as those for their country, and their infectious, joyful spirit.

Traveling with the 10-member drumming group are:

n Rev. Edwin Arrison, an Anglican priest, VYLTP director, and friend and colleague of Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

n Rev. Rene August, VYLTP leadership facilitator, Anglican priest,

and reconciliation trainer dealing with poverty, injustice, and inequality.

n Bevil Spence, VYDP teacher and founder of The Drumba Project, which uses drumming and percussion as a tool in the therapeutic and educational process.

n Siyabonga Vonco, leader of the VYLTP drummers and singers.

Volmoed Youth Drummers Project COMMUNITY DRUM CIRCLE: Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 3 p.m. in Adams Park next to Tecumseh City Hall.

PERFORMANCE: Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 211 W. Chicago Blvd.

COST: Free, but an offering will be accepted at the church.

Among the supporting organizations are the Desmond Tutu Centre for Spirituality and Society, South African Christian Leadership Initiative, South Africa’s Anglican Church and Methodist Church, and United Congregational Church of South Africa.

Art educators and their students featured in ‘Mentors and Makers’ exhibit at Adrian College

ADRIAN — Adrian College’s Department of Art and Design is featuring “Mentors and Makers: A Celebration of Artistry and Influence” in the Hickman Gallery through Dec. 3.

ART EXHIBITS

This exhibit is the second installment in the department’s annual Alumni Exhibition Series, featuring works by alumni who are currently K-12 art educators. Along with their own work, each participating alumnus will highlight the artwork of two of their most exceptional students to showcase the powerful influence of mentorship in the artistic journey.

Travis Erxleben, chair of the Department of Art and Design at Adrian College and director of Hickman Gallery, said the exhibition celebrates the lasting impact that Adrian College alumni have on the next generation of artists through their roles as educators.

“Art education plays a pivotal role in shaping young minds,” Erxleben said. “This exhibition highlights how the skills and passions of our alumni continue to resonate within the creative community, as they nurture the next generation of artists.”

Erxleben added that the exhibition serves not only as a reflection of the personal artistic accomplishments of Adrian College alumni but also as a “testament to their dedication to fostering creativity and talent in their classrooms.”

Hickman Gallery is located on the Adrian College campus with its main entrance accessible off of Williams Street.

“A Bubbly Point of View “ by Dea Ewald, a senior at Adrian High School, is one of the works in “Mentors and Makers: A Celebration of Artistry and Influence” at Adrian College. The exhibit celebrates Adrian College alumni who are K-12 art educators and their students.

For more information, contact Erxleben at terxleben@adrian.edu or call 265.5161, ext. 4374.

“Compound Fracture” at the Adrian Center for the Arts: The Adrian Center for the Arts presents “Compound Fracture” through Nov. 17 at the ACA Gallery, 1375 N. Main St., on the campus of Planewave Instruments.

Based on the creative exercise known as “Exquisite Corpse,” the exhibit is a series of paintings and other 2D works by different artists in which each creator only saw the piece

A piece by Carol Duncan Poore, part of “Compound Fracture” at the Adrian Center for the Arts.

immediately adjacent to theirs, yet the artists had to try to make the collective image cohesive.

A total of 36 ACA members participated in creating the exhibit. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 517-759-3005 or go to adriancenterforthearts.org.

Up next at the ACA: Following its Holiday Market, the Adrian Center for the Arts will resume its regular gallery schedule. The first exhibit of the new year will be “New Perspectives,” opening Jan. 13, in which ACA members will invite a non-member artist who inspires them and has not shown at the ACA previously.

The Volmoed Youth Drummers Project from South Africa will visit Tecumseh during their November tour of the Midwestern U.S.

Violinist Fabiola Kim to

join ASO for Brahms concerto

November 10 concert also spotlights Copland’s

‘Rodeo’

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — After an October seasonopener featuring one of Aaron Copland’s two Wild West-themed ballet scores, “Billy the Kid,” the Adrian Symphony turns to the composer’s other such work, “Rodeo,” for its November concert.

The concert, the second in a seasonlong exploration of Copland’s music, is at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at Adrian College’s Dawson Auditorium. A Classical Conversation, free to all ticketholders, begins at 2:10 p.m. in the auditorium.

Tickets are $25/$33/$39 for adults, $25/$31/$37 for senior citizens, and $13/$17/$20 for students. They are available by calling 517-264-3121; online at adriansymphony.org; at the ASO office in Mahan Hall, Adrian College, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays; or at the door beginning two hours prior to the concert.

