The Lenawee Voice — July 2025

Demolition work at Adrian Mall is delayed » PAGE A7

Street resurfacing underway in Adrian » PAGE A8

THE LENAWEE VOICE

Meal Assistance Program marks five years of serving the community » PAGE B1

Chico Martinez’s legacy lives on through new scholarship program » PAGE B3

‘Much Ado About Nothing’ is Shakespeare company’s second annual outdoor production » PAGE C1

Watershed council’s native plant sale a success » PAGE A13

‘A friendly front porch’

The

Align Center aims to be a comprehensive resource for job training and more

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — With a ribbon cutting and open house, the Align Center for Workforce Development officially opened its doors on Monday, June 23.

The center, at 440 E. Church St., Adrian, is designed to be a place where people can learn job skills, where community organizations can have space to work and meet with clients, and which can be used to host everything from business meetings and training sessions to parties.

The space includes conference rooms, classrooms, a fully equipped computer lab, a training room, a multi-use hall with a warming kitchen, and flexible office spaces. A day care center will be available for adult students with child care needs. Rentals are available for businesses, nonprofits, and community residents.

Pat Farver, executive director of Lenawee Now, said the seeds for this space were planted as far back as 25 years ago when Randy Yagiela, who’s currently Lenawee Now’s development director, wrote a paper on the future of workforce

NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL

development for a college class.

Then, about five years ago, the need in the community for such a space became evident to Lenawee Now, “so we started incubating the idea and making it a reality.”

Educators, businesspeople, and community members began meeting to plan things out, and then, about two

See ALIGN CENTER, page A19

Residentes de Adrian instan a la ciudad a proteger sus derechos » PÁGINA

Los votantes decidirán sobre las instalaciones recreativas

Align Center for Workforce Development on East Church Street is designed to be a place where people can learn job skills and community groups can work and meet with clients. It also has space for events.

Lenawee Now Executive Director Pat Farver stands by the two mosaics, created by Adrian artist Carlos Tobar, at the Align Center for Workforce Development’s entrance.

ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE

Adrian school district moving forward with $27.5M bond proposal

ADRIAN — The Adrian school board intends to place a bond proposal for a community recreation facility on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The board approved an application for the ballot at its June 23 meeting, and is schedule to vote on final approval on July 28.

The proposal would be for an 0.75-mill levy that would raise about $27.5 million over the course of 20 years. That millage rate would represent about $75 per year in property taxes for the owner of a house valued at $200,000.

The recreation facility would be built adjacent to Adrian High School, just north of the performing arts center. It would be designed as a year-round space for health and wellness, sports, recreation, fitness, performing arts, and community events.

The proposal follows a facilities assessment in 2024, during which the district identified a need for additional spaces to support recreational and community activities for both students and residents.

“Many communities have built similar facilities, enriching the lives of residents and fostering a sense of community pride. This is Adrian’s opportunity to create something meaningful for our residents and students,” athletic director Chad O’Brien said.

After holding public forums earlier this year, the district conducted polling to determine if there was sufficient community support to warrant placing the proposal on the ballot.

“Based on the feedback from our community engagement, it has been determined that there is support to take this proposal to the voters,” superintendent Nate Parker said.

The facility would be an approximately 87,000-square-foot steel frame building, roughly the size of a football field, would stand 50 feet high, slightly taller than the existing gym it would be next to. The inside of the building would have a 60-yard turf field; three multipurpose courts that could be used for basketball, volleyball, pickleball and tennis; a track that the community could use for running or walking; a 3,000-square-foot fitness center; a golf simulator; batting cages; a 2,500-square-foot common area; and a secure entrance with space for concessions and a reception area.

In a report to the board, Parker listed the benefits the proposed community facility would provide to the school and community including: an affordable option for community health and wellness available to all district residents; pickleball; volleyball; basketball and tennis courts; recreation and travel tournaments; economic impact for local businesses; additional practice space, particularly for the cheer and dance teams; space for marching band practice and band camp; off-season workouts for all sports; increased youth recreation space and programming; year-round training opportunities for all students; and options for indoor practices during poor weather.

“Many communities have built similar facilities, enriching the lives of residents and fostering a sense of community pride. This is Adrian’s opportunity to create something meaningful for our residents and students.”

— Chad O’Brien, athletic director

“The number of participants in our youth recreation programs continues to grow every year and every season,” community recreation director Toby Ernst stated. “This facility will help to support and expand those programs for our youth, but will also offer an affordable option for adults in our community to enhance their health and wellness.”

Construction costs are estimated at between $22 million and $27 million. The district is projecting yearly operating costs of $350,000, to be covered by hosting tournaments and events as well as through membership and rental fees.

“We believe that this facility is an asset not just for the district, but for the community as well,” Parker said. “If the voters approve this proposal, we are committed to partnering with the community to provide this space, supporting the health, wellness, and recreation needs of our residents.”

Starting in August and running through November, community forums will be scheduled to answer questions from voters and provide details about the facility and the vote.

Idea of donor bricks in Monument Park meets opposition from city commissioners

By Erik Gable The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — A private campaign to restore the Civil War memorial in Adrian’s Monument Park has city commissioners saying they appreciate the group’s efforts, but are hesitiant about its main fundraising mechanism — the sale of bricks that would be inscribed with donors’ names and placed in the park.

At the June 2 city commission meeting, several commissioners said the only names in the park should be those of people who gave their lives in military service.

Commissioner Kelly Castleberry, a Navy veteran, said the park is “a sacred space to honor the fallen.”

“Adding anything other than the names of the fallen is offensive,” Castleberry said. “This is not about politics or profit; this is about preserving dignity. Those honored in this park did not serve to advertise business, names of donors, or other things etched beside their legacies. They served to uphold the dignity of the free world. Let us continue to honor them with legacy rather than logos, businesses or names. I cannot imagine a business’ name, a person’s name, a group’s name, cheaply placed next to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

KZ Bolton, a member of the fundraising committee, said that when fundraising started in 2017, the group had city officials’ verbal permission to proceed.

She also described the need for the restoration.

“The monument has weathered over the years,” she said. “The sandstone has degraded and in some places broke. The monument is in dire need of cleaning and repair, and we need to maintain the historical significance of the oldest monument within our park.”

Bolton said that a recent assessment by Ken Thompson of Flatlanders Sculpture Supply in Blissfield showed that the restoration would cost about $15,000.

The fundraising campaign started in 2017, with the sale of personalized bricks as its main fundraising mechanism. A 2019 story in The Daily Telegram stated that the committee had a goal of selling 1,000 bricks, which would be available in three different sizes and three different colors, and could have logos inscribed on them.

Bolton said committee members met with city officials eight years ago and thought the project was approved, and that they proceeded with selling bricks on that assumption.

“The bricks have been sold and donations accepted toward the restoration of the monument,” she said.

Bolton said she doesn’t see the bricks as diminishing the significance of the monuments in the park. She said there are other communities, such as Clinton and Tipton, that have bricks inscribed with donor names in their monument areas.

“It is something that is common, and it’s not derogatory or anything like that,” she said. “It’s to honor the project and the veterans that it goes towards.”

But commissioners generally agreed with Castleberry that they don’t feel the location is appropriate.

“If that park had a different significance, it would be a different story, but that park stands for the fallen,” said Mayor Angela Sword Heath. “It doesn’t feel right, it just really doesn’t, to have names of individual donors, businesses, etcetera.”

“Adding anything other than the names of the fallen is offensive.”

— City commissioner Kelly Castleberry

Commissioners also asked Bolton why the group took so long to come back to the city about the project. Commissioner Mary Roberts said that parks and recreation director Jeremiah Davies’ initial attempts to contact the group were unsuccessful.

“Why has it taken you eight years to come back to us?” Roberts asked.

“COVID struck,” Bolton responded.

“COVID was a couple of years,” Roberts said.

“That stopped a lot of the momentum,” Bolton said, “and we tried to get some momentum started after that, and then family situations came up, and surgeries and accidents and that type of thing.”

Roberts asked Bolton to confirm that “you continued to raise funds over these last eight years without coming back to talk to the city, even when Mr. Davies tried to reach out to you a couple of times.”

“That is correct and I’m sorry about that,” Bolton said.

Roberts said that because there was no formal approval from the city commission back in 2017, the project is essentially at the beginning of the approval process.

Commissioner Bob Behnke asked if donors could be recognized in another location.

“I know that goes against the original contract that you had, but I’m trying to find middle ground,” he said.

Castleberry asked when the committee last communicated with people who had purchased bricks. Bolton said it was probably in 2023.

“So in two years you haven’t spoken to anyone that’s bought a brick?” Castleberry asked.

“Correct,” Bolton said.

“Can we ask them if they would be willing to negotiate — rather than bricks, do something different?” Castleberry asked.

“That would be a question that I would ask them,” Bolton replied.

Marilyn Smith of Adrian, who purchased a brick that would have her parents’ names on it, spoke in support of placing bricks in the park. She described her mother’s love for Adrian and her father’s pride in his military service.

Glenn Preston of Sand Creek said that “placing bricks with individual names, regardless of intent, fundamentally changes the purpose of this space. It risks turning a place of collective honor into a patchwork of personal recognition, and I believe that would dilute its meaning. This park is not about donors, or living veterans like myself. It is about those who never came home.”

Davies asked commissioners for their approval to meet with Bolton and the

committee about alternatives, and they agreed.

At the commission’s June 16 meeting, commissioners discussed a draft of a possible ordinance describing what names could be put in the park, but they deferred action, agreeing that the idea needed more work.

Monument Park is at 436 E. Maumee St.

The Civil War memorial in Monument Park.

Adrian library awarded grant to increase accessibility

ADRIAN — The Adrian District Library has been selected for a $10,000 grant that will help the library implement a variety of initiatives to improve accessibility, and is looking for public input on how to make library resources and programs more available to all.

Adrian is one of 300 libraries chosen to participate in the third round of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an American Library Association initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and

rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities.

The competitive award comes with a $10,000 grant that will help the library implement a variety of initiatives to improve accessibility.

Some of the funds will be used to improve overall accessibility in the building, including the purchase of height-adjustable tables and lever-style door handles.

In addition, some of the funds will be used for youth-related initiatives, including staff training and programming resources for children with autism and

the purchase of large print materials for youth with low vision.

“We are so proud to be chosen for this amazing opportunity,” said assistant director Chelsey Boss. “This grant will allow our library to get to know our residents with disabilities better. It will help us improve our services to ensure this population feels welcome and comfortable in our space.”

The staff and the library board will use information from community conversations to determine how best to utilize the grant funds to improve

physical accessibility to the library building and improve access to resources and programming for youth.

“We’ve heard from many local parents who are looking for a public sensory space and more resources for their children with autism,” said Boss. “And as part of the library’s strategic plan, we are continuing our efforts to make our building as accessible as possible to all city residents.”

For more information about the Adrian District Library, go to adrian.lib.mi.us or call 517-265-2265.

After immigration arrests, residents urge city to protect due process

By Erik Gable The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Two days after a large crowd of people watched federal immigration agents arrest two men in the parking lot across from Comstock Park, Adrian residents filled the June 16 city commission meeting urging the city to protect residents’ right to due process under the law.

The public comment portion of Adrian City Commission usually draws no more than a few participants, but about two dozen people spoke at the June 16 meeting. They described watching the men get arrested and taken away in unmarked vehicles. They talked about friends and neighbors being targeted. One played audio from a recording of family members’ anguished reaction to the arrest.

The arrests took place on the morning of June 14. A video shot by a witness shows multiple men, at least one of whom had a firearm visible, ordering two men to get out of their pickup truck. They can also be seen refusing to answer bystanders’ shouted questions about whether they had a warrant, and witnesses said the agents threatened to break their windows and drag the men out of the truck.

They drove several vehicles that had flashing lights but standard Michigan license plates and no visible law enforcement markings. One of the vehicles, a Ram pickup, had a green 2024 tag on its plate instead of an orange 2025 one.

After Monday’s city commission meeting, Adrian police chief and acting city administrator Vince Emrick told the Lenawee Voice that an officer on the scene, who was there because of a protest across the street at Comstock Park, was approached by the agents, and that they identified themselves as immigration officials. A police lieutenant then asked Lenawee County dispatchers to call the immigration office and confirm that agents had been sent there.

However, witnesses did not know this at the time. As a result, in addition to being shocked by the aggressive display of force, many said they were afraid they were watching a vigilante kidnapping.

Among the two dozen people who spoke at Monday’s city commission meeting was Karin Barbee of Adrian.

“Adrian is home to many immigrants, the majority of whom are following the rules and attempting to gain citizenship,” she said. “We’re talking about friends, students, and co-workers who contribute enormously to our community and economy.”

She continued, “The immigration process is complicated, and many simply have not yet completed the legal requirements. But for most, their mere existence in this country and in this city is not a crime. And while we might want to assume that those aren’t the ones being

swept up in violent, unconstitutional mass arrests, we would be wrong. There are quotas to meet, and this is no longer about keeping people safe.”

Some speakers said that while immigration enforcement is nothing new, what is new is the level of secrecy, aggression and cruelty displayed in recent arrests.

“Past administrations including Obama’s and Biden’s deported millions, but they followed the procedure,” said Allie Quinn of Adrian. “There were warrants, uniforms, accountability. What we saw on Saturday wasn’t immigration enforcement, it was a kidnapping.”

“Everyone on U.S. soil has rights,” she added. “Everyone. That is not radical. That is the Constitution.”

Marcie Van Black of Deerfield noted that after the arrests, the distraught wife of one of the men couldn’t even get back into her vehicle, and Adrian police had to unlock it. In addition, she said, “this poor woman is on dialysis and has no one to take care of her. Is this really how we want to treat our neighbors?”

Katey Morgan of Adrian described the fear of not even knowing who the men ordering two people to get out of their vehicle were.

“You can buy fake ICE vests on Amazon and get it shipped to you on Prime and get it the next day, so the fact that individuals are able to approach someone, threaten to pull them out of their vehicle if they don’t get out voluntarily, and not have to provide a warrant or any proof of their claimed authority, is very scary,” she said.

Morgan said that anyone who can’t look at the arrests from a humanitarian angle should think of the economic impact.

“These people contribute a lot to our economy,” she said. “They spend money here, they live here.”

Aaron Chesher of Adrian said the people of Adrian have demanded respect for civil rights throughout the city’s history.

“In the 1800s, Laura Smith Haviland helped enslaved people escape to freedom,” he said. “When armed men came to her home, she told them ‘I fear

neither your weapons nor your threats.’

Later, our Governor Croswell, a former mayor of Adrian, led the ratification of the 13th Amendment, reformed prisons, and governed with honor and restraint. We have never waited for permission to do what is right.”

Chesher asked for a formal investigation into the arrests, leading to publication of a transparent report. He also asked the commission to pass a due process ordinance guaranteeing that no Adrian resident can be detained without a warrant, legal counsel, and a court review.

Nancy Pellowe of Adrian said her youngest son was born in South Korea, and “never in my life did I think I would have to have his naturalization photos on my phone just in case.”

Joaquin Ramos of Adrian told commissioners, “I hope that you’ll take this to heart, see the pain and the fear in people’s eyes, and work to make Adrian a safer and better place.”

Mayor Angela Sword Heath told the speakers that she understands and shares their feelings.

“You have been heard,” she said.

“We are aware,” she added. “Our hearts are heavy. That’s why it’s very quiet up here. I’m telling you, we understand, we just — we’re going to have that discussion and explore. We don’t know what we can do and can’t do.”

Heath said she had the same reaction to watching the arrests that many of the speakers did.

“I watched the video and was very scared,” she said. “And I watched it again, and I watched it again, because it was very frightening.”

The Voice asked Emrick by email if the Adrian Police Department has any policies about Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.

“We have a mutual aid agreement with all Lenawee agencies, but nothing specific for assistance to federal agencies,” he replied. “If a request is made it is routed through central dispatch to our patrol supervisor. A decision to assist is then made based on several factors. In this instance an officer was approached because they were present. That officer contacted the shift supervisor. ICE carried out their arrest without assistance. Our involvement was in the aftermath unlocking the vehicle.”

One local resource for anyone who needs help with immigration issues is the Immigration Assistance Office of the Adrian Dominican Sisters.

According to Sister Attracta Kelly, director of the Immigration Assistance Office, federal agents who want to arrest someone are required to have a warrant with that person’s name on it that has been signed by a judge. The Immigration Assistance Office can be reached at 517-266-3448 or by emailing akelly@ adriandominicans.org.

Ben Moorman of Adrian holds up his phone during the June 16 Adrian City Commission meeting to play a recording of family members reacting to an immigration arrest that occurred on June 14 in the parking lot across from Comstock Park.

Federal agents take a man to their vehicle after handcuffing him in the parking lot across from Comstock Park on June 14. PHOTO COURTESY OF BEN MOORMAN

Driver’s license restoration clinic to be offered in Adrian in July

ADRIAN — The Michigan Department of State is bringing its Road to Restoration program to the ProMedica Ebeid Center at Comstock, 801 E. Maumee St. in Adrian, for a free driver’s license restoration clinic on Thursday, July 31, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The clinic includes a fully equipped mobile Secretary of State unit. The most valuable benefit of the clinic is the assistance provided to residents in Lenawee and surrounding counties in determining the steps they need to take to regain their driving privileges.

The team on-site includes attorneys who will be available at no charge. Residents are encouraged to register in advance at michigan.gov/R2R but there will also be a walk-in option for those who don’t sign up ahead of time.

The Department of State is partnering with a host of local and statewide organizations on the clinic, including ProMedica’s Adrian Ebeid Neighborhood Promise, Michigan Works! Southeast, the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties, the Lenawee Community Foundation, the Stubnitz Foundation, the Michigan Department of Attorney General, the Detroit Justice Center, and Michigan 211.

“We are very excited to bring the Road to Restoration clinic back to Adrian

for the second year,” said According to Lynne Punnett, manager of community resilience for the Adrian Ebeid Center.

“Last year our goal was to fill 40 appointment slots, and after seeing one man leave with his driver’s license in hand and hearing another man tell me he would be able to have visitation with his children because he learned what he needed to do to have his drivers license restored, we knew we had to increase the number of people we could serve. This year our goal is to serve 100 community members at the clinic.”

Now in its fourth year, the Road to Restoration program has hosted over 65 clinics across the state and provided one-on-one assistance to over 10,000 Michiganders. The program was created to help more than 150,000 people newly eligible to regain their driving privileges after changes to state law in 2021. About 3,000 more Michiganders were made eligible to apply for a driver’s license on April 2 under Public Act 42 of 2024.

The new law repealed the state’s threeyear ban on individuals cited for driving without a license to apply for license reinstatement.

Road to Restoration clinics are free of charge, but a records check is required. Thanks to the partners making the Adrian

Road to Restoration clinic

DATE AND TIME: Thursday, July 31, from 11 a.m.to 3 p.m.

LOCATION: ProMedica Ebeid Center, 801 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

COST: Free (the $16 records check fee is being covered by partners in the Adrian clinic; some other fees for past fines may be able to be covered as well).

TO REGISTER: Advance registration is encouraged at michigan.gov/R2R, but walk-ins are also allowed.

clinic possible, the $16 records check fee is fully covered and thanks to Michigan Works some other fees for past fines may be covered as well. It is important that people understand, the clinics do not provide DUI expungement services and license reinstatement is not guaranteed.

“The Road to Restoration program has helped many people get back on the road safely and legally,” said Abigayl Venman, director of the Road to Restoration program. “Having a driver’s license is vitally important in everyday life, enabling people to drive to a job, take their kids to school, or go to medical appointments. It is important to provide this program that assists in restoring residents’ driving privileges, which can be truly lifechanging.”

A Secretary of State Mobile Office is pictured during a Road to Restoration clinic in the Upper Peninsula. The Road to Restoration program is offering a driver’s license restoration clinic for people with suspended licenses in Adrian on July 31. MICHIGAN SECRETARY OF STATE

Contract awarded for playground in Library Square

ADRIAN — The city of Adrian is moving forward with plans to add playground equipment to the area behind the Adrian District Library.

The contract for the project was awarded to Great Lakes Recreation of Holland, Michigan. Great Lakes Recreation was the lowest bidder for the project at $150,000.

Funding is to come from a state grant the city received a few years ago, and the city has also submitted a request to a local service club to cover part of the cost.

Work proceeding on redesign for Winter Street

ADRIAN — Work is forging ahead on the Winter Street walk and bike loop project in Adrian.

Economic development coordinator Jay Marks updated city commissioners in June on the plans that will narrow the traffic lanes, eliminate on-street parking on Winter Street between Church and Maple, widen the sidewalks, add a bike loop on Winter with connectors along West Maumee and West Maple to the Kiwanis Trail, and add more than 70 trees and roughly 100 new lighting fixtures that will match the rest of the downtown area. Those additions, he said, would open up the area and make it more welcoming.

Not everyone was happy with the lay-out, with Adrian resident Jerick Timm calling the design of the bike lanes counterintuitive to what bikers expect. He said the design misses critical opportunities for what he called traffic calming and pedestrian safety, and he expressed frustration with reaching out to the previous city administration and not getting anywhere.

The design team, he said, doesn’t live in Adrian and will never have to use the infrastructure they’re proposing. Timm said he had submitted a proposal calling for measures he said would be safer and route bike traffic differently to the design team for review but never heard anything back, adding that the plan the city adopts should be the best one for Adrian, not something outsiders think is good enough.

Marks defended the current plans as being the work of the experts, but commissioner Bob Behnke still had misgivings, saying he was growing concerned that the city might be building something that doesn’t make the best sense.

Marks said changing the design at this point would jeopardize a $5.5 million MDOT grant that will cover more than 50 percent of the project costs. Putting the project out for bids is planned for November, he said, with construction starting next year, and the grant hinges upon the city meeting the timelines for that construction window.

Timm argued that the danger of the city missing the window comes from not having involved residents earlier in the process.

Second of two brothers sentenced in 28-year-old Lenawee County cold case

ADRIAN — Calling it a particularly gruesome offense, the likes of which he had never before seen in his time on the bench, Lenawee County Circuit Judge Michael Olsaver today sentenced the second of two Ohio brothers convicted in a Lenawee County cold case homicide to life in prison on a charge of conspiracy to commit first degree murder.

Richardo Sepulveda, 53, of Cincinnati had been convicted earlier this year in a jury trial of that charge and four others related to the 1997 discovery of a dismembered body in a cornfield near Blissfield.

During the trial, his younger brother, Michael Sepulveda of Toledo — who is serving a 10- to 30-year sentence after pleading guilty to second degree murder — testified that the victim had

been a drug courier to whom Richardo allegedly owed money that he couldn’t pay, and described how the murder had occurred and how they had disposed of body parts in a Toledo-area creek to prevent the victim from being identified.

While assistant attorney general Bonita Hoffman asked Olsaver to include in the sentence a recommendation that Richardo Sepulveda never be released from prison, defense attorney Scott Grabel said he knew of no case law that would allow the court to “put the hat on of the parole board” and make such a recommendation.

Hoffman responded that while the discretion to grant or deny parole lies with the parole board, the court could still be consulted. However, Olsaver said it was clear that he had to apply the law as it was written in 1997, when it stated only that a person would be sentenced

to life in prison. He said he does not make or apply Michigan Department of Corrections policies.

However, Olsaver exceeded the sentencing guidelines on the remaining charges for which Sepulveda had been convicted, sentencing him to 10 to 15 years in prison for assault with intent to maim, conspiracy of assault with intent to maim, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy to tamper with evidence. He said the kidnapping of the victim — which included bringing him across state lines and dismembering the body so his identity would never be known — made the case more heinous and gruesome than the vast majority of the murder cases the court has to deal with.

Olsaver said the 10- to 15-year terms he issued were more proportionate to the crime than the 48 to 80 months the guidelines had recommended.

June 14 brings local rallies and demonstrations

ADRIAN — Ahead of a military parade in the nation’s capital that had long been urged by President Donald Trump, opponents of his administration lined Comstock Park for a “No Kings” protest on June 14 that was one of an estimated 2,000 such events nationwide.

People carrying signs with slogans like “No Kings in America” lined West Maumee Street and Church Street along the borders of Comstock Park, with numbers varying over the course of the rally. Around 12:30 p.m., near the end of the event, there were still a little over 200 people lining the sidewalks and waving at passing motorists.

A similar demonstration took place a little later in the day in front of Tecumseh City Hall. Both the Adrian and Tecumseh rallies were organized by the group Lenawee Indivisible.

A smaller group of Trump supporters, numbering about two dozen, gathered on the lawn of the Lenawee County Courthouse with Trump flags and signs. That rally had been promoted by the Lenawee County Republican Party as a celebration of both Flag Day and Trump’s birthday.

A direct contrast could be seen in some of the two rallies’ messages. At the pro-Trump rally, one sign read “God is on our side,” while a sign at the No Kings rally quoted Leviticus 19:33 (“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them”).

The depictions of Trump himself were sharply divergent as well. In front of the courthouse, one person flew a flag with an image of Trump astride a tank while fireworks exploded in the background, while at Comstock Park, one sign bore a drawing of the president as a diapered infant throwing a tantrum, with the words “King Baby needs a time out.”

Retired teacher’s husband to stand trial in October for her death

Stephen Maples is accused of shooting his wife in February 2023

ADRIAN — A 75-year-old Adrian man remains set for trial for in October in connection with the shooting death of his wife more than two years ago.

At a pretrial hearing in June, the prosecution and defense attorneys

discussed their plans for the use of experts for preliminary matters related to each side of the case.

Defense attorney Charles Noe said he was working on getting an independent expert to “get the ball rolling” on possible defenses for Stephen Maples, and Judge Michael Olsaver set another pretrial hearing for July 9 after assistant prosecutor Allison Arnold said a deadline for completion of the expert’s

report needed to be set so there would be time for the prosecution’s experts to review it and generate their own report in response.

Maples is charged in connection with the February 27, 2023, death of Cathy Maples, a retired educator who spent 35 years teaching in Deerfield schools. She was found deceased from multiple gunshot wounds in the couple’s Madison Township home.

The Lenawee Voice

Opponents of the Trump administration line the edge of Comstock Park at the corner of Maumee and Church streets, with many signs bearing variations on the phrase “No kings” and one depicting Trump as an infant with the words “King Baby needs a time out.”

Supporters of President Trump carry signs reading “Don’t stop praying” and “God is on our side” on June 14 in front of the Lenawee County Courthouse.

Adrian won’t require previous experience as a city administrator in search for new leader

Local Buzz Radio

ADRIAN — Previous city administrator experience will not be a prerequisite for those applying for the position in Adrian.

Amy Cell of the Yeo & Yeo search firm, which is helping with the search process, told Adrian city commissioners there are some advantages to not requiring applicants to have been a city administrator before.

Cell said this will open up the field of applicants to those who may be department directors looking to make a move and whose compensation requirements would be less than those who have already held administrator positions, which would save the city money.

Unlike Portage, which had to raise its administrator pay from $150,000 four years ago to $210,000 today to attract the caliber of candidates the city was seeking, Adrian will be offering a salary of between

$130,000 and $180,000, Adrian Mayor Angela Sword Heath said.

The timeline calls for applications to be accepted through July 27, but Cell also said that is not a hard-and-fast deadline, because she was reluctant to discourage someone from applying or eliminate someone from consideration just because the application arrived after that date.

During a special meeting on June 23, commissioners also finalized the qualities they expect the applicants to possess and the questions that will be posed to them.

Cell told commissioners that after all the applications are in, the commission should plan to review them in closed session on Aug. 4, with a goal of reducing the field to the top seven to 10 candidates.

Commissioners agreed to set aside about five hours during the afternoon of Aug. 14 to conduct interviews, followed by a community reception that evening where the public can meet the candidates.

Jackson teen leads police on chase

TECUMSEH — A 17-year-old Jackson boy is facing numerous felony charges following an early morning police chase on June 15 that began in Tecumseh and ended outside the city.

Chief Brett Coker said the pursuit began around 4:30 a.m. when the vehicle the teen was driving failed to comply with a traffic stop in the area of North Evans Street and Chicago Boulevard. The chase continued

through several parts of Tecumseh, Tecumseh Township, and Raisin Township before the vehicle stopped in the 1300 block of East M-50, with the driver fleeing on foot.

Michigan State Police, the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office, and Raisin Township police assisted Tecumseh police with a search that led to the teenager being taken into custody in the 9500 block of North Adrian Highway. Coker said there were no injuries reported.

Motorcyclist killed in Tecumseh-area crash

TECUMSEH TWP. — Shortly after 7 a.m. on Wednesday, June 18, Lenawee County sheriff’s deputies responded to Newburg Highway near Burwyn Hills Drive in Tecumseh Township for a head-on crash between a truck and a motorcycle.

