The Lenawee Voice — March 2025

Para noticias locales en español, por favor vaya a la página A11 Adrian Public Schools considers proposing community recreational facility » PAGE A3

Four recognized for service at ‘Together We Stand’ event » PAGE A9

THE LENAWEE VOICE

ADRIAN, MICHIGAN

FREE MARCH 2025

LOCAL NEWS FOR ADRIAN AND LENAWEE COUNTY

3 SECTIONS | 40 PAGES

Hunters Helping Lenawee

The right smoke alarm can save a life » PAGE B1

Tickets for Croswell’s Broadway Season on sale now » PAGE C1

Roman Vogel and his grandfather, Bob Vogel, are two of the hunters who participate in Hunters Helping Lenawee, which marked its 15th anniversary this year. Bob helped start the program, and Roman donated the first deer of the most recent season. ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

An effort to fight hunger in Lenawee County turns 15 and celebrates a record year

By Erik Gable

The Lenawee Voice

Local dance team performs for Pistons home-game crowd

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ADRIAN — Fifteen years ago, Bob Vogel was part of the effort to start Hunters Helping Lenawee, a program of the Lenawee Community Foundation that fights hunger through donations of deer.

This past September, his grandson, Roman Vogel, shot and donated the program’s first deer of the season — a 9-point buck that he bagged during the youth hunt in September.

The Vogels are among the hundreds of local hunters who have helped provide more than 80,000 meals to people in need since the program’s inception.

“We were just coming out of the recession, and as a foundation we had tried to, during that real hard recession, turn our attention to social programs,” said Bob Vogel, who is a Lenawee Community Foundation board member.

The biggest problems the foundation was trying to address included housing, employment, and meeting Lenawee County residents’ day-to-day food needs.

Vogel and three other hunters — Scott Hill, Vern Fry, and Mike Houghton — realized that every deer they shot could make a big difference in the community.

“It seemed fairly obvious,” he said. “We had a deer problem and we had a hunger problem.”

And if they could get other hunters involved, then link up with USDAcertified deer processors and establish supply chains to local food pantries, the difference could be even greater.

The charter members started a fund to pay for processing, and the foundation itself matched what they donated and raised. That first year, about 1,200 pounds of venison was donated to people in need.

And the Vogel family’s tradition of hunting became a tradition of helping as well.

Roman, now 12 years old and a sixthgrader at Columbia Central, has been hunting since he was 6. “It’s always been like a family thing. My dad and grandpa have always taken me,” he said.

He enjoys being outside in nature, as well as the thrill when a successful hunt turns all of that anxious waiting into victory. And he also likes knowing that his efforts help put food on somebody’s table.

“It feels good to help people, because lots of people in Lenawee County are food dependent,” he said. “They may not be able to buy food with a lot of protein in it, and deer meat has a lot of protein.”

Adrian city administrator steps down; Emrick serving as interim replacement » PAGE A4

In fact, his grandfather said: “A quarter pound of beef would have something around 20 grams of protein, but it also has almost as many grams of fat. The same amount of venison would have more than 30 grams of protein and about half the amount of fat — maybe 8 grams of fat.”

Roman estimated that he’s shot about 14 deer in his life, and donated most of them.

In addition to celebrating its 15th anniversary, Hunters Helping Lenawee hit a milestone this year, with a record 5,185 pounds of venison donated to Lenawee County food pantries and community meal programs as of Jan. 31. That’s more than twice the previous season’s total, and it helped provide nearly 21,000 meals.

The foundation works mainly with Kasper’s Hickory House in Clinton and Exact Wildlife Creations in Tipton. Palmer’s Deer Processing in Britton also sometimes processes venison for the program.

The meat is ground and split into 1-pound packages for distribution.

Once a donated deer has been processed and the meat is ready for pickup, the processor contacts the Lenawee Community Foundation, which

See HUNTERS, page A14

Siena Heights announces new facility, expansion of health care curriculum » PAGE A9

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MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

THE AGENDA

Big decisions coming up for city of Adrian Welcome back to The Agenda, a monthly column in which we highlight issues of importance in our community and ways you can get involved.

City administrator search: Recent upheaval at Adrian City Hall means that the city will soon be recruiting a new city administrator, after former administrator Greg Elliott stepped down at the end of January.

The city has what is known as a council-manager style of government.

While the city commission (which consists of six commissioners and the mayor, all elected at-large from the entire city) sets the city’s overall direction, nobody on the commission is a full-time city employee. Instead, they delegate the day-to-day running of the city to the city administrator, who is responsible for advising the commission on policies, carrying out the policies that the commission enacts, supervising city staff, and directing day-to-day operations.

This means the selection of a city administrator is one of the most important decisions the commission ever makes. We encourage residents to follow not just our own coverage of the search, but also coverage in The Daily Telegram, WLEN, and our news partner Local Buzz Radio.

City elections are coming up: If you live in one of Lenawee County’s four cities and would like to get involved in local government, municipal elections are coming up later this year. Nominating petitions will be due in April, and can be obtained from your city clerk’s office.

The four cities in Lenawee County are Adrian, Hudson, Morenci and Tecumseh.

IN BRIEF City commissioner to meet with residents on March 6 ADRIAN — Adrian city commissioner Bob Behnke is planning another Commissioner Conversations session, from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at the Adrian District Library. Residents are invited to come and ask questions or discuss current city issues.

Marks returns to school board to fill vacancy ADRIAN — After not being reelected to the Adrian school board in November, Jay Marks is now back on the board. Local Buzz Radio reports that Marks was chosen unanimously from a field of three candidates on Feb 10 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of trustee Michael Ballard.

Marks will fill the seat through the end of 2026. The other applicants were Francis Rhames of Blue Pointe Title, and Danielle Mueller, a former Michener Elementary School media paraprofessional.

Marks received just over 4,700 votes in a re-election bid last November, finishing behind fellow incumbent Michael Buku and newcomers Kayla Dunn and Anita Lewis.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

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MARCH 2025

LOCAL NEWS

News tips and press releases can be emailed to news@lenaweevoice.com. We welcome submissions in either English or Spanish.

To meet our print deadline, news about upcoming events should be sent by the 15th of the month before the event.

APS considers proposing community recreation center

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — If the initial feedback Adrian Public Schools Superintendent Nate Parker has gotten is any indication, there’s a lot of support for the district’s proposal to build a new recreational facility to serve both APS students and the community as a whole.

After presenting the idea to the school board in December and holding a community steering meeting in early January, district officials held two community forums, one on Jan. 28 at the high school and one on Feb. 5 at the Boys and Girls Club of Lenawee, to explain the proposal and solicit residents’ input.

Several different locations at or near Adrian High School have been identified as possible sites for the football field-sized steel-framed building. The number of potential sites has changed as community input has come in, and now stands at four.

One is west of Springbrook Middle School, while the other three are immediately adjacent to the high school on different sides.

The most recent possibility, which was identified after the second community forum was held, would go in the current parking area near Stockford Drive and High Street.

That location addresses concerns community residents expressed about the aesthetics of having “a steel pole barn next to our traditional high school,” Parker said in a Feb. 11 interview. “It wouldn’t be what people first see.”

Superintendent Nate Parker speaks about ideas for a community recreational facility during a forum on Feb. 5 at the Boys and Girls Club. ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE The facility would provide year-round opportunities for sports, recreation and arts for the entire community, not just for the benefit of Adrian Public Schools students.

A half-turf, half-hard-floor design would accommodate a wide range of sports including soccer, tennis, pickleball, volleyball, and basketball.

Other amenities would include fitness equipment and a walking track.

The district itself would benefit from having more space. Some of the teams currently don’t have adequate practice space, have to practice off-campus, or must hold practices late into the evening.

The marching band also struggles to find practice times, Parker said.

An indoor facility would also add flexibility because weather wouldn’t be an issue.

Additional district-related uses could include everything from athletic tournaments to band camps to robotics competitions. Community events could also be hosted there, such as the annual community craft show which currently is spread out all over the high school but would now be all in one spot.

With the majority of APS students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, Parker said he’s eager to provide recreational opportunities for the district’s youth, outside of school itself, and the building would fill a need in the wider community for an affordable, conveniently located place for recreational activities.

Estimates of the cost to build the new facility range from $17 million to $27 million. Operational costs would be in the neighborhood of $300,000 annually.

If the district approaches voters with a millage proposal, a .75-mill levy over 20 years would generate $27 million.

An owner of a home valued at $200,000 would pay an additional $75 per year.

Parker said that from a strategic standpoint, “the time is right” for the facility, because if voters approve a bond proposal in November, it would start in 2026 and end in 2046, the same year that the district’s 2016 bond retires.

The facility would be available at no cost to APS students. Community members would be able to use it for a fee, with people from outside the school district paying more relative to those inside it since district residents would also

See REC CENTER, page A15

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A4 | LOCAL NEWS

IN BRIEF Morenci dog breeder under state investigation MORENCI — The owner of a Morenci dog breeding business is under investigation by the Michigan Attorney General’s office for allegedly falsifying veterinarian records for dogs he sold, according to Lenawee Voice news partner Local Buzz Radio.

In a court filing, Attorney General Dana Nessel said her office uncovered at least three instances in which Ryan Thompson, the owner of Fallen Timbers — which is also known as Fallen Timbers Boxers and Fallen Timbers Bulldogs — allegedly provided veterinarian records attesting the dogs customers were buying from him were in good health when an independent followup showed otherwise.

According to Nessel’s office, the veterinarians who had supposedly examined the puppies said they actually had not. They also said the papers the customers received were not the type of documents they would have used.

Nessel said the puppies actually had a variety of infections, congenital defects, or other health problems.

Nessel said puppy scams are becoming more common and sophisticated and encouraged anyone who believes they may have gotten falsified paperwork when purchasing a pet from Thompson or his business to contact the Consumer Protection Division of the AG’s office at 877-765-8388.

Catholic Charities still pursuing challenge to ban on ‘conversion therapy’ CINCINNATI — After losing in U.S. District Court, Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale Counties is taking its challenge of a state law banning “conversion therapy” for minors to the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, Local Buzz Radio reported.

U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering this week denied the group’s attempt to block the law while their suit against the prohibition continues to move through the courts, writing that the case was unlikely to succeed on its merits and that Michigan had a legitimate interest in safeguarding the psychological wellbeing of minors.

Attorney General Dana Nessel, who has argued the ban on conversion therapy is needed to protect children’s mental health, said her office will continue to work to get the lawsuit dismissed. The three-county Catholic Charities group claims that ban infringes on parents’ right to raise their children in accordance with their religious beliefs.

Conversion therapy refers to attempts to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity or gender expression to align with heterosexual or cisgender norms.

The general medical consensus is that conversion therapy is both ineffective and can cause long-lasting psychological harm, and its use is opposed by the American Medical Association, American Psychological Association, and other associations of medical professionals.

MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Leadership changes at City Hall Adrian city administrator steps down; police chief fills in while commission searches for replacement

By Erik Gable

The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — The Adrian City Commission voted 6-1 on Feb. 3 to approve the terms of a separation agreement between the city and former city administrator Greg Elliott.

Under the agreement, which largely echoes terms laid out in Elliott’s contract, the city will pay him six months’ salary. His salary had been $151,605 per year for the city administrator role, plus an additional $20,000 for continuing to serve as community development director, the job he held before being hired as administrator in 2020, making the total payout upon separation approximately $85,800.

Elliott’s employment contract states: “In the event that the City Commission exercises its right to terminate the employment of the Executive without cause and the Executive is willing and able to perform the duties of the City Administrator, the City shall provide the Executive with salary, retirement contributions, and health and life insurance benefits for a period of time as outlined herein.” The period of time was capped at six months, and Elliott had been with the city for long enough to reach that cap.

Mayor Angela Sword Heath represented the city in negotiating the agreement. Both the city and Elliott agreed to a few changes from the terms outlined in the contract. The city agreed to waive a clause that would have allowed it to stop paying Elliott’s salary if he obtained other employment within six months. At the same time, Elliott agreed to waive the insurance provisions of the contract, meaning that the city does not have to keep paying insurance premiums for those six months.

Elliott was hired as community development director in 2019 and promoted to city administrator in 2020.

The dissenting vote on the agreement was cast by commissioner Gordon Gauss.

The agreement generated little discussion among commissioners at the Feb. 3 meeting, but during the public comment portions of the meeting, Adrian residents Don Taylor and Tim Allshouse both spoke to criticize the fact that the agreement was not made public before the commission voted on it.

Heath said that as a negotiated agreement, the deal was subject to attorney-client privilege until it was ratified.

Also during the public comment period, former Mayor Jim Berryman praised Elliott, saying that he had always felt Elliott was fair and had Adrian’s best interests at heart. He said that asking someone to take on the administrator’s job, which often involves needing to move their family, is asking a big commitment of that person. “Far too often in the recent past, we’ve felt it too easy to walk away from a commitment to an administrator,” he said.

Emrick designated as acting administrator Also on Feb. 3, the city commission unanimously approved naming police chief Vince Emrick as acting city administrator.

Emrick spoke briefly about the actions he has been taking to make it possible for him to serve in both roles temporarily, which include delegating some police responsibilities to deputy chief Laurence Van Alstine.

“It’s a big task,” Emrick said. But he also noted that this will be his fourth time filling in as interim city administrator, so “it’s not as daunting as it once was.”

Hiring process discussed City commissioners discussed the hiring process for the next city administrator at their Feb. 17 meeting.

Commissioner Bob Behnke, who is also a retired Adrian Public Schools superintendent, reported on some of his research, including best practices information from the International City/ County Management Association.

“This is probably one of the most important decisions that a local governing body makes,” Behnke said.

Although city commissioners could just update the job listing from when the administrator’s role was last posted in 2020 and manage the hiring process themselves, Behnke said, “that is probably not the best practice.”

He recommended interviewing multiple search firms to find one that will get to know the city and that has a large list of contacts who are interested in city

administrator positions. That firm could also help gather input from stakeholders such as residents, city employees, and business owners, he said.

Behnke said the commission will need to consider many questions, including: n Is the current position description accurate? n What process should be used for evaluating the city administrator, and should it be created before the position is filled? n What support systems does the commission want the new administrator to have when they start work? n Should there be a merit-based or goal-driven portion to the administrator’s pay?

Heather Lasky, the city’s human resources director, reported that she reached out to some of her human resources colleagues across Michigan and compiled a list of the most oftenhired search firms. She said she also received some valuable feedback from those colleagues on firms they have worked with in the past.

Commissioner Kelly Castleberry wondered if anyone currently working for the city would be interested in the position. “I want somebody that wants to be in my community,” she said, adding that while Behnke is an example of somebody who came from outside Adrian to take an administrative job and ended up staying and becoming part of the community, that doesn’t always happen when hiring from outside.

The mayor asked Lasky if she would be able to gauge whether any current employees are interested in seeking the job. Lasky said she could do so, either formally or informally.

Behnke, however, said he would caution against skipping the stakeholder input part of the process. He also said that when splitting a recruitment process between internal and external postings, there are possible morale issues to consider.

Gauss commented that in order for the process to move quickly but also be done diligently, the commission will need to have some special meetings.

“We can’t wait for two meetings a month,” he said. “We’ll never get the job done.”

New zoning ordinance not ready for prime time ADRIAN — The Adrian planning commission reviewed a draft of a new zoning ordinance at its Feb. 4 meeting, but is likely several months away from having a final version to recommend to the city commission, planning commission chairman Mike Jacobitz said.

The draft ordinance reviewed at the Feb. 4 meeting is “far from being a readyto-publish product,” Jacobitz said.

He noted that the draft contradicts itself in several places, and also contains several things that either don’t match current practice in Adrian — such as a requirement that auto dealerships not display vehicles for sale in front yards, which nearly every dealership in town does — or that the planning commission has already decided against. For example, the draft contains a requirement that

Commission OK’s complaint against Johnson Controls ADRIAN — The Adrian City Commission on Feb. 17 authorized the filing of a lawsuit against Johnson Controls. City attorney Burke Castleberry said the city had a $9.9 million contract with Johnson Controls for a large project that included energy management, security systems, lighting upgrades, HVAC systems, and more. He said the city has paid all but $100,000.

“Johnson Controls has threatened to sue the city multiple times because the city has not paid, but the reason that the city hasn’t paid is because they haven’t done the work,” Castleberry said.

“The temperature control in city hall, for one thing, is just atrocious, and it’s directly related to the work performed by Johnson Controls,” he said.

The commission authorized acting city administrator Vince Emrick to sign the complaint that Castleberry drafted.

recreational vehicles be kept on concrete pads, even though “we just reviewed this in the last six months and decided not to require concrete pads,” Jacobitz said.

He estimated that summer or fall is the earliest the planning commission could have a draft ordinance that’s actually ready to be voted on.

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THE LENAWEE VOICE

LOCAL NEWS | A5

MARCH 2025

City could save money by having DPW demolish Adrian Inn ADRIAN — The city of Adrian could save money by having the old Adrian Inn building demolished by Department of Public Works employees instead of hiring a contractor, city commissioners were told at their Feb. 17 meeting.

Engineering services director Matt Tomaszewski reported that an environmental survey to determine how much asbestos abatement will be needed is nearly complete. He noted that the abatement could be expensive — possibly a few hundred thousand dollars — but demolition could begin as soon as it is completed, if that’s what the commission decides to do.

Tomaszewski said one local contractor estimated that they would charge about

$300,000 for the demolition, but he believes having the job done by DPW employees would cost about $170,000.

In addition to saving money, he said, having the DPW do the job would allow it to be done faster, because putting the project out to bid would take about six weeks.

Another benefit, Tomaszewski said, is that if the city does the work itself, the concrete from the site could be recovered, crushed, and added to the stone pile that is used for city street work.

The property has long been a headache for the city, which at one point had declared it to be a drug house. The city purchased it for $800,000 in 2022 as a short-term measure to help people

MORE CITY COMMISSION NEWS February 3 Fee House discussion: Adrian resident Don Taylor addressed the commission about the historic Fee House, which was bequeathed to the city upon its most recent owner’s death. The house, on South Main Street, was the home of Harry and Harriet Fee, both of whom had a major impact on the city’s development.

Taylor encouraged the city to think about turning the home into a historic showcase, rather than selling it. He said the home could become a destination and help encourage visitors to Adrian.

“Obviously, this requires significant financial resources, but I urge you to think big,” he said.

Sports dome entrance concerns: Speaking on behalf of residents in the Canterbury Street area, city resident Sue Allshouse expressed concern about traffic going to the site of the new Adrian College sports dome. She said the access at the corner of Canterbury Street and Stratford Avenue is supposed to only be used by construction vehicles, but that has not been the case.

Dangerous house concerns: City resident Gail Dunaway expressed concern about a vacant house on Comstock Street where there was an explosion recently. She said that only 25½ feet separate that house from its neighbor to the north, and only 17 feet separate it from its neighbor to the south, so neighbors are concerned about their own safety. She also thanked Adrian police for their professionalism when responding to a recent call to check on the well-being of a neighbor.