Following up last season’s deep dive into the music of Igor Stravinsky with a season centered on Copland’s works, several of them ballet scores, gives the ASO’s audiences a look at what was going on in American dance just a few years after Stravinsky was writing for the ballet stage. “It’s been fun to connect the two time frames,” ASO Music Director Bruce Anthony Kiesling said.

As was the case with “Billy the Kid,” the ASO will perform the full ballet score to “Rodeo,” not just the four dance episodes that make up the more generally performed suite: “Buckaroo Holiday,” “Corral Nocturne,” “Saturday Night Waltz,” and “Hoe Down.”

The full score adds a few minutes’ more music, largely in the form of another episode in the middle of the piece, “Ranch House Party,” that features a honky-tonk piano theme.

While “Buckaroo Holiday” is “one of the hardest pieces in the repertoire, deceptively so” because it’s full of rhythmic traps, and “Hoe Down” is an exuberant, rollicking dance number, in Kiesling’s mind the two quieter movements, the Nocturne and the Waltz, “are the reason to do the piece,” he said. “It’s just such gorgeous music.”

The afternoon’s program begins with one of Copland’s earlier works, “El Salón México.” Copland wrote it after a visit to Mexico, including a stop at a nightclub named El Salón México, that led him to use some of the music he heard during his trip.

“It’s Copland being an ethnomusicologist before they had a word for it,” Kiesling said. “I’ve loved this piece for a long time. It’s fun to come back to it.”

The piece is a contrast of styles, from the sort of music enjoyed by upperclass Mexicans, to working-class music, to a peasant dance. “It’s a pretty meaty opener,” Kiesling said. “It starts with a big brass fanfare but then gets quieter and more intimate, so you get this really interesting texture and contrast. There’s a great clarinet part, and a really, really big finish to bring it home.”

The major work on Nov. 10’s program is Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D Major, performed by guest artist Fabiola Kim.

Kim, the winner of numerous prizes including the Irving M. Klein International Competition for Strings, has performed with orchestras around the world. A Juilliard graduate, she is currently an assistant professor of music at the University of Michigan.

Adrian Symphony Orchestra concert

DATE AND TIME: Sunday, Nov. 10, at 3 p.m.

LOCATION: Dawson Auditorium, Adrian College

COST: $23/$33/39 (discounted rates of $25/$31/$37 for seniors and $13/$17/$20 for students)

MORE INFO: 517-264-3121 or adriansymphony.org

Kiesling collaborated with Kim previously on the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, and finds her to be exactly the sort of violinist to tackle such major difficult works. The Tchaikovsky concerto is one “where you need a really monster player,” he said. “You need someone special — a presence, not just a good player.”

It’s a work that violinists “are wisely hesitant to perform,” he said. In fact, after it was first performed by Joseph Joachim in 1879, other violinists deemed it unplayable. Some violinists simply don’t like to play it, however, because they think the oboe soloist actually has the best melody in the whole piece.

But with its big first movement, melodic second movement, and a folkinfluenced finale that will be familiar to plenty of audience members even if they think they don’t know this particular concerto, “I’m glad to do it,” Kiesling said. “It’s an exciting piece.”

What does the ASO’s music director hope people take away from this concert?

Kiesling answers that question, in part, by contrasting the “season of Copland” with last year’s “season of Stravinsky.”

Whereas Stravinsky’s ballet scores used mythological or folklore characters as their topics, “Copland writes stories about real people,” he said, and “Rodeo” “is one of his pieces with American archetypes. I hope people see those archetypes. ‘Rodeo’ is an intimate story of regular people. It’s a coming of age story. … And it’s really great music.”

Soloist Fabiola Kim will perform Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D Major with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra at its November concert.

NOVEMBER

THINGS TO DO IN LENAWEE COUNTY

To submit events for inclusion in this calendar, please email news@lenaweevoice.com by the 15th of the month before the event.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Adrian First Fridays

Downtown Adrian, 5-8 p.m.

“Give Thanks” is the theme of this month’s Adrian First Fridays celebration.

Grand Reopening of Marks Trading Co.

Marks Trading Co., 5-8 p.m.

Downtown Adrian’s grocery store celebrates the opening of its new space with samples and in-store specials.

142 N. Main St., Adrian 517-759-9934

themarkstradingcompany.com

Adrian Symphony Orchestra

2024 Gala & Auction

Adrian College, 6 p.m.

The auction will include an online silent auction (closing Nov. 1) and an in-person event on Nov. 1 with a dinner, cash bar, and entertainment. Funds raised support the ASO mission to create musical performances of the highest quality and to present activities that educate, enhance, and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Lenawee County and southeast Michigan. Tickets are $100.