Deputies stated that a silver Honda motorcycle was traveling north on Newburg Highway at a high speed when the driver, a 19-year-old man from the Tecumseh area, lost control of his 2007 Honda CBR 1000 motorcycle on a curve. He entered the oncoming lane and was struck by a 2005 Chevrolet C5500 truck driven by a 41-year-old man from the Ann Arbor area who was traveling south.

The motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the truck was not injured in the crash and was wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the motorcycle was wearing a helmet.

It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were involved and the crash remains under investigation by the Lenawee County Accident Investigation Team. Assisting were the Tecumseh Police Department, Clinton Township Fire Department, Huron Valley Ambulance/EMS, the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office Crash Investigation Team, Lenawee County Drone Team, Lenawee County Victim Service Unit and Lenawee County Medical Examiners Office.

Ohio woman dies in Franklin Township crash

FRANKLIN TWP. — Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded shortly after noon on Tuesday, June 10, to a two-car, head-on collision on U.S. 12 east of Mull Highway in Franklin Township.

Upon arrival, deputies determined that the at-fault driver was pinned in the vehicle and needed to be removed with the Jaws system before being taken to the hospital and pronounced dead. Investigators said the 33-year-old woman from the Delta, Ohio area was traveling west on U.S. 12 in a 2015 Jeep Patriot when she crossed the centerline and struck a 2024 Chevrolet Traverse driven by a 32-year-old woman from the Onsted area.

Demolition of center portion of Adrian Mall now expected in August

ADRIAN — Demolition of the central part of the Adrian Mall has been delayed from the original June deadline, but is on track to happen later this summer, community development director Lisa Hewitt-Cruz told city commissioners on June 16.

City officials had originally given the property’s New York-based owners until June 4 to tear down the central part of the mall, from the old main entrance to the north wall of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet.

Hewitt-Cruz told the commission that city staff members have been working with the project managers over the past few weeks.

“They are asking for an extension of their demolition, but they are actively working inside,” she said.

Hewitt-Cruz added that the city was able to provide the owners with a 1970s blueprint to aid in demolishing the central part of the building safely, which will include building a new wall.

“The inside will be gutted, then in the second week of August they will start that new wall, then shortly thereafter the outside walls will come down,” she said.

“They’re making slower progress than what we wanted,” she said, “but we don’t want to have to slow it down by taking any court action, so we’ve come up with a plan to keep the project moving.”

Hewitt-Cruz also said she expects to have some good news about the property soon.

“Stay tuned for some really exciting news in regard to this mall,” she said. “There’s going to be some projects going on to give it new life and a new name that we’ll announce at a later date.”

Changes proposed to city’s vacant buildings ordinance

ADRIAN — Some changes are needed in Adrian’s vacant buildings ordinance, Lisa Hewitt-Cruz, the city of Adrian’s new community development director, told city commissioners in June.

The ordinance was most recently amended last year.

The initial investigation indicated that the deceased driver may have fallen asleep while driving.

Her 12-year-old daughter was traveling in the vehicle as well and sustained non-life threatening injuries. The child was transported to a local hospital by ambulance.

The driver of the Chevrolet also sustained non-life threatening injuries to her leg.

It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor. All involved were wearing seat belts.

Multiple agencies assisted the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office at the scene and in the investigation.

One change, Hewitt-Cruz said, involves spelling out ways that the city can determine if a home is exempt from the ordinance because it is not vacant, but is simply only occupied for part of the year — for example, when the homeowner spends winters out of state. The ordinance exempts those homes from being considered vacant, but does not say how their status can be determined. HewittCruz proposed that utility bills, voter registration, bank statements, drivers licenses, insurance policies and vehicle registrations be listed as documents that can be used to demonstrate part-time residency.

Another proposal is that for properties within the Downtown Development Authority district, windows of vacant street-level spaces would have to be covered with a decorative treatment that mimics an active storefront.

Hewitt-Cruz also said the ordinance does not allow people enough time to obtain either a construction or demolition permit after buildings are damaged by fire or storms.

Currently, owners of those buildings have only 90 days to obtain a permit to either restore or demolish them. Hewitt-Cruz said she and other city staff members believe the period should be longer.

“We don’t feel like that’s a reasonable amount of time,” she said. “We’d like to go to 120 days. Going through the insurance process can be quite a lengthy period of time.”

The Lenawee Voice

The front entrance of the Adrian mall and the area between the front entrance and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet are now scheduled for demolition in August, instead of the early June deadline that owners had originally been given.

The Lenawee Voice

Resurfacing underway on several Adrian city streets

ADRIAN — A resurfacing project that involves multiple city streets began in June.

Vehicles parked on the street during road work risk being towed at the owner’s expense.

The chip-and-fog sealing project involves placing a layer of asphalt emulsion and a layer of fine aggregate, followed by another layer of asphalt emulsion. Inconveniences during construction will likely include loose gravel, sticky tar-like material, and clouds of dust, in addition to street closures for short periods of time.

Anyone who must travel on these streets while they are being resurfaced is asked to drive slowly and use caution.

Here are the streets on the resurfacing list, grouped by area.

The area near the former Bixby Hospital: All of Kimole Lane and Lakeshire Trail.

Industrial area southwest of U.S. 223: All of Enterprise Drive and Industrial Court.

Scottdale area near Burr Ponds Park: Scottdale Drive, Scottdale Court, Frazier Drive and Oram Drive. East Beecher area: East Beecher Street from Main Street to the city limits, the entire city portion of Treat Street (which turns into Treat Highway outside of the city), plus Tabor Street from Beecher to the train tracks.

The area southeast of Main and Beecher: All of Caton Avenue, Hoch Avenue, Howell Avenue, Baker Street, Summit Street, and South Street.

Michener Elementary School area: All of Metcalf Street and Dawes Avenue. Adrian College area: The College Park subdivision and Madison Drive (off of Madison Street).

Meadowview: The Meadowview subdivision in northwest Adrian.

Budlong Street area: McKenzie Street from Maple to Maumee, Budlong Street from Maple to Maumee, and Rich Street running between McKenzie and Budlong. Downtown: Washburn Street, which runs between Main and Winter streets.

Metcalf Street in Adrian is pictured during resurfacing work.

City’s cannabis retailers seek ability to stay open later

ADRIAN — Facing competition from outside the city limits, some Adrian cannabis retailers are asking city commissioners to extend the hours they are allowed to be open.

Chris Jacobson, from Amazing Budz on South Main Street, spoke at the June 16 commission meeting. He said his store is not far from retailers in Madison Township who can stay open later, while dispensaries in the city have to close by 9 p.m.

“We need to make sure that we’re on a level playing field,” he said.

Jacobson said allowing later hours would help the city in multiple ways. More sales inside the city would bring more money to city government through the state’s revenue sharing program, and he also said that an additional 14 hours a week of business would create more wages in the city if retailers could stay open until 11 p.m.

Acting city administrator Vince Emrick told commissioners this question has come up before.

Adrian schools announce leadership promotions

ADRIAN — At its June 9 meeting, the Adrian school board approved two leadership promotions that will take effect on July 1.

Dan Peña will be promoted from business manager to chief financial officer for Adrian Public Schools. Peña joined the district in March 2023 and recently earned his CFO certification through the Michigan School Business Officials organization.

“I’m honored by the Board’s confidence in my abilities and excited to take on this expanded role,” Peña said. “Adrian Public Schools has been incredibly supportive of my professional development, and I am committed to maintaining the highest standards of financial stewardship while supporting the district’s educational goals.”

Callie Yatzek has been promoted from dean of students to principal of Prairie Elementary School. Yatzek was initially promoted from teacher to her current administrative role at Prairie Elementary at the start of the 2024-25 school year, has built strong relationships with families and staff during her first year in administration. Prairie will also be adding more Great Start Readiness Program classrooms under her leadership.

“Having served as Dean of Students this year, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible potential of our Prairie Elementary community,” Yatzek said. “I’m excited to continue building on the strong foundation we’ve established together. With the addition of new Great Start Readiness classrooms, we’ll be able to serve even more young learners and families in our community.”

Commissioner Mary Roberts said she supports extending the hours for a few reasons.

“I do think that the competition from having one in Madison Township could hurt some of the local businesses, and we

need to stay competitive,” she said.

She also noted that the Fluresh grow facility in Adrian closed several months ago, and that could mean a big decrease in state revenue sharing payments next year.

This year, according to state records, Adrian received $640,515 in revenue sharing from marijuana taxes and fees.

Mayor Angela Sword Heath said she can’t think of any reasons not to allow marijuana retailers to stay open later.

“I have not been able to find a negative or a harm in extending those hours,” she said.

Commissioners told Emrick they would like to discuss extending the allowable hours to 11 p.m.

City staff will prepare a draft ordinance for commissioners to review in July. In order for a change to go into effect, there would need to be a first reading at one meeting, followed by a vote at a second meeting.

The Adrian City Commission meets on the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m.

Amazing Budz on South Main Street is pictured shortly after 9 p.m. on a recent evening.

Chris Jacobson of Amazing Budz told Adrian city commissioners that having to close by 9 p.m. places the business at a competitive disadvantage when stores in Madison Township can stay open later.

Dan Peña

Callie Yatzek

Road to Restoration is a free clinic to assist Michigan residents in understanding how to get their driving privileges restored.

Thursday, July 31, 2025 Clinic: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-ins accepted as capacity allows ProMedica Ebeid

Burned Beecher Road bridge could be replaced in 2026

HUDSON TWP. — The bridge on Beecher Road just east of U.S. 127 that was damaged by fire in 2023 could be rebuilt next year, if all goes well.

County administrator Kim Murphy included an update on the bridge in her June 6 newsletter for county residents. Bridges are overseen by the Lenawee County Road Commission, which is an independent agency and not part of county government, but Murphy reached out to the road commission for information because of the high volume of questions the county has been receiving about the bridge.

The bridge crosses Saint Joseph Creek, just east of U.S. 127 and just north of Hudson. It was damaged on Nov. 5, 2023, when an area resident’s leaf burn got out of control.

After the fire, the road commission determined it was not able to safely carry traffic loads, and it has been closed since then.

In October 2024, road commissioners were notified that their request for $2.4 million in federal bridge funds for the 2027 fiscal year had been approved. Under the grant, the road commission

will be responsible for 10% of the construction cost and 100% of the design and construction engineering.

Bridges must be over 20 feet long to be eligible for state and federal bridge funds. The Beecher Road bridge over Saint Joseph Creek is one of 179 such structures in Lenawee County. According to the road commission, five of those are currently closed and 13 have weight restrictions posted.

The Beecher Road bridge replacement had to compete against numerous other projects for the funds.

The Beecher bridge project is currently in the Michigan Department of Transportation’s design and environmental review process.

Given the importance of the bridge to local drivers, the road commission asked MDOT about the possibility of an early construction date if all the environmental clearances have been approved and the construction plans are completed.

MDOT said that was a possibility, so the road commission is pushing to be able to do construction in 2026, although they noted it is still too early to say it will happen for sure.

The Beecher Road bridge over Saint Joseph Creek just east of U.S. 127, pictured on June 7, has been closed since it was damaged by fire at the end of 2023.

Stubnitz Foundation

NOTICIAS LOCALES

Aceptamos envíos de noticias locales en inglés o en español. La fecha límite de cada artículo es el día 15 del mes anterior. Las noticias pueden ser enviadas por correo electrónico a news@lenaweevoice.com.

Ben Moorman de Adrian levanta su teléfono durante la reunión de la Comisión de la Ciudad de Adrian del 16 de junio para reproducir una grabación de miembros de la familia reaccionando a un arresto de inmigración que ocurrió el 14 de junio en el estacionamiento frente al Parque Comstock.

Tras

arrestos por inmigración, residentes de Adrian instan a la ciudad a proteger sus derechos

Artículo original por Erik Gable Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares

ADRIAN — Dos días después de que una gran multitud de personas observara a agentes federales de inmigración arrestar a dos hombres en el estacionamiento frente al Parque Comstock, residentes de Adrian llenaron la reunión de la comisión de la ciudad del 16 de junio instando a la ciudad a proteger el derecho de los residentes al debido proceso bajo la ley.

La sección de comentarios públicos de la Comisión de la Ciudad de Adrian suele reunir a pocos participantes, pero unas dos docenas de personas hablaron en la reunión del 16 de junio. Describieron haber visto cómo arrestaron a los hombres y se los llevaron en vehículos sin identificación. Hablaron de amigos y vecinos que están siendo atacados. Uno reprodujo el audio de una grabación de la angustiada reacción de los familiares ante el arresto.

Los arrestos se llevaron a cabo la mañana del 14 de junio. Un video grabado por un testigo muestra a varios hombres, al menos uno de los cuales tenía un arma de fuego visible, ordenando a dos hombres que salieran de su camioneta. También se les ve negándose a responder a las preguntas a gritos de los transeúntes sobre si tenían una orden judicial, y los testigos afirmaron que los agentes amenazaron con romperles las ventanas y sacarlos a rastras de la camioneta.

Conducían varios vehículos con luces intermitentes, pero con matrículas estándar de Michigan y sin marcas visibles de las fuerzas del orden. Uno de los vehículos, una camioneta Ram, tenía una placa con una calcomanía verde del año 2024 en lugar de la calcomanía naranja del 2025.

Tras la reunión de la comisión municipal del lunes, el Jefe de Policía y Administrador Interino de la Ciudad, Vince Emrick, declaró al Lenawee Voice que un agente, que se encontraba en la zona debido a una protesta al otro lado de la calle, en el Parque Comstock, fue abordado por los agentes, quienes se identificaron como funcionarios de

Los

votantes decidirán sobre las instalaciones recreativas para las escuelas

ADRIAN — Los votantes del Distrito Escolar de Adrian decidirán en noviembre si aprueban un impuesto para financiar una nueva instalación de recreación comunitaria junto a la Escuela Preparatoria de Adrian (Adrian High School).

El impuesto propuesto recaudaría unos 27,5 millones de dólares en 20 años. Esto costaría unos 75 dólares anuales en impuestos prediales para el propietario de una vivienda valorada en $200.000 dólares.

El Centro Recreativo se diseñaría como un espacio para la salud y el bienestar, el deporte, la recreación, el fitness, las artes escénicas y eventos comunitarios durante todo el año.

Tendría una superficie aproximada de 87,000 pies cuadrados, aproximadamente el tamaño de un campo de fútbol.

La propuesta es el resultado del trabajo que el distrito escolar realizó en 2024 para evaluar sus instalaciones. Durante ese proceso, el distrito identificó la necesidad de más espacios para apoyar las actividades recreativas y comunitarias tanto para estudiantes como para residentes.

El distrito realizó foros públicos y realizó una encuesta telefónica para determinar si había suficiente apoyo en la comunidad para que valiera la pena incluir la propuesta en la boleta.

— Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares

Las obras de demolición del centro comercial Adrian se retrasan

inmigración. Un teniente de policía solicitó entonces a los despachadores del Condado de Lenawee que llamaran a la oficina de inmigración y confirmaran que habían enviado a los agentes.

Sin embargo, los testigos desconocían esto en ese momento. Como resultado, además de estar conmocionados por la agresiva demostración de fuerza, muchos dijeron temer estar presenciando un secuestro por mano propia.

Entre las dos docenas de personas que tomaron la palabra en la reunión de la comisión municipal del lunes se encontraba Karin Barbee, de Adrian. Ella comentó que Adrian es el hogar de muchos inmigrantes que contribuyen enormemente a la comunidad y a su economía. También indicó que la mayoría sigue las normas e intenta obtener la ciudadanía, pero que el proceso es largo y complicado.

Barbee dijo que para la mayoría de los inmigrantes indocumentados, simplemente estar presente en el país no es un delito, pero están siendo atrapados en arrestos masivos violentos e inconstitucionales por agentes que tienen cuotas que cumplir.

Algunos oradores dijeron que si bien la aplicación de leyes migratorias no es nada nuevo, lo que es nuevo es el nivel de secretismo, agresión y crueldad demostrado en arrestos recientes.

Allie Quinn, de Adrian, afirmó que, si bien las administraciones anteriores deportaron a millones de personas del país, siguieron los procedimientos y rindieron cuentas. Ella añadió que el incidente del 14 de junio no fue un acto de control migratorio, sino un secuestro.

Todos en los Estados Unidos tienen derechos bajo la Constitución, dijo.

Marcie Van Black, de Deerfield, señaló que, tras los arrestos, la angustiada esposa de uno de los hombres ni siquiera pudo volver a entrar a su vehículo, y la policía de Adrian tuvo que abrirlo. Además, dijo, la mujer está en diálisis y no tiene a nadie que la cuide.

ADRIAN — Los planes para demoler parte del centro comercial Adrian (Adrian Mall) se han retrasado hasta agosto.

Originalmente, se suponía que la parte central del centro comercial, que está vacía, sería demolida el 4 de junio. Los funcionarios de la ciudad ordenaron la demolición debido al mal estado del edificio.

Lisa Hewitt-Cruz, Directora de Desarrollo Comunitario de la Ciudad de Adrian, dijo que los propietarios del centro comercial pidieron más tiempo.

— Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares

Los planes para demoler parte del centro comercial Adrian se han retrasado hasta agosto.

‘No hay reyes’, dicen los manifestantes

ADRIAN — El 14 de junio, opositores de la administración Trump se reunieron en Adrian y Tecumseh para protestar con el tema “No hay reyes”.

Las protestas tuvieron lugar el mismo día que un desfile militar en Washington, D.C., que Trump había deseado desde su primer mandato.

Cientos de personas con carteles con lemas como “No hay reyes en América” se congregaron en las calles West Maumee y Church, junto al Parque Comstock. Más tarde ese mismo día, se realizó otra protesta en Tecumseh.

Alrededor de 2.000 protestas similares tuvieron lugar en todo Estados Unidos.

El 14 de junio, opositores de la administración se reunieron para protestar con el tema “No hay reyes”.

Un grupo más pequeño de simpatizantes de Trump se reunió en el jardín del juzgado del Condado de Lenawee ese mismo día. Unas dos docenas de personas portaban banderas y carteles con el nombre y la imagen de Trump.

— Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares

La campaña recauda más de $475,000 para organizaciones locales sin fines de lucro

ADRIAN — Lenawee Cares (A Lenawee le Importa), un proyecto de la la Fundación de la Comunidad de Lenawee) Lenawee Community Foundation, recaudó $475,229 durante la campaña 2024-25, anunció recientemente la fundación.

El dinero recaudado a través de la campaña se destina directamente a organizaciones locales que abordan necesidades como alimentación, albergue, alfabetización de adultos, cuidado infantil y recuperación de la violencia doméstica.

La campaña Lenawee Cares recauda fondos mediante donaciones a través de la nómina de su empresa, aportaciones por solo una vez y apoyo corporativo.

Los donantes pueden destinar sus donaciones a organizaciones específicas.

— Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares

Becas honran la memoria de Chico Martínez

Los miembros del comité del Cinco de Mayo de Chico, Mónica Gallardo-Cosmé, David Atkinson y Teresa Martínez, la ganadora de la beca del condado de Lenawee, Olivia Hartman, y los miembros del comité Teresa Gutiérrez, Bobbi DeLaCruz y Bob Behnke.

Artículo original por Erik Gable Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares

ADRIAN — Chico Martínez, el fundador de la celebración del Cinco de Mayo de Adrian, pasó gran parte de su vida trabajando en la educación.

Por eso es apropiado que el festival anual que ahora se celebra en su honor no sea sólo una fiesta, sino también un evento para recaudar fondos para ayudar a estudiantes locales a perseguir sus sueños.

Después de que Martínez murió de cáncer en 2022, sus amigos y familiares incorporaron una nueva organización, Chico’s Cinco de Mayo, para continuar con el festival anual que él fundó.

También crearon una beca en su nombre, que se financia con las ganancias de ese festival. El festival del año pasado recaudó suficiente dinero para financiar no una, sino dos becas. Una está reservada para un estudiante de

CALENDARIO DEL CENTRO EBEID PARA JULIO

ADRIAN — Los siguientes programas educativos y reuniones comunitarias se llevarán a cabo en julio en el Centro Ebeid (Ebeid Center), en el 801 este de la calle Maumee (801 E. Maumee St.), Adrian. Las clases se ofrecen en inglés a menos que aparezca una opción en español. Es posible que haya intérpretes disponibles para algunas clases si es que se necesita. Para realizar alguna consulta, envíe un correo electrónico a AdrianENP@ ProMedica.org o llame al 517-264-1365. Especialidad de Yoga para Personas Mayores (por YMCA) — el martes 1, 8, 15, 22, y 29 de julio, 9 a.m. ¿Sabías que hay muchos tipos diferentes de Yoga? Durante seis semanas, únase a nosotros para experimentar el Yoga de la Risa, el Yoga de Manos y Pies, el Yoga de la Ansiedad, el Yoga de la Cara y el Cuello, el Yoga Restaurativo y el Yoga de la Pared, cada sesión de Yoga abordará diferentes facetas de la mente y el cuerpo diseñadas especialmente para personas mayores. Ventana Emergente de Alfabetización de Verano (por LISD y ProMedica) — el martes, 1, 8, y 15 de julio, 6-8 p.m. Estas 3 últimas semanas de diversión son para los estudiantes que quieren seguir leyendo y aprendiendo durante todo el verano. Disfrute de lecturas en voz alta, actividades prácticas, llévese un libro a casa cada semana y disfrute de una cena con nuevos amigos. Se requiere el consentimiento de los padres/tutores para participar.

último año de las Escuelas Públicas de Adrian (Adrian Public Schools), donde Martínez trabajó durante muchos años como entrenador y paraprofesional, y la otra para un estudiante de cualquier otro lugar del Condado de Lenawee.

Este año, la beca Adrian fue otorgada a Marisela Fermin-Jacobo, quien asistirá a la Universidad Tecnológica de Michigan (Michigan Technological University), y la beca del Condado de Lenawee fue otorgada a Olivia Hartman de Tecumseh, quien asistirá a la Universidad de Michigan (University of Michigan).

Para Martínez, su trabajo con los estudiantes fue increíblemente gratificante. Su esposa, Teresa Martínez, comentó que a veces todavía se encuentra con estudiantes que hablan del impacto que tuvo en sus vidas.

Los solicitantes de becas fueron evaluados en función de sus

Ejercicio de Batería Cardiovascular (por YMCA) — el miércoles 2 de julio, 6 p.m. Esta sesión concluye nuestro primer circuito de cardio batería que comenzó en junio, muy divertido y una excelente forma de ejercicio apropiado para todos los niveles en la misma clase. Puede traer sus propios suministros o le proporcionaremos todo lo que necesite. Ejercicio de Baile (por YMCA) — lunes y miércoles, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28 y 30 de julio, 6 p.m. No importa cuáles sean tus objetivos de acondicionamiento físico, el ejercicio de baile es un entrenamiento de cuerpo completo que te ayudará a lograrlo. Ya sea que quieras perder peso, tonificar los músculos o mantener un estilo de vida saludable, el ejercicio de baile te ayudará a alcanzar tus objetivos. Comité de Planificación de Actividades de la Coalición — el lunes, 7 de julio, 5 p.m. Ayude a dar forma a actividades que construyan relaciones sólidas entre los vecinos, promuevan un espíritu comunitario positivo y brinden experiencias enriquecedoras para todas las edades. Abierto a todos. Alquiler para el Exito (por Community Action Agency) — el jueves 10 de julio, 5:30-7 p.m. ¡Vuelve el alquiler para el éxito! Aprenda sobre las leyes de vivienda justa, contratos de arrendamiento, derechos de los inquilinos, mantenimiento, reparaciones y más. Los participantes que completen este curso y una sesión privada de asesoramiento presupuestario con CAA reciben un estipendio de $50. Suciedad tu Ropa Interior Desafío (por Distrito de Conservación de Lenawee) — el jueves 10 de julio, 6 p.m. ¡Has leído bien! Si está interesado en la salud del suelo, venga a aprender y

Marisela Fermín-Jacobo, ganadora de la beca de las Escuelas Públicas de Adrian, parada en medio, junto a Mónica Gallardo-Cosmé y Teresa Martínez.

calificaciones, asistencia y actividades extracurriculares, y de los ensayos que escribieron sobre por qué estaban orgullosos de su herencia.

El festival del Cinco de Mayo de este año recaudó suficiente dinero para que se ofrezcan dos becas nuevamente el próximo año.

Los estudiantes interesados en la beca pueden hablar con sus consejeros escolares o enviar un correo electrónico a chicoscincodemayo@gmail.com para más información.

La información también se publicará en la página de Facebook de la organización facebook.com/ chico.s.cinco.de.mayo.

El festival de 2026 se llevará a cabo el sábado 2 de mayo en la feria y terrenos de eventos del Condado de Lenawee.

La organización da la bienvenida a nuevos patrocinadores, voluntarios y miembros del comité.

participe en el desafío de la ropa interior del suelo, usando ropa interior para probar la salud del suelo de su jardín. Reunión de la Coalición Comunitaria (Coalición Comunitaria de East Adrian) — el lumes 14 de julio, 5-6 p.m. La Coalición celebra su reunión mensual el segundo lunes de cada mes a las 5 p.m. Ven y haz que tu voz sea escuchada. Venga a contribuir a la conversación sobre cómo los residentes pueden tener un impacto positivo en nuestra comunidad. Entendiendo el Crédito (por Community Action Agency) — el martes 22 de julio, 5:30-7 p.m. ¿Alguna vez ha tenido problemas para pagar sus facturas, salir de deudas o no está seguro de cómo mejorar su puntaje de crédito?

Venga y aprenda cómo establecer o reparar su crédito y lograr una mayor estabilidad financiera y autosuficiencia. Administración del Dinero (por Community Action Agency) — el jueves 24 de julio, 5:30-7 p.m. Similar a un presupuesto, pero diferente! Aprenda a ser más organizado, determinar y evaluar los ingresos y gastos mensuales, planificar un presupuesto, realizar un seguimiento de los gastos, calcular la relación deudaingreso y abordar las deudas, incluidos los préstamos estudiantiles.

Camino a la Restauración por Michigan Department of State) — el martes 31 de julio, 11 a.m-3 p.m. Esta clínica gratuita ofrece a los residentes de Michigan tiempo individual con el personal del Departamento de Estado y abogados voluntarios para ayudarlo a determinar los pasos para restablecer su licencia de conducir. Esta no es una clínica de eliminación de antecedentes penales por DUI/DWI/OWI. El cupo es limitado. Inscripción muy recomendable.

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Katey Morgan, de Adrian, describió el miedo de no saber siquiera quiénes eran los hombres que ordenaban a las dos personas salir de su vehículo. Señaló que sería fácil para cualquiera hacerse pasar por agentes de inmigración.

También dijo que cualquiera que no pueda ver los arrestos como un problema humanitario debería pensar en la contribución económica que las personas que están siendo atacadas hacen a la comunidad.

Aaron Chesher, de Adrian, afirmó que los habitantes de Adrian han exigido respeto por los derechos civiles a lo largo de la historia de la ciudad. Solicitó una investigación formal sobre los arrestos, que conduzca a la publicación de un informe transparente. También solicitó a la comisión que apruebe una ordenanza de debido proceso que garantice que ningún residente de Adrian pueda ser detenido sin una orden judicial, asistencia legal y una revisión judicial.

Nancy Pellowe, de Adrian, dijo que su hijo menor nació en Corea del Sur y que ella nunca pensó que necesitaría guardar los documentos de él en el teléfono de ella por temor a que lo detuvieran.

Joaquín Ramos de Adrian pidió a los comisionados que escuchen el dolor y el miedo de los residentes de Adrian y trabajen para hacer de la ciudad un lugar mejor.

La alcaldesa Angela Sword Heath les dijo a los oradores que comprende y comparte sus sentimientos. Comentó que tuvo la misma reacción al ver el video de los arrestos.

Según Emrick, la policía de Adrian no tiene acuerdos formales para ayudar a las agencias federales con la aplicación de la ley. Dijo que los agentes de inmigración no suelen notificar a la policía local sobre sus planes, pero en este caso se acercaron a un oficial porque ya estaba presente. El oficial no participó en los arrestos, añadió.

Un recurso local para cualquier persona que necesite ayuda con cuestiones de inmigración es la Oficina de Asistencia de Inmigración de las Hermanas Dominicas de Adrian (Immigration Assistance Office of the Adrian Dominican Sisters).

Según la hermana Attracta Kelly, directora de la Oficina de Asistencia de Inmigración, los agentes federales que quieran arrestar a alguien deben tener una orden con el nombre de esa persona y la orden debe de estar firmada por un juez.

Puede comunicarse con la Oficina de Asistencia de Inmigración al 517-266-3448 o enviando un correo electrónico a akelly@ adriandominicans.org.