Clear communications: City commissioner Bob Behnke commented that he has received many questions from downtown area property owners who received a mailing about the upcoming public hearing on the city’s downtown development plan and extension of the downtown Tax Increment Financing district. Although the letter contained all the information that the city is legally required to distribute, Behnke suggested that including a “frequently asked questions” list in plain English would have gone a long way toward eliminating confusion.

February 17 Downtown plan OK’d: The commission approved amendments to the city’s downtown development plan and extension of the downtown Tax Increment Financing district. The TIF district is a funding mechanism in which increased tax revenue from new development in an area is captured to be used for improvement projects in that area. Jane Dixon, principal planner with the consulting firm McKenna, noted that the items included in the

downtown development plan are not requirements and some of them couldn’t happen without the city allocating more funds, but by passing the plan, the city is authorizing the Downtown Development Authority to work toward those goals.

Demolition bid awarded: The commission awarded the bid for demolition of the house at 214 Comstock St., which was discussed at the Feb. 3 meeting, to Desbrough Excavating from Dundee, which was the low bidder. Code enforcement officer Glenn Preston wrote in a memo that the city has never worked with Desbrough before, so he reached out to the village of Maybee and received a positive reference.

Fuel tank problems: Engineering services director Matt Tomaszewski reported that one of the DPW’s fuel tanks did not pass state inspection and will need to be replaced. It may be advisable to replace the diesel tank at the same time, he said, since that tank is about 40 years old as well. The city owns the tanks, but they are also used by Adrian Public Schools, the Lenawee Intermediate School District, and Lenawee Transportation, all of whom pay the city an additional 8 cents per gallon on top of cost to be able to fuel their vehicles at the DPW facility.

Asbestos abatement: The commission approved a change to the asbestos abatement contract for the former Eagles building on North Winter Street. Initially, the company that did the asbestos survey thought that it would be too dangerous to remove asbestos from the roof manually and it would need to be done as part of the demolition, but the roof turned out not to be as dangerous as originally thought. The change will result in a lower total cost for the project.

Public comment: During the public comment portion of the meeting, city resident Jerick Timm spoke about frustrations with getting the city to consider new ideas. He specifically said that he was unable to get anywhere with suggesting alternative designs to address safety concerns for cyclists and pedestrians with the planned Winter Street streetscape project. Timm also questioned the emphasis on parking-related projects in the downtown development plan, asking why it is needed when a recent parking study indicated the city doesn’t need additional parking. Also during public comment, downtown business owner Mary Sieler disagreed that downtown has enough parking, and she specifically spoke about spaces in the Church Street lot always being taken by contractors working on nearby construction. She asked if the city could seek permission to have contractors park in the private lot at the old fire station on the south side of Church Street, opening up those spaces in the public lot.

who were displaced by the emergency evacuation of Riverview Terrace, but the building is in bad shape.

Police chief and acting city administrator Vince Emrick said that the Adrian Police Department has responded to numerous calls from the Adrian Inn, and it appears that people have been cutting water pipes and electric wires out of the building for scrap.

City attorney Burke Castleberry said that although the city has been securing rooms as they are vacated, people have done things like ripping out HVAC units to get into the rooms after they are secured.

Tomaszewski also reported that, of the eight people currently known to be living in the building, the city discovered that six

had not yet been served eviction notices, so that process must be gone through before work can proceed.

Commissioner Bob Behnke asked if the city has heard from anyone interested in buying the property. Emrick said the city received a letter from the Lenawee District Library asking about the land, and Adrian College has also expressed interest. However, the property has not been listed for sale or marketed yet.

Commissioner Mary Roberts expressed support for the idea of having the DPW demolish the building and then listing it for sale. She added that ideally, she would like it to go back on the tax rolls rather than being sold to a tax-exempt nonprofit.

A6 | LOCAL NEWS

MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Some county residents eligible to apply for ‘Solar for All’ program

By Jackie Koch The Lenawee Voice

A new program that plans to offer lowcost rooftop solar systems for low-income Michigan residents as well as funds for community solar projects will spend the next year determining how funds will be distributed and installation will be completed. The state’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) was awarded $156 million in April 2024 through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s $7 billion Solar for All competition, when the MI Solar for All program was chosen for one of 60 grants.

The goal of the Solar for All program is to help lower the cost of installing solar for thousands of households across the state, saving those eligible 20% on their utility bills and keeping their electricity flowing even during grid outages. In April Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the funds were available thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

“Michigan is committed to leading the future of clean energy, lowering utility costs for families, creating good paying jobs, and growing our advanced manufacturing economy,” she said. “By installing more solar energy on roofs or in communities, we can create more jobs, protect our air and water, and continue driving down costs.”

The funds were distributed to grantees in late summer 2024, but accessing the grant has been a struggle since the Trump administration put a freeze on grants as part of an order to block spending on climate programs.

Lenawee County has three localities earmarked for the program, including large portions of Adrian as well as Hudson, Morenci, and surrounding areas. Since President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20, an environmental justice tool that defined areas of eligibility has disappeared from the EPA website.

The Lenawee Voice reached out to Jeff Johnston, public information officer for EGLE regarding the MI Healthy Climate Plan, the Office of Climate and Energy, recycling, and renewable energy, for more information. Johnston said applicants must be considered low income to qualify for the program, and in the absence of the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) that identifies disadvantaged communities,

the MI Solar for All program is now using other EPA guidelines.

According to the EGLE website, the EPA Solar For All program defines “lowincome individuals and households” in non-metropolitan areas as those with incomes not more than 80% of the area median income (AMI), 200% of the federal poverty limit (FPI), or 80% of the statewide non-metropolitan Area AMI, whichever is highest.

The FPI is defined using the latest publicly available figures from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the AMI is defined using the latest publicly available figures from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A non-metropolitan area is an area that does not contain a large urban center with a population of at least 50,000 people and is generally a rural area with smaller towns and more open countryside, such as Lenawee County.

The loss of support from some EPA web pages comes as nearly 400 employees have been fired from that agency after the current administration’s Office of Personnel Management terminated probationary workers who started working at the agency within the past year, according to a Feb. 14 story in The Hill. The MI Solar for All pages have also been changed in past weeks, with some links no longer active.

Although Johnston couldn’t say how Trump’s executive orders and the loss of EPA tools could affect the program, he encouraged those interested to sign up for the MI Solar for All email list. “We still want people to fill out the interest form even amid uncertainty,” he said.

“We encourage people to describe any projects that they’re interested in doing in the comments. More detail will be helpful as the program rolls out.” An alternate version of the CEJST called the Justice40 Screening Tool may be found at justice40. cnt.org and defines areas where eligible residents live.

“There’s a lot of questions that we’re sorting out regarding the impact of some of the national actions,” said Johnston.

The EPA requires the MI Solar for All program to utilize the allocated funds within five years. EGLE staff working on the program will provide opportunities for public engagement and feedback, including meetings and requests for information.

Those interested in learning more and signing up for emails may visit michigan. gov/egle and search for “MI Solar for All.”

THE LENAWEE VOICE

LOCAL NEWS | A7

MARCH 2025

Hoodies for Lenawee Farmworkers drive collects clothes to help workers keep warm ADRIAN — As southeast Michigan prepares to welcome hundreds of migrant farmworkers, community members are stepping up to make sure they have the warm clothing they will need to face chilly Michigan weather.

The Hoodies for Lenawee Farmworkers 2025 initiative hopes to collect 300 hoodies and sweatshirts before farmworkers arrive later this month.

“This is about providing basic comfort and dignity to the workers who help sustain our food system,” said Pete

Vargas, organizer of the initiative. “Many of them arrive without enough warm clothing, and we have an opportunity to change that.”

When an appeal to community members was posted on Facebook, Vincent Delgado, owner of My Cousin Vinny’s Barbershop, responded within hours by offering his businesses as dropoff locations.

People are encouraged to donate new or gently used hoodies and sweatshirts.

They do not have to be new, but should be clean.

The dropoff locations are: n My Cousin Vinny’s Barbershop & Salon, 136 E. Maumee St., Suite 1, Adrian. n My Cousin Vinny’s 2, 901 W. Michigan Ave., Suite D, Saline.

People can also help by volunteering to pick up items for the collection, organizing clothing drives at their workplaces, or hosting a dropoff site, among other ways.

For more information about how to help, email petevargas@gmail.com or text 210-378-7240.

Raisin Township puts six-month moratorium on gravel projects RAISIN TWP. — Gravel mining projects have been put on hold in Raisin Township, as the board has approved a six-month moratorium on them while members work to update the township ordinance dealing with such operations.

According to Local Buzz Radio, board members are concerned that the current ordinance was written so long ago that it no longer reflects modern ways of measuring noise levels and dust in the air.

Additional concerns about efforts in Lansing to give state government greater control over regulating gravel-mining activities — something pushed for by road builders and the gravel industry — have board members looking for ways to add more protections at the local level.

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A8 | LOCAL NEWS

MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

GIVE YOUR

FIREPLACE A

FACELIFT

Booking for 2025!

Commercial/Residential

517- 442-5969 Tuckpointing and brick replacement, historical buildings, foundations, and chimneys.

Before/After

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Jeanie DeCocker, owner with her employees, Dawn Moran, & Cagni Karl

THE LENAWEE VOICE

A9

MARCH 2025

SHU plans new facility to support expansion of health care curriculum ADRIAN — Siena Heights University recently announced plans to create the Margaret and Doyle Hartman Center for Health and Wellness, the result of a gift from Margaret and Doyle Hartman of Dallas, Texas. The new center will expand SHU’s Adrian campus with the purchase of the former Merillat headquarters, located off of U.S. 223, which offers 66,000 square feet of space on 11 acres.

The Center for Health and Wellness will prepare SHU students for the health care jobs of the 21st century, according to the announcement. It will provide opportunities to expand Siena Heights’ curriculum offerings in health care disciplines while also serving critical community needs.

The center will share the building with the Gray Institute, which is already located there, allowing students to access one of the world’s leaders in movement science.

“The Margaret and Doyle Hartman Center for Health and Wellness is a win for all of us,” Siena Heights University president Douglas Palmer said in a news release. “We are pleased to grow our presence in the Adrian community.

We will not only use this center to prep students for jobs but offer communitybased health and wellness programs for the betterment of the entire community.”

The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects a shortage of 21,000 registered nurses in the state of Michigan by 2036. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 14 percent increase in the need for licensed physical therapists by 2033.

Marijuana tax revenue-sharing amounts listed LANSING — The state of Michigan has announced the amounts to be distributed to local governments this year from taxes and fees on recreational marijuana businesses.

Under state law, 35% of the money from those taxes and fees goes to the statewide School Aid Fund, 35% goes to the Michigan Transportation Fund to pay for repair and maintenance of roads and bridges; 15% goes to municipalities where licensed marijuana stores are located; and 15% goes to counties where those businesses are located. Indian tribes are also included in the local distributions.

On Feb. 21, the state announced the following distributions to Lenawee County jurisdictions. n Village of Addison: $116,457. n City of Adrian: $640,515. n Lenawee County: $1,048,116. n City of Morenci: $291,143.

Statewide, nearly $100 million is to be distributed to local governments this year, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.

FOUR HONORED AT BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

“Together We Stand,” an annual event celebrating Black History Month, took place last month at Christ Temple Ministries International in Adrian. The four churches that came together to organize the event each chose someone to be honored for their community service. Pictured from left to right are Petula Carter (City of Refuge Ministries), Willa Slate (Second Baptist Church), Leonard Jasper (AME Methodist Church), and Kenon Goree (Christ Temple Ministries). The theme of the afternoon was “Take a Stand and Follow the Plan.” ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

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MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

LAND & WATER Disruption of USAID threatens farm incomes WASHINGTON — A variety of agricultural groups, as well as both Democrats and Republicans in Congress, are saying that the Trump administration’s actions against the U.S. Agency for International Development could hurt the economic wellbeing of American farmers.

According to the Congressional Research Service, more than 40 percent of the food distributed through USAID programs comes from U.S. farmers, who realize about $2 billion per year in income from the purchases.

“This food is going places, and I love it. I mean, it’s packaged with an American flag printed on it,” Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pennsylvania, told the nonprofit news organization NOTUS.org. “It’s good diplomacy, and quite frankly, if we can address food insecurity, it reduces the likelihood of us having to do any intervention abroad if there’s terrorism or war.”

Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, posted on social media that U.S. food aid to other countries “provides an important market for our farmers, especially when commodity prices are low.”

Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said during a Feb. 6 Senate hearing on the agriculture economy that “any food aid helps in that economic picture for farmers.”

The funding freeze has also targeted farm research projects at Michigan State University and other schools.

New educator joins local staff of MSU Extension ADRIAN — The Michigan State University Extension recently announced that Korede Olugbenle has joined the Extension team as a conservation agronomist educator based out of the Lenawee County Extension office.

Korede Olubenle Olugbenle holds a master’s degree in agroecology and a Ph.D. in agronomy from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, His background focuses on promoting continuous living cover via perennials, intercropping with legumes, and sustainable crop production.

Discovering the magic of gardens ALLEGRA BAIRD Michigan will soon be budding and buzzing with new life. Spring ephemerals like trillium, spring beauty, marsh marigold, trout lily, and bloodroot will be the first to greet us as we welcome warmer days. Red winged blackbirds, warblers, and sandhill cranes are already returning, gracing us with their early morning calls. Honeybees will return to work, completing the vital job of pollination in their own quest for sugars, while lending us their natural honey. Spring marks the beginning of our growing season, the time when perennials reemerge from their roots and annuals sprout from seeds dropped the year before. It marks an entryway for reconnecting with the natural world in a space called the garden.

Gardens represent the intersection of ecology, horticulture, and design.

They teach us of harmony, synergism, and complex natural dynamics. They are spaces of sanctuary, observation and experimentation, reflection and of gathering. Importantly, they are spaces in which we actively tend the needs of the plants we grow, and in exchange we receive their fruits. It is perhaps the best place to embody the reciprocal relationships that exist amongst all living things. As Robin Wall Kimmerer put it in her book “Braiding Sweetgrass,” “A garden is a nursery for nurturing connection, the soil for cultivation of practical reverence. And its power goes far beyond the garden gate — once you develop a relationship with a little patch of earth, it becomes a seed itself.”

To see the beauty and wonder of gardens, one only needs to step into a plant conservatory, arboretum, or botanical garden. These stunning plant displays, curated by horticulturalists, are arranged to showcase a great diversity of plants from all over the world.

Education is an important component of botanical gardens, and in them you will find opportunities to learn about the conservation of plant biomes and endangered plant species, as well as the important cultural and medicinal uses of different plants. Scientific study and research is another key focus of botanical gardens, where plant relationships, propagation, and adaptation can all be examined. Hidden Lake Gardens provides 750 acres of botanical beauty, including an arboretum, a canopy walk, hiking trails, a three-biome conservatory, and various collections of conifers, hostas, and bonsai trees. Situated in the Irish Hills, this botanical garden is a local gem offering community events and volunteering opportunities.

Black-eyed Susan (rudbeckia hirta) and purple coneflower (echinacea purpurea) in a rain garden planting.

To truly experience the magic of gardens, one must start with hands in the soil. Seasoned gardeners can attest to how pleasant working in the soil can be — we especially enjoy the organic compounds geosmins, which give the soil its earthy smell after a fresh rain.

Soils hold a lot of mystery, and even more diversity. Beneath the surface lie millions of microscopic bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes, who, combined with macroscopic beetles and earthworms, form a complex soil food web. A healthy soil has strong interactions between soil biology and plant organic matter, minerals, water, and air. Plant roots interact with the soil food web, exchanging nutrients for sugars and creating macropores for soil organisms to make homes in. A thriving soil supports more vigorous plants, and the more diverse plant community you have, the more wildlife plants can support both above and below the soil surface.

For homeowners, manicured lawns have long been seen as the gold standard. While mowed turf or lawn grass is good for traversing on foot, it serves very little benefit to wildlife as an exotic species. Large lawns can require many resources to maintain — sprinkler systems, mowing equipment and fuel, chemical fertilizers — the list goes on.

Taking out small areas of lawn grass and replacing them with native shrubs, warm season grasses, and wildflowers can attract diverse native insects and birds.

Planting companion perennials like goldenrods and asters can add immense beauty to one’s yard while requiring less maintenance than ornamentals since natives are adapted to our soils and climate. Strategically planting deep-rooted native grasses and forbs on hillslopes as part of a “rain garden” is a small but mighty action that every

property owner can take to help reduce stormwater runoff. The benefits of native plants are numerous and significant; from supporting native biodiversity to protecting water quality to creating resilient local food systems.

You can start your garden journey this spring and in doing so support local organizations and businesses working to restore native plants on our landscape.

The Lenawee Conservation District will host their annual fundraiser and Spring Plant Sale on April 11 and 12, bringing wholesale trees and shrubs from Michigan nurseries to Lenawee residents. Preorder is required and stock is limited — please visit lenaweeconservation-district.square.site to secure your trees for spring planting.

Additionally, the River Raisin Watershed Council is partnering with local nurseries to host the first annual native plant sale in Lenawee County.

This community event will be held on May 30 and provide an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in learning how to incorporate native plants into their landscaping.

To learn more about gardening, consider participating in the Master Rain Gardener class hosted by the watershed council this spring from April 4 to May 2.

Finally, MSU Extension offers a Master Rain Gardener Volunteer Program, beginning with a Foundations of Gardening Course which teaches environmentally sound gardening practices.

Let this spring bring new transformations in your outdoor space, whether you’re starting your first garden or nourishing your existing plant relationships in complementary ways.

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

THE LENAWEE VOICE

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MARZO 2025

NOTICIAS LOCALES Se busca ropa abrigada para ayudar a los trabajadores agrícolas Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares ADRIAN — Mientras el sureste de Michigan se prepara para dar la bienvenida a cientos de trabajadores agrícolas migrantes, miembros de la comunidad están dando un paso adelante para asegurarse de que tengan la ropa abrigada que necesitarán para enfrentar el clima frío de Michigan.

La iniciativa Sudaderas con capucha para trabajadores agrícolas de Lenawee 2025 (Hoodies for Lenawee Farmworkers 2025) espera recolectar 300 sudaderas con capucha antes de que lleguen los trabajadores agrícolas a finales de este mes.

Pete Vargas, organizador de la iniciativa, dijo que el objetivo es brindar comodidad y dignidad a los trabajadores que ayudan a sostener nuestro sistema alimentario.

Vincent Delgado, propietario de la Barbería Mi primo Vinny (My Cousin Vinny’s Barbershop), ha ofrecido su negocio como centro de acopio.

Se anima a las personas a donar sudaderas con capucha y sudaderas ya sea nuevas o en buen estado. No es necesario que sean nuevas, pero sí que estén limpias.

Los lugares para dejar donaciones son: n Barbería y salón de mi primo Vinny (My Cousin Vinny’s Barbershop & Salon), ubicado en 136 E. Maumee St., Suite 1, Adrian. n Mi primo Vinny’s 2 (My Cousin Vinny’s 2), ubicado en 901 W. Michigan Ave., Suite D, Saline.