Adrian Tobias Room at Adrian College 110 S. Madison St., Adrian 517-265-5161 or adriansymphony.org

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2

Day of Mindfulness: Lost in Thought Weber Center, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

All are welcome to join the mindfulness community in monthly Days of Mindfulness, held in person, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Weber Retreat and Conference Center. The theme this month is Lost in Thought. It is easy to get trapped in our thoughts, which weave stories conditioned by the past. But underneath our thoughts is a far deeper dimension of consciousness. Cost is $35, which includes lunch.

1257 E. Siena Heights Dr., Adrian 517-266-4000 or webercenter.org

Community Ofrenda for Day of the Dead Ofrenda Comunitaria del Día de Muertos Adrian District Library, 10-11 a.m. A community ofrenda for Day of the Dead will be hosted at the Adrian District Library in partnership with LLEAD Adrian and Hospice of Lenawee. Ofrenda comunitaria del Día de Muertos con sede en Adrian District Library en colaboración con LLEAD Adrian y Hospice of Lenawee. Free.

143 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-265-2265 or adrian.lib.mi.us

Onsted Fall Craft Show

The Mill Sports & Events Center, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Shop from a variety of local craft vendors at this show. $2 admission.

230 N. Main St., Onsted 517-467-5529

Kiwanis of Addison Benefit Auction

Addison High School, 5:30-10 p.m. There will be food available, a bake sale, silent auction, live auction, fun and community fellowship.

219 N. Comstock St., Addison 517-240-2422

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Soup, Chilis and Chowders

Tecumseh District Library, 7- 8:30 p.m.

Keegan C. Rodgers, owner of The Lakehouse Bakery in Chelsea, leads this hands-on and lively workshop. Sudents will learn how to make a variety of soups, chilis, and chowders. Topics will include recipes, ingredients, and how to store your soups properly. $10.

215 N. Ottawa St., Tecumseh 517-423-2238 or tecumsehlibrary.org

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Family Movie: ‘Inside Out 2’ Lenawee District Library, 6 p.m.

All ages are welcome and snacks will be provided.

4459 West U.S. 223, Adrian 517-263-1011

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Fall Cookie Decorating Class

AJ Smith Recreation Center, 6-7:30 p.m.

Presented by Tecumseh Parks and Recreation. $40 for Tecumseh residents, $45 for all others. 810 N. Evans St., Tecumseh 517-423-5602 tecumsehparksandrec.recdesk.com

The Glow Show: Adrian High School Marching Band & Art Show Adrian High School, 7:30 p.m.

The visual and performing arts come together in this celebration of talent. The art show opens at 6:45 p.m. in the gallery of the Julianne and George Argyros Performing Arts Center. The marching band performs in the gym at 7:30 p.m. Free. 785 Riverside Ave., Adrian 517-263-2181 or adrianmaples.org

Robinson Planetarium features fall and winter night skies in upcoming programs

ADRIAN — Adrian College’s Robinson Planetarium will be featuring the night skies in two shows during November and December. The programs are free and open to the public.

Robinson Planetarium will feature the fall night skies in the program “Earth, Moon and Sun,” a look at Native American folklore, on Fridays at 7 p.m., Nov. 1, 8, 15 and 22.

The December program looks at the winter sky and explores the “Season of Light.” This program will run at 7 p.m. Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27.

Robinson Planetarium is in Peelle Hall, on the corner of South Charles and Williams streets.

For more information about the planetarium and its programs, contact director Mark Fairclough at 517-265-5161, ext. 4788, or email mfairclough@adrian.edu.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Movie showing: ‘Twisters’ Lenawee District Library, 1:30 and 5:30 p.m.

A retired tornado-chaser and meteorologist is persuaded to return to Oklahoma to work with a new team and new technologies. Enjoy refreshments while you watch. The movie is rated PG-13 and is for ages 16 and up.

4459 West U.S. 223, Adrian 517-263-1011

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Holiday Open House & Streetscape Lighting Downtown Tecumseh, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Join Tecumseh merchants as they unveil their holiday finery with gift-giving in mind. The popular streetscape lighting will happen at 7 p.m.

Downtown Tecumseh downtowntecumseh.com

Blissfield Yuletide

Downtown Blissfield, all day Yuletide markets are open starting at 9 a.m. Arrival of Santa Claus and tree lighting is at 6:30 p.m. facebook.com/blissfieldyuletide

Taste of Bliss

Downtown Blissfield, 5-7 p.m.