Las Hermanas Dominicas de Adrian ofrecen tarjetas que las personas pueden cargar, las cuales tienen estas palabras en español y en inglés:

“Le estoy dando esta tarjeta porque no deseo hablar o tener más contacto con usted. Yo eligo a ejercer mi derecho de matenerme callado y me niego a contestar sus preguntas. Si me arresta, seuguiré ejerciendo mi derecho a mantenerme callado y a negarme a contestar sus preguntas. Yo quiero hablar con un abogado antes de contestar cualquier pregunta. Quiero contactar esta organización: Adrian Dominican Sisters, 517-266-3526.”

LAND & WATER

This page is dedicated to coverage of agriculture, the environment, and the intersection between the two.

To suggest story ideas, pleas email news@lenaweevoice.com.

Watershed Council’s first native plant sale is a success

By Kadi Franson The Lenawee Voice

TECUMSEH — Hundreds of people flocked to the first annual native plant sale hosted by the River Raisin Watershed Council on May 30 in Tecumseh. They arrived before the official start time, and by 2:15 p.m., the parking lot was full. Children got their hands dirty potting plants, musicians strummed beneath a shade tree, and native plant vendors displayed their leafy offerings alongside tables staffed by the conservation district and their local partners.

Lydia Lopez, water stewardship coordinator for the watershed council, explained the purpose of the event: “It’s fundamentally about fostering a deeper connection between the community and its natural environment, with a strong emphasis on education and collaboration.” She highlighted how native species support local pollinators, conserve water, prevent soil erosion, and create resilient habitats for wildlife.

Native plants are species that evolved in relationship with the unique conditions of a place — its soils, animals, insects, and climate — and form the backbone of diverse and resilient ecosystems. Their ongoing decline, beginning with European colonization and accelerating with modern development and industrialization, has caused adverse ripple effects on the living things that depend on them.

The native plant sale became personal for me as I wandered the rows with my parents, who were visiting from Indiana, and two friends. Together with my husband, my friends and I co-steward four acres of land that were once part of a larger 100-acre farm. One of these friends is Bethany Babbitt, who quickly had her arms full of potted plants. “There’s so much variety!” she exclaimed.

Our land tells a story of dramatic change. In the 1800s it was characterized as oak savannah. Back then, someone might encounter Karner blue butterflies amongst wild blue lupines, eastern massasaugas rattlesnakes,

and grasshopper sparrows singing their insect-like songs — all rare or endangered species today.

Before colonization, indigenous land stewards maintained the oak savannah through cyclical fire, a practice rooted in reciprocity with the land. While many people still put this traditional ecological knowledge into practice today, the displacement and genocide of indigenous peoples — and the disruption of culturally-embedded burn regimes — have deeply altered the landscape.

After decades without fire and the subsequent years of agricultural use, our shared site is now overrun with invasive species like garlic mustard, autumn olive, bush honeysuckle, common buckthorn, spotted knapweed, sheep sorrel, and motherwort.

See NATIVE PLANTS, page A14

How do rising tariffs and trade uncertainty affect agriculture in Lenawee County?

By Allegra Baird Lenawee Conservation District

President Donald Trump is advocating steeper tariffs on imports from many countries. With agriculture making up a significant portion of our county and our country’s economy, how does U.S. trade policy directly help or hurt farming operations?

The U.S. is an agricultural powerhouse, and is a global leader in agricultural trade. In 2022, we reached

our peak in agricultural imports and exports, each totaling close to $200 billion. Since 2022, we’ve seen a decline in exports, and an increase in imports, widening our trade deficit.

Exports are declining in part due to greater competition and trade barriers. Our three largest trading partners are China, Mexico, and Canada, with our primary exports being grains, soybeans, and livestock products. During the last trade war with China in 2018, U.S. export losses exceeded $27 billion.

Here in Lenawee County, our top agricultural products include corn grain, soybeans, and livestock products. Sales of all of these products could be in jeopardy if retaliatory tariffs are imposed by our major trading partners. While increases in U.S. tariffs are meant to deter reliance on imports and boost domestic production in the long term, the universal and drastic nature in which they have been applied leaves many scrambling in the short term. There are many agricultural products

that the U.S. imports that are not feasible to produce at the scale needed from our own soil. These include fertilizer inputs like potash, a rock salt supplying potassium, which is a major plant nutrient. The U.S. imports approximately 85% of its potash supply from Canada, which holds the largest global reserves of these salt deposits.

We know that much of the tariffs added to imports are passed onto the consumer.

See TRADE, page A14

Visitors browse the River Raisin Watershed Council’s native plant sale on May 30. KADI FRANSON/LENAWEE VOICE

Children listen as Kathy Smith from the Little Garden Club of Tecumseh shares information about how to support native pollinators like monarch butterflies.

Funds rescinded for farmland, wetland and forest preservation in southeast Michigan

Local Buzz Radio

ANN ARBOR — Farmland and forest land preservation efforts in Lenawee and other southeast Michigan counties have been dealt a blow as federal officials have rescinded a nearly $25 million award that was handed out last year to preserve about 4,000 acres in southeast Michigan from future development.

The Legacy Land Conservancy and its partners in the Southeast Michigan Conservation Coalition Regional Partnership Program were planning to use the funds to strategically purchase conservation easements on private agricultural and forest lands in the fivecounty coalition area.

Lenawee County resident Cathy Harsh is one of the property owners whose land is affected.

“If something happens to my sister and me, we want to know that the farm will be protected,” Harsh said in a news release. “Having Legacy purchase our conservation easement using money

Native plants

from page A13

“Nonnative bush honeysuckle is one of our huge, voracious volunteers,” Bethany acknowledged, “and we want to phase that out.”

Together we searched for replacement species, guided by binders containing photos and plant descriptions. We selected dogwood, spicebush, and nannyberry for shaded areas. But the real excitement came when we found the paw paw trees.

Trade

from page A13

This means farmer production costs are going up, while their sales are going down.

To shed some light on the issue, I talked to a farmer, an agribusiness owner, and a farm loans servicer about how the tariffs are impacting agriculture in our county and beyond.

Aron Buechler is a farmer who grows corn, soybeans, and wheat with his family near Auburn in Bay County. Here’s what he had to say.

“At this point, [the rise in tariffs] is not directly affecting my farm because I was able to pre-purchase most of my inputs. It will be interesting to see how long it takes for the tariffs to stabilize. Agriculture has been in a bad place for years as far as commodity prices ... i.e. trade, production, etc. Farming is a lot of risk with little reward today.”

With regard to Trump’s trade policy, he said: “I think that much of what is happening is long overdue and needed. Although there will be some pain for a while.”

What about agribusinesses like farm equipment retailers and service providers? There is a lot of machinery for farm equipment that may be assembled in the U.S. but whose parts are globally sourced. Heightened tariffs in 2018 on

from the award was going to protect our farm forever and give us some extra money to help pay off all our bills and debts. With the increased costs of living and our limited farming income, it was going to help my sister and I retire with a little more security. Money is tight right now, not just for us but for everybody.”

While most of the funds which Legacy received last year were initially included in the 2024 Farm Bill, they were later moved to the Inflation Reduction Act, which saw changes made to many of its projects by the Trump administration.

Legacy Land Conservancy officials say plans were in place to couple the money with local dollars to ensure the acreage would remain permanently in agricultural production or be preserved as wetlands or forest property.

Legacy Land Conservancy officials say they are still committed to conservation efforts, but say the withdrawal of the award means current opportunities will be lost and that it will take longer to do.

“I’m jazzed up about the paw paw!” Bethany said. “I’d love it for the area that we’re thinking about for a food forest.”

Paw paw, one of the largest native fruits in the United States, has a custardy texture and a flavor reminiscent of banana, mango, and pineapple. Once dispersed across the continent in the dung of megafauna like mastodons, giant ground sloths, and mammoths, the trees now rely on small mammals and humans to move them around. Many people eat them straight from the tree, but they are also enjoyable in many other forms, from beer to gelato. Deer, however, are out

steel and aluminum led to a 78% jump in domestic equipment production costs, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. In many cases, business owners aren’t able to absorb the tariff costs, nor can they adjust their manufacturing supply chains at the drop of a MAGA hat. This means consumer prices have to go up, hurting both business owners and customers. This can also deter the technological innovation we have seen in farm equipment from being implemented on farms.

Jeff Bickley is the CEO of AcuSpray, which is part of a new and rapidly growing industry that leverages drone technology for precision agriculture. Here’s what he had to say:

“We’ve worked hard to build the infrastructure required to integrate this technology at scale, creating a nationwide system that spans equipment sales, custom drone application services, insurance, training, and even mobile trailer solutions built specifically for agricultural drones. But because this industry is still in its early stages, companies like ours — along with the farmers we serve — are particularly vulnerable to the ripple effects of tariffs, trade tensions, and regulatory delays.

“These challenges are difficult for any sector, but for a startup ecosystem that’s still laying its foundation, they’re especially hard to weather. Components

Busch’s aims to boost Michigan farms with summer and fall produce sales

ANN ARBOR — Busch’s Fresh Food Market, a family-owned supermarket chain in southeast Michigan which is currently celebrating 50 years in business, is beginning to offer locally sourced produce during the summer and fall months, the company said in a news release.

Busch’s Fresh Food Market has 16 stores in SE Michigan, and the stores which will be receiving hyperlocal produce are in Ann Arbor, Dexter, Plymouth, Saline, Brighton, Canton, South Lyon, Novi and West Bloomfield.

“Michigan is such a great agricultural state, and we want to provide customers with the very best and freshest produce, while also supporting farms in our community,” said Busch’s market president, Bobby Turner. “Our focus is always on sourcing products locally and we already carry 2,500 local items which connect Michigan manufacturers with our guests. Now guests can enjoy seasonal produce which is arriving from a farm maybe just 10 miles away.”

In 2024, Busch’s sold 25,813 units of hyperlocal produce, where a unit is defined as either an individual item or a pound, depending on the product.

This year, the company hopes to bring even more fresh fruits and vegetables grown in the communities it serves into stores and into the shopping baskets of guests, with a goal

of luck — toxins in the bark, twigs, and leaves repel them.

For Bethany and our group, planting these species represents more than yard decoration. “This is a good step for us,” she said. “We’re figuring out a path forward — how we can best serve the land.”

Dr. Carley Kratz, who supports the watershed council’s education efforts, was impressed by the turnout. “It’s inspiring to see so many people care about planting native plants in their gardens and caring for their property in a way that supports the diverse ecosystems

used in drone manufacturing are, in many cases, produced almost exclusively in China. That makes decoupling from those supply chains a long-term challenge that can’t be solved overnight. At the same time, rising inputs and import hurdles are making it harder for American farmers to access the very tools that could help them stay competitive.

“I do believe that efforts to strengthen U.S. manufacturing and reduce foreign dependency are important — and ultimately necessary for long-term national and economic security. But as we make that shift, we need transitional policies that allow innovators and farmers to survive the short term, especially in industries like ours that are just beginning to scale.”

Ian McGonigal, executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer at Greenstone Farm Credit Services, had this to say:

“Many aspects of farming can create uncertainty, from tariffs which remains a very fluid situation, to commodity prices and weather to name a few. As history tells us, agriculture is an industry with repeated cycles and GreenStone is here to work with our members through them. It is too early to tell if or what the impact will be to agriculture.

“As a relationship-based lender, we’re here to partner with customers and help guide their decision-making process

of achieving over 10 percent growth in units sold.

Metro Detroit farms taking part in this year’s initiative are:

n Garden Fort Farms in Dexter — produce includes microgreens, pea shoots, sun shoots, winter spinach, arugula, lettuce mix, and greens mix.

n Jacob’s Fresh Farm in Dexter — produce includes green curly kale, Swiss chard, collard greens, green zucchini, yellow zucchini, yellow summer squash, kohlrabi, sungold cherry tomatoes, heirloom slicing tomatoes, tomatillos, Italian eggplant, poblano peppers and pattypan squash.

n Green Things Farm Collective in Ann Arbor — organic produce includes dill, curly parsley, Italian parsley, rainbow kale, green onions, bunch radishes, cilantro, green leaf head lettuce, red bunch beets, fennel, summer crisp lettuce and carrot

“There’s something truly special about walking into your neighborhood market and picking up produce that was harvested just miles away,” said Dave Holloway, director of produce and floral for Busch’s. “Our partnerships with local farms not only deliver peak freshness and flavor but also deepen our ties to the Southeast Michigan community by supporting the dedicated farmers who make our region thrive.”

in our watershed.”

Lopez confirmed the event’s success means it will return. “Given the enthusiastic reception, the native plant sale will undoubtedly become an annual fixture, and the watershed council is already looking forward to implementing enhancements to ensure an even larger event next year.”

If you’re interested in learning more or participating in local restoration efforts, organizations like the River Raisin Watershed Council and the Lenawee Conservation District offer tree sales, events, and educational resources.

when requested, providing financial options that balance the needs of their specific situation with the whole of the GreenStone cooperative membership. In times of uncertainty, farms focus on keeping the costs down and maintaining a healthy financial position, both of which are paramount.

“Long-term, if American farmers have a level playing field from a global trade policy perspective, many like their chances to be competitive, successful and profitable on the world stage.”

With more negotiations and trade deals to come, the uncertainty over tariffs leaves many farmers nervous about making necessary farm upgrades or taking out a loan for their next big project. One way that farmers are mitigating the rising costs of inputs is simply omitting buying them this year. Many are looking to the used machinery market instead of buying new equipment. How the new trade deals will affect commodity prices and farmers’ bottom line is yet to be determined. For now, agriculture, encompassing producers, retailers, and manufacturers, are forced to roll with the punches and become strategic about their business decisions.

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

Adrian College signs transfer agreement with Mott Community College

ADRIAN — Mott Community College in Flint recently signed an articulation agreement with Adrian College, creating a pathway for students to transfer credits in six areas of study: social work, criminal justice, business administration, management, accounting and marketing.

An articulation agreement is a partnership between colleges or universities that defines how course credits earned at one institution will be accepted and applied toward a degree at another.

“We’d like to welcome Adrian College as part of the Mott family, and we are ready to work together in these six areas critical to our students,” Mott Community College president Shaunda RichardsonSnell said in a news release.

“At Adrian College, we believe that every student should have access to opportunities that empower their future,” said Adrian College president Jeffrey Docking. “This agreement with Mott Community College removes barriers and builds bridges — ensuring that more students can confidently pursue their academic and professional goals.”

IN BRIEF

New pastor to arrive in July at St. John’s church in Riga

RIGA — On Sunday, July 13, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Riga will receive a new pastor.

Ben Roekle, a 2025 graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, will be ordained and installed during a 4 p.m. service. The Rev. Brian Keller of St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church in Adrian will be the presiding minister.

Roekle’s father, the Rev. John Roekle of First Lutheran Church in Racine, Wisconsin, will be the guest speaker. Ministers from surrounding congregations in joint fellowship will participate in the laying on of hands.

St. John’s has been without a full-time minister for over three years. Roekle and his wife, Mollie, and son, Ezra, will take up residency in the parsonage on July 1. St. John’s is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

Phillips promoted at County National Bank

‘Michigan Crafted’ campaign launched to promote state’s craft beverage industry

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Michigan Craft Beverage Council have launched “Michigan Crafted,” a new branding campaign to promote the state’s craft beverage industry.

“Michigan’s craft beverage industry is one of the most dynamic and diverse in the nation,” said Tim Boring, who is the Department of Agriculture director and also chairs the craft beverage council. “The Michigan Crafted brand

will burnish Michigan’s reputation as a premier craft beverage destination — driving tourism, promoting economic growth and connecting consumers to world-class, locally made beer, wine, mead, cider and spirits.”

Businesses across the state are participating in the Michigan Crafted rollout by displaying branded merchandise and materials in their establishments to build consumer awareness and support the launch.

The kickoff was timed for the summer tourism season, when the state’s craft beverage destinations are at their most active.

The campaign will include advertising, special events and social media, according to a news release from the Department of Agriculture. It will start by targeting Michigan audiences and then expand to national marketing.

The campaign’s website is at MiCrafted.com.

ADRIAN — The following programs are scheduled for July at the ProMedica Ebeid Center, 801 E. Maumee St., Adrian. For more information about Ebeid Center programs, email AdrianENP@ ProMedica.org or call 517-264-1365.

Dance Exercise (offered by the YMCA) — Mondays and Wednesdays, July 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, and 30 at 6 p.m. No matter what your fitness goals are, dance exercise is a full-body workout that will help you get there. Whether you want to lose weight, tone muscles or maintain a healthy lifestyle, dance exercise will help you achieve your goals.

of in-person, instructor-led training. Registration is required.

Community Coalition Meeting (East Adrian Community Coalition) — Monday, July 14, from 5-6 p.m. The coalition meets the second Monday of every month. Let your voice be heard and contribute to the conversation about how residents can have a positive impact in community. Activities are discussed, but this group focuses on broader issues.

ADRIAN — Christopher Phillips has been promoted to Executive Vice President — Chief Wealth Management Officer at County National Bank. Phillips, whose banking career spans 18 years, joined County National in 2016. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana and Valparaiso School of Law.

Christopher Phillips

Phillips is active in multiple local organizations, including the HOPE Community Center and the Croswell Opera House. He and his wife, Erin, live in Sand Creek. They have two children, Miley and Ephraim.

“Christopher’s strategic vision has been very instrumental in the growth and success of our Wealth Management Team and assets under management,” president and CEO Joseph R. Williams said. “He is a great asset to the leadership team, with an emphasis on serving our communities and clients.”

Specialty Yoga for Seniors (offered by the YMCA) — Tuesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, at 9 a.m. Did you know there are many different types of yoga? Over these five weeks, experience Laughter Yoga, Hand and Foot Yoga, Anxiety Yoga, Face and Neck Yoga, Restorative Yoga. and Wall Yoga. Each session will address different facets of the mind and body designed especially for seniors. Come by yourself, or with a friend.

Summer Literacy Pop-Ups (offered by the by LISD, ProMedica, and volunteers) — Tuesdays, July 1, 8 and 15, 6-8 p.m. These three final weeks of fun are for students who want to continue reading and learning throughout the summer. Enjoy readalouds, hands-on activities, take a book home each week and enjoy dinner with new friends. Parental/guardian consent to participate is required.

Cardio Drumming Exercise (offered by the YMCA) — Wednesday, July 2, at 6 p.m. This session wraps up the first circuit of cardio drumming that began in June. It is a form of exercise appropriate for all levels in the same class. You can bring your own supplies or use the ones provided.

Coalition Activity Planning Committee (East Adrian Community Coalition) — Monday, July 7, at 5 p.m. Help shape activities that build strong relationships among neighbors, promote a positive community spirit, and provide enriching experiences for all ages. Open to all.

Rent for Success (presented by Community Action Agency) — Thursday, July 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Learn about fair housing laws, lease agreements, tenants rights, maintenance, repairs & more. Participants who complete this course and a private budget counseling session with CAA receive a $50 stipend.

Soil Your Undies Challenge (presented by the Lenawee Conservation District) — Thursday, July 10, at 6 p.m. You read that right! You can actually use underwear to test the health of your garden’s soil.

Mental Health First Aid (presented by Lenawee Community Mental Health) — Monday, July 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. This is a blended course with a twohour online component and 6.5 hours

Understanding Credit (presented by Community Action Agency) — Tuesday, July 22 at 11 a.m. Have you ever struggled to pay your bills or get out of debt, or are not sure how to improve your credit score? Learn how to establish or repair your credit and achieve greater financial stability and self sufficiency. Important aspects of the Fair Credit Reporting Act are covered.

Money Management (presented by Community Action Agency) — Thursday, July 24, 5:30-7 p.m. Similar to budgeting, but different. Learn how to be more organized, determine and evaluate monthly income and expenses, plan a budget, track spending, calculate debt-to-income ratio and tackle debt including student loans.

Road to Restoration (by the Michigan Department of State) — Thursday, July 31, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free clinic provides Michigan residents one-on-one time with Department of State staff and volunteer attorneys to help you determine the steps to reinstate your driver’s license. This is not a DUI/DWI/OWI expungement clinic. Space is limited. Registration highly recommended.

Mott Community College president Shaunda Richardson-Snell and Adrian College president Jeffrey Docking (center) pose with staff after signing an articulation agreement.

Evan Haller from Boston entertained children and adults on June 18 at the kickoff event for the Summer Reading Program at Stair District Library in Morenci. Haller got kids clapping and jumping with a variety of songs, then finished his visit by bringing out a parachute for children to go on top of and under. Area kids can still join in the fun at programs every Wednesday through Aug. 6. Stop in at the library for details or call 517-458-6510.

BY

Summer Saturdays series off to a good start in Morenci

Gautz and her children pick out their decorations at the hat-making station at “Horsin’ Around,” the first event in downtown Morenci’s Summer Saturdays series.

By Katherine Simpkins

The Morenci Advocate

MORENCI — The Morenci Downtown Development Authority launched its new Summer Saturdays series on June 7. The theme for the first event was “Horsin’ Around.”

The day included a 5K run, free pony rides, and a broadcast of the Belmont Stakes race at the Rex Theater. The evening concluded with a DJ downtown.

Heather Sarnac, Morenci’s community and economic development director, emphasized the collaborative effort behind the event. “Events like these do

not happen by accident,” she said. “They are the result of collaboration between volunteers, local businesses, city staff, and community partners.”

Looking ahead, the next Summer Saturdays event is scheduled for July 12, featuring a classic car show, cornhole, face painting, a magician, and more, with Main Street closed to accommodate the festivities. Sarnac encourages community involvement.

“We are excited to keep building on this momentum and welcome anyone who wants to help us make it happen,” she said.

For more information on events in Morenci, visit cityofmorenci.org.

Musician

PHOTO

DAVID GREEN

Callie

KATHERINE SIMPKINS/THE MORENCI ADVOCATE

IN BRIEF

July 9 is next date for Behnke’s Commissioner Conversations

ADRIAN — City commissioner Bob Behnke invites the public to attend another Commissioner Conversations session, on Wednesday, July 9, from 6-7 p.m. at the Adrian District Library, 143 E. Maumee St.

The session is a chance for residents to ask questions about the city or bring up any concerns they may have.

Two arrested following Tecumseh shooting

TECUMSEH — Tecumseh police have arrested two men in connection with a non-fatal shooting on June 5 in the Standish Dam area on Burt Street.

The suspects are 31 and 26 years old, both from Tecumseh.

Clinton community mourns unexpected loss of police chief Tony Cuevas at age 53

Cuevas had been the village’ s police chief since 2019

CLINTON — Tony Cuevas, police chief for the village of Clinton, died unexpectedly on June 21. He was 53.

Cuevas’s many years in law enforcement included a 24-year career with the Michigan State Police. He was the last commander of the Adrian/ Jonesville post, which closed in 2011. He then became commander of the Monroe post before retiring in 2018, according to Lenawee Voice news partner Local Buzz Radio. Two months after retiring from the state police, he was selected as the successor to Clinton police chief Mike Randolph, spending about six weeks as deputy chief in early

2019 before taking over the chief’s role in February of that year.

Village manager Kevin Cornish said in a statement that Cuevas served “with unwavering dedication, integrity and compassion.”

“During his tenure as chief, he championed community policing, which left a lasting impact on the community,” Cornish said.

Cornish said that, through Cuevas’ leadership, the Clinton department was able to resolve cases with the proficiency of a large city department. He emphasized rapport with residents and was a strong advocate for schools, committed to making sure children had a safe learning environment.

He recently organized the village of Clinton’s first Citizens Academy, a fourweek course that provided participants with an overview of the criminal justice system, evidence collection and basic police procedures, with the goal of helping citizens understand the duties and responsibilities police officers face.

Village president Doris Kemner said Cuevas was a great leader, not just of the Clinton Police Department but within the Lenawee County law enforcement community.

Sgt. Ryan Hillard has stepped into the role of acting chief.

“Chief Cuevas was an outstanding individual with a great personality and was one of the best police chiefs in the state,” Cornish said. “Tony’s passing will be a devastating loss for the community.”

Referendum on Michigan’s minimum wage law could be coming

LANSING — A referendum on Michigan’s current minimum wage law could be in the works, as petition language has been submitted on changes that were put in place earlier this year.

POLICE REPORTS

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

ADDISON

May 25: Operating while intoxicated, Winter Road and Lelah Lane.

May 30: Assault, 200 block of North Comstock Street.

June 2: Drug possession, 200 block of North Comstock Street.

ADRIAN

May 25: Retail fraud, 4600 block of West U.S. 223. Assault, 400 block of West Maumee Street.

May 26: Burglary (residential, no forced entry), 300 block of Riverside Avenue. Assault, 400 block of Elm Street. Assault, 400 block of May Drive.

May 27: Property damage, 1000 block of South Winter Street. Assault, 1100 block of East Butler Street. Retail fraud, 800 block of South Main Street. May 28: Vagrancy, Division and Frank streets. Property damage, 300 block of Greenly Street. Telephone harassment or threats, 1500 block of Village Green Lane.

May 29: Assault, 600 block of Saint Joseph Street. Assault, 100 block of Dawes Street.

May 30: Larceny from a building, 1200 block of Lexington Drive. Assault, 300 block of Erie Street. Burglary (residential, forced entry), 400 block of East Church Street.

May 31: Assault, East Michigan and Center streets. Disorderly conduct, 100 block of East Maumee Street. Assault, Maumee and Winter streets. Internet harassment or threats, 1500 block of Village Green Lane. Assault, 400 block of Erie Street. Assault, 700 block of Lakeshire Trail.

June 1: Assault and burglary (residential, no forced entry), 1000 block of East Hunt Street. Assault, South Winter Street at U.S. 223. Retail fraud, 1500 block of West Maumee Street. Telephone harassment or threats, 1500 block of Village Green Lane.

June 2: Assault less than murder, 200 block of North Winter Street. Sexual assault, 1000 block of South Main Street. Drug possession, 700 block of

After the Michigan Supreme Court ruled last year that lawmakers in 2018 had improperly changed a law putting tipped workers on the same minimum wage level as all other minimum wage earners and ordered it reinstated, the legislature this year again re-established the two-tier system.

Riverside Avenue. Assault, 600 block of South Madison Street. Disorderly conduct, 1000 block of North Broad Street. Assault, Center and Erie streets. Operating while intoxicated, Church and Division streets. Assault, Church and Division streets.

June 3: Identity theft, 500 block of South Madison Street. Fraud, 200 block of Seeley Street. Assault, 400 block of South Main Street. Disorderly conduct, 400 block of College Avenue.

June 4: Assault, 200 block of Cross Street. Vagrancy, Maple Avenue and Broad Street. Assault, 500 block of East Church Street. Assault, 1000 block of South Winter Street. Assault, 100 block of Bristol Street. Retail fraud, 700 block of South Main Street. Assault, 300 block of North McKenzie Street.

June 5: Retail fraud, 300 block of East Beecher Street. Disorderly conduct, 700 block of Loveland Road. Larceny from a building, 200 block of North Main Street. Larceny from the mail, 200 block of North Main Street.

June 6: Property damage, West Michigan Avenue and Charles Street. Sexual assault, 500 block of South Winter Street. Assault, 1000 block of East Maple Avenue. Retail fraud, 200 block of East U.S. 223. Assault, 400 block of Industrial Drive. Assault, 100 block of Sand Creek Highway. Assault, 300 block of Frank Street. Assault, 100 block of East Maumee Street. Assault and operating while intoxicated, 100 block of Sand Creek Highway.

June 7: Assault, 1200 block of Division Street. Property damage, 700 block of East Siena Heights Drive. Telephone harassment or threats, 900 block of Oak Street. Disorderly conduct, 300 block of West Hunt Street.

June 8: Assault, 900 block of Oak Street.

June 9: Illegal credit card use, 300 block of Crystal Spring Avenue.

Larceny from the mail, 100 block of Sand Creek Highway. Operating while intoxicated, 500 block of South Winter Street. Disorderly conduct and property damage, 300 block of South McKenzie Street.

June 10: Assault, 100 block of East Maumee Street. Disorderly conduct, 300 block of South Tecumseh Street.

June 11: Disorderly conduct, 400 block of State Street. Property damage, 500 block of East Michigan Street.

Assault, 600 block of Bent Oak Avenue.

June 12: Retail fraud, 300 block of East Beecher Street. Assault, Siena Heights

It’s the most recent change that the group Voters to Stop Pay Cuts hopes to overturn by referendum. If the signaturegathering process gets the green light, and if enough are collected to put the question to voters, the current minimum wage law would be put on hold and the former one would be reinstated until voters decide.

HUDSON TWP.

Drive at Bent Oak Avenue. Sexual assault, 100 block of South Madison Street.