Para más información, envíe un correo electrónico a petevargas@gmail.com o envíe un mensaje de texto al 210-378-7240.

NOTICIAS DEL GOBIERNO DE LA CIUDAD ADRIAN — Los siguientes puntos fueron discutidos en febrero por la Comisión de la Ciudad de Adrian. n El jefe de policía de Adrian, Vince Emrick, se desempeña como administrador interino de la ciudad después de que el ex administrador de la ciudad, Greg Elliott, renunció a fines de enero. La ciudad está a punto de iniciar el proceso de búsqueda de un nuevo administrador. n Está programada la demolición de una casa vacía en 214 Comstock St., sobre la cual los vecinos habían expresado preocupaciones de seguridad. n La ciudad está considerando que el Departamento de Obras Públicas demuela el edificio Adrian Inn, lo que, según los funcionarios de la ciudad, sería más barato que dejar que lo haga un contratista.

La Comisión Municipal se reúne el primer y tercer lunes de cada mes a las 6 p.m. en 159 E. Maumee St. Las reuniones están abiertas al público y hay servicios de traducción disponibles.

— Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares

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.

Empoderando a los latinos en Lenawee Por Ben Negron

La Alianza Hispana de Lenawee

La Alianza Hispana de Lenawee (HOLA) se fundó en 2006 para servir a la comunidad del Condado de Lenawee.

Como organización centrada en la Comunidad, la misión de HOLA es defender y apoyar a todos los miembros marginados de la comunidad, con especial énfasis en la población hispana.

El trabajo de HOLA se basa en brindar apoyo personalizado e individualizado que conecta a los miembros de la comunidad con recursos vitales. La organización actúa como un puente que conecta a quienes lo necesitan con la asistencia disponible.

Nuestro objetivo es arrojar luz sobre los desafíos que enfrenta nuestra comunidad latina, celebrar nuestros éxitos y trabajar juntos hacia un futuro más inclusivo y próspero para todos en el Condado de Lenawee.

El rostro cambiante de Lenawee Nuestro condado, como muchos en todo el país, ha experimentado cambios demográficos significativos en los últimos años. La población latina de Lenawee ha crecido, trayendo consigo una rica variedad de culturas, tradiciones y potencial. Sin embargo, este crecimiento conlleva la responsabilidad de abordar los desafíos únicos que enfrenta nuestra comunidad.

Educación: La clave del empoderamiento Uno de los problemas más críticos que estamos abordando es la educación.

Si bien hemos visto mejoras en las tasas de graduación de la escuela preparatoria entre los estudiantes latinos, aún

enfrentamos obstáculos en la inscripción y finalización de los estudios universitarios.

En HOLA, estamos trabajando para cerrar esta brecha mediante: n Asociarse con escuelas locales para ofrecer programas de tutoría. n Ofrecer talleres bilingües de solicitud de ingreso a la universidad. n Conectar a estudiantes con oportunidades de becas.

Nuestro objetivo es garantizar que cada estudiante latino en el condado de Lenawee tenga el apoyo que necesita para obtener una educación superior y lograr sus sueños.

Desarrollo de la fuerza laboral: Construyendo caminos hacia el éxito Como Director de Relaciones Comunitarias y Desarrollo del Centro Align para el Desarrollo de la Fuerza Laboral, he visto de primera mano la importancia de la capacitación laboral y el desarrollo de habilidades. Muchas personas de nuestra comunidad enfrentan barreras para el empleo, incluidas dificultades con el idioma y la falta de credenciales reconocidas.

Para abordar esto, estamos: n Ofreciendo clases de ESL adaptadas a la comunicación en el lugar de trabajo. n Ofreciendo programas de formación vocacional en campos de alta demanda. n Colaborando con empresas locales para crear oportunidades de pasantías.

Al equipar a los miembros de nuestra comunidad con las habilidades que necesitan, no solo estamos ayudando a las personas: estamos fortaleciendo el tejido económico del Condado de Lenawee en su conjunto.

Equidad en salud: una preocupación apremiante La pandemia de COVID-19 puso de relieve las disparidades en materia de salud que afectan de manera desproporcionada a nuestra comunidad latina. El acceso limitado a la atención médica, las barreras lingüísticas y los estigmas culturales en torno a la salud mental contribuyen a estas desigualdades. HOLA se compromete a: n Organización de ferias de salud con proveedores bilingües. n Promover la concienciación sobre la atención preventiva y el manejo de enfermedades crónicas. n Abogar por una mayor competencia cultural en los sistemas de atención sanitaria locales.

Mirando hacia el futuro: un llamado a la acción A medida que avanzamos, es fundamental que nos unamos como comunidad para abordar estos desafíos.

Ya sea que usted sea un residente de muchos años o un recién llegado, ya sea que se identifique como latino o no, su voz y su apoyo son importantes.

Le invito a que se una a nuestra misión. Asista a un evento de HOLA, ofrezca su tiempo como voluntario o simplemente participe en conversaciones sobre cómo podemos hacer del Condado de Lenawee un lugar donde todos puedan prosperar. iJuntos podemos!

Ben Negron es el Fundador y Director Ejecutivo de HOLA y Director de Relaciones Comunitarias y Desarrollo del Centro Align para el Desarrollo de la Fuerza Laboral.

Para obtener más información sobre HOLA, visite holalenawee.com.

Calendario del Centro Ebeid para marzo ADRIAN — Los siguientes programas educativos y reuniones comunitarias se llevarán a cabo en marzo 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.

Comité de Planificación de Actividades de la Coalición — el lunes 3 de marzo, 5-6 p.m. El primer lunes de cada mes, este comité desempeña un papel vital en la organización de eventos e iniciativas que fomentan la cohesión social, el sentido de pertenencia y la participación significativa de las personas y las familias. Puede ayudar a dar forma a actividades que construyan relaciones sólidas entre los vecinos, promuevan un espíritu comunitario positivo y brinden experiencias enriquecedoras para personas de todas las edades. Abierto a todos.

Entendiendo el Crédito (presentado por American 1 Credit Union) — el jueves 6 de marzo, 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? Ven y aprende los pasos para establecer o reparar tu crédito y lograr una mayor estabilidad financiera y autosuficiencia. Se cubren aspectos importantes de la Ley de Informes de Crédito Justos.

Reunión de la Coalición Comunitaria — el lunes 10 de marzo, 5 p.m. La Coalición Comunitaria de East Adrian 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. Se discuten las actividades, pero en este grupo se discuten temas más amplios. Únete a la construcción de una mejor comunidad para todos.

Administración del Dinero (presentado por County National Bank) — el martes 11 de marzo, 5:30-7 p.m. 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 deuda-ingreso y abordar las deudas, incluidos los préstamos estudiantiles.

Cuidado Dental y Hábitos Saludables (presentado por Lenawee Great Start) — el martes 18 de marzo, 5:30-7 p.m.

Acompáñanos a descubrir todo lo que necesitas saber sobre el cuidado de los dientes de tus hijos y cómo establecer hábitos saludables puede crear un impacto positivo duradero. Se proporcionará cuidado de niños y cena. Se requiere inscripción previa. Las familias pueden inscribirse a través de la información a continuación, llamando al 517.417.8051 o enviando un correo electrónico a: quinn.wilt@lenaweegreatstart.org.

Exploración de Carreras de Realidad Virtual (presentado por Michigan Works) — el miércoles 19 de marzo, 3-5 p.m. Sudeste Venga a explorar más de 20 simulaciones de carreras prácticas con los auriculares Transfer VR, que ofrecen experiencias inmersivas en campos como la aviación, la atención médica, la ingeniería, la construcción y otros oficios para ayudarlo a descubrir su futura profesión. Adultos y niños mayores de 12 años son bienvenidos.

Cinco Deseos (presentado por el Hospicio de Lenawee) — el jueves 20 de marzo, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Este taller es para todas las edades, no solo para personas mayores. Esta hora que inviertes es extremadamente valiosa e importante para ayudarte a comprender los documentos legales de los Cinco Deseos y cómo establecer sabiamente tus deseos para el final de la vida, incluidas las decisiones con respecto al tratamiento médico y la atención espiritual.

Rentar Para el Éxito (presentado por la Agencia de Acción Comunitaria) — el jueves 20 de marzo, 5:30-7 p.m. Anímese y usted también únase e infórmese sobre las leyes de viviendas, contratos de arrendamiento, derechos de los inquilinos, mantenimiento, reparaciones, y mucho más.

Rompe la fiebre de la cabaña (Coalición Comunitaria de East Adrian) — el jueves 27 de marzo, 6-7:30 p.m. Es la semana de vacaciones de primavera y la Coalición Comunitaria invita a toda la familia a salir a pasar una divertida noche de juegos de mesa, juegos de cartas, cornhole, bingo y más. Se proporcionarán premios y tacos para caminar hasta agotar existencias. Los niños menores de 15 años deben ir acompañados de un adulto. ¡No es necesario registrarse, solo ven y diviértete!

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MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

PERSPECTIVES

Letters to the Editor should be 350 words or fewer and may be emailed to letters@lenaweevoice.com.

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

EDITORIAL

Adrian’s upcoming leadership search With every change comes opportunity, and the city of Adrian’s search for the next city administrator is no different.

It’s an important decision, and one that deserves to be approached with thoughtful deliberation, as well as reflection on what the ideal candidate will bring to the table.

It was encouraging to hear city commissioner Bob Behnke talk at the Feb. 17 commission meeting about holding meetings to gather residents’ thoughts about what characteristics they would like to see in the city’s top employee. When hiring for highlevel positions, it’s not unusual to end up with several finalists who could all do the mechanics of the job perfectly well— but who have different interests, different focuses, and different sets of professional and life experiences.

Even with the city commission setting the overall direction, the administrator plays a huge role in steering the ship, and due to their own individual interests and experiences, every candidate would approach the job in their own way.

We have one suggestion for a trait that would be good to look for.

It’s not unusual to hear residents say that it’s difficult to navigate city government. This is not necessarily anyone’s fault — a city is a complex operation, and when you want to set up laws and procedures to anticipate every scenario, those can end up being complex as well. An emphasis from the top on setting up user-friendly procedures could go a long way.

So why not look for a city administrator who has a strong interest in customer service? In translating the often clunky language of city government into plain English, and in making sure no resident who’s acting in good faith goes away discouraged, but instead is able to easily find whatever answers they need?

It might not be the first thing you think of when describing a city administrator’s job. But a strong emphasis on making the complexity of city government as user-friendly as possible might make a big difference for Adrian.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Anti-solar activists continue to shortchange our communities A total of 2,031 residents live in Palmyra Township. About 20 of them attended a special meeting on Feb. 18, bent on intimidating the township board that was voting on a workable solar ordinance that would have

Empowering Latinos in Lenawee County Hispanics of Lenawee Alliance (HOLA) was founded in 2006 to serve the Lenawee County community. As a community-focused organization, HOLA’s mission is to advocate for and support all marginalized community members, with a special emphasis on the Hispanic population.

At the heart of HOLA’s work is personalized, one-on-one support that connects community members with vital resources. The organization serves as a bridge, bringing together those in need with available assistance.

Our aim is to shed light on challenges facing our Latino community, celebrate our successes, and work together towards a more inclusive and prosperous future for all in Lenawee County.

BEN NEGRON

Health equity: A pressing concern At HOLA, we’re working to bridge this gap by: n Partnering with local schools to provide mentorship programs. n Offering bilingual college application workshops. n Connecting students with scholarship opportunities.

Our goal is to ensure that every Latino student in Lenawee County has the support they need to pursue higher education and achieve their dreams.

The changing face of Lenawee Our county, like many across the nation, has seen significant demographic shifts in recent years.

The Latino population in Lenawee has grown, bringing with it a rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and potential.

However, with this growth comes the responsibility to address the unique challenges our community faces.

Workforce development: Building pathways to success

One of the most critical issues we’re tackling is education. While we’ve seen improvements in high school graduation rates among Latino students, we still face hurdles in college enrollment and completion.

As the Director of Community Relations and Development for Align Center for Workforce Development, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of job training and skill development.

Many in our community face barriers to employment, including language difficulties and lack of recognized credentials.

To address this, we’re: n Offering ESL classes tailored to workplace communication. n Providing vocational training programs in high-demand fields. n Collaborating with local businesses to create internship opportunities.

allowed a 175-megawatt solar farm to be built with local input.

The township’s needs are great and the project would help fund many of them. The 20 or so who bullied the board to a “no” vote also made loud promises to do a fundraiser for the dire needs of the community. They claim they themselves will raise the money to replace $875,000 in EGLE solar incentives.

We shall see, but I doubt it.

Having failed to pass a workable ordinance, the developer will appeal to Lansing, where local input will be limited.

Public Act 233 became law in 2024 to combat illegal exclusionary ordinances, based on misinformation, that were blocking renewables and farmers’ right to diversify their incomes and keep farms in the family.

Education: The key to empowerment

By equipping our community members with the skills they need, we’re not just helping individuals — we’re strengthening the economic fabric of Lenawee County as a whole.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the health disparities that disproportionately affect our Latino community. Limited access to healthcare, language barriers, and cultural stigmas around mental health all contribute to these inequities. HOLA is committed to: n Organizing health fairs with bilingual providers. n Promoting awareness about preventive care and chronic disease management. n Advocating for increased cultural competency in local healthcare systems.

Looking ahead: A call to action As we move forward, it’s crucial that we come together as a community to address these challenges. Whether you’re a longtime resident or a newcomer, whether you identify as Latino or not, your voice and support matter.

I invite you to join us in our mission.

Attend a HOLA event, volunteer your time, or simply engage in conversations about how we can make Lenawee County a place where everyone can thrive. ¡Juntos podemos! (Together we can!)

Ben Negron is the founder and executive director of HOLA and the director of community relations and development for the Align Center for Workforce Development. For more information about HOLA, go to holalenawee.com.

The anti-solar minority think they won, but informed citizens know better. There will still be a solar farm in Palmyra, just no incentive money, and much less control for local citizens.

Anti-clean energy groups have shot themselves in the foot, and stuck Palmyra taxpayers with a big loss of needed revenue.

—­Paul Wohlfarth, Ottawa Lake

THE LENAWEE VOICE

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MARCH 2025

COURT NEWS Trial delayed for youth accused of shooting mother’s boyfriend ADRIAN — A jury trial that had been scheduled for March for an 18-year-old man accused of shooting his mother’s boyfriend has been called off.

Trenton Berry is accused of killing Kirt Stubbins, 41, while they were hunting in Rollin Township in November 2023. His lawyer asked for the delay so that Berry could undergo a competency evaluation, the purpose of which is to determine if a defendant is able to understand the proceedings and assist in their own defense.

Berry remains in jail. A new pretrial hearing has been scheduled for May 7 in front of Judge Anna Marie Anzalone.

Band director suspended after abuse charges filed ADRIAN — Aaron Mykeloff, 50, was arraigned on Feb. 4 on charges of sexual abuse of a minor. He had been the band director for Adrian High School, where school officials said he was placed on leave as soon as they learned about the investigation on Feb. 3. The alleged crimes do not involve his job at the school, the district said.

Pretrial set for May 14 for former pastor ADRIAN — A new pretrial date has been set for May 14 for the former pastor of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Adrian, who now faces seven different criminal sexual conduct charges. Michael Goble, 76, of Adrian remains in jail. He is accused of sexually abusing multiple boys, some at his house and some at the Maurice Spear Campus, over the course of several years.

October trial set for man accused of killing wife ADRIAN — Trial has been moved to October for an Adrian man charged with an open count of murder, second degree murder and a felony firearms count in connection with the shooting death of his wife two years ago, after a new attorney took over the case.

Stephen Maples, 74, remains lodged in the Lenawee County Jail on a charge of shooting his wife, Cathy Maples, in their Madison Township home in February 2023.

Trial for FCA soccer coach scheduled for July ADRIAN — A four-day trial has been set for mid-July for a former Fellowship of Christian Athletes soccer coach facing 18 felony charges stemming from an alleged sexual relationship with a player over a five-year period that began when the victim was 11 years old.

The charges against Olnhausen are the result of an investigation by the Adrian Police Department.

He lived in Texas at the time of his arrest and is being prosecuted by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.

He is currently free on bond.

— Local Buzz Radio

ROLL CALL Following are selected votes taken by Lenawee County’s federal and state elected officials between Jan. 25 and Feb. 15.

U.S. SENATE Michigan is represented by Sens. Gary Peters (D) and Elissa Slotkin (D).

Nomination of Scott Bessent to be Secretary of Treasury: The nominee was confirmed, 68-29. Peters and Slotkin voted yes.

Nomination of Sean Duffy to be Secretary of Transportation: The nominee was confirmed, 77-22. Peters voted yes.

Slotkin voted no.

H.R. 23 cloture motion: This bill would impose sanctions against foreign individuals or entities who assist the International Criminal Court in investigating, arresting, detaining or prosecuting any U.S. citizen. The vote was 54-45. A three-fifths majority being required to move the bill to a vote, the bill was blocked. Peters and Slotkin voted no.

Nomination of Lee Zeldin to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency: The nominee was confirmed, 56-42. Peters and Slotkin voted no.

Nomination of Douglas Burgum to be Secretary of the Interior: The nominee was confirmed, 80-17. Peters voted no. Slotkin voted yes.

Nomination of Christopher Wright to be Secretary of Energy: The nominee was confirmed, 59-38. Peters and Slotkin voted no.

Nomination of Douglas Collins to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs: The nominee was confirmed, 77-23. Peters and Slotkin voted yes.

Nomination of Pamela Bondi to be Attorney General: The nominee was confirmed, 54-46. Peters and Slotkin voted no.

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

ADRIAN CITY Jan. 26: Assault, 1300 block of South Main Street. Assault, 1000 block of West U.S. 223. Larceny, 500 block of Division Street. Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223. Assault, 900 block of East Maple Avenue.

Jan. 27: Property damage, 100 block of Sand Creek Highway.

Disorderly Conduct, 1600 block of east U.S. 223. Drug possession, 500 block of North Winter Street. Assault and disorderly conduct, 1300 block of South Winter Street. Larceny from a building, 700 block of West Maumee Street. Larceny from a yard, 800 block of Addison Street.

Jan. 29: Burglary (non-residential, forced entry), 400 block of East Beecher Street. Property damage, 2400 block of East U.S. 223. Larceny from the mail, 300 block of East Church Street. Assault, 700 block of Riverside Avenue. Assault, 600 block of Oak Street. Retail fraud, 400 block of Erie Street.

Jan. 30: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223. Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223. Retail fraud, 1500 block of West Maumee Street.

Larceny from a vehicle, 400 block of State Street. Larceny from a building, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

Jan. 31: Operating while intoxicated, 1500 block of Redwood Court. Sexual assault, 200 block of Cross Street. Larceny from a yard, 1300 block of South Main Street.

Illegal credit card use, 500 block of Lenawee Street. Drug possession, 600 block of Springbrook Avenue.

Retail fraud, 1500 block of West Maumee Street. Assault and property damage, 600 block of Beechwood Drive.

Feb. 1: Larceny, 500 block of Treat Street. Burglary (non-residential, no forced entry), 600 block of South Winter Street.