A delightful event that celebrates the joy of the holiday season. Get ready to indulge in a variety of mouthwatering dishes and experience the warm and festive atmosphere of Blissfield. You’ll have the opportunity to savor a wide array of delectable dishes prepared by local chefs and restaurants, from traditional holiday favorites to unique culinary creations. $30. 517-486-4347

Canvas & Cookies

AJ Smith Recreation Center, 6-8 p.m. Bring fall colors to life! Create a cozy seasonal masterpiece on your own 16x20 canvas during this guided step-by-step class for adults. No prior experience needed. $20. 810 N. Evans St., Tecumseh 517-423-5602

tecumsehparksandrec.recdesk.com

Teen Night

Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee, 7-10 p.m.

The Boys & Girls Club location in Adrian hosts a teen night for youth in grades 6-12. The evening includes Madden tournaments, tie-dye, snacks, and opportunities to have fun with friends. Free.

340 E. Church St., Suite A, Adrian 517-266-9775 or bgclenawee.org

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9

St. John’s Holiday Craft Faire

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

This fair features crafts, home decorations, food, and more. Free.

3448 N. Adrian Hwy., Adrian 517-265-6998

Blissfield Yuletide

Downtown Blissfield and other locations, all day

Events include: Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m. ($8 for kids, $12 for adults); Craft show at Blissfield Elementary School, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Make-and-take ornaments at the library, 1-4 p.m.; Kinder Market at the village offices, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Paige’s Petting Zoo at Springbrook Commons, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Santa and reindeer, noon to 4 p.m.; and the Blissfield High School small ensemble, 2-3 p.m. facebook.com/blissfieldyuletide

Holiday Open House

Downtown Tecumseh, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tecumseh’s holiday open house continues. downtowntecumseh.com

Shaving Cream Art

Britton Branch Library, 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. Kids of all ages can drop by the branch to make fun, unique art prints using shaving cream.

120 College Ave., Britton 517-451-2171

Lola Kristine — Soulful Songstress Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m. Fresh and vibrant California-based singer, pianist, and songwriter Lola Kristine’s national tour brings her to the TCA. Lola captivates with her vast vocal range and transcendent sound. $15-$33.

400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh 517-423-6617 or thetca.org

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Blissfield Yuletide

Downtown Blissfield and other locations, all day

Events include: Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m.; Kinder Market at the village office, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and carriage rides, noon to 4 p.m. facebook.com/blissfieldyuletide

Adrian Symphony Orchestra: ‘Rodeo’ Dawson Auditorium, 3 p.m.

The ASO’s November concert features Aaron Copland’s “Rodeo” and the Brahms Violin Concerto in D Major with soloist Fabiola Kim. (See story on page D3.)

240 S. Charles St., Adrian 517-264-3121 or adriansymphony.org

Santa’s Secret Files

Numazu Delights, 3 p.m.

Santa is coming clean! Santa will reveal a lot of secrets from the North Pole, including his new diet that Mrs. Claus has imposed not only on him, but also the reindeer. It seems that a couple of them need to get back into flight shape quickly or they will be replaced. If Vixen and Blitzen don’t meet the requirements, it’s barn duty for them this year. Mrs. Claus will also be on hand to answer all of those pesky elf questions that have been plaguing parents dealing with Elf on the Shelf problems. Mrs. Claus will be serving some light refreshments. She’s still baking, but Santa is limited to 1 cookie per day.

410 E. Maumee St., Adrian

More info: Tami Frye, 517-902-9960 or SeriouslyFunnyBiz@gmail.com

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11

Thank-a-Vet Fundraiser

Outside the WLEN studios, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Since 2006, WLEN has raised over $400,000 to help local veterans through the Veterans Dire Need Fund. All funds stay local and are distributed through Housing Help of Lenawee. The event include a TLC Community Credit Union matching grant. Donate in person or by check. Donations can be made during the event or sent to PO Box 687, Adrian, MI 49221.

242 W. Maumee St., Adrian 517-263-1039

Adrian Veterans Day Service

Oakwood Cemetery, 10 a.m.

G. Chandler Bond Post 275 is sponsoring this year’s Veterans Day service in Adrian. The program will be different from past years. The post is inviting the community to a Thank Our Veterans Walk at Oakwood Cemetery. People can gather at the main entrance to the cemetery and will proceed to the newly installed veterans monument. The service will include recognition of all veterans present, a speaker, music, the 11th-hour remembrance, a 21-gun salute and Taps. Anyone wishing to honor a special veteran can come and write their name on a poster board or bring their own symbol to carry in the procession. People will begin gathering at 10 a.m. The procession begins at 10:30 a.m. followed by a benediction, the national anthem, and the 11th-hour remembrance at 11 a.m., then a moment of silence, recognition of veterans, 21-gun salute, final words, and Taps.

333 E. Siena Heights Dr., Adrian

Tecumseh Veterans Day Service

Brookside Cemetery, 11 a.m.