June 13: Drug possession, 300 block of East Beecher Street. Fraud, East Maumee and Locust streets.

June 15: Assault, Jordan and Winter streets.

June 16: Assault, 100 block of Union Street.

June 17: Larceny from a vehicle, 1100 block of College Avenue.

June 18: Assault, 1000 block of Division Street. Assault, 600 block of Saint Joseph Street. Property damage, 800 block of Erie Street. Assault, 300 block of East Beecher Street. Telephone harassment or threats, 700 block of James Street.

June 19: Operating while intoxicated, 500 block of College Avenue.

June 20: Property damage, 500 block of East Michigan Street. Burglary (residential, no forced entry), 300 block of Merrick Street. Assault, 300 block of North Main Street. Fraud, 200 block of East U.S. 223. Disorderly conduct, 300 block of South McVicar Street.

ADRIAN TWP.

May 29: Vehicle theft, 5700 block of West U.S. 223.

CAMBRIDGE TWP.

June 5: Assault, 7900 block of West U.S. 12.

June 8: Assault, 9200 block of Kingsley Drive.

CLINTON

May 25: Electronic harassment or threats, 11500 block of Tecumseh Clinton Highway.

DEERFIELD

May 28: Assault, 200 block of Deerfield Road.

FRANKLIN TWP.

May 27: Wire fraud, Paragon Road at Carson Highway.

May 31: Operating while intoxicated, Tipton Highway at U.S. 12.

June 4: Disorderly conduct, West M-50 at Tipton Highway.

June 16: Assault, 7700 block of North Adrian Highway.

HUDSON

June 14: Operating while intoxicated, South Meridian Road at Pleasant Street.

Backers of the current minimum wage law argued that treating tipped workers the same as other minimum wage employees could lead to them taking a pay cut. They argue that if service employees’ wages were higher, customers would either cut back on tips or eliminate them completely.

ROLLIN TWP.

May 26: Robbery, 14500 block of West Carleton Road.

June 17: Fraud, 1200 block of South Rollin Highway.

MADISON TWP.

May 26: Assault and retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

May 29: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

May 30: Assault, 3100 block of South Winter Street. Operating while intoxicated, South Winter Street at U.S. 223.

May 31: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223. Assault, 4400 block of Whig Highway.

June 2: Illegal credit card use, 2200 block of East U.S. 223.

June 3: Fraud, 100 block of Shiawassee River Drive.

June 4: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

June 5: Larceny, 1000 block of West U.S. 223. Vehicle theft, 1300 block of East U.S. 223.

June 7: Intimidation, Treat Highway and U.S. 223.

June 8: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223. Larceny from a yard, 2500 block of East U.S. 223.

June 9: Larceny, 200 block of Elkington Street. Property damage, 1500 block of East Carleton Road.

June 11: Operating while intoxicated, 200 block of Santee River Drive. Assault, 4000 block of South Adrian Highway.

June 14: Operating while intoxicated, 2900 block of West Beecher Road.

June 17: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

June 19: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

PALMYRA TWP.

June 9: Operating while intoxicated, U.S. 223 at Ogden Highway.

June 10: Assault, 6400 block of Rouget Road.

RAISIN TWP.

June 3: Assault and operating while intoxicated, 5800 block of Occidental Highway.

RIGA TWP.

June 12: Identity theft, 8600 block of Berkey Highway.

June 8: Assault, 1600 block of North Rollin Highway.

ROME TWP.

June 3: Assault, 6500 block of Plank Road.

June 10: Operating while intoxicated, Gilbert Highway at Woerner Road.

June 17: Property damage, 12800 block of Forrister Road.

SENECA TWP.

May 29: Property damage, 10200 block of Seneca Highway.

May 31: Property damage, 9400 block of Brown Road.

TECUMSEH

May 26: Assault, 100 block of West Pottawatamie Street.

May 27: Illegal credit card use, 700 block of Clark Street. Fraud, 300 block of East Chicago Blvd.

May 30: Retail fraud, 100 block of East Chicago Blvd.

May 31: Sexual assault, 400 block of East Kilbuck Street.

June 5: Disorderly conduct, 5000 block of Macon Highway.

June 10: Assault, 600 block of North Union Street.

June 11: Illegal credit card use, 800 block of Waskin Drive. Larceny, 400 block of Adrian Street.

June 14: Operating while intoxicated, Union and Logan streets. Assault, 200 block of Burt Street.

June 15: Assault, 700 block of East Chicago Blvd.

June 17: Fraud, 2600 block of Stillwater Drive.

TECUMSEH TWP.

May 26: Burglary (non-residential, forced entry), 2900 block of West Russell Road.

June 6: Operating while intoxicated, East M-50 at Hendershot Highway.

June 9: Operating while intoxicated, East M-50 at North Adrian Highway.

WOODSTOCK TWP.

May 29: Retail fraud, 14500 block of West U.S. 223.

May 30: Larceny from a yard, 8300 block of Parker Highway.

June 14: Assault, 17800 block of West U.S. 12.

EDITORIALS

Happy 200th to the city that worked

In the foreword to his book “Adrian: The City that Worked,” probably the most comprehensive volume that has ever been written about the the Maple City, local historian Charles Lindquist described being asked an unusual question by a visitor to Adrian.

Why, the visitor asked, is this city here?

The reason for the question was this: Very often, a city’s success is a direct function of its geography. Cities grow up around port cities, and Adrian has no port. They cluster around navigable rivers, which the River Raisin is not. They thrive where there are abundant natural resources, and the area has few of those (aside from the soil — and with the swamps that dominated Lenawee County two centuries ago, even farming was not without its problems).

By all rights, Adrian should not have what it has today — its institutions of higher education, its active artistic and cultural scene that many larger communities cannot match, its numerous foundations that are able to support worthy local projects in perpetuity.

So why is Adrian the city that it is?

Lindquist’s answer was this: Since they couldn’t rely on external factors like geography to make their city thrive, Adrian’s founders knew that they would simply have to work.

And so they did.

Though every place is made up of many different people, cities also tend to develop personalities of their own. Adrian’s personality — when we are at our best — is defined by an obstinate refusal to take “no” for an answer or accept that something just can’t be done.

Adrian’s story is full of people who refused to give up. People like Laura Haviland, who fought an uphill battle against slavery. People like Charlie Hickman and Al Goldsmith, who started Brazeway when they had an idea for something that their employer thought was impossible. People like the first Mexican-American residents of Sunnyside, who — when denied the ability to buy homes inside the city limits — basically made a city of their own.

As Adrian marks its 200th birthday, let’s continue to work hard, be stubborn, and refuse to give up.

It’s how we got here. And it’s how we will create our future.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

We’re missing out on opportunities

Recently the Palmyra Township board, intimidated by a small but noisy NIMBY group (10 to 20 residents out of 2,031 township residents) blocked changes to a local ordinance that would have allowed a new solar farm to quickly proceed. Such “exclusionary” ordinances are not legal under Michigan’s Zoning and Enabling Act.

Letters to the Editor should be 300 words or fewer and may be emailed to letters@lenaweevoice.com.

Please include your town of residence and a phone number for verification purposes.

LOCAL VIEWS

‘Thank you for your service’ is not enough

MITCH MYERS

“To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan” were words spoken by President Abraham Lincoln during his second inaugural address in 1865. With those words, Lincoln plainly stated that our government must care for those injured during war and provide for the families of those who died in battle. Lincoln’s words were adopted by the Veterans Administration in 1959 and are on a plaque on the front of their building in Washington D.C.

Fast forward to 2025. Rep. Jack Bergman of Michigan, who serves on the House Committee of Veterans Affairs recently wrote “As a member of Congress focused on the needs of our veterans, I hear the stories every day: chronic understaffing of VA facilities, unconscionably long waits for health care and mental health counseling, a six-figure backlog of benefit claims that continues to grow, an overreliance on medication instead of more innovative and effective treatments for those lucky enough to receive attention from the VA bureaucracy. Our dysfunctional VA system of care … has become more interested in self-preservation and political posturing than it is in serving the urgent needs of our nation’s veterans.”

This past February, the VA’s Acting Inspector General David Case, testified before the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, saying that “problems in the VA, though identified, persist because of mismanagement, persistent staff vacancies and a lack of follow-through on disciplining employees. Employee misconduct, malfunctioning computer systems, confusing policies and program inefficiencies hamper operations at the Department of Veterans Affairs.” In the same meeting, Rep. Jen Kiggens of Illinois said, “too many times bureaucracy is put first and veterans come in second.”

In response to these and other problems, VA Secretary Doug Collins recently pledged, “Veterans are going to notice a change for the better.” However, in an article published by ProPublica titled “Internal VA emails reveal how

Had the solar developer, RWE, been able to work out details with the township, Palmyra could have collected $875,000 in a “Renewable Ready Community” grant from the state.

But NIMBYs thought they knew better.

Now, the same anti-clean energy group, despite months of raucous complaints about the supposed “dangers” of solar energy, have realized, too late, the desperate need for funding in the community, and have, incredibly, proposed building their own solar farm to address funding shortfalls.

To that end, the group proposes forming a “task force” made up

Trump’s cuts jeopardize veterans’ care, including life-saving cancer trials,” reveals a far different story. A contract with an outside company that maintains and runs the VA’s cancer registry, where information on the treatment of veterans is collected and analyzed, was marked for “immediate termination” by Elon Musk’s DOGE. Just three years ago, Congress passed the PACT Act to expand care and benefits for veterans facing cancer and other issues after exposure to Agent Orange, burn pits or other toxins. Without the cancer registry, databases for tracking veterans’ conditions will not be kept up to date.

Doctors and administrators at VA hospitals and clinics across the country have been sending emails to the VA warning of how the administration’s cuts will harm veterans’ health care.

Governmental reports and published articles point towards veterans overwhelmingly believing that the VA needs urgent reforms focused on “speed, accessibility and responsiveness to their health care needs.” They are asking for streamlined processes, more staff focused on customer service, “extended medical referral windows and leadership that prioritizes meaningful structural reform over workforce cuts.”

Our veterans are experiencing long wait times to see physicians they have been referred to, just to have the referral expire before receiving treatment. Veterans across the country say the VA needs urgent reform to deliver health care faster and make sure they get the care they need.

Our government is not heeding the words of President Lincoln.

of “community volunteers” for “researching and implementing a township-owned solar grid.”

The group will study “feasibility and funding options,” but no one in the group has the slightest experience, expertise, or financial ability to initiate such a project.

The NIMBY group relentlessly opposed a professional corporation with years of experience and a proven track record of bringing exactly this kind of project to the community.

Ironically, under Michigan’s new siting reform law, RWE will now take their proposal directly to the Public

There is help available for veterans in Lenawee County to negotiate the slowmoving VA system. Tammy Sheldon is the Veterans Service Director at Lenawee County Department of Veterans Affairs. According to Tammy, “As a county Veterans Affairs office, our focus remains on addressing the specific needs and experiences of veterans here in Lenawee County. We understand that some veterans do face challenges with the federal VA system, including delays in receiving benefits or accessing timely health care … Overall, it’s important to recognize that both systemic challenges and individual factors contribute to the veteran experience …We remain committed to providing direct support and ensuring veterans in Lenawee County have a voice in improving the systems intended to serve them. Continued communication between local, state, and federal partners is essential to address these ongoing challenges effectively.”

The Lenawee County Department of Veterans Affairs is a great resource for our local veterans. Thank you to Tammy and her staff.

You can also be a resource. Saying the words “thank you for your service” is just not enough! We need to take action. Our representatives in Congress need to take action. Call your senators and representative and let them know that you demand that Congress must do everything possible to provide the health care and services that our veterans deserve:

Sen. Elissa Slotkin: 313-962-4330. Sen. Gary Peters: 517-377-1508. Rep. Tim Walberg: 517-780-9075. Mitch Myers lives in Adrian.

Service Commission, where in all likelihood it will be approved, but without direct input from the township, and with Palmyra forfeiting the badly needed $875,000 EGLE award.

Solar will eventually come to Palmyra, and there will be enormous revenue benefits, over time, to the community.

Sad that a handful of noisy, but poorly informed, individuals have cost the rest of Palmyra’s residents badly needed dollars, and critical time.

Paul Wohlfarth, Ottawa Lake

Align Center

from page A1

and a half years ago, Lenawee Now started looking for a building. The search eventually led them to what had previously been the Restore World Church, which was moving to a larger space in Ypsilanti. Before it was the church, the building was the home of St. John’s Lutheran School.

Renovating the building into a state-ofthe-art workforce center began with $10 million in state funding secured by State Sen. Joe Bellino (R-Monroe) working with Ben Negron of the Hispanics for Lenawee Alliance (HOLA). Grants and fees for services will help cover further costs.

The idea of the Align Center, Farver said, is to provide “a friendly front porch” for the community, starting from the moment people walk in the door and see the two mosaics created by Adrian artist Carlos Tobar whose colors were used as the design palette for the building’s interior.

The center’s location on Adrian’s east side puts it in a key location not only for that area but for Lenawee as a whole. “We’re right in the center of the county,” Farver said.

It also happens to be only a block away from the Boys and Girls Club of Lenawee, which is partnering with the center by waiving its usual membership fee for the children of students at the center so that the children can have a place to go while their parents are taking classes.

Where did the name come from?

Farver said that when a marketing firm tested out various possibilities, Align resonated with the study’s participants in the study, and it seemed to be exactly the right choice because “we want to align with people’s needs.”

The center’s purpose statement is that it exists “to Explore, Train and Connect job seekers, current employees, parents, educators, and businesses across Lenawee County in order to Empower, Equip and Elevate our community through Workforce Development.”

H. Ron Griffith, the center’s interim executive director, said that the need for education in the trades was identified early on as a need in the area. “Not everyone wants to go to college,” he said.

To that end, the center’s classrooms are available for employers and training programs to provide certificate-based education in all types of trades. Some programs for plumbing, HVAC and flooring installation that are currently housed elsewhere will move there, and the center expects to add classes in everything from financial literacy to robotics training. Future expansion might also have space for training in industrial trades.

“We asked the community, what are the needs?” Farver said. For example, one of the specific local workforce needs turned out to be to train people to handle chemicals, “so we’re working on that.”

Career navigators will help connect job-seekers with opportunities, and the center is also collaborating with Jebbee, the career networking platform recently

BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY

Phone:

founded by Stephanie Hickman Boyse.

Financial assistance will be available for students for whom cost is a factor.

Farver said the Align Center’s goal is not to duplicate programs that currently exist in the county. “If we don’t have it, we’ll tell you where to find it,” he said.

In addition to all the workforcetraining facilities, the center will have office space for local groups including the Lenawee County Veterans Coalition, Adrian Ebeid Neighborhood Promise, Michigan Works, and HOLA.

Griffith and Lenawee Now also envision the Align Center as a place for a wide variety of community uses on a rental basis, whether it’s a business that needs a conference room or a family looking for a place to hold a wedding. The center might also host activities of its own, such as family movie nights.

“We want people to consider this their community space,” Farver said.

For more information on the Align Center, go to www.alignlenawee.org.

NEIGHBORS

JULY 2025 Historic mansion now open as inn and event center » PAGE B9

A new cafe opens in Manitou Beach » PAGE B10

THE LENAWEE VOICE

SECOND SECTION

Faust House offers local source for art supplies » PAGE B11

Meal Assistance Program celebrates five years of serving Lenawee County

A benefit dinner to support the program will take place on August 14

By Renee Lapham Collins The Lenawee Voice

TECUMSEH — It’s been five years since De’Angelo Boone started the Meal Assistance Program (MAP) through City of Refuge Ministries, and Boone says the need is even greater than when he started in 2020.

“The need increases each year,” he said. “Last year, I thought we would increase maybe 20 to 35 percent, but we have surpassed that in the number of clients we are serving.”

The main culprit, he said, is that the cost of food is going up while wages are not. Additionally, the Tecumseh Service Club closed its pantry at the end of last year, which has brought a few more clients into the program. In five years, he said, MAP has delivered over 700,000 pounds of food, created numerous partnerships, and in June 2022, transitioned from a 900-square-foot building in Adrian into the former Hamblin Printing facility, at 109 E. Logan St. in Tecumseh. The building is owned by attorney David Stimpson.

“We now have 4,000 square feet of space so that means we have the ability to house more food and provide for our community,” Boone said. “The gift of the use of this space has been instrumental in how we have been able to expand our services.”

Boone said last year MAP received more than 190,000 pounds of food from the South Michigan Food Bank, with an additional 13,950 pounds coming from donors in the county. MAP partners with Meijer, Adrian Public Schools, Siena Heights University, Family Medical Center, Orchard Terrace apartments in Tecumseh, and the Boys and Girls Club

to address food insecurity. The list of partners continues to grow.

“I am empathetic to the people that walk through the door,” Boone said. “My mom depended on state assistance and the Focus: HOPE program to provide supplemental food support for her family.”

Boone said he “grew up in church” and attended Pershing High School on Detroit’s east side, “where numerous students benefited from the federal free lunch program.”

After earning two undergraduate degrees from Michigan State, Boone received a master’s degree in leadership from Siena Heights and is currently

See MEAL ASSISTANCE, page B5

CARS

FOOD • WINE CRAFT BEER

LIVE BANDS

by

De’Angelo Boone, founder of the City of Refuge Ministries Meal Assistance Program, stands with volunteer Genesis Hardnett, manager Rosemary Hardnett, and volunteer Teresa Cash in the food pantry’s Tecumseh facility. RENEE LAPHAM COLLINS/LENAWEE VOICE

De’Angelo Boone is pictured at the Meal Assistance Program operated

City of Refuge Ministries International.

Lenawee Cares campaign raises over $475,000 for local nonprofits

ADRIAN — Lenawee Cares, a project of the Lenawee Community Foundation, raised $475,229 during the 2024-25 campaign, the foundation announced recently.

This year’s fundraising means Lenawee Cares has directed a total of nearly $4 million to local nonprofits since the program began in 2016.

The funds raised through the campaign go directly to local organizations that address needs from food and shelter to adult literacy, childcare, family support, and domestic violence recovery.

The Lenawee Cares campaign raises money through workplace payroll giving, one-time gifts, and corporate support.

Donors can designate their gifts to specific organizations.

“At the Lenawee Community Foundation, we’re focused on improving the health, happiness, and hope of everyone who calls Lenawee home,” Bronna Kahle, LCF president and CEO, said in a news release. “Lenawee Cares is one of the ways we make that happen. We thank every individual, family, business, and campaign partner who gave during this past year. When we come together, we care for our community.”

To learn more about Lenawee Cares or how to get involved, contact Paula Trentman at 517-263-4696 or email forlenawee@lenaweecf.com.

Kirsten Stiver, communications and engagement manager for the Lenawee Community Foundation, takes Lenawee Cares yard signs out of storage. The signs will be displayed at organizations funded by the campaign during the 2024-25 giving cycle.

Two new scholarships continue to honor the memory of Chico Martinez

By Erik Gable

The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Chico Martinez, the founder of Adrian’s Cinco de Mayo celebration, spent much of his life working in education.

So it’s fitting that the annual festival that’s now held in his honor is not just a party — it’s also a fundraiser to help local students pursue their dreams.

After Martinez died of cancer in 2022, his friends and family incorporated a new organization, Chico’s Cinco de Mayo, to continue the annual festival that he founded.

They also started a scholarship in his name, to be funded by proceeds from that festival. Last year’s festival raised enough money to fund not one, but two scholarships. One is reserved for a graduating senior from Adrian Public Schools, where Martinez spent many years as a coach and paraprofessional, and one is for a student from anywhere else in Lenawee County.

This year, the Adrian scholarship was awarded to Marisela Fermin-Jacobo, who will attend Michigan Technological University, and the Lenawee County scholarship was awarded to Olivia Hartman of Tecumseh, who will attend

to be incredibly rewarding.

“He loved his students and they loved him back,” said his wife, Teresa Martinez. “I still run into a few of his students and they always say very kind words about him and the impression he made on them.”

She recalled that he was especially good at working with students who others might find challenging, and would do things like trying to connect them with peer groups who would embrace them.

See CHICO MARTINEZ, page B4

the University of Michigan. Martinez found his work with students

Pictured here are Chico’s Cinco de Mayo committee members Monica Gallardo-Cosmé, David Atkinson and Teresa Martinez, Lenawee County scholarship winner Olivia Hartman, and committee members Teresa Gutierrez, Bobbi DeLaCruz, and Bob Behnke.

Adrian Public Schools scholarship winner Marisela Fermin-Jacobo, center, stands with Monica Gallardo-Cosmé and Teresa Martinez.

LCF awards scholarships to more than 200 local students

ADRIAN — The Lenawee Community Foundation recently awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships to more than 200 students from across Lenawee County.

Scholarship recipients and fund holders gathered for a special reception hosted by the foundation on June 13. The event provided an opportunity for students and donors to connect, share stories, and reflect on the lifechanging impact of these educational investments. Brief remarks were shared by Brodie Stipe, a student recipient, Barb Eisenmann, a fund holder, and Bronna Kahle, president & CEO of the Lenawee Community Foundation.

“These scholarships aren’t just about helping students pay for college or career training,” said Kahle. “They’re about opening doors, honoring legacies, and creating opportunities that will benefit our community for years to come.”

One of this year’s recipients shared how meaningful the support is. “I am honored to be selected for the Frederick Kindinger Scholarship,” Thia Tello said. “I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and am excited to learn and grow as an individual in the years to come.”

Scholarship funds at the Lenawee Community Foundation help students overcome financial barriers and pursue higher education with confidence. These funds are often established in memory of loved ones or in honor of family and community values. Each one offers not just financial help, but hope, encouragement, and a lasting connection between donors and the students they support.

To learn more about how to establish a scholarship or contribute to an existing fund, contact the Lenawee Community Foundation at 517-263-4696 or email forlenawee@lenaweecf.com.

Clinton Rotary announces scholarships

CLINTON — The Rotary Club of Clinton recognized student achievements by awarding several scholarships this spring.

Kaylee Kranz was awarded a $5,000 per year scholarship for four years.

Raven Aldridge was the winner of the $2,500 Dan Schindler Memorial Scholarship.

Brodie Stipe and Eden Frederick were both awarded $1,500 technical scholarships.

This year’s scholarships bring the Rotary Club of Clinton’s total awards to just over $363,000.

More information about the club is available by going to clinton-rotary. org, calling 734-508-2729, or emailing rotaryclubofclinton@clinton-rotary.org.

Chico Martinez from page B3

“He seemed to know how to connect them and pair them up with good people,” she said.

Monica Gallardo-Cosmé, secretary of the Chico’s Cinco de Mayo board, agreed.

“He accepted them, he didn’t judge them, and he did what he could to help them succeed,” she said.

Scholarship applicants were evaluated based on their grades, attendance, and extracurricular activities, and on essays they wrote about why they’re proud of their heritage.

Kaylee Kranz was one of the students honored this year by the Rotary Club of Clinton’s scholarship program.

This year’s Cinco de Mayo festival raised enough money that two scholarships will be offered again next year.

Students interested in the scholarship can talk to their school counselors or email chicoscincodemayo@gmail.com for more information.

Information will also be posted on the organization’s Facebook page, facebook. com/chico.s.cinco.de.mayo.

The 2026 festival will take place on Saturday, May 2, at the Lenawee County Fair and Event Grounds.

The organization welcomes new sponsors, volunteers, and committee members.

Brian Jones retires from LISD after 35 years in education

ADRIAN — After 35 years of service as an educator — 18 of those with the Lenawee Intermediate School District — Brian Jones, executive director of instruction and general services at the LISD, is stepping into retirement.

From his early days as an assistant principal at Onsted High School to his most recent role, Jones’ career has been marked by a philosophy of investing in people.

“I felt like I had the biggest impact on individual students during my time at Onsted,” Jones said. “I was shocked at the struggles students faced outside of school, and I realized how privileged my upbringing was. Celebrating their successes and helping with their challenges was deeply gratifying.”

While his career evolved from direct student support to system-level leadership, his heart for helping others never wavered. His work with the Lenawee Regional Implementation Team brought implementation science and Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports (MTSS) to life across the county — fostering a common language, shared systems, and new leadership pathways in local districts.

“Brian has led many countywide initiatives,” said Jody Howard, coordinator of behavior health services. “He brings organization, vision, and a ‘get it done’ attitude. He’s been the key communicator with the Michigan Department of Education and a consistent support to every district in Lenawee.”

Howard also praised the systems Jones developed, like shared Google workspaces and year-end retreats at his home on Devils Lake.

“Those moments built relationships that extended beyond just the work,” she said. “That’s where his leadership truly shines — through connection.”

Jones’ influence extended deeply into professional learning and curriculum leadership. He played a crucial role in supporting new curriculum directors and helped grow a collaborative community focused on instructional growth and data-informed practices.

To Amanda Morris, curriculum consultant, Jones has been a mentor, not just a colleague.

“His mentorship has been foundational to my success in this role,” she said. “He creates a space where questions are welcomed, and ideas can be shared without judgment. His wisdom deepens your understanding while empowering you to make your own decisions.”

She recalled a moment when Jones brought a touch of humor to a technical training on PDSA cycles, using a story from his own dating life to help the team connect with the concept. “That was such a classic Brian move — willing to put himself out there in service of others’ growth,” she said. “That team will never forget what a PDSA cycle is, and more importantly, they’ll never forget how Brian made learning feel approachable and fun.”

Morris also reflected on the lasting influence of Jones’ leadership style: “Relational, thoughtful, and grounded. He prioritizes people and partnerships, and his steady presence builds trust across teams. His support gave me the confidence to grow, take risks, and lead. With Brian, you always felt like you were part of the inner circle — mostly because, with him, there was no outer circle.”

Among those who walked alongside Jones on his career journey was Kelly Coffin, a longtime colleague and mentor. Their professional relationship began in 2004 when she stepped into her first principal role at Onsted Community Schools.

“Brian was instrumental in helping me navigate those early days,” Coffin said. “His down-to-earth personality, sense of humor, and unwavering support made all the difference.”

Over the years, their collaboration evolved into a lasting friendship rooted in trust, laughter, and shared values.

“You’re the kind of person who would give the shirt off your back to help someone,” she wrote in a letter to Jones. “I am undoubtedly a better educator and person because of you.”

For Coffin and others, Jones’ legacy isn’t just about the systems he built, but the people he empowered.

“You’ve always been the one we could count on, no matter how big or small the ask,” she added. “That generosity and responsiveness — those things are rare.”

That same spirit of generosity stood out to Julie Burkeen, LISD’s professional learning coordinator.

“He has this quiet and consistent way of making people feel valued,” she said. “He’d bring homemade snacks to meetings just to show he appreciated everyone’s time. I’ll miss his humor, his listening ear, and his kindness.”

LISD superintendent Mark Haag said that Jones has focused on building strong, sustainable systems — “reminding us that schools must not be person-dependent but resilient enough to thrive through transitions.”

As he looks ahead to retirement in Atlanta, Michigan, Jones’ plans include slowing down, ice fishing, gardening, and trail riding. But his heart remains with the people who shaped his journey — and those he mentored along the way.

“I hope the work of the many teams I’ve served on continues to have a positive impact on student achievement,” he said. “And I hope my colleagues always felt supported in our efforts together.”

When asked what advice he’d give to future education leaders, Jones didn’t hesitate: “Take the time to mentor people. Without support, many will never step into leadership roles—and education needs strong leaders more than ever.”

Lenawee Community Foundation president and CEO Bronna Kahle and student Thia Tello are pictured at the LCF’s June 13 scholarship reception.

Paula Trentman, LCF vice president and director of grants and programs, and student Brodie Stipe pose for a photo at the June 13 scholarship reception.

— Story and photo provided by the Lenawee Intermediate School District

Brian Jones is retiring as the Lenawee Intermediate School District’s executive director of instruction and general services.

Turning passion into progress

A look at one local teacher’s leadership journey

ONSTED — Dyan Biringer has been part of Onsted Community Schools for almost 20 years. She started out teaching high school math and today works as the district’s continuous improvement coordinator. Her love for learning and her passion for helping students and teachers have guided every step of her career.

EDUCATOR SPOTLIGHT

Biringer’s journey in education began with a simple love of math.

“In high school, I loved math so much and really didn’t know any other job that would let me do math all the time,” she said. When she started teaching, she quickly realized many students didn’t love math the way she did. That challenge pushed her to find ways to make learning a more positive experience for her students.

After many years in the classroom, Biringer began exploring new ways to make a difference. In 2018, Onsted Schools joined a state initiative called the “Transformation Zone,” where she

served as part of the school leadership team focused on driving improvement efforts, particularly in literacy. During this time, she also completed training in Cognitive Coaching, which sparked her passion for supporting other educators. These experiences opened the door to new opportunities and ultimately led to her current role as continuous

improvement coordinator. Now, no two days look the same for Biringer. Some days she’s helping organize state testing, making sure everything runs smoothly for students and teachers. Other days, she’s gathering feedback, reviewing test scores, or working with leadership teams to plan improvements across the district. A big part of her job is supporting teachers — helping with curriculum, offering professional learning, and making sure students get the best education possible.