Nomination of Eric Turner to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development: The nominee was confirmed, 55-44. Peters and Slotkin voted no.

Nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence: The nominee was confirmed, 52-48. Peters and Slotkin voted no.

Nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be Secretary of Health and Human Services: The nominee was confirmed, 52-48.

Peters and Slotkin voted no.

Nomination of Brooke Rollins to be Secretary of Agriculture: The nominee was confirmed, 72-28. Peters and Slotkin voted yes.

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES All of Lenawee County is in the 5th Congressional District, represented by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Tipton).

H.R. 23: This bill would strengthen penalties for fentanyl-related crimes. The bill passed, 312-108. Walberg voted yes.

H.R. 26: This bill would prohibit any president from declaring a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) unless authorized by Congress, and also would express the sense of Congress that fracking should be primarily regulated at the state level.

The bill passed, 226-188. Walberg voted yes.

H.R. 77: This bill would make it easier for Congress to disapprove regulations submitted for review during the final year of a president’s term. The bill passed. 212-208.

Walberg voted yes.

MICHIGAN SENATE Most of Lenawee County is in the 16th Senate district, represented by Sen. Joe Bellino (R-Monroe). The city of Tecumseh, Tecumseh Township, and Clinton Township including the village of Clinton are in the 15th Senate District, represented by Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor).

S.B. 1 and S.B. 2: These bills would make both the Legislature and the governor’s office subject to Michigan’s Freedom of Information

Feb. 2: Fraud, 600 block of Comstock Street. Assault, 1100 block of Bristol Street. Larceny from the mail, 1500 block of West Maumee Street. Burglary, (residential, forced entry), 200 block of Ormsby Street. Operating while intoxicated, 100 block of North McKenzie Street.

Feb. 3: Larceny from a building, 600 block of Treat Street. Larceny, 800 block of North Main Street.

Retail fraud, 200 block of East U.S. 223. Property damage, 1200 block of South Main Street.

Feb. 4: Internet harassment or threats, 1300 block of West Maumee Street. Assault, 200 block of South McVicar Street. Assault, 500 block of Tabor Street.

Feb. 5: Sexual assault, 100 block of Revere Street.

Feb. 6: Property damage, 600 block of South Madison Street.

Operating while intoxicated, Elm and Mulberry streets.

Feb. 7: Assault, 100 block of South Madison Street.

Feb. 8: Operating while intoxicated, 900 block of East Maple Avenue.

Feb. 9: Assault, 300 block of Ohio River Drive. Sexual assault, 100 block of South Madison Street.

Property damage, 100 block of South Madison Street. Assault, 1600 block of West Maumee Street.

Feb. 10: Larceny, 200 block of Chestnut Street. Telephone harassment or threats, 700 block of James Street. Property damage, 200 block of East U.S. 223.

Feb. 11: Disorderly conduct, 5600 block of North Adrian Highway. Wire fraud, 300 block of Anthony Court.

Feb. 12: Telephone harassment or threats, 700 block of James Street. Wire fraud, 600 block of West Maple Avenue.

Feb. 13: Retail fraud, 700 block of South Main Street. Property damage, 200 block of Chestnut Street.

Feb. 14: Sexual assault, 600 block of Springbrook Avenue. Assault, 200 block of West Beecher Street.

Assault, 300 block of East Church Street. Retail fraud, 200 block of East U.S. 223.

Act. The bills passed, 33-2. Bellino and Irwin voted yes.

S.R. 6: A resolution denouncing the presidential pardons of people involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The resolution was adopted, 19-13. Bellino voted no. Irwin voted yes.

S.B. 8: This bill would weaken the increase in Michigan’s minimum wage for tipped employees that was petitioned for in 2018, but blocked from the ballot by legislators passing it but then weakening it after the election.

The Michigan Supreme Court ruled that the action was unconstitutional and ordered the increase enacted. This bill would raise the tipped minimum to 50% of the regular minimum wage by 2031. The bill passed, 20-12.

Bellino voted yes. Irwin voted no.

MICHIGAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Most of Lenawee County is in the 34th House District, represented by Rep. Nancy Jenkins-Arno (R-Clayton). Parts of the Britton and Deerfield areas are in the 30th District, represented by Rep. William Bruck (R-Erie).

Macon Township is in the 31st District, represented by Rep. Reggie Miller (D-Van Buren Twp.). The city of Hudson is in the 35th District, represented by Rep. Jennifer Wortz (R-Quincy).

H.R. 19: This resolution would change House rules to reject any legislatively directed spending item, or earmark, for any municipality that has policies that “subvert immigration enforcement in any way” or that refuse to comply with federal immigration enforcement measures. The resolution was adopted, 56-47. Jenkins-Arno, Bruck and Wortz voted yes. Miller voted no.

CORRECTION Our previous Roll Call listed all of Lenawee County as being in the 16th Senate District.

However, most of the Tecumseh and Clinton area is in the 15th District.

Feb. 15: Sexual assault, 200 block of Cross Street.

Feb. 16: Drug possession, East Berry and Division streets. Assault, 400 block of Springbrook Avenue.

Operating while intoxicated, East Front and Clinton streets.

Feb. 17: Assault, 1300 block of Lowe Avenue. Assault, 100 block of Sand Creek Hwy. Internet harassment or threats, 800 block of Treat Street.

Feb. 18: Identity theft, 1200 block of Trenton Road. Illegal credit card use, 1200 block of Trenton Road.

Assault 1600, block of West Maumee Street.

Feb. 20: Drug possession, 600 block of Tabor Street. Assault, 200 block of Division Street. Assault, 700 block of South Main Street.

Drug possession, East Michigan and Center streets.

Feb. 21: Bomb threat, 100 block of South Madison Street.

Larceny, 2900 block of North Adrian Highway. Illegal credit card use, 1200 block of West Maple Avenue.

ADRIAN TWP. Feb. 2: Larceny, 3100 block of Norwood Drive.

Feb. 3: Fraud, 2200 block of Woodlawn Lane.

CAMBRIDGE TWP. Feb. 9: Operating while intoxicated, West M-50 and Gilbert Highway.

DEERFIELD TWP. Jan. 30: Larceny from a building 300 block of Eastwood Court.

Feb. 10: Operating while intoxicated, Stadler Road and Rodesiler Highway.

Feb. 13: Larceny from a building, 300 block of East Keegan Street.

HUDSON CITY Feb. 9: Assault, 100 block of South Wood Street.

Feb. 18: Wire fraud, 1000 block of South Meridian Road.

MACON TWP. Feb. 10: Telephone harassment or threats, 11800 block of Ridge Highway.

MADISON TWP. Jan. 30: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

Feb. 3: Property damage, 1100 block of West Beecher Road.

Operating while intoxicated, South Adrian Highway and East Gier Road.

Feb. 9: Assault, 2200 block of East Gier Road.

Feb. 14: Larceny, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

Feb. 17: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223. Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223. Operating while intoxicated, Treat Highway and Gorman Road.

Feb. 19: Larceny, 2300 block of West Beecher Road.

Feb. 21: Property damage, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

TECUMSEH CITY Jan. 27: Burglary (residential, forced entry), assault, and larceny, 100 block of South Division Street.

Jan. 28: Wire fraud, 700 block of Brown Street.

Jan. 30: Operating while intoxicated, Evans Street and Chicago Blvd.

Feb. 3: Operating while intoxicated, North Adrian Highway and North Adrian Highway.

Feb. 4: Larceny, 300 block of North Maumee Street.

Feb. 5: Disorderly conduct, 300 block of East Chicago Blvd.

Feb. 6: Assault, 800 block of West Chicago Blvd. Fraud, 1000 block of East Chicago Blvd.

Feb. 7: Fraud, 1400 block of West Chicago Blvd.

Feb. 9: Illegal credit card use, 300 block of North Maumee Street.

Feb. 11: Sexual assault, 600 block of Adrian Street.

Feb. 12: Delivery of imitation controlled substance, 700 block of Brown Street.

Feb. 13: Assault, 100 block of South Ottawa Street. Operating while intoxicated, Pearl Street and Chicago Blvd.

Feb. 20: Retail fraud, 100 block of South Evans Street.

Feb. 21: Identity theft, 300 block of North Maumee Street.

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MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Hunters from page A1 begins calling a list of food pantries and community meal programs.

This year, the meat was distributed through 27 different organizations: St. Mary on the Lake Catholic Church and New Life Baptist Church in Addison; the First Church of the Nazarene, CPC of Lenawee, the Catherine Cobb Domestic Violence Shelter, the Daily Bread, Housing Help of Lenawee, Lenawee County Recovery & Veterans Courts, Neighbors of Hope, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, the Salvation Army, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and Share the Warmth in Adrian; Britton Emmanuel Church in Britton; Brooklyn Food Pantry in Brooklyn; the Clinton Community Food Bank at Clinton United Methodist Church; United Hudson Churches; the Morenci Food Pantry at Morenci Church of the Nazarene; Springville Methodist Church in Onsted; Community Learning Connections, Gloria Dei, God’s Breadbasket, New Song Community Church, Tecumseh United Methodist Church, the Tecumseh Service Club, and the City of Refuge Ministries Meal Assistance Program in Tecumseh; and Tipton Community Church in Tipton.

Bob Vogel noted that Mike Houghton, who chairs the Hunters Helping Lenawee Community, is instrumental in making the program happen, including putting together the annual golf outing that raises about $10,000 of the estimated $17,000 to $18,000 annual costs of processing the donations.

“Mike does an awful lot of work,” he said. “We all participate in it but Mike does an awful lot of footwork.”

With an estimated 16,000 Lenawee County residents — 9,000 of whom are children — needing food assistance,

Roman Vogel poses with the buck he shot this fall and donated to Hunters Helping Lenawee.

Vogel said the community foundation would like Hunters Helping Lenawee to get even bigger.

“We’d like to keep expanding the program, but we can only expand it as far as the money goes,” he said.

“Hunters Helping Lenawee is one of the ways the Lenawee Community Foundation connects people who care with causes that matter,” said Bronna Kahle, LCF president and CEO. “We’re grateful for the hunters who donate deer, and also for the local processors, food pantries, meal programs, volunteers, and donors who make this program possible — providing nutritious meals to local families, individuals, and seniors in need, helping to build a healthier, stronger Lenawee, now and forever.”

THE LENAWEE VOICE

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MARCH 2025

Rec Center from page A3 be supporting the building’s construction with the millage.

“Our goal is not to generate a ton of revenue, it’s to cover our costs,” Parker said.

It might be, for example, that people could use the walking track for free but there would be a charge to play pickleball.

Income would also be generated through events such as tournaments or similar large-scale uses, which would also serve to bring in people from outside the area and generate economic activity locally.

The proposed new building had its genesis in a comprehensive facilities assessment done by the district in 2024.

“We wanted to make sure we were being good stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars,” the superintendent said.

Community input solicited at that time indicated that space for more athletic and recreational opportunities was one of the highest priorities.

When people were asked then what they thought was lacking in terms of space and functionality, almost half the respondents said they had no concerns.

But of those who did choose a concern, the biggest one, identified by more than 18 percent of those surveyed, was the lack of recreational space.

Almost 29 percent identified “additional athletic and recreational spaces” in answer to the question “If the district could add one major facility in the next five to 10 years, what would you like to see added?”

This was the second-highest response, with STEM labs garnering the highest response at more than 41 percent. The district recently announced the creation of new STEM and Career labs at the elementary schools thanks to a donation from the Mouli family.

This presentation slide shows several possible locations for a community recreation facility, if Adrian Public Schools were to seek a bond issue to build one.

With so much interest in more athletic/ recreational space, “we felt a duty to explore it,” Parker said.

More than 40 APS staff, parents, and other community residents took part in the Jan. 28 and Feb. 5 community forums.

Participants supported the general concept of building the new facility, saying there is a definite need for it for students and for the community overall, but shared a variety of concerns, including parking, traffic flow, security, staffing, and the cost for people to use the building.

Parker said in the Feb. 11 interview that out of all the community input he had received to date, whether at the two public forums or through other means including PTO meetings and a radio interview where people could call in, the reaction has been “overwhelmingly positive.”

“I haven’t found any real pushback,” he said.

What he did hear as far as community use is concerned was that the indoor track was the biggest draw, and “the pickleball idea gets great traction. So does the fitness center.”

The district’s next step was to commission a survey by the EPIC/MRA firm in order to see what the actual level of community support is. That survey will be completed by the end of March.

If the results are positive, Parker said the district will engage in more community outreach in April and May. The school board would need to approve a millage by August to get the proposal on the November ballot.

If things move ahead, Parker said people can be assured of two things: that “it is truly our goal to keep it as affordable as possible” for the community, and that the facility will be a space not just for APS students.

“We’re committed to making sure the community can use it,” he said.

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MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Gourmet dining in downtown Brooklyn

Little Mews cat rescue works to help felines in need » PAGE B3

» PAGE B7

NEIGHBORS HOPE Center raising funds to buy a van

Department on Aging director offers tips for avoiding scams » PAGE B12

THE LENAWEE VOICE SECOND SECTION MARCH 2025

The right alarm can save a life

The purchase would expand members’ horizons by enabling more offsite trips

By Erik Gable

The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — With the help of a generous challenge grant from an anonymous donor, the HOPE Community Center in Adrian is getting closer to a longtime dream.

“HOPE has long dreamed of having our own transportation,” said Mary Martin, interim executive director of the community center for adults with developmental disabilities. “We really would like a 15-passenger van.”

The HOPE Center offers approximately 1,200 programs per year to its roughly 100 members, but most of those programs have to take place at the center’s facility on Baker Street, Martin said. Taking trips offsite requires the use of private vehicles or public transportation.

“Because of that, we’re very limited and we can only do things kind of near us in the community,” Martin said.

Having a van would enable the HOPE Center to take more frequent trips — giving members more chances to enjoy things like bowling, movies, sports games, and museums. It would also bring destinations like Toledo’s Imagination Station within reach, further enriching members’ lives.

“We like to be able to take people out and kind of expand their world,” Martin said.

Many HOPE Center members also love volunteering, she added, and the van would make it easier to take them to volunteer sites in the community.

The HOPE Center’s dream got a lot closer recently when an anonymous

See HOPE CENTER, page B2

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Area residents, including those who need special alarms due to hearing or vision impairment, can get help from local fire departments

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Thanks to grant funding from the state of Michigan, residents are able to get free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors through their local fire departments. The Adrian Fire Department will install these detectors for free, and they offer other specialty types of alarms as well.

According to Capt. Jason Hallenbeck, the fire department can provide special alarms for those who may have visual or hearing impairments. The alarms are manufactured by Kidde, a company that specializes in fire safety products.

Both smoke alarms and combination

smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are offered.

“These are available for anybody who has special needs,” Hallenbeck said.

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless, odorless gas given off during combustion that can come from fires, gas burners, or gas furnaces, Hallenbeck said.

For those with vision impairment, the alarms are “bed shakers,” he said.

A vibrating puck is placed under the mattress, and it works in conjunction with a traditional smoke alarm. When the smoke alarm activates, the puck picks up the noise from the alarm and it activates, shaking the bed and waking up the sleeping person.

DA NC ES E

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Capt. Jason Hallenbeck of the Adrian Fire Department shows some of the alarms that are available through the MI Prevention Smoke Alarm Program. JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

“It’s pretty vigorous,” Hallenbeck said.

Alarms for the hearing impaired consist of “very bright” strobe lights, he said.

“These are kind of like what you would see in commercial buildings,” Hallenbeck said. “It’s also audible, but it’s mostly visual.”

The fire department will install these alarms in residences for free.

Anyone who is interested can email jhallenbeck@adrianmi.gov or call the Adrian Fire Department’s nonemergency number, 517-264-4856.

People outside the city of Adrian have access to this service as well, Hallenbeck said.

See ALARMS, page B2

B2 | NEIGHBORS

MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Alarms from page B1 “The Adrian Fire Department primarily services the city of Adrian, but we’ll take calls from any jurisdiction,” Hallenbeck said.

In addition to Adrian, the Lenawee County fire departments that are currently listed as part of the MI Prevention Smoke Alarm Program are Addison, Cambridge Township, Clayton, Fairfield Township, Madison Township, Morenci, Raisin Township, Sand Lake, and Tecumseh.

HOPE Center from page B1 donor promised a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $25,000, of all donations toward the van campaign.

Martin added that although the van will not have a wheelchair lift, the HOPE Center will continue working with Lenawee Transportation to ensure that members who use wheelchairs are able to participate in trips.

Hallenbeck added that if a resident from another jurisdiction calls the Adrian Fire Department, Adrian can contact their local fire department to work out arrangements.

Those who don’t have special needs also qualify for free alarm installation in their homes. The basic alarm has a 10year battery, and is sealed so the battery doesn’t need to be changed. If the home has hard-wired alarms, then Hallenbeck recommends replacing them with new hard-wired alarms.

Information about the alarm program can be found at michigan.gov/lara/ bureau-list/bfs/miprevention.

The center is hoping to wrap up fundraising by May 1. Donations toward the van campaign can be made online at hopecenteradrian.org. Donations can also be mailed to the HOPE Community Center, 431 Baker St., Adrian, MI 49221.

Established in 1976, the HOPE Center’s mission is to support Lenawee County adults with developmental disabilities in pursuing an empowered, healthy, and community-enriched life.

For more information about the HOPE Center, call 517-265-2410.

‘Life’s Interruptions’ workshop rescheduled ADRIAN — The workshop “Life’s Interruptions: Frustrating Disturbances or Holy Gifts?” that was originally scheduled for Feb. 22 has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 28 at the Weber Retreat and Conference Center.

The workshop will be led by Sister Janet Schaeffler, OP, former director of adult faith formation for the Archdiocese of Detroit. Schaeffler leads days of reflection and retreats, parish missions, and workshops.

The $45 cost includes lunch. Registration is required, and limited scholarships are available.

For details, visit webercenter.org and click on “Programs,” call 517-266-4000, or email webercenter@adriandominicans.org.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

NEIGHBORS | B3

MARCH 2025

Little Mews cat rescue works to find homes for felines in need

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Dona Olsen walked over to a cage containing a huge white and tan cat and opened the door.

“This is Leo,” she said. “Want to come out?”

Leo, being a cat, had his own ideas about what he wanted to do. While he showed no inclination to leave his cage at that particular moment, he did happily accept Olsen’s head rubs and chin scratches.

In one cage nearby, Ellie sat regally on an elevated blanket-covered perch.

Over in another cage, Carly emerged somewhat shyly from her fabric house to see what was going on.

Leo, Ellie, and Carly were among the cats in recent residence at Little Mews Rescue, the facility Olsen operates at 3446 N. Adrian Hwy. with the help of a cadre of volunteers.

Most of the cats Little Mews has up for adoption right now live with foster parents. About 30 people all over Lenawee County and in Washtenaw County are caring for cats of all types, including felines with special needs of one sort or another.

The North Adrian Highway property consists of a home, which currently houses a few cats like Leo, and a separate building behind the home that Olsen described as “a work in progress.”