The city of Tecumseh’s annual Veterans Day remembrance.

501 N. Union St., Tecumseh

Ornament Decorating

Adrian District Library, all day

Drop in to decorate an ornament for the Library’s Christmas tree at Comstock Park.

All ages. Continues Nov. 12-14.

143 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-265-2265 or adrian.lib.mi.us

Do-It-Yourself Pet Toys with the Lenawee Humane Society

Lenawee District Library, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Drop by the library to make easy pet toys while you visit with an adoptable animal from the Lenawee Humane Society. All ages welcome. Donations for the Humane Society (such as blankets, food, litter, etc.) will be accepted.

4459 West U.S. 223, Adrian 517-263-1011 or lenawee.lib.mi.us

Veterans Day concert with the Dodworth Saxhorn Band Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 7 p.m.

The Tecumseh Center for the Arts is excited to celebrate Veterans Day by holding a free concert for the community. This year’s concert will feature the Dodworth Saxhorn Band, America’s premier 19th-century brass band. This is a free, non-ticketed event with general admission seating.

400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh 517-423-6617 or thetca.org

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Home Coffee Brewing Methods

Musgrove + Company, 7-8 p.m.

Join Joshua Roth from Musgrove + Company for an engaging class on home coffee brewing methods. Learn the essentials of popular techniques such as French Press and Pour Over, along with many other methods catered to your current strategies. Gain hands-on experience and expert tips for crafting the perfect cup of coffee from the comfort of your home. $10.

135 E. Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh

Seedball Workshop

AJ Smith Recreation Center, 7-8:15 p.m.

In this fun, hands-on workshop, participants will learn two easy methods to grow native plants from seed. Participants will create seed balls (sometimes called seed bombs), which offer an easy way to distribute native plant seeds into the natural environment. $10.

810 N. Evans St., Tecumseh 517-423-5602 tecumsehparksandrec.recdesk.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16

Fall Festival

Adrian District Library, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Join the Adrian District Library for a party celebrating fall, with games, crafts, activities, and snacks. Free. 143 E. Maumee St. Adrian adrian.lib.mi.us

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17

Britton-Deerfield Holiday Bazaar

Britton-Deerfield School, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Crafters, artists, vendors, and raffles will support the Britton-Deerfield PTO. A great opportunity to get started on your Christmas shopping. Admission $1. 201 College Ave., Britton karisue17@gmail.com

Cocktail Making Class

Farver’s at the Croswell, 6:30 p.m. Working with Croswell celebrity bartenders, you will learn the finer techniques of creating seasonal craft coctails. Heavy appetizers on theme are also included, plus take-home recipe cards for all the drinks sampled. $65. 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-263-6868 or croswell.org/farvers

Meet the Whiskey Blender Mammoth Distilling, 5 p.m.

A whiskey tasting led by one of Mammoth’s whiskey blenders, Pail Attee. Reservations required. $55. 108 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-438-8532 or mammothdistilling.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21

QuarterMania

LISD Tech Center, 5:30 p.m.

The second Quartermania will support the Lenawee County FFA Alumni Association. Quartermania will be held at the main Tech Center campus in the central classrooms. $5 admission includes 1 paddle; extra paddles are $2 each (limit four paddles per person). 2345 N. Adrian Hwy., Adrian For more information, contact Beth Wiemer at 517-403-1287 or wiemer@tc3net.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22

Opening of the Nite Lites Drive-Thru Christmas Lights Show Michigan International Speedway, 5:30-10 p.m. An experience like no other! This is a 5-mile-long holiday light show at Michigan International Speedway. Warm dress recommended. No alcohol, coolers, or smoking.

12626 U.S. 12, Brooklyn 517-607-9599 or nitelitesshow.com

‘The SpongeBob Musical’ Croswell Opera House, 7:30 p.m. Opening night for this full-length musical based on the hit Nickelodeon TV series

“SpongeBob SquarePants.” Tickets $22 to $44 for adults, $15 to $25 for students. (See story on page D1.)

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

Student-Directed One-Acts Siena Heights University, 7:30 p.m.

A series of one-act plays directed by Theatre Siena students. Each evening will feature a different set of plays. Continues Saturday and Sunday. theatresiena.com/performances

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23

‘The Aristocrats, Kids’ Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

A Tecumseh Youth Theater presentation. With a beloved Disney score, the feline adventure in “The Aristocats, Kids” is sure to get the audience tapping their feet to its hip, jazzy beat. $10.