One project she’s especially proud of is bringing back the curriculum review cycle to Onsted schools. “I believe this will bring more consistency, accountability, and stability to our curriculum, instruction, and assessments,” Biringer said.

Collaboration is a big part of her work too. Biringer meets regularly with teachers, administrators, and families to understand what each building needs and help everyone stay connected. “It’s not always easy for teachers in different buildings to work together, so I like to help bridge that gap,” she explained.

When it comes to success, Biringer looks beyond just numbers. She believes success means teachers feel supported, students are growing and thriving,

families feel connected, and the district continues to get stronger over time.

“The way we reach these goals changes as our students, families, and community change,” she said.

Biringer also wants the community to know that improvement doesn’t mean something is wrong. “Even strong schools need to keep growing to meet the changing needs of students, teachers, and families,” she said.

Much of her work — like studying data and planning new programs — happens behind the scenes, but it leaves a lasting impact.

She’s guided by a piece of advice that shapes her approach: “Consistency is not a substitute for rationality.” In other words, just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it’s still the best way.

At the end of the day, Biringer’s goal is simple: to help make sure every student in Onsted has access to a high-quality education.

“When our schools grow and improve, it benefits every family, neighborhood, and future in our community,” she said.

— Story and photo provided by the Lenawee Intermediate School District

Morenci Kiwanians find numerous ways to serve

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

MORENCI — The Kiwanis Club of Morenci is a club of 22 residents with a mission that is simple yet profound: “To serve the needs of the community and create opportunities for the children of Morenci to thrive.”

In addition to their own projects, the group partners with local government, churches, businesses and others on civic projects throughout the year.

The club currently sponsors their annual Flag Project. American flags are purchased through the club, which “plants” them for display throughout the area during federal holidays from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. Cost of the flags for the entire season is $35. The flags are still available for the rest of 2025 and buyers will be charged for only the remaining holidays.

The 31st annual Silver Creek Bridge Walk will take place on Labor Day, (Monday, Sept. 1) at 11 a.m. The event benefits the Kiwanis of Morenci in

Meal assistance from page B1

pursuing his doctorate in leadership and organizational management from Capella University. Last fall, he was recognized with the Sister Ann Joachim, O.P. Award for his outstanding leadership and contributions to the community through the Meal Assistance Program. He currently is employed by ProMedica as its coordinator of education and programming.

Boone said the goal of MAP is to assure people have a place to access food as well as other products, including feminine products and similar items, while decreasing food waste. At the onset of the Meal Assistance Program, he developed

partnership with the Morenci Food Bank, to help families in need. Sponsorships are available at three levels: Gold ($100), Silver ($50), and Bronze ($30).

The club will welcome donations for the Morenci Area Food Bank at the event.

Contributors at all levels will be recognized at the event and on Facebook. Silver and Gold sponsors will also get their name on the back of a T-shirt, and Gold sponsors will get their logo on the event flyer. Silver and Gold level sponsors need to make their donation before Aug. 6 in order to be on the shirt and flyer.

In a new program this year, the Kiwanis Club will present Yuletide Lights and Legacy Lane in Wakefield Park. The project aims to honor loved ones, represent a business or organization or spread cheer during the holiday season. The cost to reserve a 6-foot tree is $100, and includes a live tree, signage and power hookup. Participants provide their own LED lights (typically 600-900 lights per tree)

an app which proved efficient for people to get what they needed and reduce food waste. Since MAP is a full-choice pantry, Boone said, clients can shop for what they want and need.

“They can use the pantry to supplement their grocery bill so that they can focus their dollars on other things they may need for their households,” he explained.

When the app was launched in 2020, there were about 200 users. Now, he said, there are more than 2,000.

“It’s something that could be duplicated in other communities,” he said.

The app also helps MAP identify the kind of foods that are in demand. The pantry provides both nutritious foods and what might qualify as “junk foods,” Boone

and decorations. Trees can be decorated from Nov. 16-30, and decorations need to be removed between Jan. 3 and Jan. 11. The deadline to register has been extended to Aug. 15.

Another holiday project is the Morenci Kiwanis Wishing Tree. The program started in 1996, and supports needy families who live in the 49256 zip code area during the holiday season. The club gets names from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Gifts for children of the household, family household supplies, and things like blankets and towels are the most-requested items.

Next February, the Kiwanis Club will hold its Annual Rex Riley Soup and Pie Fundraiser. Proceeds will go the Rex Riley Scholarship fund, which is given out to four Morenci-area high school seniors.

The Kiwanis Club of Morenci partners with the city and other groups, businesses, individuals and area churches to sponsor events throughout the year. One upcoming event is the Back to School Bash on Aug. 13 from 6-8

admits with a grin. MAP is open to all Lenawee residents.

“We’re a full food support resource for all those in need,” Boone said.

Boone said he hopes to raise $16,000 by the end of the year to help to fund fresh food distribution. He said that while MAP is grateful for any and all food donations, monetary contributions go even further in feeding the community. Cuts in federal programs are expected to impact both MAP and its partners, Boone said, but he is unsure how those impacts will trickle down to Lenawee County. In the meantime, he hopes to encourage donors to continue to support with financial and food contributions.

“We appreciate the food people drop off and we put it to good use,” he said. “But, we are able to purchase much more

p.m. in downtown Morenci. The event features games, free school supplies, local vendors, a display of equipment from the fire department, a dunk tank of local officials, as well as food made by the Morenci Area Schools cafeteria staff.

The group also sponsors the Christmas Parade, which this year will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, starting at 6 p.m. More details will be available on the City of Morenci website. The club is also an ongoing sponsor of the Morenci Town & Country Festival, which was held May 29-31.

Information about any of the activities can be found on the Kiwanis Club of Morenci Facebook page. The club meets every Wednesday at noon at the Village Inn, 121 N. Main St., Morenci. Anyone interested in joining the club can attend the meeting, reach out on the group Facebook page or by email at morencikiwanisclub@gmail.com.

“If you have a passion to volunteer, we are the group to contact,” Kiwanian Rosemary Dickerson said. “We do a lot for just a few of us.”

with financial support than people can provide by shopping on their own.”

Boone said he has a vision for what the program can be in the community.

“We exist to serve the community, to support those who need it,” he said. “But, we also need support from the community.”

Meal Assistance Program plans benefit dinner

The Meal Assistance Program will celebrate five years of service with a benefit dinner on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 6 p.m. The dinner will be at The Centre, 1800 U.S. 223, Adrian. For tickets and more information, call 517-442-5880.

Dyan Biringer is the Onsted school district’s continuous improvement coordinator.

get caught reading get caught reading

Messy Mondays in Youth Services (10 AM - 5 PM)

Each week a different variety of art supplies will be available! Drop in and create!

Teen Thursdays (4-5 PM)

July at ADL July at ADL

Kid Tuesdays! (3-4 PM)

July 1 - Dance Games

July 8 - Colorful Cupcakes*

July 15 - Illustrating Science*

July 22 - Pinhole Cameras

July 29 - Camouflage Animals*

July 3 - Escape Room Extravaganza (3-5 PM)

July 10 - Colorful Cupcakes*

July 17 - String Art

July 24 - Jackbox Games

July 31 - Oreo Taste Test

tattooing 101 with dragonfly tattoo co.

Kari Chapman, a local tattoo artist, will teach us the history of tattooing. Learn more about the processes and techniques from hand-tapped to modern tattoo machines.

Storytimes with Crafts 10:30-11:30 AM

Wednesdays & Saturdays

* Programs That Require Registration

Jigsaw Puzzle Contest

HOPE Community Center members, staff, and board members gathered to celebrate the center taking delivery of its new 15-passenger van. Pictured with the van are Katie O’Hotzke, Dan Gallatin, Nick Merrill, Paiton Smith, Sara Ann Stock, Kym Gerber, Sammi Wood, Logan Milligan, and Heather Leisenring.

HOPE Center has a new van thanks to fundraising drive

July 17 | 6:00-7:00 PM

143 E. Maumee St. Adrian, MI 49221

In teams of 3-4, test your skills putting together a 500-piece puzzle!

Register Today Limited to 10 teams

July 26 | 12:30-4:00 PM Ages 18+

ADRIAN — After a successful fundraising campaign, the HOPE Community Center in Adrian now has a 15-passenger van to help in expanding opportunities for its members.

The HOPE Center’s purpose is to support Lenawee County adults with developmental disabilities in pursuing empowered, healthy, and communityenriched lives. The new van will help the center better fulfill its mission by

expanding opportunities for members to take field trips, volunteer in the community, and more.

The campaign raised enough money to not just purchase the van, but also get it wrapped, pay for the first year of insurance, and set up a fund for its future maintenance.

The HOPE Community Center is at 431 Baker St. in Adrian. For more information, visit hopecenteradrian.org.

Revitalize Morenci Initiative to host golf outing fundraiser

MORENCI — The Revitalize Morenci Initiative will host a golf outing fundraiser on Sunday, Aug. 17, at Woodlawn Golf Club, 4634 Treat Highway, Adrian.

The event will be an 18-hole scramble with teams of four. The cost is $75 per golfer. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the tournament begins at 9 a.m. Registrations are due by Aug. 8.

Proceeds will support murals and other beautification projects in Morenci.

REUNIONS

Adrian High School Class of 1959: Friday, Oct. 25, at noon, ZZ’s Sports Bar & Grill, 520 College Ave. For information, contact Jon Wetherbee at jpwetherbee@ tc3net.com or 517-662-0729.

Adrian High School Class of 1965: Saturday, Aug. 9, from 6-10 p.m., at ZZ’s Sports Bar & Grill, 520 College Ave. For information, contact Sue (Bayles) North at 517-265-2549.

Adrian High School Class of 1970: Sept. 26-27. There will be a gathering at ZZ’s in Adrian on Friday, then the reunion will be on Saturday at Root 52 Rental Venue in Jasper. For information, contact Kathy Raines at k.raines360@ comcast.net.

Adrian High School Class of 1975: July 18-19. On Friday there will be an Adrian-area bus tour followed by a gathering at The Brick Wall Pub & Grill, 114 W. Maumee St. Various activities in Saturday will culminate in the reunion celebration at the Hills of Lenawee Golf Club and Banquet Center, 4110 Country Club Road, at 6 p.m. For information, contact Deb Bickerstaff at dbic49221@ gmail.com or 517-605-3458, or Scott Griewahn at jumbofsg@yahoo.com or 517-605-2805.

Adrian High School Class of 1980: Aug. 8-9. On Friday at 7 p.m. there will be a gathering at the Comfort Inn with light snacks provided (bring your own beverage), followed by the reunion on Saturday at 5 p.m. at Hills of Lenawee

Golf Club and Banquet Center. Cost is $75 per person. For information, contact David Baker at davebaker503@gmail.com.

Adrian High School Class of 1995: Sept. 19-20. For information, email kelly.judson77@gmail.com.

Adrian High School Class of 2000: Aug. 8-10. For information, contact Melissa Arocha at 210-412-0814.

Adrian High School Class of 2005: Sept. 19. Join classmates at the Homecoming game at Maple Stadium. Gates open at 6 p.m. and tickets are $7. For information, contact Brittany (Wagoner) Farley at brittwfarley@gmail. com or 517-488-2772.

Onsted All-School Reunion: The annual Onsted All-School Reunion will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2, at Onsted High School from 1-4 p.m. Anyone who attended Onsted Community Schools at any time is welcome, including anyone who has ever been employed by Onsted Community Schools. Guests of attendees are welcome, as well as parents and community members.

Lenawee County Snowbird Luncheon: The annual Lenawee County snowbird luncheon will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026 at 11 a.m. at the Golden Corral Buffet, 5525 Cortez Road, West Bradenton, Florida. Lunch at 11:30 a.m. will be followed by social time and prize drawings. For information, call 727-364-4273 or 517-260-0432.

To submit a reunion for publication, please email Linda Cline at lcline@ lenaweevoice.com.

AHS student helps make swim lessons available to all kids

ADRIAN — The efforts of an Adrian High School student have made it possible for children in the community to take swimming lessons at Bohn Pool this summer, regardless of their families’ circumstances.

Emma Pino, who will be a senior next year, set out to raise $1,000 for swimming lesson scholarships as part of an International Baccalaureate service project. She ended up raising more than $4,000.

“As a swimmer and a lifeguard, I have seen the importance of water safety skills and know how dangerous it can be to not have them,” Pino said. “I think it is crucial that every child is provided with the opportunity to learn this life skill.”

Pino raised money for the project through a community swim-a-thon.

“Emma’s swim-a-thon is a perfect example of the kind of leadership, initiative, and heart we encourage in all of our students,” said AHS principal Sam Skeels. “She identified a real need in the community and took action in a way that made a meaningful impact. We’re incredibly proud of her work and the way she represents Adrian High School.”

Bohn Pool, at 631 S. McKenzie St., is operated by the city of Adrian. For more information about swimming lessons at Bohn Pool, email Cindy Schmucker at cschmucker@adrianmi. gov or call 517-264-4876.

Wreaths Across America educational exhibit coming to Blissfield for seventh year

BLISSFIELD — The Wreaths Across America mobile exhibit will return to Blissfield in July. The exhibit will be at Springbrook Commons, 628 W. Adrian St., from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 20.

“The mission of Wreaths Across America is to remember the fallen, honor those who have served and their families, and teach the next generation the value of freedom,” Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America, said in a news release. “The Mobile Education Exhibit provides the unique opportunity for communities to come together and share the stories of those who served and sacrificed. Through our partnership with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, the exhibit also serves as an official ‘Welcome Home’ location for our nation’s Vietnam veterans.”

The Mobile Education Exhibit brings local communities, veterans, activeduty military and their families together through interactive exhibits, short films and shared stories. The exhibit serves as a mobile museum.

Anyone interested in supporting the local program can sponsor a veteran’s wreath for $17 at wreathsacrossamerica. org/MI0181. Each sponsorship goes toward a live, balsam wreath that will be placed on the headstone of an American veteran on Dec. 13 as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.

This will be the seventh year that Blissfield has participated in Wreaths Across America. It started with a local Navy enlistee who volunteered at an event in Virginia. He told his father about the experience, and his father started a location in Blissfield.

There are about 570 veterans buried at Blissfield’s three cemeteries, and this group fundraises to be able to place a wreath on each veteran’s grave on Wreaths Across America Day. Usually, about 100 volunteers come out on this day and help lay the wreaths. Groups like the American Legion, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and many schoolchildren participate.

For more information about the Wreaths Across America organization, go to wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Emma Pino, an Adrian High School swimmer and a lifeguard at Bohn Pool, undertook a project to fund swimming lesson scholarships this summer. CITY OF ADRIAN

Students design bicentennial signs

ADRIAN — The yard signs commemorating Adrian’s bicentennial that can be seen around town this month are the result of an art contest organized by Adrian Public Schools and the city of Adrian.

Students from across the district submitted dozens of entries. The top designs were then voted on by residents.

The winning entries, one each at the high school, middle school, and elementary school levels, were by Sydney Britt (Adrian High School), Marley Glumb (Springbrook Middle School), and Kaelynn Choate (Alexander Elementary School).

“Partnering with the city of Adrian on this was such an enriching experience,” said Adrian art teacher Annie Howard. “It allowed the past and future to come together.”

The Adrian Garden Club chose Jim Caldwell’s garden on Oden Way for its June Garden of the Month. Caldwell has lived in this home for three years and has gardened all his life. He learned flower gardening from his mom and vegetable gardening from his dad.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ADRIAN GARDEN CLUB

Adrian Dominican Sisters recognize 35 coworkers for 465 years of service

ADRIAN — The Adrian Dominican Sisters and coworkers celebrated the milestone years of employment for 35 coworkers, who represent a combined 465 years of service. The carnival-themed celebration, held on June 13 at the Motherhouse Campus, included a picnic lunch and a recognition ceremony.

Two coworkers shared the honor of working with the Adrian Dominican Sisters for 40 years. Rowena Heck, of food service, and Teresa Horn, currently in the Office of Information, recently shared their experiences.

Heck began working part-time for the Sisters when she was a high school senior, starting out washing dishes, sweeping, mopping, and performing other kitchen tasks. Over the years, she has been involved in nearly every element of food service. “Right now, I do everything in the kitchen except [serving as] the main cook,” she said.

Her work for the Adrian Dominican Sisters has become like her home. “This place really helped me through life,” she said. Married at 25, she had two sons, Michael and Jared. She at first took them to after-school care, but the Sisters encouraged her to bring them to work.

“The Sisters would help them with their homework,” she recalled. “They enjoyed teaching them spelling and writing.” One Sister took Jared with her when she fed apples to the deer. “It’s like their home, because they always came here before school started and after.”

The late Sister Anthonita Porta, OP, who brought the Montessori education system to St. Joseph Academy, helped get Heck’s sons into the Academy. In addition, Heck said, the human resources department worked with her when she needed time off when her mother was dying. “There aren’t many places that work with you when you go through crises,” she said.

Heck said her biggest challenge over the years was during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the congregation to close the dining room for Madden Hall, the administrative building. She was transferred to the dining room in the Dominican Life Center, serving the Sisters who were residents there.

Overall, she said, “It’s been an awesome ride, and I’m hoping to put in

Teresa Horn, who began working for the Adrian Dominican Sisters as “a struggling college student” at Siena Heights College (now University), has worked in a variety of positions over the past 40 years. She currently works in the Office of Information.

Horn has fond memories of the past 40 years, particularly of her years as administrative assistant for Campus Administration. Her responsibilities ran the gamut, from working with Sisters moving into the Motherhouse and working with policies and procedures to planning special events and responding to the needs of the Sisters and coworkers during storms and power outages. Finally, she worked with consultants to install an updated telecommunications system on the Motherhouse campus. “I absolutely loved that job,” Teresa said. “Our office was the hub. We oversaw everything.”

Horn likes the balance of prayer time, church, and work time. She also emphasized the team spirit she encounters during her work. “Everything that I have done over the 40-plus years has always been accomplished because of others that I worked with,” she said. “We always did things together as a team and I am so appreciative of the support that was given to accomplish the end goals.”

Service has also been an important component of her time with the Adrian Dominican Sisters. “I always loved helping others with their needs — whether they were staff, resident, vendor, or visiting guest,” she said. “I believe helping others makes their day just a little lighter.”

More milestones

35 years: Jan Perry, Dominican Life Center administration, and Marilyn Paus, Weber Retreat and Conference Center. 25 years: Melissa Comfort, Nursing, and Diane Keefer, Resident Services.

20 years: Barb Watson, Environmental Services, and Sister Sandy Exley, OP, Resident Services. 15 years: Michelle Kadrovach, Finance Office, and Amanda Johns, Nursing.

10 years: Joel Henricks, Campus Administration; Amy Palmer, Development Office; Sandra Place, Dominican Life Center administration; Kathi Serrato, Environmental Services; Lacey Bales, Facilities and Grounds; Beckie DuShane, Finance Office; Jeanette Desgrange, General Council Administration; Stacy Colley, Devin Horstman, Heather Ruskowsky, and Amanda Wilt, Nursing; Robyn Wellman, Office Support Services; and Heather Warren and Frreya Willnow, Resident Services.

5 years: Keith Gordon, Eleta Moll, and

Environmental

Alison Tripp, Nursing; and Russ Amo, Transportation.

Ashley Serrato,

Services; Levi Pike, Food Service; Stephanie Garcia, Gwi Jeong Jung, Madison Morgret, Lisa Paulette, Louann Pursifull, and

Rowena Heck, left, receives her 40-year service award from Jason Wilkins, director of food service (dressed as a ringmaster because the celebration had a carnival theme).

Teresa Horn, left, is recognized for 40 years of service by Sister Joy Finfera, OP, director of the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Office of Information.

Sydney Britt Marley Glumb Kaelynn Choate

BUSINESS

Tecumseh’s historic Stacy Mansion comes back to life

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

TECUMSEH — Thanks to the passion and determination of three friends from Tecumseh, The Stacy Mansion — an inn and event center at 710 W. Chicago Blvd. — is now up and running in an Italianate mansion that has not been open to the public in roughly 35 years.

Danielle Ward, Serena Riley and Kim Freeman, who are only the sixth owners of the building in its entire history, met while teaching cardio drumming. Together, they came up with the idea of bringing the mansion back to life as a place for the community to enjoy.

The Italianate mansion was built in 1848 by Judge Consider A. Stacy for his wife, Maria, and their family of six children, Riley said. Aside from operating as a bed-and-breakfast in the late 1980s into the 1990s, it had always served as a private residence.

The current owners got the idea of buying the mansion while walking through the neighborhood and noticing it was up for sale. Ward said she saw it as a way of fulfilling her dream of becoming an innkeeper and turning it into a viable business.

“It screams ‘I want to take care of people,’ ” Ward said.

She mentioned this to Riley and Freeman, and they realized that, by working together, they could restore the mansion and open it so that guests can enjoy the grandeur of the 177-year-old building.

“All of us kind of collaborated, and once we started sharing ideas on what we could do, we realized that the whole community loves this place just like we do,” Ward said. “They want it to be a healthy, thriving place for the community.”

That interest can be seen in people’s efforts both outside and inside of the mansion. Volunteers have helped with the restoration and landscaping work. Many of the furnishings were donated by family and friends. Most of the furniture and decor were purchased on Facebook Marketplace, at garage sales, through local connections, estate sales, or by family members or friends who had

historical integrity of the house in the 1980s. Ward, Riley and Freeman have done additional restoration to keep the home true to its original period decor.

Freeman said the mansion has five en suite bedrooms and two adjoining rooms. Two dining rooms, a parlor, a library and a lounge are on the first floor. The second floor has a lounge area and an event room with a 49-person capacity.

The third floor is currently a work in progress, but the cupola on the fourth floor can be accessed for a beautiful view of the surrounding neighborhood. Outside is a porch, garden, patio, fire pit area and a pergola. The owners plan to develop the area into a space to accommodate events like weddings and graduation parties.

Ward, Riley and Freeman plan on doing all the cooking, cleaning and baking themselves.

“This is a passion project because it doesn’t feel like work to me, ever,” Ward said. “We want to create a unique and memorable experiences while sharing the history of the house.”

Kim Freeman, Serena Riley and Danielle Ward are pictured outside the Stacy Mansion in Tecumseh, which they renovated and brought back to life as an inn and event center. JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

One of the bedrooms inside the newly renovated Stacy Mansion on West Chicago Boulevard in Tecumseh. The 177-year-old Italianate mansion was built in 1848 by Judge Consider A. Stacy for his wife, Maria, and their family of six children. It hasn’t been open to the public in about 35 years.

Blackbird Cafe serves up sandwiches, salads, and freshly baked treats

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

MANITOU BEACH — After 25 years of working in the hospitality industry in downtown Toledo, partners Shalene Beard and Jordan Hunyor decided to make a go of their own business.

“We’ve wanted something of our own for a long time,” Beard said.

For Beard, starting the Blackbird Cafe & Baking Company at Manitou Beach seemed like returning to her childhood experiences of having a cottage at Devils Lake. The cafe opened on May 2. Beard said the focus of the items on the menu is that everything is homemade on site.

“We do all of our bread, cookies, cinnamon rolls, fresh-baked brioche buns,” Beard said. “We make all of our own dressings, all of our own sauces.”

“Everything is from scratch,” she added, including the chicken salad and granola. She even makes homemade dog treats, which she gives away to the dogs that visit the cafe with their owners.

The menu includes baked items, including croissants, cinnamon rolls, focaccia, and sourdough loaves. Breakfast items include a variety of breakfast sandwiches on homemade baked items.

Brunch includes sandwiches such as the “Fungus Amungus,” “Chicky Salad” and “The Portland,” among others, as well as a choice of salad bowls. Side

items include the Blackbird Slaw, which includes smoked blue cheese and a champagne vinaigrette dressing.

“Our Blackbird Slaw is a favorite,” Beard said.

Coffee beverages and cold drinks, such as smoothies and homemade lemonade, are also on the menu. Beard and Hunyor said they squeeze the lemons themselves, in keeping with the homemade style of the cafe.

“Our personal mission is to make as much as we can from scratch,” Hunyor said.

The cafe seats 28 people, with additional seating outdoors. Beard said that the upscale interior, which features dark gray walls, might not be the bright interior some people would expect.

“Some people think it’s a little dark in here, but that’s our vibe,” Beard said.

Other amenities include a chess table, board games and a community “Leave a book, take a book” library. Beard said she would eventually like to start a book club as well.

Menu items are available for quickservice dine-in and takeout. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Blackbird Cafe & Baking Company is located at 135 Devils Lake Highway in Manitou Beach. The menu is available online at blackbirdcafedevils. com. More information can be found at Facebook at facebook.com/ blackbirdcafedevilslake.

Entrepreneurial boot camp welcomes applications

ADRIAN — Launch Lenawee’s Entrepreneurial Action Program (LLEAP) recently graduated eight new entrepreneurs in its eighth class and is now recruiting students for the ninth LLEAP class, which will begin on Saturday, July 12.

The course will be held in the lower level of the Adrian Armory, 230 W. Maumee St., Adrian. The full schedule for the course will be built around students’ schedules. There will be eight sessions over 16 weeks.

“The time goes by so fast,” said Sheila Blair, instructor for the class. “People might look at these 16 weeks of class and think ‘that’s a long time,’ but, in reality, it flies by. It’s only 24 hours of in-person class in total.”

Blair said the classes are spaced out every two weeks to allow participants, who usually work full time, the time they need to complete the coursework.

National Intern Day in Lenawee County

ADRIAN — Employers with summer interns are encouraged to reach out to Mike Ayre or Melissa Tsuji to register their interns for this year’s National Intern Day on July 31. The event is a day-long opportunity for student interns throughout the county to network and learn about the community. Contact CareerServices@ SienaHeights.edu for details.

The cost of the program is usually $599 per student. However, for years, scholarships have been made available through the generosity of local entrepreneurs Mark and Mary Murray, reducing the student fee to only $99.

“The class guided us step by step through every element of building a professional business plan from vision to financials,” said Brian Slusarski, a graduate of the most recent class, who attended to develop Slusarski U-Park and Storage. “I was thoroughly impressed by how comprehensive and well-structured the LLEAP program was.”

Launch Lenawee’s mission is to impact the community in a positive way by connecting resources to entrepreneurs. Anyone interested in the ninth LLEAP class can contact Blair at sheila.armory@gmail.com.

BUSINESS NOTES

Ross Dress for Less, a chain of discount department stores, plans to open its new Adrian location on South Main Street on July 19. The company operates about 1,800 stores across the United States.

Rosie’s Tecumseh Cafe is now open at 111 W. Chicago Blvd. in the former JR’s building.

Dollar Tree is now open on West Adrian Street in Blissfield.

Jordan Hunyor and Shalene Beard recently opened the Blackbird Cafe & Baking Company in Manitou Beach. JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

Launch Lenawee’s Entrepreneurial Action Program (LLEAP) recently graduated its eighth class. Pictured from left to right are program mentor Mary Murray, program director Sheila Blair, Brian Slusarski (Slusarski U-Park and Storage), Ray Collins III (BAM Bruthaz Atomic Mealz), Angela Slusarski (Summit Clean & Restore Co.), Annette Stone (Stone’s Dressing), Chris Watson (BAM Bruthaz Atomic Mealz), Gabrielle Stringer (Dooms Daisies), Rusty Russell (Russell’s Complete Clean Care), and program mentor Mark Murray.

Faust House in Manitou Beach offers a local spot for art and craft supplies

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

MANITOU BEACH — Faust House Scrap N Craft & Art Supplies, located in Manitou Beach at Devils Lake, opened on May 24. Owner Kristy Faust works full-time as a nurse anesthetist, but always wanted to open a store that would reflect her creative side.

Faust always thought she would wait until retirement to start her business, but she put that desire into action early when she found out that the store’s Lakeview Boulevard location was available.

“The space was open, so I jumped on it and here I am,” she said.

The store carries materials for both adults and children. For adults, Faust carries supplies for scrapbooking, journaling, painting with acrylics and card making supplies. Supplies for kids include art kits, colored pencils, crayons, playdough and other doughs, paper pads and little tiny “keep-em-busy” things for a rainy day, Faust said.

Faust’s interest in crafting is a family tradition.

“I’ve been a crafter since I was little,” she said. “My grandma and great-grandma were big crafters and got me interested,” she said, “but, honestly, I didn’t start scrapbooking until my grandson was born, and he’s 17 years old now.”