Currently the building, which had to be extensively renovated before it could take on its new life, is used for everySaturday adoption events, where the

Dona Olsen shows some of the items for sale in the shop at Little Mews, a new cat rescue that she founded after moving to Adrian from New York. ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE foster families bring their feline charges in for potential adopters to see.

It also has a shop selling pet supplies for dogs, cats, and even fish; pet-related home décor; and some thrift-shop items people have donated for sale to help the cat rescue raise funds.

Cats will be able to be housed there, too, once Olsen can raise enough money to have a functional HVAC system in it.

Little Mews, which got its name from a kitten Olsen once had that she called

See LITTLE MEWS, page B4

B4 | NEIGHBORS

MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

CLINTON ROTARY CLUB STUDENT OF THE MONTH

The Clinton Rotary Club’s Student of the Month for February was Kamryn VanSickle.

With a GPA of 4.2 for the current term at Clinton High School, she is enrolled in Advanced Graphic Design & Marketing, AP Government & Politics, Advanced STEM Applications, Advanced Spanish Conversation (Level 4), and college classes including Principles of Sociology and Basic Statistics. She has earned numerous honors and awards in activities that include sports, the AASHTO Trac and Rides Challenge, and the WMU Innovation Expo. She plans to study social work at Eastern Michigan University.

She is pictured here with her mother, Jodie Pluff, and Rotary Club member Gary Couture. COURTESY OF PAT DEERE

Little Mews from page B3 Little Mew because it made, well, little mewing noises, started out in 2005 in upstate New York, where Olsen lived.

With a mom who bred cats, she’d grown up around felines, and when her son wanted a kitten but her husband didn’t, the compromise was to become a foster cat parent. Then, as people brought her more and more cats knowing she would take them, starting a rescue was the next step.

Olsen moved to Michigan in 2017 because she wanted to live near her son.

At first, her plan didn’t include another cat rescue, “but then my son made a crack that they have cats in Michigan too,” she said.

She initially rented a place in Tecumseh for Little Mews, later moved the rescue to a house in Bridgewater Township next to her son, and finally bought the North Adrian Highway location last year. It gives the operation a central location for all her foster families.

Adoption events take place every Saturday, typically from noon to 4 p.m. right now. Olsen plans to expand the hours as is possible. Prospective new cat parents can also make appointments.

All cats are tested for feline leukemia and FIV, get their shots, are treated if they have issues such as parasites or intestinal worms, get microchipped, and are spayed/neutered. People who want to adopt cats must undergo a screening process to ensure the pets are going to good homes.

The current adoption fee is $100 for a kitten and either $50 or $75 for an older cat. If the new owner wants to adopt two cats — and, indeed, Olsen said, “we prefer to adopt kittens in pairs” especially, because kittens tend to do better if they have a companion — the fee for the second cat is $50. A special-needs cat can be adopted for $50.

The rescue is always in need of donations, both monetary and otherwise.

A “kitten shower” is coming up April 5

Upcoming programs at the Ebeid Center ADRIAN — ProMedica’s Ebeid Neighborhood Promise has announced the following upcoming activities at the Ebeid Center, 801 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

Understanding Credit: Thursday, March 6, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Have you ever struggled to pay your bills or get out of debt, or you’re not sure how to improve your credit score? Learn the steps to establish or repair your credit and achieve greater financial stability and self sufficiency. Important aspects of the Fair Credit Reporting Act will be covered. Presented in partnership with American 1 Credit Union.

Community Coalition Meeting: Monday, March 10, at 5 p.m. The East Adrian Community Coalition holds its monthly meeting on the second Monday of every month at 5 p.m. Residents are invited to contribute to the conversation about how to have a positive impact on the community. Activities are discussed, but this group focuses on broader issues.

Money Management: Tuesday, March 11, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. 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. Presented in partnership with County National Bank.

Dental Care and Healthy Habits: Tuesday, March 18, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

This class will discuss caring for your children’s teeth and how establishing healthy habits can create a lasting positive impact. Childcare and dinner will be provided. Advance registration is required. To register, call 517-417-8051 or email quinn.wilt@lenaweegreatstart.org.

Virtual Reality Career Exploration: Wednesday, March 19, from 3-5 p.m.

Explore more than 20 hands-on career simulations with virtual reality headsets, offering immersive experiences in fields such as aviation, health care, engineering, construction, and other trades. For adults and kids ages 12 and up. Presented by Michigan Works.

Five Wishes: Thursday, March 20, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. This workshop will discuss the “Five Wishes” legal documents and how to establish your end-oflife wishes, including decisions regarding medical treatment and spiritual care.

Presented by Hospice of Lenawee.

Rent for Success: Thursday, March 20, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Learn about fair housing laws, lease agreements, tenant rights, maintenance, repairs, and more.

Presented by Community Action Agency.

Break the Cabin Fever: Thursday, March 27, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. It’s spring break week and the East Adrian Community Coalition invites the whole family to come out for a fun evening of board games, card games, cornhole, bingo and more.

Prizes and walking tacos will be provided while supplies last. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. No registration needed.

For more information about the Ebeid Neighborhood Promise, email AdrianENP@promedica.org or call 517-264-1365.

Free tax prep available for local households with incomes up to $67,000 Ellie, one of the cats currently living at Little Mews. that will operate like a traditional baby shower, complete with “wish lists” on Amazon and Chewy.com for people who want to purchase gifts that way.

Among the biggest needs right now — besides $12,000 for the aforementioned HVAC system — are for funds to cover the pets’ medical needs and donations of cat food and litter. Olsen also welcomes donations of other supplies such as towels and blankets.

And for those who have space in their homes and hearts for a foster cat, “we’re desperate for fosters,” Olsen said, especially people who can take in adult cats or cats who are injured, sick, or pregnant.

The facility also always needs volunteers to care for the cats living onsite, answer the phone, do computer work, write grants, and help run the store so it can be open more hours.

To contact Little Mews or to get more information about its adoptable cats, go online to littlemews.org or visit its Facebook page.

JACKSON — Residents of Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale counties with household income up to $67,000 in 2024 can get their tax returns prepared for free through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at Community Action Agency.

Automated appointment scheduling began Jan. 27 and there is an option to leave a message for callback, if necessary.

“Appointment times may fill up quickly,” said Community Action

Agency program operations manager LaVonda Bouler, “but we will be adding additional appointment times throughout the tax season, based on volunteer availability.”

During the 2024 tax season the VITA program at CAA helped secure over $3.6 million in federal and state refunds for nearly 3,300 households in Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale counties.

To schedule an appointment with a volunteer tax preparer, call 517-247-2099 or go to www.caajlh.itfrontdesk.com

Middle school Moriyama exchange is now accepting applications ADRIAN — Current sixth- or seventh-grade students from Lenawee County can now apply for the Lenawee/Moriyama Middle School Exchange Program through the Lenawee Intermediate School District.

Students who participate in the exchange will study Japanese history and culture, host a middle school student from Moriyama in October 2025, and travel to Japan in June 2026.

There are two upcoming dates for informational meetings: n Wednesday, March 26, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. n Tuesday, April 15, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Both informational meetings will take place at the LISD’s William J. Ross Education Service Center, 4107 N. Adrian Highway, Adrian.

The application deadline is April 30.

For more information, go to www.lisd.us/japan or email Bob Behnke at japan.exchange@lisd.us.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

NEIGHBORS | B5

MARCH 2025

IN BRIEF Hidden Lake Gardens plans volunteer fair TIPTON — Hidden Lake Gardens is planning a volunteer fair for people who would like to learn about volunteer opportunities at the botanical gardens.

The volunteer fair will take place on Sunday, March 16, from 1-3 p.m.

Hidden Lake Gardens is at 6214 Monroe Road, Tipton. For more information, call 517-431-2060 or email hlg@msu.edu.

Hidden Lake Gardens is a 755acre botanical garden and arboretum operated by Michigan State University.

U.S. justice system is focus of Weber Center event ADRIAN — The next session of the Weber Center’s Dine and Discuss Book Club will focus on Dan Slepian’s book, “The Sing Sing Files: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a 20-Year Fight for Justice.”

The dinner and discussion will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, at the Weber Retreat and Conference Center.

The book details the experience of Dan Slepian, a veteran producer for NBC’s Dateline, as he investigated an allegation that two men were serving 25 years to life in prison for a 1990 murder they had not committed. For the next 20 years, Dan investigated other claims of injustice in the U.S. justice system.

The cost of $25 includes the book, as well as the dinner and discussion.

The book is available at the Weber Center.

Registration is required. To register, visit webercenter.org and click on “Programs,” call 517-2664000, or email webercenter@ adriandominicans.org. Limited scholarships are available.

The Weber Center is on the campus of the Adrian Dominican Sisters. From East Siena Heights Drive, turn into the driveway between Adrian Rea Literacy Center and the solar panel-covered carport.

2in2out plans plunge at Vineyard Lake BROOKLYN — The 2in2out Plunge, a fundraiser for 2in2out, a local organization for first responders, will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at Vineyard Lake. Sponsors are being sought.

Founded in 2024 and based in Hudson, 2in2out is dedicated to enhancing the mental and physical health of first responders.

They provide critical peer-to-peer support, trauma-informed training, and resources to first responders and their families. They also engage in community initiatives like hunger relief, fire prevention programs, and disaster relief.

The event will be at the De Sales Center, 1198 Desales Drive, Brooklyn.

For more information, call 517-918-8983, go to 2in2outfirstresponder.org, or email 2in2outfirstresponderorg@gmail. com.

Tecumseh Kiwanis and Service Club plan bingo event to help area kids and families

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

TECUMSEH — Working together for youth and the community, the Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh and the Tecumseh Service Club will host a bingo night on Saturday, April 5, from 4-6 p.m. in the Tecumseh High School Cafeteria, 760 Brown St. The event is open to the public.

Admission is $2 person, and bingo cards, which are sold at the entrance, are $5 each. Concessions, including pizza, popcorn and candy, will be available.

Winners will be able to pick from over 50 prize baskets, said Mary Tommelein, immediate past president of the Kiwanis Club. The prize baskets will include items from local businesses, and will appeal to “a wide range of people,” she added.

“Last year we had a full house,” said Colleen Sunderland, president of the Tecumseh Service Club, which has served the Tecumseh area for 90 years.

“Everybody had a great time.”

Sunderland said the proceeds from the bingo night will be split between the two groups.

Youth projects supported by Kiwanians include scholarships, field

SERVICE CLUB ROUNDUP

trips and assemblies, and dictionaries for all third-graders at Tecumseh Public Schools. They also support the THS Robotic Club and Key Club, Tecumseh Middle School Builders Club, and K Kids.

The Tecumseh Service Club will use their share of the proceeds to help families in Tecumseh, Clinton, Tipton and Britton with needs such as housing expenses, utility bills and other financial emergencies, Sunderland said.

For more information, call Tommelein at 517-215-1732 or go to facebook.com/KiwanisofTecumseh.

Civitan Grand Giveaway: Civitan of Lenawee will host their 43th annual Grand Giveaway Raffle on Saturday, April 12, at the Adrian College Tobias Center. The theme is Kentucky Derby.

Drawings will begin at 6:45 p.m. For more information, go to facebook. com/civitanoflenawee. Tickets can be purchased from any member or through Facebook Messenger.

Kids First All Ways: The Adrian Morning Rotary Club will host its Kids First All Ways fundraiser on Saturday, April 12, at 6 p.m. at Hills of Lenawee, 4110 Country Club Road.

This year’s theme is “Under the Stars.”

The dinner and auction event is presented by TLC Community Credit

Union and International Diamond & Gold. More details are available at adrianmorningrotary.org/fundraising.

Lions Club radio auction: The Adrian Breakfast Lions Club and Hillsdale Lions Club will present their 29th annual radio auction on Saturday, April 26, from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. on localbuzzradio.com. Each half hour, new groups of services and merchandise will be offered, with the most valuable merchandise available at the end of the day. Eight operators will be available to take calls. The proceeds from the auction will be split between the two groups, and the funds will all be used locally.

Morenci Kiwanians report successful fundraiser: The Kiwanis Club of Morenci held a soup and pie fundraiser on Feb. 12 to raise money for the Rex Riley Scholarship Fund. The event, which was held at the Morenci Eagles, raised $7,000 for the scholarship fund. The scholarship fund, which is a subsidiary of the Kiwanis Club of Morenci, was started in 1982. The money raised goes into an endowed fund, and scholarship money is awarded from the interest. The scholarships are available to students going into their first year of higher education. For more information, contact club president Tim Decker at tdecker@deckerinsurance.com.

Adrian College educator publishes book about Presidential Service Badge recipients

By Melissa Crawford Adrian College

ADRIAN — Anthony Knopps, adjunct professor for Adrian College’s Communication and Political Science departments, is an eight-time Emmy award-winning storyteller and TEDx speaker with more than 30 years of print and broadcast journalism experience. He recently added to that list by publishing and unveiling a memoir titled “The NoFail Mission” in Washington D.C. The book recounts the stories of 10 unsung heroes who all received the Presidential Service Badge, awarded to members of the uniformed services who serve the president.

“Earning the PSB is something that started with Eisenhower ... as a way to recognize meritorious service to the office, and there’s no checklists that you have to go through — the president decides whether you earned it or not,” Knopps said.

Despite the prestige of this award, it is still rather unheard of by the general public, Knopps said. He didn’t know about the PSB before beginning the project. He was assigned the task of creating this memoir by a colleague who is a badge holder himself.

“Even if you were in D.C., and you walk down the street and ask 100 people what the PSB is, you’d be lucky to get three people that will give you the right answer,” Knopps said. “So, this is a way to educate and share information about it.”

Knopps told also of the writing process, saying that the hardest part “was getting people to actually go on record and talk about what they did,” speaking to their humility and dedication to their country.

“They don’t do it for stature; they don’t do it for a party,” Knopps said. “They do it because it’s important to them. They don’t look for attention.”

Anthony Knopps presents “The No-Fail Mission” on stage at the White House Historical Association.

This aspect of modesty and secrecy is what made Knopps so eager to tell these stories.

“There are so many great stories of people who served the president that are never told,” Knopps said. “As a storyteller ... when you hear that, you’re like ‘Nobody’s told this story? I’m gonna tell it,’ ” he said.

He also noted that it sometimes took months to locate the recipients.

When asked what stories shared in this first memoir stood out to him most, Knopps talked about two of the stories that resonated with him — “One was a colonel ... and he had been in war and been commanding troops, and he talks about how the biggest challenge was walking 900 yards to the base and medics because he knew something wasn’t right,” Knopps said.

Another — “A story about a woman who was born and raised in Boston, and

when the Boston Marathon Bombing happened, she was asked to be a part of the support staff that took care of President Obama,” Knopps added.

She shared that her hardest challenge was coming back to Boston, where Knopps quotes her saying, “I wore my dark glasses so no one could see me crying.”

The high-pressure positions of these individuals are what led Knopps to the memoir’s title.

“They want to be in the shadows,” Knopps said. “They want to just do what needs to be done. You don’t know when that bell is gonna ring. You can work on a hundred different things — you have to be ready every time ... You really can’t fail, because if you fail, the world finds out.”

Proceeds from the book are going to a scholarship for families of the military who served at the White House, Knopps said.

B6 | NEIGHBORS

MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

A renewed partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County will give students valuable construction skills while also meeting a community need.

LISD, Habitat for Humanity re-establish partnership P: (517) 265-2142 HillsofLenawee@gmail.com PRIVATE MEMBERSHIPS: INDIVIDUAL: $2,395* FAMILY: $2,895* JUNIOR: $500 * Membership Includes 10% Discount at Birdies Restaurant, Carts, Range Usage, Lockers & Club Storage, Swimming Pool Access

ADRIAN — Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County and the LISD Tech Center’s Residential Construction program have announced that they are re-establishing their partnership to tackle the ongoing need for local affordable housing while providing high school students with hands-on training in the construction trades.

Originally established in 1995, the collaboration between Habitat and the Tech Center was temporarily paused in 2020 due to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, including rising and unpredictable material costs and frequent school closures. Now, with stabilized conditions, both organizations hope to build on their history of success.

“We are thrilled to reignite this partnership with the LISD Tech Center,” said Wendy Knox, executive director of Habitat Lenawee. “This collaboration represents a vital step toward addressing the pressing need for affordable housing in Lenawee County while equipping the next generation of construction professionals with practical skills and experience.”

LISD Tech Center students enrolled in the Residential Construction program will play a vital role in Habitat Lenawee’s

efforts, helping to double home production in the 2025-2026 school year.

Plans include the construction of two new homes — one completed by LISD Tech Center students — and approximately 30 critical home repairs for local families. These initiatives will provide safe, affordable housing while fostering community stability and growth.

The Residential Construction program empowers high school students to develop industry skills such as carpentry, framing, and roofing through real-world projects. By collaborating with Habitat, students are positioned for long-term success in a career field facing a significant labor shortage.

“This collaboration allows our students to develop real-world skills while making a meaningful impact in their own community,” said Jenny Heath, LISD’s executive director of Career Technical Education and Secondary Programs.

The demand for affordable housing in Lenawee County has reached critical levels, with many families struggling to secure safe and stable homes. Habitat Lenawee’s initiatives aim to close that gap while strengthening the fabric of the community.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

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MARCH 2025

BUSINESS New restaurant Atlas is a homecoming for Brooklyn couple

A sample of some of the dishes at Atlas in Brooklyn.

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

BROOKLYN — Brooklyn’s newest restaurant, Atlas, came about thanks to a couple who traded Chicago for a quieter life in small-town Michigan.

Abie Baldwin grew up on a dirt road just outside of Brooklyn — where her mom still lives — while Taylor Aue was born in suburban Detroit. The pair met in Chicago, married, and raised a family, with Aue owning and operating several restaurants over the years and Baldwin working as a landscape architect for one of the nation’s premier design firms.

But over their 20 years in Chicago, a less-hectic way of life continually called to them. “We used to come back every chance we could get to escape the city,” Aue said in an email interview. “We always talked about ditching the congestion and chaos of the city and moving back here someday.”

And so a few years ago, once their children were old enough, “we decided it was now or never.”

The couple had lived in Brooklyn for a year when they realized “the only thing we missed about city life was the access to good food, good drinks, and a quality atmosphere to enjoy them in,” Aue said.

“So we just thought about whatever it was that we liked about the various places we’d been over the years and then tried to wrap the best of everything all into one big idea that would really raise the bar for what it means to eat, drink, and live well in Brooklyn.”

With Aue’s restaurant experience and Baldwin’s eye for design, the couple opened Atlas, a restaurant, bar and market located at 123 N. Main St. that opened the first week of November 2024.

Atlas focuses on fresh, global flavors, with everything made from scratch using high-quality ingredients, Aue said, describing the eclectic menu as “a mix of flavors from around the world and familiar favorites done with a unique twist.”

Choices range from ceviche and grilled salmon to skirt steak and smash burgers. Vegetarians, vegans, and people avoiding things like gluten or dairy can all find choices to suit their needs.