400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh 517-423-6617 or thetca.org

45th Annual Sand Creek Craft Show

Sand Creek High School, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The 45th annual Sand Creek Craft Show will feature more than 250 booths of juried handcrafted items, including home decor, jewelry, handmade wooden creations, metal work, art, fresh wreaths, cookies and candy, and more. Admission is $3. Also during the show, the Sand Creek band will have a bake sale and food will be for sale in the cafeteria. A book sale in the library will raise funds for the school libraries, and a silent auction on the stage will raise money for senior scholarships.

6518 Sand Creek Hwy., Sand Creek www.sc-aggies.us/page/craft-show

‘The SpongeBob Musical’ Croswell Opera House, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

Student-Directed One-Acts

Siena Heights University, 7:30 p.m.

A series of one-act plays directed by Theatre Siena students. Each evening will feature a different set of plays. Continues Sunday. theatresiena.com/performances

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24

‘The SpongeBob Musical’

Croswell Opera House, 2:30 p.m.

A full-length musical based on the hit Nickelodeon TV series “SpongeBob SquarePants.” Tickets $22 to $44 for adults, $15 to $25 for students.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

Student-Directed One-Acts

Siena Heights University, 2:30 p.m.

A series of one-act plays directed by Theatre Siena students. Each performance will feature a different set of plays. theatresiena.com/performances

‘The Aristocrats, Kids’ Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 3 p.m.

A Tecumseh Youth Theater presentation. With a beloved Disney score, the feline adventure in “The Aristocats, Kids” is sure to get the audience tapping their feet to its hip, jazzy beat. $10.

400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh 517-423-6617 or thetca.org

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Adventure Club for Kids

AJ Smith Recreation Center, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Adventure calls, and luckily, school’s out early today! Join us for team games, trivia, art, and outdoor activities. Bring your lunch, a water bottle, good shoes to run in, and your thinking cap! Best for ages 5-12. Afternoon snack provided. (Parents not required to stay — go get your Thanksgiving prep taken care of!) Pre-registration required. $30 for Tecumseh residents, $35 for all others. 810 N. Evans St., Tecumseh 517-423-5602 tecumsehparksandrec.recdesk.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29

‘The SpongeBob Musical’ Croswell Opera House, 7:30 p.m.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30

Small Business Saturday in Morenci Morenci Event Center, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Vendors for this shopping event include Joanna’s Hummingbird Corner, Rose with a Blue Box, Crochet by Ooma, Brenda’s Crafts, Goody’s Chocolates and More, C&C Creations, Inspired Sparrow Boutique, Designs by Marie 523, From the Heart, Robins Tupperware Corner, Fantasia Sprinkles, Diane Koyl — Wreaths and Christmas Crafts, Lemongrass Spas by Kim, Josies Creations, Annie’s Pet Pantry LLC, Buttercup Candles and Crafts, The Mindful Lotus, Michigan Bee Mom, and more. 139 W. Main St., Morenci 419-280-4786 or morencieventcenter.com

Shop Small Day

Flamingo Beach Grille & Bar, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit one of the area’s newest restaurants for a Shop Small Day as they support their neighbors. Local artisans will be set up in the heated enclosed patio, displaying and selling their creations. Free. 4321 Michigan Ave., Tipton flamingobeachtipton.com

Holiday Market opening

Adrian Center for the Arts, noon to 6 p.m. The Adrian Center for the Arts’ popular Holiday Market, featuring one-of-a-kind gifts created by dozens of local artists, returns. After the opening, regular hours will be Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m., through Dec. 23.

1375 N. Main St., Adrian adriancenterforthearts.org

Meet & Greet Sensory Santa Party The Ashlar, 2-3:30 p.m.

A free event for families on an autism journey. Pre-registration is required. Please email autismgraceoflenawee@gmail.com with the name and age of your loved one on the spectrum and how many total from your family will be coming. (Space is limited so please no more than six per family). There will be cookies, crafts, and a meet-and-greet opportunity with Santa himself. Snap a selfie with Santa or one of our volunteers would be happy to help you get a family picture on your phone with our Sensory Santa. 700 Bishop Reed Dr., Tecumseh 517-270-9409 or autismgrace.org

‘The SpongeBob Musical’ Croswell Opera House, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1

‘The SpongeBob Musical’ Croswell Opera House, 2:30 p.m. 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

Kookin’ for Kids fundraiser and BBQ Adrian Eagles, 3-9 p.m.