Faust said she has three grandchildren and each of them has a scrapbook for every year of their lives.

In addition to carrying art supplies, Faust House Scrap N Craft & Art Supplies offers workshops for those interested in learning more about paper crafting and other arts. Faust plans to keep the store open year round, and is planning fall retreats at Trillium House and Devils Lake Inn, both in Manitou Beach. Her goal is to get people interested in buying their art supplies from a local source.

“I would love for people to shop local for all their arts and crafts need, instead of driving out of town,” she said. “Come to Manitou Beach and get all your arts and crafts needs right here.”

Faust has help running the store from her grandson Christian Faust and granddaughter Tilly Faust, as well as employees Brittani Morrison and Jaylee Holly.

Store hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information, call the store at 517-547-6413 or go to fausthousescrapncraft.com.

Kim’s Thrifty Finds is now open in downtown Adrian

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Kim’s Thrifty Finds, a resale shop operated by Kim Clymer, opened on June 6 in the Gallery of Shops in downtown Adrian.

Clymer got interested in reselling during the COVID shutdown, after talking to a neighbor who was already involved with it. She and her husband, Josh, started by going to auctions, then selling the merchandise online.

“We’d go to auctions, and get a bunch of stuff and resell it online,” she said.

Over time, they changed their strategy. The Clymers now get their merchandise from three different liquidation sources in Ohio. The merchandise comes on a pallet, she said, and picking out a

pallet means buying the merchandise without seeing it, because the buyer isn’t allowed to take the pallet apart to see the merchandise that’s on it.

“You go in and pick out a pallet,” Clymer said. “You never know what’s on it.”

The business started to change in November 2024, when Clymer started working full time at the Goodwill Art Works store inside the Gallery of Shops. She found that it was difficult to work full time and keep up with her online reselling business. Then she noticed a vacant space and began to get an idea.

“I kept watching that door in the building and talked to my husband about it, and he said ‘Let’s do it,’ ” she said.

The Clymers rented the space and started Kim’s Thrifty Finds as a brickand-mortar business.

Currently, the store features seasonal items for summer play, such as flotation devices and swim rings. The store is also stocked with toys, books, home decor and clothing. Almost all the merchandise is new, but any used item is marked with a tag.

Clymer aims to keep her prices low and the atmosphere friendly.

“I’m not out there to make that big dollar,” she said. “And it always feels like home.”

Kim’s Thrifty Finds is located in the Gallery of Shops, 136 E. Maumee St., Suite 3, Adrian. Store hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The store will also be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays when the Croswell Opera House has a performance. For information, call 517-920-4069.

Faust House Scrap N Craft & Art Supplies is located at 140 N. Lakeview Boulevard in Manitou Beach.

Brittani Morrison, Kristy Faust and Jaylee Holly are pictured at Faust House Scrap N Craft & Art Supplies. JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

Kim Clymer is the owner of Kim’s Thrifty Finds in downtown Adrian.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Funding uncertainty affects some programs, but health department pledges to remain open

Breast and cervical cancer program is paused as of June 30

ADRIAN — In response to recent rumors circulating in the community, the Lenawee County Health Department issued a statement on June 19 to reassure residents that the department is not closing.

The health department remains fully operational and continues to deliver essential public health services as planned.

While the department is navigating some challenges related to state and federal funding, it remains committed

to the health and well-being of Lenawee County residents.

However, funding uncertainty is affecting the department’s services to Lenawee County residents in some ways.

The Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program (BC3NP) has been paused effective June 30 due to uncertainty surrounding future funding. This pause affects new and followup appointments, which will not be scheduled until confirmation of continued grant funding is received.

“We understand how important BC3NP is to preventive health care in our community,” said Monica Hunt, Lenawee

County health officer. “We are hopeful that this is only a temporary pause and remain optimistic that funding will be restored in the near future.”

The health department is working with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to ensure continued support for individuals currently receiving services through the program. The department will continue to assist clients who are in the followup care phase and do everything possible to support their ongoing needs.

Due to the broader uncertainty of grant funding at both the state and federal levels, other non-mandated programs may also be subject to

temporary pauses or cancellations in the future. However, health department staff stated that the department will remain open and will continue to offer all mandated public health services without interruption.

LCHD is committed to transparency and will continue to keep the public informed about any changes in program availability. If and when additional grant funding becomes available, the department will act swiftly to restore services.

For the latest updates and to learn more about available services, please visit lenaweehealthdepartment.org or call 517-264-5226.

Food safety tips for summer cookouts and picnics

As the warm summer months arrive, so do backyard barbecues, picnics, and outdoor gatherings. With delicious food at the center of these celebrations, practicing proper food safety is key to preventing foodborne illness. Everyone can help keep meals safe by remembering the four basic steps: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.

Understanding foodborne illness

Foodborne illness, often mistaken for the flu, occurs when contaminated food causes symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. These illnesses are typically caused by harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Norovirus, and Salmonella, which can be found in raw meat, seafood, eggs, and even fresh produce. Cross-contamination and poor hygiene further increase the risk.

While anyone can become sick, certain groups, young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems, are more vulnerable. The good news?

Most foodborne illnesses are entirely preventable with safe food handling, proper cooking, and storage.

The Core Four:

Essential food safety practices

Following these four essential practices can dramatically reduce the risk of foodborne illness at home:

1. Clean — Wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food, using the restroom, changing diapers, or touching animals.

Clean cutting boards, utensils, and countertops with hot, soapy water between each food item.

Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water, even if you plan to peel them.

2. Separate — Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs away from ready-to-eat foods in your grocery cart, shopping bags, and refrigerator.

Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and produce.

Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat.

3. Cook — Use a food thermometer to ensure food is cooked to safe internal temperatures.

n Whole cuts of beef, pork, lamb, and veal: 145°F with a 3-minute rest time.

n Ground meats (beef, pork, lamb, veal): 160°F.

n Poultry, leftovers, and casseroles: 165°F.

n Reheat fully cooked meats (like hot dogs or deli meats) to 165°F or until steaming hot.

n When microwaving, follow instructions carefully and ensure food reaches 165°F, using a thermometer and observing standing times.

4. Chill — Refrigerate perishable foods within two hours, or within one hour if the outdoor temperature is above 90°F.

Keep your refrigerator at or below 40°F, and your freezer at 0°F. Thaw food safely in the refrigerator, under cold running water, or in the microwave — never on the countertop. Don’t overfill the fridge; proper air circulation helps maintain a safe temperature.

A safe summer starts with you Summer is all about enjoying good food and great company. By keeping these simple food safety tips in mind, you can help ensure your gatherings stay fun and illness-free. Whether you’re grilling in the backyard or packing a picnic, a little preparation goes a long way in keeping everyone safe and healthy.

Monica Hunt is the Lenawee

health officer.

Some seniors need help with lawn care and home maintenance

Local resources are available to help people stay in their homes safely

Aging in place is the wonderful opportunity to continue living in the home and community that feels like your own. In Lenawee County, we’re fortunate to have a wide range of services that support older adults — offering help with health, social engagement, access to nature, financial stability, and even lifelong learning. These programs make it easier to stay connected and independent.

But one of the biggest challenges of aging in place is keeping up with home repairs and lawn maintenance. As people age, they may experience reduced strength, balance, mobility, or vision — making routine tasks not only harder, but sometimes dangerous. Mowing the lawn, climbing ladders,

carrying heavy tools, or bending for garden or indoor work may become difficult or impossible, and often go undone.

For those living with memory loss or early-stage dementia, remembering seasonal tasks or recognizing when something needs fixing can be a real challenge. Depression or anxiety can also lead to apathy, causing necessary upkeep to be delayed or ignored.

Many older adults live on fixed incomes, so hiring help for even small jobs can be out of reach. Larger projects — like fixing a roof, replacing a furnace, or addressing plumbing and electrical

problems — can feel impossible. It’s easy to understand how someone might prioritize food, medications, and utilities over home maintenance.

On top of the financial strain, many older adults worry about scams or dishonest contractors. Without nearby family or friends to turn to for advice or assistance, finding trustworthy help can be overwhelming. When maintenance falls behind, the result can be unsafe conditions, lower property values, and further isolation.

Thankfully, Lenawee County has many organizations and agencies that partner to assist with essential home repairs, including roofs, ramps, and bathroom updates. To learn more about available programs and eligibility, call 211.

Volunteers also play a vital role in helping older adults stay safely in their homes. Church groups, service clubs, youth organizations, and school groups have long stepped in to provide

help with yardwork, seasonal cleanups, and small repairs. Whether part of Volunteer Lenawee through the Lenawee Community Foundation, or simply a kind neighbor willing to lend a hand, this support makes a lasting difference.

As summer kicks into full swing, take a moment to notice the needs around you. Maybe it’s a neighbor whose lawn has gotten overgrown or someone who hasn’t been able to clear their gutters. If you can help — or connect them to someone who can — you’re not just checking a task off a list. You’re helping someone stay safe, feel pride in their home, and remain rooted in the place they love.

County Health Department’s

MONICA HUNT

Cari Rebottaro is director of the Lenawee County Department on Aging.

CARI REBOTTARO

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

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

[E] Eineder Funeral Homes, einederfuneralhomes.com

[H] Handler Funeral Homes, handlerfuneralhomes.com

[L] Langeland Family Funeral Homes, langelands.com

[PA] Purse Funeral Home in Adrian, pursefuneralhome.com

[PS] Gil Purse & Son, gilpurseandson.com

[R} Rupp Funeral Home, ruppfuneralhomeinc.com

[W] Wagley Funeral Homes, wagleyfuneralhomes.com

Charlotte Mae Dopp, 77, of Adrian died on March 29. She was a member of the Adrian Moose Lodge and Adrian Eagles Club. She worked at Merillat Cabinets until her retirement, and also worked many summers at Centerview Golf Course. [AM]

Jeanie Vernell McVay, 84, of Blissfield died on May 11. She was the first female line worker on the production line at Tecumseh Products. She also worked at The Tog Shop in Tecumseh and was a clogging dance instructor for the Warehouse Cloggers in Tecumseh. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. [AM]

Michael D. Starinki, 71, of Adrian died on May 16. Although he faced Parkinson’s for more than 10 years, he maintained a health-positive lifestyle and ran five days a week. He worked as a quality engineer and was employed by Merillat, later Masco. He retired from Zhongding, which afforded him the opportunity to travel to China. [AM]

Claudia Ann Connors, 72, of Manitou Beach died on May 17. She served as vice president and plant manager for Faraday in Tecumseh. She was a member of the Devils Lake Men’s Club. [H]

Sister Anne Lindquist, OP, 97, of Adrian died on May 17. Formerly Sister Cecilia Mary, she was in her 79th year of profession as an Adrian Dominican Sister. A native of Chicago, Sister Anne ministered in Michigan and Illinois for 48 years, most of that in music education on the elementary and high school level. Later she was assistant activities director for a senior living facility in Illinois. She played violin in the Lake Forest Illinois Symphony. [ADS] Eric Weathers, 53, of Adrian died on May 18. He was a 1991 graduate of Adrian High School. When he was 15 he started working in the fields picking tomatoes and then became an industrial worker for over 30 years. He was raised in the Bethel AME Church. [PA]

Ronald Vincent Mrowiec, 74, of Addison died on May 22. He was a 1968 graduate of Mott High School. [AM]

Roger Dean Butler, 88, of The Villages, Florida, died on May 23. He was a 1954 graduate of Tecumseh High School. He was employed by Tecumseh Products in the purchasing and materials department for 43 years, retiring in 1998. After retirement he moved to Florida. He was a member of the Tecumseh Jaycees and the Tecumseh Fan Club, and attended the Presbyterian and Baptist churches in Tecumseh. [PS]

Susan Jane Jacoby, 93, of Tecumseh died on May 23. She was a member of Tecumseh First Presbyterian Church for 69 years. She served on the Tecumseh school board from 1981-89. She spent summers at her Wamplers Lake cottage and winters in Jensen Beach, Florida. [H]

Jacqueline K. (Maloney) Lloyd, 73, of Adrian died on May 23. She was a 1970 graduate of Adrian High School. [PA]

Maria Concepcion Flores , 79, of Grand Rapids died on May 24. She was a former resident of Onsted and attended St. Joseph Shrine Catholic Church in the Irish Hills. [PA]

Donald “Don” Monahan, 73, of died on May 24. He worked as a corrections officer for many years. [AM]

Nancy Sue VanNieuwenhze, 76, of Jasper died on May 24. She retired from Kelly Veterinary Services and also worked

at Clift, GMC, and NuVision at the Adrian Mall. She was active in Sand Creek school activities while her children attended there. [AM]

Karen Marie Auten, 66, of Tecumseh died on May 25. She dedicated over 35 years to nursing and caring for others. She was an avid traveler, visiting over 40 countries. [H]

Diane Lucille Beal, 77, of Adrian died on May 25. She graduated from Camden Frontier High School and Spring Arbor College. Over the years she worked at Hospice of Jackson and was the director at Blissfield Place. She was a member of Turning Point Church. [W]

Carolyn Sue “Suzi” Bradley, 66, of Adrian died on May 25. She was a 1977 graduate of Adrian High School and later studied at Siena Heights University, earning a master’s degree in psychology. She also served in the Army National Guard. She was most recently employed at Inteva Products. She was a member of Bethany Assembly of God in Adrian. [AM]

Patricia Ann Carpenter, 85, of Clinton died on May 25. She was a 1957 graduate of Manchester High School. She worked at Ann Arbor Bank and Trust as a bookkeeper and also worked for many years for Sycor/ Northern Telcom/BNR as the payroll manager. She retired from Thomson Reuters Tax and Accounting in 2015. [H]

Megan Elizabeth (Fanslau) Smith, 39, formerly of Adrian, the daughter of Scott and Melody Fanslau, died on May 25. She lived in South Carolina.

Larry Jay “Rooster” Ross, 63, of Onsted died on May 26. He attended Onsted Community Schools, worked construction, and was a jack-of-all-trades. [H]

Sister Margarita “Margot” Ruiz, 88, of Adrian died on May 26. Formerly Sister Maria Teresa, she was in her 71st year of profession as an Adrian Dominican Sister. She was born in Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic. She ministered in elementary and secondary education and later served in her native country in several roles including as a community organizer. She was deeply committed to the rights of women and those living in poverty. [ADS]

Norma Joan Wood, 96, of Adrian died on May 26. She was the wife of a Presbyterian minister and led peacemaking groups in church. She sang in church and community choirs, including the Lenawee Community Chorus. [W]

Kristopher Chayton Gallant, 10, of Adrian died on May 27. He loved competing in the yearly Special Olympics. He was a student at Michener Elementary School. [PA]

Vanessa Renay Hyder, 52, of Adrian died on May 27. She was a 1990 graduate of Adrian High School. She was a lifetime member of First Freewill Baptist Church in Adrian. [W]

Cheryl Jayne (Anderson) Johnson, 74, of died on May 27. She was a 1968 graduate of Adrian High School and attended business school after graduation. [L]

Sean Patrick Collins, 49, of Tecumseh died on May 28. He worked as a millwright at Moeller Aerospace for 30 years. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and was a member of the Breaking Waters Bass Club. [H]

Rolland Albert McElhaney, 89, of Brooklyn died on May 28. He was a world traveler, visiting 120 countries with his wife. He retired from West Middle School

in Ypsilanti after 38 years of service as a fourth-grade social studies teacher. He attended St. Rita’s Catholic Church. [E]

Florence Anne (Todor) Noble, 88, of Brooklyn died on May 28. She was a 1955 graduate of Fordson High School and attended Michigan State University. She majored in journalism and wrote for the Detroit Free Press and the Lansing State Journal. She retired as the postmaster of Cement City in 2004 after 25 years of service. [E]

Gerald Anthony Robert, 86, of Tecumseh died on May 28. He worked for 30 years at Ford Motor Company as a journeyman/millwright. He was a longtime member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Frankfort. [H]

Harmon “Rick” Stover Baran, 68, of Tecumseh died on May 30. He was a 1975 graduate of Tecumseh High School and earned his nursing degree from Eastern Michigan University. His jobs included driving the ambulance, working at the former State Hospital, and working on various medical units at the University of Michigan. [PS]

Deborah Caris Burtless, 68, of Adrian died on May 30. She was a 1974 graduate of Adrian High School. She worked for many years at the Daily Telegram in various positions, including keypunch operator and proofreader. She retired from United Airlines as a reservationist in 2015. [W]

Joanna Marie Hills, 79, of Waldron died on May 30. She was a 1963 graduate of Waldron High School and later from Riggs Beauty School in Hillsdale. After working briefly in a salon, she began a long career at Pioneer Transformer, retiring in 2000. She was a lifelong member of the Waldron First Church of Christ. [AM]

David Lee Matheson, 83, of Sylva, North Carolina, died on May 30. He was a 1959 graduate of Adrian High School. After earning degrees at Western Michigan University he began coaching. He was National Sales Manager at Shakespeare Fishing and Tackle Company and became part-owner and VP of Marketing and Sales at Chambers Belt Company.

Debrah Ann Swain, 68, of Killeen, Texas, died on May 30. She was a graduate of Clinton High School and spent most of her life in Clinton and Ann Arbor before relocating to Texas in recent years. [AM]

Nancy J. Marowelli, 90, of Clayton died on May 31. She was a member of the Rollin Baptist Church. [BVH]

Carmen Perez, 73, of Adrian died on May 31. She retired as the head cook from Maurice Spear Campus after 32 years of service. She loved playing bingo at the Moose on Tuesdays and playing bunco with her friends from work. [PA]

Jacob “JD” Dennis Piotrowski, 26, of Blissfield died on May 31. He worked at K Kern Painting. [H]

Frank Soto Villarreal, 60, of Adrian died on June 1. He worked as a parts specialist at Advance Auto Parts for many years. [PA]

Arnett Ray Williams, Jr., 78, of Wauseon died on June 1. He was employed as a die setter, retiring in 2009. [PA]

David Allen Wood, 76, of Adrian died on June 1. He attended Madison schools through 11th grade and then enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served two years in Germany and two years in Vietnam, and was awarded the Purple Heart. He worked at Simplex in Adrian and retired from Ford Motor Company. [PA]

Deborah A. Cassady, 66, of Pittsfield Twp died on June 2. She was a graduate of Milan High School and obtained her LPN certificate from Jackson Community College. She completed her career at Superior Woods Retirement Facility. [PA]

Randy D. “Gump” Merillat, 59, of Hudson died on June 2. He was a 1983 graduate of Pittsford High School. He was active in the FFA, serving both as the Pittsford president and state secretary. He loved working on his family farm. He worked in the automotive industry, eventually becoming a plant manager. [BVH]

Mark Douglas Swank Sr., 65, of Adrian died on June 2. He was a graduate of Coumbia Central High School. [AM]

Kathleen Marie Weitenhagen, 73, of Adrian died on June 2. She retired from General Motors after 30 years working the assembly line. [PS]

David W. Irwin, 85, of Adrian died on June 3. He served in the U.S. Navy from 195963. After his service he completed a four-year apprenticeship program at American Chain and Cable, where he started as a tool and die maker. He also worked at General Motors, Ford Motor Co., and Tecumseh Products, retiring in 2000. [AM]

Wilhelmina J. “Willie” Newell, 94, of Deerfield died on June 3. She was a 1949 graduate of Britton schools. She was a member of the Deerfield United Methodist Church. She was a member of Deerfield Fire Department Auxiliary, the Deerfield American Legion Auxiiary, and the Order of the Eastern Star. [AM]

Richard Kyle Gerth, 55, of Adrian died on June 4. He was a 1989 graduate of Adrian High School. He had been employed by Hadden Tire in Adrian for over 15 years. He previously worked as a truck mechanic for the former Gentner Trucking in Saline. [AM]

Russell Dwayne Hamm, 78, of Adrian died on June 4. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from 1965-69 and again from 1971-75. Following his military career he worked as a mechanic at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He also served as a deputy animal control officer with the sheriff’s department and worked for the local transit system. He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Disabled American Veterans, and American Legion Post 97. [AM]

Mary Ellen Moyer, 83, died on June 4. She worked as the church secretary at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Brooklyn. She was a member of St. Mark’s and Holy Ghost Lutheran Church. She was president of the Lutheran Woman’s Missionary League. [R] Dr. Jacqueline “Jackie” Lilac Youngs, 69, of Adrian died on June 4. She was a 1973 graduate of Southfield-Lathrup High School and the University of Detroit, and earned degrees from the University of Michigan’s schools of hygiene and dentistry in 1979 and 1985. She practiced dentistry with her husband in Adrian for 37 years. [W]

Peggy Joleen (Bradish) Bollaert, 79, of died on June 5. She was a 1963 graduate of Adrian High School. In the 1980s she owned The Country Bobbin, a quilt shop in Capac. She also worked as a realtor in Imlay City. [K]

Don Wesley Galbreath, 75, of Hudson died on June 5. He was a graduate of Hudson High School and served in the U.S. Army. He worked at Metalloy in Hudson and the Hudson post office. He was active in the UAW. [AM]

Edna May Harrold, 79, of Salem, Indiana, died on June 7. She was a 1963 graduate of Cement City High School. She lived in Brooklyn for many years before moving to Indiana in 1987. [E]

Priscilla Jean Murdoch, 84, of Riga died on June 7. After high school graduation she became a hairdresser for 30 years. Growing up she sang in choirs and was on the WJR radio station. [AM]

Wanda Blevins, 79, of Adrian died on June 9. She worked for many years as the office manager for Associated Charities. She was a member of the Bethel AME Church in Adrian. [AM]

Mary Virginia Collins, 87, of Adrian died on June 9. She was a 1956 graduate of Adrian Catholic Central. She later attended Adrian College and graduated from Siena Heights University and while there she served on the Michigan Foster Care Review Board. She enjoyed volunteering at several Adrian churches, tutoring at the Adrian Training School, and teaching adults with learning disabilities. She worked for over 20 years for the Adrian Dominican Sisters until her retirement. [AM]

Philip “Phil” Frederick Daisher, 87, of Adrian died on June 9. He was a 1956 graduate of Onsted high School. He served in the U.S. Navy and served two Mediterranean tours. He was a truck driver for many years and hauled logs for his own logging business. He enjoyed farming and helping his children raise sheep for 4H. [W]

IN MEMORY

Alan Virle Smead, 63, of Adrian died on June 9. He loved the outdoors, bonfires, hunting, fishing, and four-wheeling. [PA]

Jimmie Lou Williams, 91, of Adrian died on June 9. She worked at Bixby Hospital as a nurse aide, a unit secretary, and a pharmacy technician. She attended Adrian Church of the Nazarene and later Bethany Assembly of God for many years. [W]

Marcia May Gunn, 88, of Adrian died on June 10. She worked as a teacher’s aide at Deerfield High School, in central supply at Bixby Hospital, and as an office manager for several of her children’s businesses. She was a dedicated pastor’s wife and taught Sunday School for over 30 years. [W]

James Arthur “Jim” Tipton, 83, of Adrian died on June 10. He worked at Tecumseh Products for over 33 years before his retirement. He enjoyed riding his Harley, camping, fishing, golfing, and playing pool. He was an avid model railroader. [W]

Gerald Allen Frye, 86, of Britton died on June 11. He was an avid collector of many different items and enjoyed going to auctions. He attended Wellsville United Methodist Church for many years. He loved to farm and was active in 4H with his children. He served in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard. [AM]

Walter Joseph LaSovage Jr., 85, died on June 11. He was an optometrist for over 40 years. He was a graduate of Michigan Technological University and began his professional life as an engineer with Goodyear. He served as a deacon at his local church and as president of the Owosso Chapter of the Lions Club. [H]

Sister Patricia Martin, OP, 96, of Adrian died on June 11. Formerly Sister John Martin, she was in the 78th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. She was born in Detroit but her family moved to Lenawee County when she was 7 years old. She graduated from Morenci High School. She

ministered in elementary and secondary education for 29 years in Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan and later served as a dietitian, including with the Region 2 Area Agency on Aging in Jackson. [ADS]

John David Stutzman, 79, of Morenci died on June 11. He was a 1964 graduate of Morenci High School and obtained an associate degree in agriculture from Michigan State University. He was the third-generation owner of Raymond & Stutzman Farms. He attended the Morenci United Methodist Church and Morenci First Congregational Church. He served on the Morenci school board, Bank of Lenawee board, and Lenawee County 4-H, and was a longtime member of the Michigan Cattlemen’s Association. [AM]

Jimmy Carl Godfrey, 72, of Clarklake died on June 12. He was a graduate of Blissfield High School. He was affectionately called “Tank” by his friends and co-workers. He was employed for several years at Capones Pizza and retired from Steaks Eatery. He was artistic and loved working with his hands, selling his wood creations at local fairs. [E]

Thelma A. Lee, 95, of Adrian died on June 12. She attended Siena Heights University and began her career as a teacher. She also worked as a secretary in the Adrian College president’s office. She was a lifelong member of Palmyra Presbyterian Church. [AM]

Donald “Moose” Lee Underwood, 80, of Blissfield died on June 12. He was a 1963 graduate of Morenci High School. He earned his associate degree in metallurgy from Ferris State University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967, earning the rank of sergeant. [W]

Charles Robert “Bob” Johnson, 93, of Adrian died on June 13. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He was a member of Jasper Bible Church and attended Bob Jones University of Christian Services. He worked for many years at local dairy farms as a herdsman and assisted in crop planting and harvesting. He then worked at Lenawee Tire for over 15 years. [AM]

IN MEMORY

Ted C. Underwood, 73, of Adrian died on June 13. He worked for over two decades at Peerless Gear and retired from L&W Engineering in Blissfield. [AM]

Malcolm George Barber, 92, of Adrian died on June 15. After serving in the Navy he went to work for Michigan Bell, staying through decades of change and retiring from AT&T in 1988. He then worked at Washtenaw Community College. [AM]

Philip Thomas Marvin II, 57, of Hillsdale died on June 16. He was born in Hudson and was a 1985 graduate of Tecumseh High School. He earned degrees from Siena Heights University and Spring Arbor College, then taught elementary school in Hillsdale for 33 years. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Tecumseh. [H]

Brenda J. Emery, 82, of Adrian died on June 17. She was a 1961 Adrian High School graduate. She worked at Bank of Lenawee and United Bank and Trust, and attended Raisin Valley Friends Church. [W]

Cole DeJonghe, 19, of Tecumseh died on June 18. [AM]

Kim Edward Johnson, 67, of Manitou Beach died on June 18. He was a 1975 Onsted High School graduate. He worked at Pilot Industries in Manchester, LeMatic in Jackson, and most recently at Modern Tube in Jackson. [W]

Creative Corner offers art camps for kids at Manitou Beach » PAGE C3

ARTS & LIVING

Art center marks 10th anniversary

ADRIAN — It’s been 10 years since a group of local artists set up the Adrian Center for the Arts on the site of the former Adrian Training School, bringing creativity and life to a parcel of land on Adrian’s north end that had been vacant for several years.

The former juvenile detention center — which was closed by the state of Michigan in early 2009 — is now the campus of the telescope manufacturer PlaneWave Instruments, but also remains the home of not just the art center, but also the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute and the River Raisin Ragtime Revue.

The ACA will celebrate its 10th anniversary in July with an event that coincides with Adrian’s bicentennial and the Ragtime Revue’s annual Ragtime Extravaganza.

On Saturday, July 5, from 2-8 p.m., the ACA will hold an artisan fair complete with vendors, art demonstrations, and make-and-take activities for both kids and adults.

In addition, the ACA Gallery will be open for visitors, featuring the art center’s “4x4x4” exhibit. For this show, ACA members created small works in a variety of media — such as clay, painting, drawing, sculpture, metalsmithing and printmaking — with the restriction that no dimension could be longer than 4 inches.

The Adrian Center for the Arts offers opportunities for expression through the visual arts to people of all ages and experience levels. It does this through offering studio space, artist residencies, and year-round classes for children, teens, and adults in a variety of media.

The ACA is located at 1375 N. Main St., Adrian, on the campus of PlaneWave Instruments. For more information, call 517-759-3005 or visit adriancenterforthearts.org.

Free planetarium shows at Adrian College » PAGE C6

THE LENAWEE VOICE THIRD SECTION JULY 2025

Shakespeare in the Park returns

Theatergoers surround the bandshell at Trestle Park for the Adrian Shakespeare Company’s debut production, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” in 2024. LAD STRAYER

A 1970s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ is the Adrian Shakespeare Company’s sophomore outing

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — After a successful inaugural run last summer with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the Adrian Shakespeare Company returns with another often-performed comedy by the Bard of Avon, “Much Ado About Nothing.”

Performances are at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 31, Friday, Aug. 1, and Saturday, Aug. 2; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3 at Adrian’s Trestle Park. Admission is free.