In addition to the main dishes, the menu includes small plates and shareables. “The bar menu also offers a lot of unique and unusual flavors to explore,” Aue said. “And dessert is not something people tend to skip at Atlas, except when we’re sold out of our Chocolate Ganache Cake for the night — which is usually at least once a week!”

Atlas also has a small retail market at the front of the restaurant that stocks snacks, wines, craft beers, and more.

Where did the restaurant’s name come from?

The couple chose the name for multiple reasons. For one thing, “it sort of touches on the whole menu idea of flavors from across the map,” Aue said.

But the main reason is a literary one: a reference to Ayn Rand’s book “Atlas Shrugged.”

Actually, Aue said, he and his wife originally planned to name their new restaurant “Fountainhead,” after that Rand book.

“But when we started talking to people about that, they all asked if there was going to be a fountain in the center, and we decided that wasn’t a conversation we wanted to keep having for the next 20 years, so we moved on to Rand’s next book! If our early success continues, perhaps ‘Fountainhead’ will be our next project.”

What is it about Rand’s writing that connects with the couple?

“What I love about Ayn Rand’s writing is that it speaks to the virtues of being creative, finding one’s own strength or passion, and choosing to live a life in pursuit of those things,” Aue said.

Business has been brisk ever since Atlas’ first day of operation. “We opened way busier than we ever expected,” Aue said, adding that they were so busy their first week that they ran out of food by Saturday night and had to close for two days to get re-stocked and re-prepped.

And customer response has been extremely positive. “People are just so thrilled to have something new, unique, and exciting in the community,” Aue said, and the restaurant already had “regulars” by the end of the first week.

See ATLAS, page B8

Lenawee Lifelong Learning is an educational program for adults in Lenawee County. We offer an opportunity to attend classes on a variety of topics you may enjoy investigating.

Knowledgeable instructors donate their time and expertise. There are no tests, no papers and no grades – only fun and learning!

April semester classes and tours include the following: Classes: Learn About Lenawee, Religion in Prison, Taoism, The Human Touch, Introduction to Watercolor, The Manhattan Project from an Oak Ridger’ s Perspective, Supreme Court Decisions, Psychology, Higher Education, Poetry, Welcome to the Library, Travel Tips, eBay Tips, Financial Tips, A Brief Overview of Latinos in Lenawee County.

Tours: LISD Tech Center LISD Center for a Sustainable Future Blissfield Model Railroad Club

SESSIONS ARE HELD AT THE WEBER CENTER IN APRIL AND OCTOBER.

FOR COMPLETE CLASS AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

LENAWEELIFELONGLEARNING.ORG

B8 | BUSINESS

MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Students awarded toolbox grant ADRIAN — Four LISD Tech Center students in the Automotive Services Technology program were recently awarded the Gary Bettis Toolbox Grant.

The grants were presented by the Lenawee County Education Foundation.

Jayden Brooks (Britton Deerfield), Braden Conn (Tecumseh), Cooper Ollila (Tecumseh), and Brandeon Webb (Clinton) each received a $1,000 grant to purchase an automotive toolbox and basic tool kit. It is standard practice for automotive service technicians to provide their own tools in the workplace, including hand tools and specialty

electrical tools. Tools will be purchased through a partnership with Blissfield Parts Inc., a NAPA Auto Parts store with a branch location in Adrian, where students will also receive a discount on any tools they purchase.

The AST program prepares students for automotive service careers, including technicians, mechanics, engineers, and parts specialists. Students in this program learn in a shop setting and can earn industry-recognized certifications, including their state mechanic certification and Automotive Service Excellence certifications.

Atlas

gap in the local restaurant market, but also to be a catalyst for further economic development in Brooklyn,” he said. “Atlas is certainly not the first new business to open in Brooklyn, and we won’t be the last.”

He noted that other buildings in the downtown area — most notably the longshuttered Star Theater — have recently been sold to new owners who plan to revitalize them.

“The timing of these local investments could not be better for us, and we are just thrilled to be such a visible a part of the immense transformation that is happening in Brooklyn right now,” he said.

Atlas is currently open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays. The kitchen is open until 10 p.m. except for Sundays, when it’s open until 9 p.m.

Baldwin and Aue plan to expand to seven-day-a-week operations in the coming weeks. They expect to offer carryout and delivery soon as well.

Atlas can be reached at 517-855-2882 or online at atlasbrooklyn.com.

from page B7 Diners have been coming not only from Brooklyn and the surrounding Jackson County/Lenawee County area, but from Ann Arbor, Toledo, and even the Detroit area as well.

“Every day we hear the exact same thing from our guests,” Aue said. “They love how different the menu is from everyplace else around here. They love the look and feel of the space. They love the genuine hospitality and the importance we place on that.”

The restaurant recently added a reservation portal, which Aue said is especially helpful to diners coming from a distance or who are meeting friends for a meal, to its website. The full menu can be viewed on the website as well.

Aue said he and Baldwin are very happy to be part of the positive developments happening in Brooklyn.

“We created Atlas not just to fill a big

THE LENAWEE VOICE

BUSINESS | B9

MARCH 2025

IN BRIEF Howard Hanna names top-producing agents TECUMSEH — Howard Hanna Real Estate recently named the top 10 agents in its Lenawee County offices.

They are Kay Prong, Carl Poling, David Corder, Kasey White, Sam Cepida, Bob Fox, Caroline Flores, Jan Hammond, Khrys Gould, and April Gunder.

Align Center’s job fair planned for March 11 ADRIAN — The Align Center for Workforce Development will host the Career Connections Job Fair on Tuesday, March 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Centre, 1800 West U.S. 223, Adrian.

Career Connections brings together companies in all industries and individuals of all backgrounds and experience levels to fill indemand positions. Attendees will be able to learn about local organizations, employment opportunities, apprenticeships, internships, and career advancement.

Local businesses and nonprofits have signed up for booths to meet with both job seekers and local high school juniors and seniors exploring careers.

There is no cost for students and job seekers to attend the job fair, and registration is not required.

Adrian’s JoAnn Fabrics location to close ADRIAN — Say goodbye to another long-established Adrian store. JoAnn Fabrics on South Main Street is one of more than 30 Michigan stores and roughly 500 nationwide that will close their doors for good, according to Lenawee Voice news partner Local Buzz Radio.

Stores in Ann Arbor and Jackson are also among the impacted Michigan locations. The shutdown decision comes on the heels of the company’s second Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing in a year and will leave only 300 JoAnn Fabrics locations open nationwide.

Company officials characterized all 500 of the stores that will close as “underperforming” and said closing them is a way to cut costs.

County National names regional vice president HILLSDALE — County National Bank recently announced the hiring of Rachel Doty as regional vice president and Hillsdale market executive. She has 29 years of experience in banking, including financial center management and commercial lending.

“We are excited to welcome Rachel to the CNB team. We especially look forward to leveraging her ability to develop and maintain loyal client relationships. Rachel’s history of building great teams through exceptional leadership and coaching will be a value-add to the CNB culture,” said Chris J. Clarke, senior vice president and senior loan officer.

‘Ask the Experts’ series launches TECUMSEH — Launch Lenawee has developed a new Learning Series called “Ask the Experts” that will debut from 5:30-6:30 p.m. March 25 at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 400 N. Maumee St. in Tecumseh.

All business owners and managers are invited to attend this free event, which is being sponsored by the AdrianTecumseh SmartZone and County National Bank.

“Through the Ask the Experts series, small business owners gain invaluable insights that help them navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and grow sustainably,” said Tecumseh economic development director Kelly Jo Gilmore. “Our local economy thrives when we empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge and resources they need to succeed, and this series provides a platform for them to learn directly from industry leaders who understand the unique challenges faced by small business owners.”

The subjects being covered in this series include Marketing (March 25), IT/ Cybersecurity (April 8), Legal (April 22), Artificial Intelligence (May 6), Accounting

(May 20), Banking (June 3), Insurance (June 17), and Compliance (June 24).

“We’ve pulled together a talented and knowledgeable panel for each event to be able to provide free information to small business owners in our area,” said Sheila Blair, director of Launch Lenawee.

Launch Lenawee also recently announced the RedTire Program, which allows business owners looking to retire a ways to sell their business to maintain a thriving local economy.

“Launch Lenawee started expanding its services in the Fall of 2024 with some business owner education opportunities,” said Mary Murray, president of the Adrian Armory Community Center board of directors, which supports Launch Lenawee.

“In recent years, we’ve received funding from the Adrian-Tecumseh SmartZone to grow our offerings to local business owners,” she said. “My hope is that more of them will learn about what we’re doing and take advantages of these opportunities.”

The panel discussions and questionand-answer sessions will be held either at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts, or

at County National Bank, 209 E. Russell Road, Tecumseh.

For more information, email Sheila Blair at sheila.armory@gmail.com or call 734- 674-2246.

B10 | BUSINESS

MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

States say CFPB shutdown will make U.S. consumers more vulnerable to fraud

By Jim Small and Jon King Michigan Advance

WASHINGTON — Nearly two dozen states and the District of Columbia are asking a federal judge to issue an injunction blocking the Trump administration from defunding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, arguing they will suffer irreparable harm if the CFPB is dismantled.

The amicus brief by D.C. and the 23 states, including Michigan, argues that that the CFPB has become an essential partner to states in consumer protection efforts, and that states are already facing harm since President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who has been tasked with slashing government spending, abruptly diverted the agency’s money and declared it dead.

The state-level collaboration with the consumer protection agency, which Congress created in response to the 2008 Great Recession to regulate big banks and protect Americans from predatory financial practices, includes things like consumer complaints, examining banks and going to court to stop deceptive and unfair practices.

To prevail on the injunction, the states must prove irreparable harm. The filing claims there are three categories of harm.

First, there will be a loss of services that the CFPB is required by law to perform, including processing consumer complaints from those states’ residents

(as many as 25,000 a week), collecting data for the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, and distributing money from the Civil Penalty Fund to consumers who were harmed.

Second, state-chartered banks are now at a disadvantage to the very large banks that operate nationwide, since CFPB — which was given exclusive authority to regulate them — is all but defunct.

Finally, there’s an increased burden on states that have already had to divert resources to fill the gaps left by the CFPB’s absence.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, in a video released last month, heralded the work done by the CFPB to defend American consumers from deceptive, unfair, and predatory financial services and business practices.

“The CFPB has won back for American consumers more than $20 billion, as direct payments back to wronged customers or into relief funds for impacted victims, by holding accountable some of the world’s most powerful businesses who treated their customers unfairly, illegally, and deceitfully,” Nessel said in the video.

She said the CFPB shields Americans from “deceptive fees and practices that siphon millions from working families, unfair contractual terms that lock consumers into terrible deals, and financial products such as shady auto loans, predatory mortgages, and crooked investment and banking accounts that rob borrowers blind to pad the big bankers’ pockets.”

WE’RE HIRING! Looking for a career with purpose?

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

Careers at the LISD span a range of programs and services, including special education, career and technical education, general education, early childhood, adult learning, transportation, technology, and administrative and support services.

View Our Latest Openings:

www.lisd.us/careers

No fax or email copies, please. Background checks will be conducted.

The Lenawee Intermediate School District (LISD) Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. For more details, including policies and contact information, visit www.lisd.us/eeo.

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MARCH 2025

HEALTH & WELLNESS IN BRIEF Upcoming health classes at Nutrition365 in Adrian ADRIAN — The following classes are coming up in March at Nutrition365 in downtown Adrian.

Vegan lifestyles: This class will focus on starting a vegan lifestyle or simplifying the one you’re already on, as well as the benefits of adding more plants to any dietary lifestyle. It will include the opportunity to taste-test vegan cooking and organic vegan greens.

The class is on Saturday, March 8, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Attendance is limited to 20 people.

Shakes, teas and GLP: This class is about GLP-1, a class of medications that help lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. Participants will learn how these medications work for weight loss around a simplified nutritional support system for longterm quality of health.

The class is on Thursday, March 13, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Nutrition365 is at 110 N. Main St., Adrian.

To register or for more information, go to nutrition365adrian.com and click on “Let’s Connect/RSVP.”

Property sale forces Carter Rehab from Tecumseh location TECUMSEH — A well-known physical and occupational therapy center in Tecumseh is ceasing operations, according to Lenawee Voice news partner Local Buzz Radio.

The owners of the property where Carter Rehabilitation and Aquatic Center is located have abruptly decided to sell, and the center’s operators had only a few weeks to let staff and clients know, Local Buzz Radio reported.

The closure only affects the Tecumseh location, which opened more than 30 years ago in Tecumseh’s Industrial Park. Patient care is expected to end at that location by March 10. The Adrian Carter Rehab center will remain open.

Carter Rehab is leaving open the possibility of a return to Tecumseh if another site or building can be found.

Good nutrition is key to a healthy life March marks National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign developed by the Food and Drug Administration to promote the importance of informed food choices and the adoption of healthful eating and physical activity habits. This year’s theme, “Food Connects Us,” highlights the multifaceted role of food in our lives, not only as nourishment for our bodies but also as a means of fostering connections with family, friends, cultures, and traditions.

Good nutrition and regular physical activity are essential for maintaining overall health and preventing chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. These habits play a significant role in improving mental health, boosting energy levels, and enhancing quality of life. National Nutrition Month serves as a reminder to prioritize these practices for lifelong well-being.

What’s on your plate?

The MyPlate initiative provides a practical visual guide for creating a balanced meal, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy.

MyPlate’s flexibility allows you to customize your meal plans to fit your dietary needs, cultural traditions, and budget. Visit myplate.gov for more information and tips on tailoring it to your preferences.

Understanding your daily nutritional needs A well-balanced diet should include: n Fats: Approximately 20-35% of daily calories from healthy fats such as avocados, nuts, and olive oil. n Proteins: 10-35% of daily calories from lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, and plant-based proteins. n Carbohydrates: 45-65% of daily calories from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

When choosing healthy foods, it’s helpful to understand food labeling.

Recent updates from the FDA provide a clearer definition of the term “healthy.”

According to the FDA’s revised guidelines, foods labeled as “healthy” must contain meaningful amounts of at least one of the five food groups (fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, or dairy) and must not exceed specified limits for added sugars, sodium, or saturated fats. These changes focus on the overall nutritional profile of foods, helping consumers make more informed

Benefits of physical activity

MONICA HUNT decisions that align with dietary guidelines.

Taking small steps toward better nutrition Improving your nutrition and physical activity doesn’t require an overnight transformation. Instead, start with small, deliberate steps, plan ahead, and establish measurable goals using the SMART framework: n Specific: A vague goal like “eating healthier” is hard to achieve. Instead, be precise. For example, aim to eliminate sugary drinks or commit to walking one mile three times a week. n Measurable: Ensure your goal is trackable. Instead of “drinking more water,” set a goal of consuming 64 ounces daily, making it easy to monitor your progress. n Achievable: Set realistic objectives that fit your current lifestyle. If you currently drink only 8 ounces of water per day, jumping to 64 ounces might not be feasible right away. Gradually increase your intake over time. n Relevant: Align your goals with your long-term health priorities. Ask yourself: Is this something I genuinely want to achieve? n Time-bound: Set a deadline for your goal. For instance, aim to reach your target within four weeks. Having a time frame keeps you motivated and accountable.

Building healthy habits Balancing food and physical activity are vital for maintaining a healthy weight and overall well-being. Here are some tips to help you get started: n Family mealtime: Enjoy meals together as a family to encourage healthier eating habits and foster connections. n Smart snacking: Choose nutrientdense snacks like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. n Portion control: Be mindful of serving sizes to avoid overeating. n Be a role model: Inspire those around you by demonstrating healthy eating and exercise habits.

Incorporating physical activity into your routine has numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, reduced risk of chronic diseases, better mental health, and increased energy levels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days per week. You can learn more at cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics.

Local resources in Lenawee County In Lenawee County, residents face a variety of health and wellness challenges. Fortunately, there is a wide range of resources available to support individuals and families in enhancing their well-being. Below are some key options to help address these needs: n Food distribution: If you or your family are facing food insecurity, there are many resources available to help.

Local organizations such as the City of Refuge Food Pantry, Neighbors of Hope, The Daily Bread, and The Salvation Army offer support. Additionally, the South Michigan Food Bank serves eight counties and is an excellent resource for those in need. For information about food distribution sites and delivery options, visit smfoodbank.org. You can also contact the Lenawee County Health Department at 517-264-5226 for further assistance. n Things to do: With more than 50 parks and 52 lakes, Lenawee County provides endless opportunities for outdoor activities to support a healthy and active lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for parks, hiking and biking trails, yoga classes, or fitness centers, Visit Lenawee has all the resources you need. Check out their website at visitlenawee.com for a comprehensive guide to staying active and exploring everything Lenawee has to offer. n 2-1-1 helpline: If you’re seeking assistance but are unsure where to start, the 2-1-1 helpline is a valuable resource. This service connects you to health services, local programs, and other community resources to help you navigate your needs. Whether it’s finding food assistance, health programs, or other support, 2-1-1 is there to guide you.

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

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MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Feeling lucky? Make sure you’re not being scammed Who wouldn’t love getting a call announcing they’ve won the lottery? Or being told they’ll receive a free product to help with knee pain? Maybe you’re thrilled to connect with an ideal romantic partner or honored that your grandchild has reached out for confidential help.

These situations can make you feel lucky, but that feeling is exactly what scammers prey on to steal money and personal information.

Criminals often take advantage of trust, fear, or confusion, making it easy to convince victims to share personal details or open their wallets. The best way to protect yourself is by understanding common scams and how to avoid them.

There are many resources available to help you stay up to date on current scams.

If you enjoy reading and researching, consider subscribing to the Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection reports, which offer valuable information on how to protect yourself and your finances. This can be accessed at www. michigan.gov/consumerprotection.

Locally, the Lenawee County Department on Aging includes scam alerts in its monthly newsletter, which you can sign up for at www.lenaweeseniors.org.

Social media is another great way to stay informed, as both the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office and the Department on Aging regularly post updates about scams in the community. Many banks and credit unions also share scam warnings on their websites and social media pages.

For those who prefer learning in a faceto-face setting, several upcoming events offer information on how to recognize and prevent scams. On March 12 at 10 a.m., Triad of Lenawee will host a seminar at the Onsted Senior Center, featuring a presentation from Premier Bank. In April, TLC Community Credit Union will present educational sessions on scam prevention, with one session at the

CARI REBOTTARO Tecumseh Senior Center on April 3 and another at the Adrian Senior Center on April 16. It’s also a good idea to check with your local financial institution for other educational events on fraud prevention.

The next time you receive a call that makes you feel “lucky,” keep a few key scam prevention tips in mind. Scammers can fake caller ID to make their numbers look legitimate, so never assume a number is real. Legitimate businesses and government agencies will never ask for payment in the form of gift cards, wire transfers, or other untraceable methods, so any request like that is a red flag. If a grandchild calls asking for help, it’s always best to verify their safety by calling them back on a known number before sending money. It’s also important to remember that organizations like Social Security and Medicare will not call you to request personal information. Most importantly, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers rely on excitement and urgency to trick people into acting quickly, so taking a moment to think critically can be your best defense.