Proceeds to benefit and provide a merry Christmas for Lenawee County youth. Allyou-can-eat BBQ buffet from 5-7 p.m., silent auction, and door prizes. Donations welcome. Buffet is $20 (kids under age 16 eat free). 2570 W. Beecher St., Adrian 517-260-7151 or 517-902-3111

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2

10th annual Courthouse Tree Lighting Old Lenawee County Courthouse, 6:30 p.m. 301 N. Main St., Adrian

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6

Holiday Light Parade and Comstock Christmas Riverwalk lighting Downtown Adrian and Comstock Park Parade begins at 6:30 (lineup at 5 p.m. in the Judicial Building parking lot, 425 N. Main St.). The tree lighting will take place at Comstock Park on West Maumee Street after the parade, estimated at about 7:30 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC AT BARS AND NIGHT SPOTS

Information in this listing is taken from a mixture of submissions and information published by the venues. We recommend checking to verify that information is up to date before making plans. To submit listings, email news@lenaweevoice.com before the 15th of the preceding month.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Blockhouse Valley, 7-10 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian. Cat Canyon, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Mammoth Distilling, 108 E. Maumee St., Adrian. The Phoenix Theory, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $40, four for $70, eight for $120; chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2

AC/DC Tribute by ThunderStruck, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $40, four for $70, eight for $120; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7

Cabaret by cast members from ‘“Young Frankenstein,” 7 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian. Cast members will perform a mix of songs from the show and some of their own favorites.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Sean Stringer, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Mammoth Distilling, 108 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

ELO Tribute by Turn to Stone, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $40, four for $70, eight for $120; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Linny & Moochie, 7-10 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian. Queen Tribute by Simply Queen, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $40, four for $70, eight for $120; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15

Noah Martis, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Starling Lounge, 133 S. Lane St., Blissfield. Brinlee Way, 7-10 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian. Clifton Millimen, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Mammoth Distilling, 108 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

The 1985 Totally 80’s Music Tribute, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $40, four for $70, eight for $120; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16

Top Fun, 7-10 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian. A musical journey through the decades.

Mojo & the Outlaws, 8 p.m. to midnight, Adrian Eagles, 2522 W. Beecher Road. $5 cover. 1980’s Tribute by HairMania, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $40, four for $70, eight for $120; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22

Charlie Johnson & Isaac Cox , 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Mammoth Distilling, 108 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

Def Leppard Tribute by Armageddon and Poison Tribute by Rock of Love 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $40, four for $70, eight for $120; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23

Tom Petty Tribute by Teddy Petty & The Refugees, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $40, four for $70, eight for $120; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com. Wishing Well, 8 p.m., The Brick Wall Pub & Grill, 114 W. Maumee St., Adrian.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Thanksgiving Eve Dance Party with FiftyAmpFuse, 7 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Eight for $80 or four for $50. chateauaeronautiquewinery.com

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29

1990’s Tribute by Project 90, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $40, four for $70, eight for $120; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30

Eagles Tribute by Motown Eagles, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $40, four for $70, eight for $120. Josh Johnston, 8-11 p.m., Two Lake Tavern, 110 Walnut St., Manitou Beach.

Croswell

from page D1

Jeffrey King of Temperance plays Eugene Krabs, owner of the Krusty Krab, where SpongeBob works. Hallie Yuen of Adrian plays his daughter, Pearl, who has no interest in taking over the business.

The antagonists of the piece are the scheming owners of a rival restaurant, Sheldon and Karen Plankton, played by real-life married couple Maxwell and Meg Lam.

Michael and Erin Yuen of Adrian play Perch Perkins and Mrs. Puff, sharing the stage for this show with three of their children. Kylie McElrath of Adrian is Patchy the Pirate. And the mayor of Bikini Bottom is played by Angie Sword Heath — who, in real life, is the mayor of Adrian.

In the ensemble are Trent Aneed, Haylie Blohm, Amelia Bowman, Emma Brooks, Zameon Conway, Becca Glover, Christopher Harlan, Libby Pifer, Ja’Vaughn White, Briella York, Kai Yuen and Wylie Yuen, all of Adrian; Madison Good and Amanda Nummy, both of Ann Arbor; Mitchell LaRoy of Blissfield; AJ Landingham of Carleton; Delayna Garcia of Cement City; Jordan Marquez of Dundee; Luke Durling and Jase Sword, both of Hudson; Michael Cicirelli of Jackson; Tori Bruce and Ella Flumignan, both of Onsted; Abigail Lipsitz of Saline; Macy Schmidt and Dean Sumner, both of Tecumseh; Jerold King of Temperance; Joshua Egnatuk of Luckey, Ohio; and Reed Schwieterman of Maumee, Ohio.

The show features music in an eclectic variety of styles by a list of well-known artists that includes John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, They Might Be Giants, David Bowie, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, and Broadway star Sara Bareilles.

“You’re going to be walking out humming those songs, I promise,” Calabrese said.