The production is directed by Stephen Kiersey, with John MacNaughton serving as production manager. Kiersey

DATES AND TIMES: 6:30 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday, July 31 to Aug. 2, and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3

LOCATION: Trestle Park, 302 W. Hunt St., Adrian

TICKETS: Free

MORE INFO: adrianshakespeare.org

and MacNaughton are the Adrian Shakespeare Company’s co-founders.

Kiersey has adapted the play to a much more modern era than when Shakespeare wrote it, bringing the setting forward to the 1970s and making the

soldiers of the original story into a boy band instead.

“We’re testing the waters to see if people will accept Shakespeare as nonShakespearean,” Kiersey said. “We’re trying to make Shakespeare more approachable.”

In keeping with the play’s new time frame, audiences can expect to see 1970s fashion and hear disco music. And when the characters dance, it’s not some courtly Renaissance dance, it’s the Hustle.

“That’s going to be kind of fun, I think,” Kiersey said.

‘Much Ado About Nothing’ by the Adrian Shakespeare Company

Lenawee County Fair makes improvements to fairgrounds, adds more entertainment

ADRIAN — The Lenawee County Fairgrounds are getting a major upgrade just in time for this year’s fair, which runs from July 20-26.

Thanks to the support of local businesses and community partners, a brand-new bandshell is being installed to host a lineup of free entertainment throughout the week.

A Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development grant awarded last year has helped fund much-needed roof replacements on the sheep and poultry barns, while renovations are underway at the beef barn and other livestock areas. Volunteers from the 4-H and FFA are hard at work giving the Show Barn a refreshed look, ensuring it’s ready to showcase this year’s animals in style.

Following the success of last year’s Frosty Cow entrance, a newly upgraded entrance near the Grandstand is being constructed.

Camping capacity is expanding too, with additional space being added to accommodate 4-H and FFA families.

This year will also bring more free entertainment, including chainsaw woodcarving every day and glassblowing and blacksmith demonstrations from Tuesday through Saturday. There will also be a Tuesday night drone show, and a mobile gaming trailer open all week.

The Eyes of Freedom traveling memorial will be at the fairgrounds from Tuesday though Saturday. This memorial tells the story of Lima Company, an

Ohio-based Marine Reserve unit that lost 22 Marines and one Navy Corpsman while deployed to Iraq in 2005.

Live music at the Grandstand is being expanded this year. At the 2024 fair, a ’90s throwback concert brought live music back to the grandstand for the first time in several years. This year, there will be two musical offerings: a Midwest Tejano Showcase at 7 p.m. Tuesday featuring La Nueva Onda and Dezeo, and a country music concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday featuring Josh Ross and Preston Cooper.

Following is a partial schedule for the week. Events are in the bandshell unless otherwise noted.

Sunday, July 20

10 a.m.: Sand Creek Community Church Service.

1 p.m.: Lenawee County Fair Parade.

4 p.m.: Princess Walk.

6 p.m.: Earl Kelly Memorial Pull (in the Grandstand).

6:45 p.m.: Opening ceremony.

7 p.m.: Lenawee County Fair Queen contest.

Monday, July 21

5 p.m.: 4-H performing arts and project runway.

6 p.m.: Lenawee County celebrity pie eating contest.

7 p.m.: Music by Los Hermanos.

7 p.m.: Figure 8 Car and Truck Demo (in the Grandstand).

Tuesday, July 22

9 a.m.: 4-H Dog Show.

1 p.m.: Department on Aging.

2:30 p.m.: Granberry Jam.

4 p.m.: Elvis tribute.

5:30 p.m.: Warehouse Cloggers.

7 p.m.: Midwest Tejano Showcase with two live bands, La Nueva Onda and Dezeo (in the Grandstand).

7 p.m.: Adrian City Band.

8:30 p.m.: Tommy Sargent.

Wednesday, July 23

11 a.m.: Veterans luncheon program.

2:30 p.m.: Tropa de Niños Pequeños.

4 p.m.: Queens talent review.

7 p.m.: T & Rich Dueling Pianos.

7 p.m.: Figure 8 Car and Truck Demo (in the Grandstand).

Thursday, July 24

1 p.m.: Tecumseh String Studio.

3 p.m.: The Lawn Flamingos.

5 p.m.: Black Dragon’s Den.

7 p.m.: Stray Shot Band.

7:30 p.m.: Country Music Night with Josh Ross and Preston Cooper (in the Grandstand).

Friday, July 25

1 p.m.: 4-H Food Eating Contest.

3 p.m.: Berean Baptist Church.

5 p.m.: Bark’s Tales.

7 p.m.: Braxton Garza

7 p.m.: Diesel and Gas Truck Pull (in the Grandstand).

Saturday, July 26

1 p.m.: Adrian Junior Majorettes.

2:30 p.m.: Scot Kifer.

4 p.m.: MST Dance Studio.

5 p.m.: Bark’s Tales.

7 p.m.: Paisley Grace.

7 p.m.: Tuff Truck and Car Competition (in the Grandstand).

MORE FAIR NOTES

Fair parade: The Lenawee County Fair Parade begins at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 20 running through downtown on Maumee Street, then east to the fairgrounds. Fair hours: Gate hours are from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day except Sunday. On Sunday, the hours are 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Admission: Daily admission is $7 (free for children ages 9 and under). A sevenpack of tickets is $35.

Ride hours: The Midway is closed Sunday and Monday. Rides will open on Tuesday at 5 p.m., and the rest of the week at 2 p.m.

Ride wristbands: Wristbands for unlimited rides all week are available for $75 during fair week, and $65 if purchased in advance.

One-day wristbands are available for $30 (plus $2 activation fee).

Special days: Tuesday is Senior Day, and senior citizens are admitted free. Wednesday is Veterans’ Day, and veterans are admitted free. Thursday is Kids’ Day, with $5 off daily wristband for rides.

The Lenawee County Fair is operated by the Agricultural Society of Lenawee County, a nonprofit organization. The fairgrounds are at 602 N. Dean St., Adrian.

For more information about the fair, call 517-263-3007 or go to lenfair.com or facebook.com/lenfair.

Gleaner and County Fairs Getting together since the 1890s

Gleaner Life Insurance Society became Michigan’s rst fraternal bene t society created just for farmers in 1894. We’ve grown beyond our agricultural beginnings, but our roots remain as strong as the protective support, service and fellowship found at fairs.

Our national headquarters have been in Lenawee County since 1981. Look for us at the parade to begin this year’s Lenawee County Fair July 20-26.

Creativity at the lake

Manitou Beach Creative Corner provides art and creative writing opportunities for kids all summer

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

MANITOU BEACH — Michelle Ott looked around the room at the group of second through fourth graders gathered for the final day of Lake Wonders and Words, the summer’s first arts camp at Manitou Beach Creative Corner.

“Remember what you wrote yesterday?” she asked them.

The students had been asked to write their ideas for what they would do if they were a seagull and were in charge of the lake. A couple of the children quickly shared their answers:

“If the lake were made clean and splendid” — “splendid” having been one of the words of the day.

“There would be more plants and animals to eat.”

“Maybe there’d be a park with a special sort of restaurant only for seagulls,” Ott suggested. “So what else?”

“If there was no litter,” came another answer.

The weeklong camp kicked off a summer full of youth arts programs at Manitou Beach Creative Corner, located at 103 Walnut St. at Manitou Beach.

Manitou Beach Creative Corner was started in 2018 by longtime arts educator Jean Lash after she was approached to do so by the founders of the Manitou Beach Historic Renovation Society, David Gajda and Jose Malagon. The Stubnitz Foundation, the Sage Foundation, and the Addison and Onsted Kiwanis clubs also provide support.

Lash and her friend Ott, who for many years taught middle school English in Chicago, have teamed up at the arts camp since 2021, with Lash leading the visual-arts part of a class like Lake Wonders and Words and Ott helping the students with their poetry.

Over two different sessions of this particular camp — second through fourth graders in one session and fifth through eighth graders in another — the students wrote poetry and created a variety of artwork focused on some lake denizens: fish, frogs, birds, and turtles.

Everything You Need, Right Here

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a thrill-seeker, or someone simply looking for a place to unwind, Lenawee County has everything you need to play and explore. Surrounded by rolling hills, sparkling lakes, and charming towns, Lenawee is your perfect playground. From outdoor adventures to peaceful retreats, the possibilities are endless. Find it in Lenawee.

Many of their creations will go into a book which the campers will all receive. The artwork will also go on display for three months, beginning in August, at the Young Artists Gallery located at the Sandbar Café, 103 S. Talbot St. in Addison. For the participants in the second through fourth grade session, the week’s final project involved coffee filters laid flat on a piece of paper that were colored and sprayed with water, causing the colors to bleed through to the paper and create unique designs.

Jean Lash, the founder of Manitou Beach Creative Corner, shows students how to use a coffee filter, markers, and water to make a unique picture during the first arts camp of the summer on June 20. ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE

Anna Salenbien of Adrian paints a picture of a turtle during an art camp at Manitou Beach Creative Corner.

See CREATIVE CORNER, page C4

Shakespeare from page C1

As the play opens, Don John has gotten fed up with being in the band and storms off, so the band has to go on hiatus and the men end up in Messina, Italy.

There, the plot thickens when Claudio meets Hero and falls in love with her. Meanwhile, Claudio’s friend Benedick and Hero’s cousin Beatrice swear they will remain unmarried despite clearly being attracted to each other.

Don Pedro, who’s Don John’s brother, and his friends try to trick Benedick and Beatrice into falling in love while Don John, still disgruntled, plots to stop Claudio’s and Hero’s wedding. Mistaken identities and plenty of hijinks ensue, but ultimately everything works out and the play ends with a double wedding.

“This play really is the original romcom,” Kiersey said, noting the plot device so common to that genre: having people who start out as mere acquaintances — and perhaps even hate each other — fall in love by the end of the story.

The cast includes Scott Leake as Benedick, Emily Gifford as Beatrice, Max Ruff as Claudio, Kylie McElrath as Hero, Samuel Spaulding as Don Pedro, and Justin Kohlruss as Don John.

Also in the production are Mark Hyre (Leonato), Maria Portaro-Mohler (Antonia), Jessica Dougherty (Margaret), Meg McNamee (Ursula), Conner Raymond (Borachio), Makana Luana (Conrade), Bryan Shane (Dogberry),

Creative Corner from page C3

The children’s creations took a variety of forms. Colton Robidoux, 7, of Addison traced his hand, while Harper Geeting 8, of Pittsfield Twp., drew circles of various colors.

Robidoux’s answer to what he liked about the camp was simple: “Everything!”

For Geeting, her older sister Arden — who was also in this session — had attended in previous years and “I just wanted to try it. It’s been fun,” she said. The older students in Lake Wonders and Words’ second session each day had spent the week creating fish, blue herons, and, on this final day, turtles, along with writing their poetry. As they worked on their art, Ott took individuals aside one by one, just as she had in the day’s earlier session, and helped them polish their poems.

Fourteen-year-old Jayden Burger of Hudson was busy at a table nearby with her turtle creation. She’s attended the Manitou Beach Creative Corner summer camps since they began.

For her, the combination of structure and freedom is appealing. While everyone created a fish, for example, they could make their fish any colors they wanted. “So, structure and freedom,” she said.

Eleven-year-old Mira Nichols of Manitou Beach, who was hard at work on a picture of a painted turtle and making it as realistic as she could, is also a longtime attendee.

“I’ve been coming since I was 7,” Nichols said. “It’s awesome.”

Meanwhile, Lash circulated around the room making suggestions for what the students needed to make their turtles really great: how to make an eye stand out, or that a turtle needed wrinkles around its neck. Some of the turtles, like Nichols’, were highly

Tori Bruce (Verges), Jonah Hiatt (George Seacoal), AJ Landingham (Hugh Oatcoke), Mark Schersten (the Sexton), Aaron Treadway (Friar Francis), and Nic Trevino (the Messenger).

In addition to Kiersey and MacNaughton, the artistic team includes scenic designer Doug Miller, costume designer Pam Adair, and choreographer Jessica Briggs. Sound design is by Red Letter.

The Adrian Shakespeare Co. grew out of Kiersey and MacNaughton wanting to both bring a different kind of entertainment to Adrian and give local actors the chance to do plays rather than musicals.

“We’ve always felt that there are actors in this community who want to do things other than musicals,” Kiersey said. “Not everyone can sing and dance.”

He and MacNaughton were both quite pleased with how last year’s production

went both in terms of quality and the way audiences turned out to see the show. Between three and four hundred people attended the production’s three performances, even with the rain that occurred opening night and a heat index of 100 degrees for Sunday’s show.

“I was happy with [the attendance], considering it was our very first show and we were kind of flying by the seat of our pants,” Kiersey said.

Of course, they also learned what needs to be changed for this summer’s production. “We knew parking would be a challenge,” Kiersey said, and to that end there will be better signage this time indicating there’s a dropoff site for audience members with disabilities and noting where parking isn’t allowed.

Plans are also in the works for ways to help get people from the parking area to the venue. And, in contrast to last year’s three shows, this summer there’s a fourth show in case bad weather forces a cancellation.

Although attendance itself is free, the Adrian Shakespeare Company welcomes donations, which can be made through the Lenawee Community Foundation at lenaweecommunityfoundation.org.

Additionally, the Adrian Chipotle restaurant, 1421 S. Main St., is hosting a fundraiser from 5-9 p.m. Saturday, July 19. Diners who bring in the fundraiser flyer, which can be downloaded from the Adrian Shakespeare Company’s Facebook page, will see 25 percent of their purchase donated to the troupe.

For more information on the production, go to adrianshakespeare.org or follow the group on Facebook.

realistic, while others were much more fanciful, sporting colors like blue and purple.

So far, at least 125 youngsters have registered for Manitou Beach Creative Corner’s camps this year. Besides the sorts of creations the Lake Wonders and Words students worked on, the camps run the gamut from clay classes and making mobiles to teaching older students the techniques needed to draw portraits.

To Lash, the camps offer students opportunities they might not get otherwise. Perhaps their school doesn’t have an art program, or even if it does, it probably doesn’t have the huge array of different types of supplies that Manitou Beach Creative Corner can offer with the help of its sponsors.

But there’s much more to the experience than the art itself. “These kids, they come from all over, and every day when they come in, they usually sit at a different table,” she said. “So they make new friends.”

UPCOMING CAMPS

Manitou Beach Creative Corner’s upcoming arts camps:

July 7-11: Neon Lights and Galaxy Skies Grades 1-3: 1:30-3 p.m. Grades 4-7: 3:15-5:15 p.m.

July 14-18: Polymer Clay Relief Grades 3-5: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Grades 6-8: 1-3 p.m.

July 14-16: Portraits Grades 6-8: 3:30-5:30 p.m.

July 21-25: Moving Art Mobiles Grades 1-3: 9-10:30 a.m.

July 21-25: Painting with Yarn Grades 4-6: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

July 21-25: Expressive Painting with Acrylics Grades 6-8: 1:30-3:30 p.m.

July 28-Aug. 1: Moving Lines & Shapes Grades K-1: 8:30-9:30 a.m. Grades 2-4: 10-11:30 a.m. Grades 5-8: Noon to 2 p.m.

For more information and to register, go to www.manitoubeachcreative.org.

Titania (Maria Portaro-Mohler) and Oberon (Scott Leake), with the fairies (Carolyn Mohler as Moth, Macy Schmidt as Cobweb, Evan Garcia as Peaseblosson, and Amelia Bowman as Mustardseed) looking on, in a scene from 2024’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The Adrian Shakespeare Company will produce its second annual Shakespeare in the Park show this summer. ARLENE BACHANOV

Jean Lash, founder of Manitou Beach Creative Corner, helps Laney Robidoux of Addison with her turtle as Ava Renner, also of Addison, looks on.

Country artists from Michigan to be featured in new festival

The Country Roads Music Festival was initiated by a local campground owner after the cancellation of Faster Horses

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

WOODSTOCK TWP. — Country music will return to southeast Michigan this July at the Country Roads Music Festival. Darci Keyes, owner of The Groves of Michigan Campground, organized the event after the cancellation of Faster Horses at Michigan International Speedway.

The festival will take place from Friday, July 18 through Sunday, July 20 at the campground located in Brooklyn, Michigan. The campground has 220 acres, of which 15 to 20 will be used for the festival activities. Between 80 and 100 acres will be devoted to camping, including tents, RV’s and trailers, Keyes said.

Keyes said the goal of the festival is to showcase upcoming Michigan talent as well as provide a venue for the headlining acts. A total of twenty acts will perform over the three-day event.

“The Michigan bands that are coming are just amazing, talented bands that are trying to make it to that next level and become country music starts,” Keyes said, “and we really wanted to promote them and give them a place where they could play for bigger audiences.

Live entertainment will run all three days from noon to 10:30 p.m. on the main stage. Restless Road will perform on Friday from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Eric Church/Chris Stapleton Tribute Bands, Derek Jones and the 50 South, Chad Flores, and acoustic stage sets by 12/ OC, Derek Jones, Chad Flores, Blake James and Justin Judge will be performed earlier in the day.

On Saturday, Colt Ford will headline the entertainment from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Musicians Louie Lee, The Jessie Campbell Band, Ryan Jay and Madison Olivia will be featured on the main stage. Acoustic stage sets by Lee, Jay and Olivia will be featured, as well as music by Cooper Johnson and Isaac Harper.

Sunday’s headliner, Drew Baldridge, currently known for his hit “Tough People,” will perform from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Also featured on Sunday will be acoustic sets by The Family Tradition Band, The Gasoline Gypsies, Shiatown, McKayla Prew and The Kay Harper Band, as well as the band Blueskye.

Vendors, food trucks, a beer tent, a cornhole contest and other lawn games, a photo contest and late-night bonfires will also be part of the festival’s activities.

The campground features three camping areas. The North Country area includes rustic sites, and is located right next to the festival area. The Main Country area includes electrical hookup. The South Country site is rustic and is the farthest walk from the stage, Keyes said.

The main entrance to The Groves of Michigan Campground is at 13500 U.S. 12, Brooklyn, just west of Michigan International Speedway. Tickets are available as one-day passes, or as a three-day package.

Information on ticket prices, campground rates and other information can be found on the festival website at countryroadsmusicfestival.com.

‘Bring

it On’ at the Croswell

The Croswell’s July musical is a high-flying look inside the world of competitive cheerleading

ADRIAN — “Bring it On,” a highflying and hard-driving musical set in the world of high school competitive cheerleading, is the Croswell Opera House’s July production.

The show opens July 11 and runs for two weekends.

Based on the 2000 film and subsequent direct-to-video movie franchise of the same name, “Bring It On” features music by Tom Kitt, Amanda Green, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda, of course, is known for the hit musical “Hamilton,” as well as for “In the Heights,” which the Croswell staged in 2017.

As the story opens, an ambitious cheerleader, Campbell Davis, is preparing for her senior year at Truman High School. She gets named captain of the squad and the year is shaping up to be everything she dreamed — until she learns that the school board has redistricted her neighborhood and she will spend her senior year at Jackson High School, a less affluent school that doesn’t even have a cheerleading program.

It does, however, have a dance team. So together with former cheer squad reject Bridget (also redistricted from Truman) and a host of talented Jackson dancers, Campbell sets out to form a new team with the goal of taking it to Nationals.

Lydia Kirk, a Siena Heights University student from Vanderbilt, plays Campbell. Rachel Ogger of Lincoln Park plays Bridget. Their fellow Truman cheerleaders include Bryce Lang of Milford as Eva, Lily Gechter of Ypsilanti as Skylar, and Gabrielle Dunn of Sylvania, Ohio, as Kylar. Campbell’s boyfriend, Steven, is played by Payton Sharpe of Adrian.

The students of Jackson High School include Ziyaan Nurruddin of Toledo as Danielle, Talitha Thomas of Sylvania as Nautica, Skye Rodriguez of Petersburg as La Cienega, Derrick McCullough of Adrian as Randall, Marreon Washington of Bowling Green, Ohio, as Cameron, and Bobby Lindsey of Adrian as Twig.

Rounding out the young and energetic cast are Zoelle Blackmon, Kylie Bushman, Adriannah Cooper, Harper Goodson, Libby Pifer, Haylee Vore, Trae Wesson, and Briella York, all of Adrian; Marisa Andoni-Savas and Lila Teall Beaver of Ann Arbor; Carter Salata of Canton; Megan Jones of Jackson; Jase Sword of Hudson; Carson Bartley of Ottawa Lake; Abigail Lipsitz and Arlo Ringle of Saline; Camdenne Kruse and Phiona Taylor of Tecumseh; Tristan Bolden, Anjalie-Nicole Coates, and Chloe Parks, all of Bowling Green, Ohio; Clayton Houser and Atlas Vasquez

of Holland, Ohio; Maddie Burnham and Alexis Gee of Maumee, Ohio; and Jocelyn Villagomez and Natalie Villagomez of Swanton, Ohio.

The production is directed by Erin Pifer, with choreography by Debra Ross Calabrese and vocal direction by Mandy Kruse. The orchestra will be led by Josh Glover. The stage manager is Tennessee Lawler.

Consulting on the show is a real-life competitive cheerleading coach — Kelly Bailey, who led the Hudson High School competitive cheer team to five consecutive state championships.

Tickets to “Bring It On” range from $26 to $46 for adult and $16 to $26 for students, and may be ordered by calling 517-264-7469 or going to croswell.org.

Show dates and times

n Friday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m.

n Saturday, July 12 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

n Sunday, July 13 at 2:30 p.m.

n Thursday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m.

n Friday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m.

n Saturday, July 19 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

n Sunday, July 20 at 3 p.m. (show moved to a later start time to accommodate the Lenawee County Fair parade).

Works of Julie Schnell-Madden at Flatlanders

BLISSFIELD — Flatlanders Art Galleries will present a solo exhibition of the recent works of ceramist Julie Schnell-Madden from July 12 to Aug. 30. The exhibit is curated by Steven J. Athanas.

ART EXHIBITS

The exhibit is free and open to the public. A reception with the artist is planned for Sunday, July 20 from 1-3 p.m.

Schnell-Madden is a ceramic artist who has worked with the material for over 35 years creating both functional and non-functional clay objects. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and she has served as visiting artist at various institutions, often creating curriculum and teaching strategies while in residence. She received her BFA from Ohio University, her MA and MFA from Bowling Green State University.

“Clay has always been my material,” she said. “While I have blown glass, sculpted stone, cast metal and carved wood, it is the suppleness and malleability of clay that always brings me back. I suspect my love of this most basic of elements stems from childhood when I was allowed to dig in Mom’s garden, burnishing ‘dirt’ to make roads for my matchbox cars and finding clay in riverbanks to pinch into bowls. The fact that something so basic, something that is wiped off your shoes can in turn be found in the china cabinet formed into exquisite cups and saucers is such an amazing contrariety. While I consider myself both a functional potter and a clay sculptor, most recently I have been exploring the relationship between inner and outer space with special emphasis on floral abstraction. These ‘rosettes’ can be both functional or not, existing on table and wall pieces.”

Flatlanders Art Galleries operate in conjunction with Flatlanders Sculpture

A selection of ceramic rosettes by Julie Schnell-Madden, whose work will be displayed though Aug. 30 at Flatlanders Art Galleries near Blissfield.

Supply, a full-service sculpture resource. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Flatlanders is located just east of Blissfield, at 11993 East U.S. 223.

For more information, visit flatlandersculpture.com, call 517-486-4591, or find Flatlanders on Facebook.

“I Think I Can” at Adrian College: Adrian College’s Hickman Gallery is hosting a free exhibition titled “I Think I Can: 15 Years of Reading and Resilience,” in partnership with the Lenawee Community Foundation. The exhibit opened May 9 and runs through July 31.

“I Think I Can” celebrates 15 years of the Lenawee Imagination Library, a local chapter of the nationwide early literacy initiative founded by country music legend Dolly Parton in 1995. Visitors will find a variety of displays documenting the growth of the local program, supported by the Lenawee Community Foundation in partnership with donors. The exhibition celebrates

the children and families reached by the Lenawee Imagination Library and highlights the lasting impact of early childhood literacy in Lenawee County.

“This exhibition is a tribute to resilience, literacy and the belief that a single book can shape a lifetime,” said Travis Erxleben, chair of the Adrian College Department of Art and Design and director of Hickman Gallery. “It also honors the vision of Dolly Parton and the countless local supporters who have helped keep the train moving, no matter the terrain.”

The Imagination Library provides a new, age-appropriate book each month to enrolled Lenawee County children from birth to age 5, at no cost to the families.

Hickman Gallery, located off Williams Street, is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment.

4x4x4 Exhibit at the Adrian Center for the Arts: Sometimes creativity can flourish under constraints. In the case of “4x4x4,” the current show at the Adrian Center for the Arts, that constraint was size.

For this show, ACA members created small works in a variety of media — such as clay, painting, drawing, sculpture, metalsmithing and printmaking — with the restriction that no dimension could be longer than 4 inches.

Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 1-4 p.m. In addition to rotating shows in the gallery, the Adrian Center for the Arts hosts a gallery store featuring a variety of one-of-a-kind works by local artists who are members of the ACA.

The ACA is at 1375 N. Main St., on the campus of PlaneWave Instruments. For more information about the ACA, call 517-759-3005 or visit adriancenterforthearts.org.

Lenawee Lifelong Learning is an educational program for adults in Lenawee County. We offer an opportunity to attend classes on a wide variety of topics.

Knowledgeable instructors donate their time and expertise. There are no tests, no papers and no grades – only fun and learning.

‘Summer Night Skies’ offered all summer at Robinson Planetarium

FALL SEMESTER CLASSES WILL MEET ON FOUR TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS IN OCTOBER AT WEBER CENTER

Over 230 classes have been offered in 13 years such as History of Industry in Lenawee, The Language of Film, The American Presidency, Humor and Psychology, Contemporary Islam, Supreme Court Decisions, Bill of Rights, How to Think About God, The Manhattan Project and The Vietnam War. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE: FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE: LENAWEELIFELONGLEARNING.ORG LENAWEELIFELONGLEARNING.ORG

Guests should enter through the northeast Williams Street entrance of Peelle Hall. Directional signs will guide visitors to the entrance. The planetarium offers 68 theater-style seats and recommends arriving 10 to 15 minutes early for preferred seating. On-street parking is available on Williams Street. For more information, contact Robinson Planetarium director Mark Fairclough at mfairclough@adrian.edu.

Robinson Planetarium on the Adrian College campus is offering free Friday evening shows

JULY

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.

THURSDAY, JULY 3

Adrian Bicentennial Celebration

Various locations, from 6:30 p.m.

Adrian celebrates its 200th birthday with a variety of activities throughout the city. Today’s schedule includes:

6:30 p.m. — Ice cream social at the Adrian City Market Pavilion, 115 Toledo St.

7 p.m. — American Heritage Concert by the Adrian City Band, also at the City Market Pavilion.

Full schedule: tinyurl.com/ adrianbicentennial.

FRIDAY, JULY 4

Firecracker 7k

Highland Inn, 8 a.m.

The Devils and Round Lake Men’s Club will host its 14th annual Firecracker 7K run on July 4. The run is a fundraiser for the Devils and Round Lake Fireworks Association, which puts on the annual Independence Day fireworks display over Devils Lake. The fee for the run is $35, and there will also be a 1-mile walk for $5. 3171 Round Lake Highway, Manitou Beach 517-712-6160.

Adrian Bicentennial Celebration

Various locations, from 10 a.m.

Adrian celebrates its 200th birthday with a variety of activities throughout the city. Today’s schedule includes:

10 a.m. — Fourth of July parade organized by Civitan of Lenawee.

Noon — Daughters of the American Revolution rededication and time capsule opening, Comstock Park, 263 W. Maumee St.

2 p.m. — Moriyama Sister City talk, Friendship Alley (off the 100 block of North Main Street).

2 p.m. to 7 p.m. — Programs at the historic Croswell Open House, including an open house with silent films and costumed interpreters from 2-6 p.m., a historical talk at 6 p.m., and a behind-the-scenes tour at 7 p.m. Please note that stairs and ladders are involved in the tour.

5 p.m. — Adrian First Fridays activities downtown.

7 p.m. — History talk with Howard Pennington, First Presbyterian Church, 156 E. Maumee St.

10 p.m. — Fireworks, best viewed from Comstock Park.

Full schedule: tinyurl.com/ adrianbicentennial.

SATURDAY, JULY 5

Adrian Bicentennial Celebration

Various locations, from 8 a.m.

Adrian celebrates its 200th birthday with a variety of activities throughout the city.

Today’s schedule includes:

8 a.m. — Bicentennial Bolt Fun Run/Walk, Trestle Park, 302 Hunt St.