By staying informed, verifying information, and questioning anything that seems suspicious, you can protect yourself from fraud. Staying cautious and aware can make all the difference in keeping your personal and financial information safe. .

Cari Rebottaro is director of the Lenawee County Department on Aging.

GOP proposal could cut health care access for 20 million people

By Shalina Chatlani Stateline

WASHINGTON — Depending on how states respond, a Republican proposal circulating on Capitol Hill that would slash the 90% federal contribution to states’ expanded Medicaid programs would end coverage for as many as 20 million people — or cost states $626 billion over the next decade to keep them on the rolls, according to a new analysis.

The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are eyeing reductions in federal spending, largely to pay for extending tax cuts enacted during Trump’s first term in office.

Medicaid, the joint federal-state health care program for low-income people and people with disabilities, covers 1 in 5 people living in the U.S. and accounts for nearly $1 out of every $5 spent on health care.

According to a document shared with Politico, one idea under consideration by the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee is to shrink the current 90% federal funding match for states that have expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Under the proposal, Congress would reduce the federal match for the expansion population to the percentages states get for the traditional Medicaid population — 50% for the wealthiest states and 77% for the poorest ones.

Under the ACA, states have the option to expand their Medicaid programs to cover adults with low incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level ($21,597 for an individual in 2025), instead of just limiting coverage to

children, parents of young children and people with disabilities. The built-in incentive to expand was that the federal government’s promise to pay 90% of the cost of expansion from 2020 and beyond, meaning states just had to pay the remaining 10%.

Forty states plus the District of Columbia have opted to expand. The holdouts are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Research released this week by the health policy research group KFF finds that two major scenarios could happen — both of which might diminish patients’ access to health care coverage.

The first possibility is that expansion states would use their own money to make up for lost federal dollars. That would cost them about $626 billion over 10 years, an overall spending increase of 17%. To shoulder the heavier burden, states likely would have to scale back Medicaid coverage for some groups, eliminate optional benefits or reduce provider payment rates. Alternatively, they could raise taxes or make cuts in other large budget items.

A second potential outcome is that states that have adopted Medicaid expansion would reverse it. Nine states already have “trigger” laws in place that would automatically rescind expansion if the federal match rate dips below 90%.

Other states are considering similar legislation.

If all the states (plus D.C.) that have expanded Medicaid under the ACA reverse it, 20 million people, or nearly a quarter of all Medicaid enrollees, would lose coverage, according to KFF.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

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MARCH 2025

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 Sistera, 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 [PA] Purse Funeral Home in Adrian, pursefuneralhome.com [PS] Gil Purse & Son, gilpurseandson.com [REEB] Reeb Funeral Home, reebfuneralhome.com [W] Wagley Funeral Homes, wagleyfuneralhomes.com Lena Jean Douglas, 77, of Addison died on Jan 17. A graduate of Onsted High School, she worked as a clerk at the Jackson post office. [BVH] Sister Jo Ann Lucas, OP, 87, of Adrian died on Jan. 19 in Troy. Formerly Sister Agnes Francis, she was in her 69th year of religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. A native of Chicago, she was a teacher, principal, religious education coordinator and parish administrator at St. Anastasia Parish in Troy, bookkeeper for the AIDS Interfaith Network in Detroit, and business manager at St. Alphonsus Parish in Dearborn. She also served as a chapter prioress and as director of the Adrian Dominicans’ Ministry Trust. [ADS] Judy Ann Taylor, 83, of Hudson died on Jan. 19. After high school, she started working at Fayette Tubular and worked there for 35 years until they closed. [BVH] David Allen Marty, 60, of Britton died on Jan. 20. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, then worked for 28 years at Ford Motor Company as a machine operator.

One of his favorite pastimes was snorkeling and he especially loved the beaches in the Philippines. [H] Theresa Ann McUmber, 91, of Brooklyn died on Jan. 20. She received her bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Tufts University in Massachusetts and worked as a physical therapist, retiring from the University of Michigan Hospital and Glacier Hills of Ann Arbor. [E] Larry Deline II, 52, of Somerset Center died on Jan. 23. He was a graduate of Adrian High School and worked as a factory worker and hi-lo driver for 10 years. [PA] Richard Morgan Halsey, 88, of Adrian died on Jan. 24. He served in the U.S. Navy and then went to work for Kreighoff Lenawee, retiring in 1998. He was a member of Adrian Church of Christ and Michigan Laborers Union LiUNA Local 499. [H] Lois Gail Hill, 84, of Adrian died on Jan. 24. After earning an associate degree from Jackson Community College, she worked as a CNC operator for many years. [AM] William Leroy Kurutz, 49, died on Jan. 24.

A native of Tecumseh, he loved skydiving and other outdoor adventures. [PA] Charline Adrian, 86, of Blissfield died on Jan. 25. She was a graduate of Blissfield High School. For 30 years she worked as a paraprofessional in Blissfield schools. She served as a Campfire leader and on the Campfire board for 50 years. She attended Zion United Brethren Church in Ogden.

[AM]

Jollie Cole, 88, of Hudson died on Jan. 25.

He dedicated much of his career to Purdy Ford Tractor. He also served in the U.S. Army, spending part of his service stationed in Germany. He had a lifelong passion for music and could often be found strumming his guitar and singing bluegrass alongside his brothers. [AM] John Michael Elkins, 69, of Adrian died on Jan. 25. He was a longtime member of the Church of Latter Day Saints in Adrian. He enjoyed creating art, especially drawings and paintings, and was skilled at playing the guitar. [AM] Donna Louise Hanes, 71, of Onsted died on Jan. 25. She was a graduate of Brighton High School. [PA] Sister Kathleen Walli, OP, 87, of Adrian died on Jan. 25. The former Sister Charles Miriam, she was in her 64th year of profession as an Adrian Dominican Sister.

She taught home economics in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and Florida, and was a professor at St. Dominic College in Illinois and Siena Heights College (now University)

in Adrian. She later spent many years in pastoral ministry and religious education at two parishes in Wisconsin. She also served as Secretary of the Congregation for two years. [ADS] Michael James Osburn, 79, of Tecumseh died on Jan. 26. He was self-employed as a builder for over 40 years and was also a Realtor with Foundation Realty. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, a former member of the Knights of Columbus, and was part of the Maple City Gold Wingers.

He also had a private pilot’s license. [H] Woodrow Wilson Warner Jr., 84, of Sunbury, Ohio, died on Jan. 27. He was a 1959 graduate of Adrian High School. He worked several years for Aget Manufacturing in Adrian before relocating to Arizona in 1976. Upon returning to Adrian he worked at several retail stores, served as a Lenawee County Sheriff’s Deputy, and worked at Swenk-Tuttle Press. His last 20 years of employment were spent as a bank courier for First Federal Bank. He was a member of Seneca Community Church and later Weston First Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Morenci Sportsman Club. [AM] Larry Dale Whipple, 83, of Hudson died on Jan. 27. He worked for Kewaunee, the city of Morenci, and Campbell’s Soup Company.

Before retiring in 2017 he was the manager of the Pittsford Grain Elevator, where he had worked for 47 years. [BVH] Leona Cottrell, 73, of Tecumseh died on Jan. 28. She retired from Ford Motor Company in Saline. [PS] Eusevio “Humphrey” Junior Martinez, 76, of Tecumseh died on Jan. 28. He was a 1968 graduate of Madison High School and served in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division. He attended Lansing Community College and worked at Dura Corp. in Adrian.

He was a member of the Tecumseh American Legion and the Tecumseh Eagles. [H] Wade A. Robbins, 59, of Onsted died on Jan. 28. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman and was known as “Wader the fish slayer.” He loved attending races at Butler Speedway and spending time with his friends at the Tribe clubhouse, and was always ready for a game of pool. [PA] Jean Sheffield Shutt Baker, 95, of Adrian died on Jan. 29. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Michigan in 1951, then taught social studies and French at Birch Run High School before returning to U-M to complete her master’s degree in library science in 1953. She was the director of the Lenawee County Library in Adrian. She also worked as the public services and reference librarian at Siena Heights University. She served on the board of Community Concerts of Lenawee County, spent 16 years as a trustee of the Lenawee County Library board, and was named to the newly formed ASO Honorary Board in 2019. [W] Brent Kostanko, 55, of Onsted died on Jan. 29. He was a 1987 graduate of Cass City High School. After graduation he joined the U.S. Navy, serving from 1987-89. He received his bachelor’s degree from Siena Heights University. He joined the Ann Arbor Fire Department in August 1998 and retired as captain in December 2022. [W] Thomas George McKelvey, 60, of Adrian died on Jan. 29. He was employed at Anderson Development for over 29 years working as a plant manager and chemical operator. He also worked for Green Plains and Ervin Amasteel. He was a member of the Madison Fire Department for 12 years.

He was a member of the American Pool Players Association and the Adrian Eagles.

[AM]

Alice Ruth Oram, 90, of Adrian died on Jan. 29. She worked at Adrian College in the bookstore for 28 years. She was a member of the Toledo Eagles Ladies Auxiliary #197, volunteered for the Red Cross Bloodmobile and the Bixby Hospital Auxiliary, and was a Campfire Girl Leader. [AM] Matthew Michael Osburn, 56, of Adrian died on Jan. 29. He served in the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Tecumseh and the Tecumseh Knights of Columbus. He also served as a firefighter and EMT for 15 years. [H] Matthew Gregory Sebring, 47, of Tecumseh died on Jan. 29. He was a 1996 graduate of Tecumseh High School and attended Grand Rapids Community College.

He enjoyed playing baseball and later slowpitch softball, and was given the nickname of “Stork” due to his 6’9” height. Over the years he worked at Mitchell Landscaping in Tecumseh and U.S. Steel near Detroit.

He also worked with Pollard Banknotes in Ypsilanti as a printing press operator and with Creek Plastic in Tecumseh. His last employment was working as a metal fabricator with Adrian Steel. [AM] Robert Gayle Sloop, 73, of Onsted died on Jan. 29. A Marine Corps veteran, he worked as a mortgage consultant in the banking industry. He was a member of Newsong Community Church in Tecumseh and belonged to the Masons and the local Kiwanis. [H] Barney Chester Kurowicki, 76, of Tecumseh died on Jan. 30. He served in the U.S. Army and farmed for most of his life.

He also worked at the Britton Post Office, retiring in 2013. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Milan. He served as a 4-H leader for the Britton-Macon groups. [H] Gustave J. Laroy, 65, of Blissfield, died on Jan. 30. A 1977 graduate of Whiteford High School, he earned an associate degree in auto mechanics from Monroe Community College. He earned his journeyman’s license from Local 50 in Michigan and Local 671 in Ohio, and worked as a plumber, pipefitter and welder, the majority of his career at LaRoy Plumbing. [REEB] Sharon Gaye Smith, 84, of Morenci died on Jan. 30. She grew up in the Clayton area, settling in Morenci. She worked at various jobs including in the cafeteria at Bixby Medical Center, the Morenci Rubber Plant, and most recently at Haas Door in Wauseon, retiring at the age of 80. She was active in the Clayton Girl Scouts, the Clayton extension club, and most recently the “coffee club” at Burger King in Wauseon. [AM] Mark Allen Wilson, 64, of Manitou Beach died on Jan. 30. He raced motocross at a young age and enjoyed restoring vintage dirt bikes in his later years. In 2003 he recorded the CD “On My Mind” with his band, 5 Star Country. [PA] Beverly “Bev” Ann Clement, 94, of Adrian died on Jan. 31. She was a 1948 graduate of Sand Creek High School and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Siena Heights College. She was an elementary school teacher for Madison public schools for more than 30 years.

She was a lifetime member of Sand Creek Community Church. [W] Jerry Stewart Davis, 71, of Adrian died on Jan. 31. He enjoyed art, carpentry, music, and playing frisbee and street football. He traveled to many places with his children to see concerts and experience the cultures of other cities. [W] The Rev. Daryl Harvey Etheridge, 72, of Adrian died on Jan. 31. He had been the pastor at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Adrian since 1996 and served other congregations in Illinois, New York, and Michigan. [AM] Frances Brumbaugh Kawahara, 91, of Adrian died on Jan. 31. She attended Northland University in Wisconsin, Adrian College, Siena Heights University, the University of Michigan, and Eastern Michigan University. She retired from Adrian Training School in 1990. She was a member of AAUW, Drama Club, and the Adrian Moose Lodge. [AM] Vicky Ann McCourtie, 84, of Brooklyn died on Jan. 31. She worked at Miller Elementary School and was affectionately called “Shorty McCourtie” by her students.

She was a graduate of Brooklyn High School and attended Taylor University. She attended the Nazarene Church of Jackson. [E]

Charles “Chuck” Webb Rice Jr., 95, of Tecumseh died on Jan. 31. He served in the U.S. Marines and Air Force and was eventually stationed at Selfridge Air Force base near Detroit. He worked as a Coca-Cola and Twin Pines Milk delivery man before embarking on a 35-year career with AAA. He was involved in various organizations including Scuba Diving club, Kiwanis, and the University of Michigan Sports Club. [PS] Jesse (Jesus) Rodriguez, 77, of Dublin, Ireland, died on Jan. 31. He was a former resident of Adrian and attended Adrian High School, and was well known in the Adrian area as a musician for many years.

Schelisa R. Durr, 62, of Clinton died on Feb. 1. [PA] Lisa Lynn Hinskey, 59, of Adrian died on Feb. 1. She loved crafts, trips to the casino, and visiting family in Arizona. [PA] Rosa L. Sanchez, 94, of Adrian died on Feb. 1. She loved Mexican dances and enjoyed cooking for friends and family. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

[AM]

Nancy Lee Spieldenner, 51, of Blissfield died on Feb. 1. She was a graduate of Sand Creek High School and received an associate degree in radiology technology from Washtenaw Community College. She was employed as an X-ray technician for many years at St. Joseph Medical Center in Ann Arbor. [AM] Sandra “Sandy” June Timms, 84, of Adrian died on Feb. 1. She enjoyed dancing, crocheting, and working on her flowers in her yard. [AM] Marion Mae Dilyard, 84, of Addison died on Feb. 2. In her high school years at Addison she was a drum majorette, member of the Key Club, attended Girls State, and waitressed at her parents’ restaurant, Wolfe’s Cottage Inn. She worked for at Addison schools. She ran the daycare Precious Lambs, from her home.

She was a member of the West Rome Baptist Church. [BVH] Jean Marie Misseldine, 68, of Adrian died on Feb. 2. She was a 1976 graduate of Adrian High School. She worked as a payroll clerk for the city of Adrian, retiring after 38 years. [W] Edward Schmidt, 93, of Tecumseh died on Feb. 2. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He worked for over 40 years for Tecumseh Products, alongside farming and working part time at Keibler Meats in Clinton. Later he formed RET Construction Company. He was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Britton. [AM] Daniel Richard Schwamm, 69, of Blissfield died on Feb. 2. He was a graduate of Blissfield High School and ITT of Ohio, where he studied HVAC. He was a member of Solid Rock Church in Blissfield. He loved going to local car and truck shows. He could often be seen scooting around town on his batterypowered wheelchair. [PA] Christopher James Whaley, 58, of Adrian died on Feb. 3. He was a 1984 graduate of Romulus High School and studied engineering at Eastern Michigan University.

He retired from Ford Motor Company in 2020. He coached Little League baseball and founded the youth hockey program at Adrian College. [AM] Frederick Michael Knofski Sr., 89, of Brooklyn died on Feb. 4. He retired as a heavy equipment mechanic with Michigan CAT and was a proud member of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Tecumseh. [H] Urvin James Reau, 93, of Britton died on Feb. 4. He worked at Tecumseh Products as an engineer for 32 years, and after retiring he went to work with his son at Reau Manuafacturing as a delivery driver. He was a farmer since the age of 7. He was a lifetime member of Light of Christ Parish, St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, and belonged to the Knights of Columbus. He was a regular at the Dundee Senior Center. [W] Martin Jay Boot, 86, of Tecumseh died on Feb. 5. He owned several injection molding companies, including Mar-Jay Plastics and Tecumseh Thermoplastics. He was a longtime member of the Tecumseh Country Club. He briefly owned a charter boat named “The Slapshot” that operated on Lake Michigan. [PS] Kenneth Harold Skiver, 89, of Brooklyn died on Feb. 5. He was a skilled craftsman and loved Wamplers Lake. He was a partner in building the Par 3 Golf Course in Brownstown, and was a member of the Hot Boats Club. [E]

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IN MEMORY Julia Lee Adkins, 81, of Adrian died on Feb. 6. [PA] Jo Ann Palmer, 82, of Adrian died on Feb. 7. She owned and operated Adrian Children’s World Preschools and along with her husband opened eight locations. She returned to teaching as a special education teacher and retired from Adrian Public Schools. She and her husband were the owners of Travel Consultants Cruise Agency at the Adrian Mall. [AM] Charles “Chuck” Patterson, 88, of Rollin Township died on Feb. 7. He was a 1955 graduate of Addison High School.

He built a career in refrigeration, working for Addison Products, McGraw Edison, and Taylor Freezer. In 1983 he founded C&G Refrigeration. He was an avid bowler who competed in leagues across Addison, Hudson, Hillsdale, Adrian, and Brooklyn. He coached Little League for Addison schools and girls’ softball for Onsted schools. [BVH] Russell Dean Perkins Jr., 61, of Tecumseh died on Feb. 7. He worked in the aviation industry as an aircraft mechanic. [H] Stephen Alan Bailey, 59, of Adrian died on Feb. 8. He was a 1983 graduate of Tecumseh High School. He worked with Comcast in Adrian. He also enjoyed coaching his son’s youth baseball teams. [PS] Holly Irene (Scharer) Carrico, 73, of Adrian died on Feb. 9. A 1969 Adrian High School graduate, she was a paraprofessional at Adrian Public Schools for 20 years. [W] Dorothy Jean Justice, 93, of Adrian died on Feb. 9. She was a teacher’s aide at McKinley Elementary School for eight years, worked at K-Mart for 14 years, and then worked at the Bixby Medical Center gift shop.

She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, the DAV Auxiliary, the VFW Auxiliary, and the Cadmus Study Club. [AM] Donald Arthur Kleinsmith, 91, of Adrian died on Feb. 9. He was a 1952 graduate of Monroe High School and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Michigan University. He taught in California before returning to Michigan to work as director

of student activities at Eastern Michigan University. He worked at Adrian College, where he eventually became a professor of English and Business Communications, for 45 years. He was a member of the Christian Science Church in Adrian. [W] William James “Bill” Work, 82, of Adrian died on Feb. 9. He served in the U.S. Army from 1960-63, working as a combat engineer and a demolition expert in Germany.