The task of leading the cast and orchestra through that mix of musical genres falls to vocal director Aaron Roos, who played Dewey Finn in last summer’s “School of Rock,” and conductor Ray Novak.

“It’ll be a feast for the eyes.”

— Debra Ross Calabrese, director of “The SpongeBob Musical”

The look of SpongeBob’s colorful undersea world is being created by costume designer Abby Sage Hall, scenic designer Leo Babcock, properties master Beth Flumignan, lighting designer Rachel Slupe, and projection designer Crosby Slupe.

“It’ll be a feast for the eyes,” Calabrese said.

The show’s many sound effects are being created by Karl Kasischke. The stage manager is Conner Raymond.

“The SpongeBob Musical” opens Friday, Nov. 22. Tickets range from $22 to $44 for adults, $15 to $35 for students. Ticket buyers are reminded that the Croswell never sells tickets to any show for more than the advertised cost, so any website trying to sell tickets at a higher price is a scam.

Performance dates and times are:

n Friday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m.

n Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

n Sunday, Nov. 24 at 2:30 p.m.

n Friday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m.

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

n Sunday, Dec. 1 at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets may be ordered by visiting the Croswell box office at 129 E. Maumee St., calling 517-264-7469, or going online to croswell.org.

‘SpongeBob’ actor loves the show’s upbeat positivity

Steven Kiss, who plays the title character in “The SpongeBob Musical” at the Croswell Opera House, is no stranger to playing beloved TV and film characters transplanted to the stage. His previous roles at the Croswell include Ralphie’s dad in “A Christmas Story” and Buddy the Elf in “Elf” — a character in whom he sees some parallels to his current role.

Here are three questions and answers with Kiss about the show.

Q: What first drew you to this show and this role?

A: I was actually lucky enough to see the original Broadway cast in 2018. I knew that I wanted to be in the show the minute I walked into the theater. The entire experience was so immersive and so creative. I especially loved how the entire theater was decorated; we were truly in Bikini Bottom. Everything about the show is well thought-out and creative. From the set and the costumes being all from recycled materials, to the technical aspects of the show, there is not a single detail that was missed.

Specifically to the role of SpongeBob, he has such a sense of innocence that I wanted to get back to. I haven’t been able to tap into that side of my acting since “Elf.” Buddy and SpongeBob are very similar in their sense of hope and viewing everything with a positive attitude. I knew that taking on such a well known cartoon character would be a challenge; however, the thing I love about the musical is that it captures the spirit of the show, but it also gives the cast so many opportunities to add their own touch to the characters. The script provides feedback on that exact topic, and talks about how the actors should not be portraying carbon copies of the cartoon. They should be making the characters more believable and relatable. I hope that when the audience watches the show, they can see themselves represented in some of these characters!

Q: How do you think people will feel leaving the show?

Themes that are present throughout the show are hope and resilience, friendship and love, kindness and acceptance. The importance of friendship and love really stands out. It shows how teamwork can help us overcome challenges. Plus, I love how the characters celebrate individuality; it’s a great reminder of how unique qualities make a community stronger. SpongeBob’s endless optimism really highlights the power of a positive attitude when facing tough times.

When people leave, I hope they feel uplifted and joyful. The vibrance of the show and catchy songs will leave audiences with a sense of happiness and energy. It truly is a feel-good show that will bring laughter and a warm sense of community, making everyone leave with a smile.

Q: What would you say about the show to somebody who is not familiar with the TV series?

If you’re not really familiar with the TV series, that’s totally OK! “The SpongeBob Musical” is a fun and colorful experience that brings the underwater world of Bikini Bottom to life. You’ve got this lovable, optimistic character, SpongeBob, who’s always ready to tackle challenges with his friends, like Patrick and Sandy. The show is packed with hilarious moments and a lot of heart. It’s really about friendship, being true to yourself, and staying positive, no matter what. Even if you haven’t seen the show before, you’ll still get swept up in the energy and the message.

While “The SpongeBob Musical” features the same beloved characters and humor from the TV show, it really takes a different approach. The musical dives deeper into the themes of friendship and self-discovery, adding more emotional depth than what you might find in a typical episode. The staging is super vibrant, and the songs are original and diverse, showcasing a range of musical styles. The music is written by many different well known artists including David Bowie, Sara Barielles, John Legend, TI, Lady Antebellum, and Cyndi Lauper.

The musical is like a fresh take on the characters and their adventures, turning the familiar into something new and exciting. Even if you’re not a fan of the show, the musical’s energy and heartfelt messages will definitely hit the right chord!

The Croswell Opera House, decorated for “The SpongeBob Musical,” is pictured on a recent evening in downtown Adrian.