9 a.m. — Parade of Homes (visit adrianparadeofhomes.org for tickets).

Noon — Vintage Base Ball game, featuring baseball as it was played in the 19th century, at Island Park, 1090 N. Broad St.

See separate listings for the River Raisin Ragtime Revue’s Ragtime Extravaganza and Adrian Center for the Arts 10th anniversary celebration.

Full schedule: tinyurl.com/ adrianbicentennial.

Ragtime Extravaganza

River Raisin Ragtime Revue, 2 p.m. to dark The River Raisin Ragtime Revue, one of America’s only professional ragtime orchestras, presents its annual Ragtime Extravaganza.

2:30 p.m. — Ragtime Rick and the Chefs of Dixieland.

3:30 p.m. — Tour of PlaneWave Instruments and Haviland Hall.

4 p.m. — Los Hermanos.

5:30 p.m. — Tour of PlaneWave Instruments and Haviland Hall.

6 p.m. — Comedy and Magic Show with Gordon the Magician.

7:30 p.m. — Jerron Paxton, Smithsonian Folkways Artist.

8:45 p.m.: River Raisin Ragtime Revue orchestra, with guest artists Jerron Paxton & Braxton Garza. Featuring the premiere of “Maple City Rag,” a piece commissioned for the bicentennial, as well as performances of “A Page Fence March,” published by Adrian’s Page Woven Fence Company in 1898, and “Adrian Merchants Jubilee,” a syncopated two-step published in Adrian in 1899.

9 p.m. — Cake Walk Contest and Raffle Drawing.

10 p.m . — Fireworks.

1375 N. Main St., Adrian ragtimeband.org.

Adrian Center for the Arts

10th anniversary celebration

Adrian Center for the Arts, 2-8 p.m. An artisan fair with vendors, art demonstrations, and make-and-take activities for both kids and adults.

1375 N. Main St., Adrian adriancenterforthearts.org

TUESDAY, JULY 8

Hidden Lake Gardens, 6-10 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of bicycling or walking at Hidden Lake Gardens. Explore over 6 miles of paved trails, surrounded by beautiful scenery and highlights of the gardens. Walk or bring your own bicycle to enjoy the scenery at your own pace. Helmets are recommended for all cyclists. Cycling permitted on paved trails only. The Sky Walk and hiking trails will be open for exploration on foot. Free admission for Hidden Lake Gardens members, and also for Adrian District Library, Lenawee County Library, Stair District Library and Tecumseh District Library cardholders (Please present your library or membership card). Regular admission rates apply to all other visitors. Another Pedal the Hills session will be offered

hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu or 517-431-2060

WEDNESDAY, JULY 9

The Great Start Family Coalition invites families with kids from birth to age 12 to an adventure at the Island Park StoryWalk, with tasty treats, sensory bins, books, giveaways and crafty creations to take home. Free shaved ice from Hannah’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice for the first 50 people. Three families will win a five-pack of day passes to Bohn Pool courtesy of Adrian Parks and Recreation. 1090 N. Broad St., Adrian 517-417-8051

THURSDAY, JULY 10

Car & Bike Show

Springbrook Commons, 5-8 p.m.

The shops and restaurants of Springbrook Commons are hosting a car and bike show, plus entertainment for all ages. Free. 628 W. Adrian St., Blissfield

River Raisin Festival

Ellis and Bachmayer Parks, from 5 p.m.

The 41st annual River Raisin Festival is hosted on the banks of the River Raisin. West Adrian Street, Blissfield riverraisinfestival.org

FRIDAY, JULY 11

River Raisin Festival

Ellis and Bachmayer Parks, starting at noon

The 41st annual River Raisin Festival is hosted on the banks of the River Raisin. Friday night’s highlights include the Miss River Raisin Festival pageant at 6 p.m. and fireworks at dusk. West Adrian Street, Blissfield riverraisinfestival.org

First Friday Car Show: Jeeps and Broncos

Lenawee County Fairgrounds, 5-8 p.m.

New date. This month’s car show at the fairgrounds will include opportunities to win a 32-inch Blackstone grill, a Bummie’s clock, and a 10x10 popup tent. The theme for this moth’s car show is Jeeps and Broncos, but there will also be an assortment of classic cars, hot rods, motorcycles, and more. Free. 602 N. Dean St., Adrian

‘ Bring it On’

The Croswell Opera House, 7:30 p.m.

Opening night of this high-flying musical based on the movie of the same name and featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda. “Bring it On” takes audiences inside the world of competitive cheerleading. Continues Saturday, Sunday and next weekend. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16. 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

SATURDAY, JULY 12

StoryWalk adventure

Wakefield Park, 10 a.m.

Families with kids from birth to age 12 are invited to an adventure at the StoryWalk, with tasty treats, sensory bins, books, giveaways and crafty creations to take home. Free Levi’s Sweet Treats the first 50 people. Three families will win a fivepack of day passes to Wauseon Public Pool. Free. 527 W. Main St., Morenci 517-417-8051

Author Talk: Diana Creger

Tecumseh District Library, 1 p.m.

Local author Diana Creger will discuss her book “My Sister’s Protector” and will have signed copies available for purcase.

215 N. Ottawa St., Tecumseh 517-423-2238 or tecumsehlibrary.org

River Raisin Festival

Ellis and Bachmayer Parks

Parade at 10:30 a.m.; festival begins at noon

The 41st annual River Raisin Festival is hosted on the banks of the River Raisin. Saturday kicks off with the big parade through the village of Blissfield. Check-in starts at 9 a.m. and the parade starts at 10:30 a.m. West Adrian Street, Blissfield riverraisinfestival.org

The Art of Bonsai

Hidden Lake Gardens, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Guests can enjoy an extraordinary display of miniature trees showcasing a diverse array of bonsai plants from across Michigan and beyond. 6214 W. Monroe Road, Tipton hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu

517-431-2060

‘Bring it On’

Croswell Opera House, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

The Croswell’s 2025 Broadway Season continues with this musical about the world of competitive cheerleading, featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Continues Sunday and next weekend. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

Summer Saturdays

Downtown Morenci, 4-11 p.m.

Downtown Morenci is presenting a Summer Saturdays series once a month in June, July and August. Includes a car show and free family fun like face painting and a magic show at 5 p.m. Music by the Mark Arshak Band starts at 7 p.m. 517-605-1020

SATURDAY, JULY 12

‘Bring it On’

The Croswell Opera House, 2:30 p.m. Journey inside the world of competitive cheerleading with this hit musical based on the movie of the same name. Continues next weekend. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

TUESDAY, JULY 15

Cuellar’s Critters Show

Schultz-Holmes District Library Noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.

Learn about the lifestyles and habitats of his animals from all over the world and meet them up close! This program is a ticketed event and requires registration and a ticket presented to staff at the time of event. Visit the library or call 517-486-2858 to register. 407 S. Lane St., Blissfield blissfieldlibrary.org 517-486-2858

StoryWalk Adventure

ProMedica Hickman Hospital, 5-7 p.m.

The Great Start Family Coalition invites families with kids from birth to age 12 to an adventure at the Island Park StoryWalk, with tasty treats, sensory bins, books, giveaways and crafty creations to take home. Free Bussin’ Bowls Açaí for the first 60 people. Two families will win a three-month family membership to the YMCA. Free.

5640 N. Adrian Hwy., Adrian 517-417-8051

This Month in Downtown Adrian:

July

First Friday - Bicentennial Celebration

Friday, July 4th

Join us in Downtown Adrian for a First Friday celebration like no other as we honor Adrian’s 200th birthday! It’s our Bicentennial Bash, and we’re pulling out all the stops—enjoy live music, a jaw-dropping street performance by Nathan McScary (as seen on HBO), bounce houses for the kids, face painting, delicious food trucks, and so much more. Then, cap off the night with a spectacular fireworks show at Comstock Park! Come celebrate 200 years of community, culture, and good times with us!

Shop and Stroll- Summer Savings Spectacular

Saturday, July 12th

Spend your Saturday soaking up the sunshine and savings in Downtown Adrian during our Summer Savings Spectacular! Stroll through your favorite local shops, discover special deals, enjoy treats and support small businesses while you’re at it.

Third Thursday

Thursday, July 17th

Third Thursday is bringing the vibes with live performances by Jonathan Crayne and Hornet’s Daughter, plus a great lineup of food trucks lining the street. Bring your friends, grab a bite, and enjoy the music in Downtown Adrian!

What’s Happenin’ Wednesday

Wednesday, July 23rd

Downtown is shining a spotlight on its service businesses, as many will be extending their hours this day! Whether it's a quick errand run, late appointment, or you just want to support local, come on down!

Want to win hundreds in Downtown Dollars? Play in the downtown scavenger hunt! Download the TownTrek app, create an account and then find the code for hunts on the Downtown Adrian Facebook page.

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors!

TUESDAY, JULY 15

Travel Tips Part 1: Planning the Trip Tecumseh District Library, 6-7 p.m.

In a two-part series, world traveler Bob Behnke will offer ways to design your perfect trip to Europe built around your schedule, your interests and your budget. Besides Europe, travel considerations about shorter trips within the U.S. and Canada will be discussed. A retired Adrian Public Schools superintendent for former social studies teacher, Behnke has a strong interest in cultural experiences, historical exploration and artistic appreciation, and currently serves as coordinator of the Lenawee Intermediate School District’s Moriyama exchange. Part 2 will be on July 22. Free. 215 N. Ottawa St., Tecumseh tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16

Lunch and Learn: The Amazing Outreach of the Goodwill Weber Retreat & Conference Center, 12:15 p.m. Rebecca Molina, mission engagement manager of Goodwill Industries of Southeast Michigan, will talk about Goodwill’s programs in the Weber Center’s Lunch and Learn program. Bring your own lunch (drinks and dessert are provided) or purchase one from the Weber Center for $8 by registering at least two days in advance of the event. Free.

1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian 517-266-4000 or webercenter.org

Touch a Truck Stair District Library, 1-3 p.m.

Kids can explore a wide variety of colorful trucks and meet the people who operate them — plus enjoy a free Billy Bones snack from North Street Pub. Presented with support from the Morenci Department of Public Works and EMS, Fire and Police Departments, T&R Total Lawn Care, Square 1 Poured Concrete, and North Stret Pub. 228 W. Main St., Morenci 517-458-6510 or stairlib.org

Christmas in July Fundraiser

The Ashlar, 6 p.m.

The second annual Christmas in July Fundraiser benefits the Daily Bread of Lenawee. Features will include food from Salsaria’s, a cash bar, entertainment, raffles, and 50/50 drawings, and the Daily Bread will celebrate Partner of the Year and Volunteer of the Year. Tickets are $40 each or $200 for a table of six (includes dinner and a drink). 517-266-0957 or dailybreadlenawee.org

THURSDAY, JULY 17

Classic Car & Bike Show

Old National Bank, Tecumseh, 6-8 p.m.

Get your motor running and head on down the highway to the 2025 Tecumseh Classic Car & Bike Show Series. Cars & bikes will be displayed in the Old National Bank parking lot located at 205 E. Chicago Blvd. and the adjacent downtown parking lot from 6:00 to 8:00 pm for all to enjoy. Registration is free; participants are encouraged to bring canned goods or non-perishable food items for area service clubs. Call 517-424-6555 for more information. downtowntecumseh.com 517-424-6555

Music in the Park:

Jean Wilson & Friends

Adams Park, 6-8 p.m.

Tecumseh’s Music in the Park concert series includes bluegrass, jazz, classic rock and blues. Tonight’s concert features the jazz stylings of Jean Wilson and friends. Free. 517-423-5602 or downtowntecumseh.com

Tattooing 101

Adrian District Library, 6 p.m.

Kari Chapman of Dragonfly Tattoo in downtown Adrian will speak about the history of tattooing, as well as processes and techniques.

143 E. Maumee St., Adrian adrian.lib.mi.us or 517-265-2265

Third Thursday Live Music

Downtown Adrian, 5-8 p.m.

Downtown Adrian comes to life with live music on the third Thursday of every month.

‘Bring It On’

The Croswell Opera House, 7:30 p.m.

Journey inside the world of competitive cheerleading with this hit musical based on the movie of the same name. Continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

FRIDAY, JULY 18

Career Camp for Young Adults

Michigan Works, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

This one-day event is for youth aged 18-24 and is packed with vibrant, interactive activities designed to spark passion and guide young adults towards their dream career. Experience cutting-edge career exploration through Virtual Reality headsets, engage in dynamic soft skills workshops, and connect with industry trends through our engaging labor market session. Includes personalized career assessments, fun group activities, pizza lunch. Each camp is limited to 15 individuals. Free.

1040 S. Winter St., Adrian www.mwse.org/events

Sun and Sand Festival

Downtown Tecumseh, from 10 a.m.

Five oversized sand sculptures created by Ice Creations of Napoleon, Ohio, will adorn the downtown area at the two-day Sun and Sand Festival, which also includes a scavenger hunt, live entertainment, food trucks and family-friendly games. downtowntecumseh.com

‘Bring It On’

The Croswell Opera House, 7:30 p.m. Journey inside the world of competitive cheerleading with this hit musical based on the movie of the same name. Continues Saturday and Sunday. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

Summer Concert Series:

The Northwood Ramblers Bicentennial Park, Blissfield, 7-9 p.m. Summer Concert Series fan favorites

The Northwood Ramblers bring tunes to Downtown Blissfield. Bring your chair, blanket or grab a seat on one of the picnic tables in Bicentennial Park on South Lane Street downtown. Free. mainstreet@blissfieldmichigan.gov 517-486-4347

SATURDAY,

JULY 19

Pop-Up Market

116 S. Steer St., Addison, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Multiple yard sales and vendors. Continues Sunday.

SATURDAY, JULY 19

‘Bring It On’

Croswell Opera House, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Journey inside the world of competitive cheerleading with this hit musical based on the movie of the same name. Continues Sunday. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

Sun and Sand Festival plus Pet Parade

Downtown Tecumseh, from 10 a.m.

Five oversized sand sculptures created by Ice Creations of Napoleon, Ohio, will adorn the downtown area at the two-day Sun and Sand Festival, which also includes a scavenger hunt, live entertainment, food trucks and family-friendly games. The Pet Parade is also returning this year. Dress your pet following the “Under the Sea” theme and join the parade down Chicago Boulevard starting at 10 a.m.. Lineup will be at the corner of Chicago Boulevard and Pearl Street. Entry fee is a cash donation for Little Mews Rescue. Register at https://tecumseh.rja.revize.com/ forms/11670.

downtowntecumseh.com

517-424-6818

Otter Fest: Celebrating Wine & New Beginnings

Flying Otter Vineyard & Winery, noon to 9 p.m.

Join Flying Otter Vineyard for scheduled walking tours of the vineyard and winery, learn about the winemaking process, and enjoy live music throughout the day. Free. flyingotter.com

Music on the Porch

Smith-Kimball Community Center, 6-8 p.m.

This free outdoor event will feature a country music impersonator performing hits from many country stars. A food truck will be onsite; please bring a lawn chair or blanket. 211 Tecumseh Road, Clinton voc-skcc.org

Movie Night: ‘Freaky’ Blissfield Aquatic Center, dusk Adults (18 and older) are invited to a Grownups Movie Night at the Pool. Leave the kids at home and join us for a spooky-fun night at the pool showing “Freaky” (2020), the horror-comedy with a twist — set in none other than a fictional town called Blissfield. Float, lounge, or chill poolside as the sun sets and the thrills begin (bring your own chairs). Free for members or with paid daily pool admission.

304 Sugar St. blissfieldmichigan.gov/movies 517-486-4347

SUNDAY, JULY 20

Lenawee County Fair Parade

1 p.m.

Kick off the 2025 Lenawee County Fair with the annual fair parade, traveling from Michigan and College avenues through downtown Adrian, ending at the fairgrounds. lenfair.com

‘Bring It On’

Croswell Opera House, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Journey inside the world of competitive cheerleading with this hit musical based on the movie of the same name. Continues Sunday. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

Wreaths Across America

Mobile Education Exhibit

Springbrook Commons, noon to 5 p.m.

The Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit is a rolling exhibit that brings the local community, veterans, activeduty military and their families together through interactive exhibits, short films, and shared stories. The exhibit serves as a mobile museum, educating visitors about the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes. dgrogersmi@gmail.com

734-652-0424

Lenawee County Fair

Lenawee County Fair & Events Grounds, 1-10 p.m.

Opening day of the Lenawee County Fair. See schedule on page C2. lenfair.com

MONDAY, JULY 21

Lenawee County Fair

Lenawee County Fair & Events Grounds, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

See schedule on page C2. lenfair.com

TUESDAY, JULY 22

Lenawee County Fair

Lenawee County Fair & Events Grounds, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Senior Day at the Lenawee County Fair — senior citizens admitted free. See schedule on page C2. lenfair.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23

Lenawee County Fair

Lenawee County Fair & Events Grounds, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Veterans’ Day at the Lenawee County Fair — all veterans admitted free. See schedule on page C2. lenfair.com

Summer Chamber Music Series

Holy Rosary Chapel, 7:30 p.m.

Pianist Dominic Cheli performs Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” and “Rhapsody in Blue,” and Bernstein’s “Candide Overture.” $25. 1257 E. Siena Heights Dr., Adrian www.adriansymphony.org 517-264-3121

THURSDAY, JULY 24

Lenawee County Fair

Lenawee County Fair & Events Grounds, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kids’ Day at the Lenawee County Fair — discounted rides for kids. See schedule on page C2. lenfair.com

Taste the State: International Snack Foods

Schultz-Holmes District Library, 2 p.m.

The Blissfield Library presents its first Taste the State program of 2025, International Snack Foods. Pre-registration required. blissfieldlibrary.org 517-486-2858

The Stories of Lenawee: Abolitionist Laura Haviland

Schultz-Holmes District Library, 6 p.m.

The Lenawee Historical Society comes to the Blissfield library for a Stories of Lenawee program, highlighting abolitionist Laura Haviland.

blissfieldlibrary.org

517-486-2858

Celebrate Hudson Music in the Park: The Magnolia Janes

Southern Michigan Center for Science and Industry, 6:30 p.m.

An outdoor concert. The Magnolia Janes have a way of sorting through life’s highs and lows, painting lush, emotional soundscapes that guide listeners to look for the beauty within. Made up of friends and songwriters Ashley Riley and Sarah Bonsignore, the duo first met at a sync songwriting retreat in the Pocono Mountains. Both acclaimed solo artists who have had success writing music for film and TV, they bonded over their love of vintage clothes, cheap wine, and many laughs. Their rich harmonies make this concert an easy listening pleasure. Free.

550 E. Main St., Hudson

FRIDAY, JULY 25

Lenawee County Fair

Lenawee County Fair & Events Grounds, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

See schedule on page C2. lenfair.com

Pop-Up Market: National Clay Day

Farver’s at the Croswell, 4 p.m.

Join ceramic artists from the Adrian Center for the Arts in celebrating National Clay Day. Artists will have many handcrafted ceramic pieces for sale.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian

Fourth Friday Comedy Night

Farver’s at the Croswell, 7 p.m.

A lineup of local comedians, hosted by Tommy Cook. Some comedy may include adult language.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian

Movie Night: Mufasa

Toledo Street Pavilion, Dusk

Downtown Adrian presents a free live movie at the Toledo Street Pavilion — “Mufasa,” a prequel to Disney’s “The Lion King.”

115 Toledo St., Adrian

SATURDAY, JULY 26

Lenawee County Fair

Lenawee County Fair & Events Grounds, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Final day of the Lenawee County Fair.

See schedule on page C2. lenfair.com

Jigsaw Puzzle Contest

Adrian District Library, 12:30 p.m.

For teams of three to four. This contest will feature a challenging 500-piece puzzle.

143 E. Maumee St., Adrian adrian.lib.mi.us or 517-265-2265

TUESDAY, JULY 29

Camouflage Animals

Adrian District Library, 3-4 p.m.

This Camouflage Animals show features a variety of animals from different countries and different ecosystems. This event is for kids ages 5 and older. Registration is required, please sign up by calling the library or signing up online. Free. adrian.lib.mi.us 517-265-2265

THURSDAY, JULY 31

Shakespeare in the Park: ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ Trestle Park, 6:30 p.m.

The Adrian Shakespeare Company presents one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies in an outdoor show. Free. adrianshakespeare.org

Celebrate Hudson Music in the Park: Andy Sydow Southern Michigan Center for Science and Industry, 6:30 p.m. Americana, rock and folk singer-songwriter Andy Sydow is an accomplished multiinstrumentalist who’s lyrics paint a picture of poetic realism. Touring consistently both solo and with his band (Andy Sydow & The Minor League), Sydow is known to sway an audience with acoustic guitar ballads, surprising keyboard chops, and even sing a few numbers on his lap steel. He draws comparisons to voices like Paul Simon and Jackson Browne, mixed with a roots rock vibe reminiscent of Tom Petty. Free. 550 E. Main St., Hudson

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1

Shakespeare in the Park: ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ Trestle Park, 6:30 p.m.

The Adrian Shakespeare Company presents one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies in an outdoor show. Free. adrianshakespeare.org

Summer Concert Series: Science Dad Bicentennial Park, Blissfield, 7-9 p.m. Summer Concert Series fan favorites bring tunes to Downtown Blissfield. Bring your chair, blanket or grab a seat on one of the picnic tables in Bicentennial Park. Free. mainstreet@blissfieldmichigan.gov 517-486-4347

Adrian First Fridays

Downtown Adrian, 5-8 p.m.

Downtown Adrian’s monthly First Fridays event includes family activities, retail promotions, and more.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1

First Friday Car Show Lenawee County Fair and Events Grounds, 5-8 p.m.

The theme of this month’s car show is Mopar. The car show also features kids’ activities and food trucks. Music by The Metros.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2

Shakespeare in the Park: ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ Trestle Park, 6:30 p.m.

The Adrian Shakespeare Company presents one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies in an outdoor show. Free. Continues Sunday.

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 verifying that information is up to date before making plans. To submit listings, email lcline@ lenaweevoice.com before the 15th of the preceding month.

THURSDAY, JULY 3

Mojo & the Outlaws, 6-9 p.m., Eagle’s Nest Bar & Grill, 1200 Eagle Point Rd., Clarklake. Mike Finch, 6-9 p.m., The Hills Fork Oar Pour, 6400 Michigan Ave., Tipton. Leadfoot Rocks the Manchester Fireworks, from the end of fireworks until 2 a.m., Manchester.

FRIDAY, JULY 4

Cat Canyon, 6-8 p.m., Flying Otter Vineyard & Winery, 3402 Chase Road, Adrian.

SATURDAY, JULY 5

Bret Maynard, 6-9 p.m., The Hills Fork Oar Pour, 6400 Michigan Ave., Tipton. Mike Lee, 6-8 p.m., Flying Otter Vineyard & Winery, 3402 Chase Road, Adrian. Big L & Code Blu, 7-10 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy, Brooklyn. 50 Amp Fuse, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $50, four for $80, eight for $130, order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 6

Mike Lee, 2-5 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy., Brooklyn. Phoenix Theory, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Beach Bar & Restaurant, 3505 Ocean Beach Road, Clarklake.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 9

Linny & Moochie, 6-9 p.m., Flamingo Beach Grille and Bar, 4321 Michigan Ave., Tipton.

Act III, 6-9 p.m., Eagle’s Nest Bar & Grill, 1200 Eagle Point Road, Clarklake.

THURSDAY, JULY 10

42 North, 6-9 p.m., The Hills Fork Oar Pour, 6400 Michigan Ave., Tipton. Wes Maharas, 6-9 p.m., Eagle’s Nest Bar & Grill, 1200 Eagle Point Road, Clarklake. Bret Maynard, 6:30 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian. Billie Lewis & the Soulbacks, 7-11 p.m., Onsted American Legion (under the pavilion), 333 Connor St., Onsted.

FRIDAY, JULY 11

Cat Canyon, 6-8 p.m., Flying Otter Vineyard & Winery, 3402 Chase Road, Adrian.

Brad Skinner Jazz Trio, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Starling Lounge/Four Keys Brewing, 133 S. Lane St., Blissfield ($5 cover).

Act III, 7-10 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy, Brooklyn. AC/DC Tribute Band, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Tickets at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 12

Suicide Awareness Concert, six live bands including Leadfoot, 2-10:30 p.m., Gauci Golf Resort, 8431 Sports Park Dr., Onsted.

Andy Schiller, 6-8 p.m., Flying Otter Vineyard & Winery, 3402 Chase Road, Adrian. Bordine Loar, 6-9 p.m., The Hills Fork Oar Pour, 6400 Michigan Ave., Tipton.

Orlando Finelli, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Starling Lounge/Four Keys Brewing, 133 S Lane St., Blissfield.

Stealin’ Copper, 7-10 p.m., Tecumseh Tavern, 206 E Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh.

Big Foot Bob & the Toe Tappers, 7-10 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy, Brooklyn.

Hair Mania, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Tickets at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 13

Atomic Radio, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Beach Bar & Restaurant, 3505 Ocean Beach Road, Clarklake.

THURSDAY, JULY 17

Bret Maynard, 6-9 p.m., The Hills Fork Oar Pour, 6400 Michigan Ave., Tipton.

Joey D & the Small Bar Superstars, 6-9 p.m., Eagle’s Nest Bar & Grill, 1200 Eagle Point Road, Clarklake.

FRIDAY, JULY 18

Cat Canyon, 6-8 p.m., Flying Otter Vineyard & Winery, 3402 Chase Road, Adrian. Mallery Lynn, 6-9 p.m., Beach Bar & Restaurant, 3505 Ocean Beach Road, Clarklake.

Ian Stewart, 7-10 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy., Brooklyn. Rolling Stones Tribute Band, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Tickets at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 19

Terry Farmer, 6-8 p.m., Flying Otter Vineyard & Winery, 3402 Chase Road, Adrian. Mallery Lynn, 6-9 p.m., The Hills Fork Oar Pour, 6400 Michigan Ave., Tipton. Wishing Well, 7-10 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy., Brooklyn. Journey Tribute Band, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Tickets at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 20

Collision Six, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Beach Bar & Restaurant, 3505 Ocean Beach Road, Clarklake.

Marcus & Tiffany, 6-9 p.m., Eagle’s Nest Bar & Grill, 1200 Eagle Point Road, Clarklake.

THURSDAY, JULY 24

Emily Psycher, 6-9 p.m., Eagle’s Nest Bar & Grill, 1200 Eagle Point Road, Clarklake. Jim Burd, 6-9 p.m., The Hills Fork Oar Pour, 6400 Michigan Ave., Tipton.

“Bring it On” cast cabaret (reunion performance by cast members from the Croswell’s “Bring it On”), 7 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

FRIDAY, JULY 25

Cat Canyon, 6-8 p.m., Flying Otter Vineyard & Winery, 3402 Chase Road, Adrian. Dan Bickle Band, 6-9 p.m., Beach Bar & Restaurant, 3505 Ocean Beach Road, Clarklake.

Wasabi Pearls, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Starling Lounge/Four Keys Brewing, 133 S Lane St., Blissfield.

Billie Lewis & the Soulbacks, 7-10 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy, Brooklyn.

Phoenix Theory, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Tickets at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SATURDAY, JULY 26

Soup Sandwich, 6-8 p.m., Flying Otter Vineyard & Winery, 3402 Chase Road, Adrian. JTE Acoustic, 6-9 p.m., The Hills Fork Oar Pour, 6400 Michigan Ave., Tipton. The Groupe, 6-9 p.m., Eagle’s Nest Bar & Grill, 1200 Eagle Point Rd., Clarklake.

One Hit Wonders, 7-10 p.m., Tecumseh Tavern, 206 E Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh. Leadfoot, 7-10 p.m., outside at Shadys Tap Room, 110 N Main St., Brooklyn. Public Scene, 7-10 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy., Brooklyn. Steely Dan Tribute Band, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Tickets at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SUNDAY, JULY 27

Jon Torrence, Bret Maynard & Noah Martis, 12:30-5:30 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy, Brooklyn. 50 Amp Fuse , 5:30-9:30 p.m., Beach Bar & Restaurant, 3505 Ocean Beach Rd., Clarklake.

THURSDAY, JULY 31

JTE Acoustic Band, 6-8 p.m., Twin Pines Eatery, 1102 W. Russell Road, Tecumseh. Mike Finch, 6-9 p.m., The Hills Fork Oar Pour, 6400 Michigan Ave., Tipton. Soup Sandwich, 6-9 p.m., Cherry Creek Cafe, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy., Brooklyn. Bret Maynard, 6-9 p.m., Eagle’s Nest Bar & Grill, 1200 Eagle Point Road, Clarklake.

LENAWEE COUNTY-AREA FARMERS MARKETS