He worked for many years at the former Tecumseh Corrugated Box company. He was a counselor in drug and alcohol abuse at several local medical centers until retirement in 2008 from Saline Hospital. He volunteered as a driver for the Lenawee County Department of Aging. [AM] James Harvey Pate Jr., 64, of Adrian died on Feb. 10. [PA] Lori Ann Schadewald, 64, of Adrian died on Feb. 10. She was a graduate of Adrian High School and worked for 18 years at Country Market. She was a member of Turning Point Church. [PA] Margaret “Margie” Rae Smith, 86, of Adrian died on Feb. 10. She attended Onsted High School and worked many years at Fisher Body in Tecumseh until they closed, and then retired from AMCO in Adrian. She was a member of the Onsted American Legion and the Eagles of Brooklyn. She was a member of North Rome Baptist Church. [PA] Daria Urbina, 91, of Adrian died on Feb. 10. [PA] Michael Linton Hitchcock, 81, of Brooklyn died on Feb. 11. He graduated from Ortonville High School and Michigan State University.

He retired from Kecy Products in 2008 after many years of service. He was a member of the Lions Club, the Club of Brooklyn, Knights of Columbus St. Francis of Assisi Council 7945, and SVDP St. Rita Conference, and attended St. Rita Catholic Church. [E] Jerod Lee Holmes Sr., 82, of Brooklyn died on Feb. 11. He retired from delivering mail for the U.S. Postal Service in Ann Arbor. [E] Aurora Rivas Burciaga, 81, of Adrian died on Feb. 12. She loved dancing and traveling to Texas to visit family. [AM] James Mitchell Glisson, 70, of Adrian died on Feb. 12. [PA]

THE LENAWEE VOICE

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MARCH 2025

IN MEMORY Virginia “Ginny” May Stites, 106, of Adrian died on Feb. 12. She worked at A.B. Park Department Store, Berndts Jewelry, and Hurd Lock Manufacturing Company. She was the matron of the Lenawee County Jail for eight years while her husband was the sheriff.

She was the Lenawee County District Court administrator of Lenawee County for 10 years, retiring in 1981. She served as the Rollin Township clerk for five years. She owned and operated “Ginny’s Place” antique store in Hudson until 2000. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Adrian. [W] Kenneth Edward Brewer, 92, of Blissfield died on Feb. 13. He worked on his family’s poultry farm until 1962 when he purchased an insurance business from a Petersburg agency. He merged with the Blissfield Insurance Agency in 1996 and continued working with them until 1999. He was a member of the Blissfield Kiwanis Club and Blissfield Golf League, and bowled at Rich Lanes. [W] Janet Moret Clifton, 65, of Brooklyn died on Feb. 13. She was a 1978 graduate of Onsted High School. She and her husband owned Clifton Insurance Agency in Brooklyn, retiring in 2019. She loved dogs and was active in rescues. [E] Erwin L. Harcourt, 91, of Adrian died on Feb. 13. He was a graduate of Adrian High School and served in the U.S. Army, then worked in the maintenance department at Adrian College. He was an avid outdoorsman and traveler. [AM] Edward J. Hitt, 84, of Morenci died on Feb. 13. He worked in the tree service business and in horse race stables. He was also a roofer and factory worker and painted water towers. [AM] Deborah Sue Marriott, 64, of Addison died on Feb. 13. She was a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Jackson for over 30 years. She served as the president of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 232. She organized toy drives each Christmas at the USPS. [BVH]

Helen B. Sproessig, 83, of Onsted died on Feb. 13. She was a 1959 graduate of Hudson High School. She attended St. Joseph’s Shrine in Brooklyn. [BVH] Harvey Melvin Spence, 86, of Hudson died on Feb. 14. He served in the U.S. Army, then started a 30-plus year career at Dundee Cement Company. [BVH] Lorraine Elenor Van Alstine, 82, of Tecumseh died on Feb. 14. She volunteered for many years at Herrick Hospital. [H] Angela Jean (Gerth) Whittemore, 71, of Onsted died on Feb. 14. She was a 1972 graduate of Onsted High School and attended Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek.

She spent most of her career at Peerless Gear in Clinton. She served as an Auxiliary member of the American Legion and joined the Post 550 Legion Riders. [PA] Mary Beth Woodward, 71, of Blissfield died on Feb. 14. She graduated in 1971 from Blissfield High School and received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University. After college she worked as a private investigator for a lawyer in Cleveland.

She later worked at Borchardt Brothers Market in Blissfield. She was a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Riga. [W] Douglas Bater of Colorado died on Feb. 15. He was a 1969 graduate of Adrian High School and had been living in Colorado for several years.

Paul Michael Hutchinson, 75, of Adrian died on Feb. 15. He attained his bachelor’s degree from Cal Tech and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1972-76. He worked as a computer programmer at Jackson National life Insurance Company, retiring in 2014. [AM] Ronald Julian Kaczynski, 58, of Tipton died on Feb. 15. He was employed in industrial field. He loved the outdoors, building model cars, and chess. [H] Glenn E. Moore, 65, of Onsted died on Feb. 15. [AM] Caroline “Carol” M. Morley, 77, of Adrian died on Feb. 15. She worked as a waitress and cook at various restaurants and had been a paper carrier for the Daily Telegram.

She enjoyed bingo at the AmVets. She was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. [AM]

Margaret Ann Russell, 87, of Tecumseh died on Feb. 16. She had been an assistant supervisor at JAC Products. [H] Larry Duane Harper, 79, of Tecumseh died on Feb. 17. He was a 1963 graduate of Tecumseh High School. He attended the University of Michigan, where he was in the marching band, and served eight years in the U.S. Navy submarine force. He worked for the Sharon Manufacturing Company in Lambertville, A.P. Parts in Toledo, L & W Engineering in Belleville, and Ford Motor Company in Monroe, retiring in 2007. He was a member and officer of the American Legion Post 34 in Tecumseh He played trumpet for the TCA Big Band, Tecumseh Pops Orchestra, and other groups. [H] Shelly Elizabeth Million, 71, of Adrian died on Feb. 17. She was a Hudson native and attended Hudson schools. She was an animal lover, especially horses. and enjoyed reading and painting. [W]

Ronald Frederick Biddix, 80, of Adrian died on Feb. 18. He was a 1962 Adrian High School graduate and served nearly three decades in the U.S. Air Force. Upon retiring in 1988, he returned to Michigan, settling in Onsted with his wife, Alice. He was a fan of Michigan sports. [PA] Bruce Lucey, 88, of Adrian died on Feb. 18. He earned his GED while in the service and earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Siena Heights College. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1953-56. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service and the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office, retiring at the rank of captain in 2000.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. After his retirement he served as a board member for the Salvation Army. [AM]

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ASO concert features works by three composers » PAGE C3

Rhythm of the Dance comes to Tecumseh » PAGE C5

ARTS & LIVING Tickets now on sale for Croswell’s Broadway Season ADRIAN — Tickets for the seven musicals in the Croswell Opera House’s 2025 Broadway Season went on sale in mid-February.

Anastasia: The season begins in May with “Anastasia,” based on the 1997 animated film of the same name.

“Anastasia” tells the story of a young girl who discovers she may be the duchess Anastasia of the Romanov dynasty, which was deposed in the Russian Revolution.

The Croswell’s production will be directed by Stephen Kiersey and runs from May 9-18.

La Cage Aux Folles: The musical that inspired the hit movie “The Birdcage,” starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, “La Cage Aux Folles” comes to the Croswell stage in June. The show centers on Georges and Albin, the owners of a drag nightclub in the south of France, whose lives are turned upside-down when their son announces his engagement to the daughter of a prominent politician.

The show will be directed by John MacNaughton and runs from June 13-22.

Bring It On: This high-energy show about the world of competitive cheerleading features music by LinManuel Miranda, the composer behind “Hamilton” and “In the Heights.” When the story begins, the captain of an elite high school cheerleading squad is unexpectedly redistricted into a new school without a cheer program. In response, she teams up with her new school’s dance team to form a brand-new squad with a national championship on her mind.

The director is Erin Pifer. The show runs from July 11-20.

See CROSWELL, page C2

THE LENAWEE VOICE THIRD SECTION MARCH 2025

Croswell presents ‘The Cat in the Hat’ for young audiences » PAGE C6

‘A full-circle moment’

Dancers from Encore Dance Studio who performed at the Feb. 9 Detroit Pistons home game are, in the top row from left: Kate Dolson of Tecumseh, Camryn Cowen of Tecumseh, Lydia VanZandt of Tipton, Kendra Tye of Adrian, instructor Isabella Luppo, Libby Pifer of Adrian, Quinn Mahoney of Adrian, Carly Evans of Adrian, Briella York of Adrian, and Madeline Coronado of Adrian. Bottom row, from left: Eliza Whitaker of Onsted, Arleigh Brooks of Adrian, Makenzie Petrowski of Adrian, Olivia Dolson of Tecumseh, Lyla Biringer of Adrian, Mackenzie Godsey of Archbold, Ohio, and Delilah Swinehart of Adrian. PHOTO COURTESY OF ENCORE DANCE STUDIO

Adrian dance teacher brings her team to perform for a Detroit Pistons home crowd

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — As a competitive dance team, the Encore Dance Studio’s Elite Hip Hop Company is pretty used to being onstage.

But performing in front of the 18,740 fans — according to official attendance figures — who were on hand for the Detroit Pistons game at Little Caesars Arena on Feb. 9 took things to a whole new level.

The opportunity came about because the Elite Hip Hop Company’s teacher, Encore instructor Isabella Luppo, is also a member of the Pistons Dancers,

the dance team that performs at every Pistons home game and at various community events.

Luppo — whose mother, Ashley Palmer, is the dance studio’s founder — decided to audition for the Pistons Dancers during her freshman year of college three years ago. “I figured I had nothing to lose” by trying out, she said.

Becoming a Pistons Dancer means making it through an intense two-day audition process that whittles 100 or 200 applicants down to just 18 — and a dancer must re-audition each year.

Dancers have to be masters of multiple dance forms and “we’re constantly learning a new dance,” Luppo said.

Her connection to the Pistons opened the door for her dance team from Encore to be among those performing at the Feb. 9 game. In all, she said, 170 young dancers were part of the event.

For her, it was an opportunity both to showcase what the Elite Hip Hop Company can do and for her students to see her at work as one of the Pistons Dancers.

“It felt so surreal, because both of my worlds were colliding,” she said. “It was just a full circle moment.”

The Elite Hip Hop Company is one of Encore’s multiple competitive teams in

See DANCE, page C2

C2 | ARTS & LIVING

MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Lenawee County

Kindergarten Round Up Dates

Isabella Luppo watches members of her Elite Hip Hop Company perform at the Feb. 9 Detroit Pistons home game. PHOTO COURTESY OF ENCORE DANCE STUDIO

Dance from page C1

All Lenawee County public school districts have scheduled kindergarten registration events during the spring. Regardless of district, all parents will need the following to register: •

Child’s certified birth certificate (raised seal)

•

Child’s immunization record

•

Proof of residency (a bill/invoice indicating you live at your address)

To view each district’s dates, times, and additional details, use the QR code or visit lisd.us/kindergarten.

a variety of dance disciplines. Its current members come from several areas of Lenawee County and from Archbold, Ohio, and range in age from 9 to 17.

Luppo said her young dancers had a fair amount of nerves prior to their big moment at Little Caesars Arena. But “I kept telling them they’d worked so hard and it was time,” she said.

The two-and-a-half minute routine, which Luppo choreographed, earned a great response from the crowd. Afterward, Luppo’s fellow Pistons Dancers came up to her to congratulate her, and the team’s announcer told her how proud

Croswell from page C1 Annie: This musical, which was last performed at the Croswell in 2011, tells the story of a young orphan in Depression-era New York who is adopted by the wealthy Oliver Warbucks. In the nearly 50 years since its debut, “Annie” has become a musical theater classic, with songs like “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life” becoming embedded in popular culture.

The director is Kirsten Hinshaw, and the performance dates are Aug. 8-17.

Parade: The season’s lineup takes a turn for the serious in September with “Parade,” a musical based on a true story.

The show dramatizes the 1913 trial of a Jewish factory manager, Leo Frank, who was falsely accused of rape and eventually killed by a lynch mob. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1998 and won Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Original Score.

There is also a national tour of the show, which is currently playing at the Fisher Theater in Detroit through March 9. Of possible interest to some Croswell fans: the national tour includes

he was of what she and her dancers had accomplished.

“It just fills my heart with so much happiness and joy, for the kids to have had that experience with me, with my mom, with the parents,” Luppo said.

Palmer said that to her, not only is it “cool” for the Lenawee County community to have a professional dancer as one of its own, but for the students to see their teacher plying her craft at the game showed them firsthand that there are opportunities in the professional dance world.

“I think it really inspired them,” she said.

In fact, for at least one of the youngsters, it did exactly that. “One of my kids came up to me afterward and told me she wants to audition for the Pistons,” Luppo said.

Olivia Goosman, a southeast Michigan resident who played Jemima Potts in the Croswell’s 2017 production of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” and Dorothy in 2018’s “The Wizard of Oz.” The Croswell’s production of “Parade” will run from Sept. 12-21.

Bonnie & Clyde: This musical combines elements of rockabilly, blues and gospel as it tells the story of Depression-era outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. The Croswell notes that “Bonnie & Clyde” will contain realistic on-stage violence throughout the show.

Performance dates are Oct. 17-26.

Cinderella: The fairy tale of Cinderella has been adapted many times in many different media. The version that the Croswell will stage in November was adapted in 1957 by legendary musical theater artists Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Performance dates are Nov. 21 to Dec. 7, with a third weekend having been added to the original schedule due to high demand.

Tickets to shows in the Croswell’s 2025 Broadway Season range from $26 to $46 for adults, $16 to $26 for students, and may be ordered at croswell.org.

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ARTS & LIVING | C3

MARCH 2025

‘Appalachian Spring’ and more to be featured in ASO’s March concert

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — After a couple of popsoriented concerts in December and February, the Adrian Symphony returns to its season-long dive into the music of Aaron Copland this month with a concert featuring Copland’s “Appalachian Spring.”

The performance is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, at Adrian College’s Dawson Auditorium. Tickets are $39/$33/$25, with discounted rates of $37/$31/$25 for senior citizens and $20/$17/$13 for students.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.adriansymphony.org; by calling 517-264-3121; at the ASO office in Mahan Hall, Adrian College, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; or at the door beginning two hours prior to the concert.

A pre-concert Classical Conversation with ASO Music Director Bruce Anthony Kiesling begins at 6:40 p.m. in the auditorium and is free to all ticketholders.

The concert opens with “Vishwas III: Testament,” written in 2017 by IndianAmerican composer Reena Esmail.

Esmail writes on her website that the Hindi word “vishwas” “expresses the concept of fervent belief, or faith.”

“Testament” is the last of three movements in Esmail’s piece, which overall tells the story of a 15th-century Indian saint-poet named Meera Bai and her devotion to the Hindu deity Lord Krishna.

Kiesling first got to know Esmail’s music through a conductor colleague, and found himself really drawn to it.

“What I love about Reena’s work is that she’s finding a way to combine these two very different traditions [Indian and American], and it’s groundbreaking in that she does it so well,” he said.

Kiesling decided a couple of years ago that he wanted to program this piece, and ever since that time “you continue to see Reena’s star really rising. … Her music doesn’t sound like anyone else’s, and I really love that.”

In this piece, the ASO concert audience will get to hear an instrument that’s common to Indian music: a tabla, which is a traditional instrument consisting of two hand drums.

Including the tabla in the full-orchestra version of “Testament,” which is the version the ASO will perform, is optional but recommended by the composer, and

‘Appalachian Spring’ DATE AND TIME: Friday, March 14, at 7:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Dawson Auditorium, Adrian College COST: $39/$33/$25 (discounted rates of $37/$31/$25 for seniors and $20/$17/$13 for students) MORE INFO: 517-264-3121 or adriansymphony.org “I think it’ll be a really great combination,” Kiesling said.

After this short work, guest artist Matthew Lipman joins the ASO for a performance of John Williams’ Concerto for Viola and Orchestra.

Lipman, a Chicago native who frequently collaborates with some of today’s top classical artists and has premiered a number of works by contemporary composers, performs both as a soloist and with orchestras across the country and around the world.

Kiesling has worked with him previously and finds him to be “really an exceptional artist,” he said. “I was blown away by his artistry and his warmth.”

It was Lipman who suggested performing this particular concerto, and Kiesling was happy to program it because, while people are very familiar with Williams’ many film scores and his music for several Olympic Games, his classical pieces are not that well known and his concertos “haven’t entered the mainstream,” Kiesling said.

And this concerto is even less known than other Williams classical works, because the full version has never been played other than by the Boston Symphony and in fact had not even been published when the ASO programmed it.

Both Kiesling and Lipman worked their contacts to connect with Williams, and the end result was that the publishing company that was planning to publish the music fast-tracked it so it could be performed now.

Williams has a well-deserved reputation as a master mood-creator through his orchestrations, and this work “has that in spades,” Kiesling said. “I think our audience members are going to enjoy it.”

“Appalachian Spring” makes up the concert’s second half. While the piece is best known in one of its suite versions, whether for chamber orchestra or full

Work by Indian-American composer Reena Esmail will be part of the Adrian Symphony Orchestra’s March 14 concert.

Violist Matthew Lipman will be the soloist for the ASO’s performance of John Williams’ Concerto for Viola and Orchestra.

orchestra, the ASO will perform the full ballet score, as it has also done this season with Copland’s “Billy the Kid” and “Rodeo.”

As with those other two works, Copland wrote “Appalachian Spring” as a ballet for Martha Graham, with whom he collaborated several times. The ballet premiered in 1944, with the score earning Copland the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for Music.

It was Graham who gave the work its name, using the title of a Hart Crane poem. Copland himself simply called it “Ballet for Martha.”

Set in 19th-century Appalachian Pennsylvania, the ballet focuses on four

characters: the Bride, the Husbandman, the Pioneer Woman, and the Revivalist, as the Bride and the Husbandman get married and the community celebrates.

As he so often did in his music, Copland makes extensive use of folk tunes in “Appalachian Spring,” most notably the Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts.”

It’s a composition that has long has a special resonance with many listeners, including Kiesling himself. “Something about it just really grabs me spiritually,” he said.

And like Copland’s other ballet scores, “it’s distinctly American. I think we saved the best of his ballets for last.”

C4 | ARTS & LIVING

MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Lenawee Lifelong Learning announces spring classes ADRIAN — Registration is now open for the spring session of Lenawee Lifelong Learning, a local organization that offers classes on a variety of topics for adults.

For one flat fee of $35, participants can take as many classes as they like during the month of April. Most classes meet at the Weber Retreat & Conference Center on the campus of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, but this semester, one class will be in the Chico Martinez Community Center at the Align Center for Workforce Development, 440 E. Church St., if the space is ready by then.

The following classes are being offered for the spring semester.

Learn About Lenawee: This class will meet on Tuesdays at 9 a.m., for four weeks beginning April 1. It will spotlight the history of four Lenawee County towns, with sessions on Clinton (taught

by Sharon Scott and Mark Jenkins), Tecumseh (taught by Robert Elliott), Hudson (taught by Mike Mills), and Morenci (taught by David Green).

Religion in Prison/Taoism/The Human Touch: This series of classes will meet on Tuesdays at 11 a.m., for four weeks beginning April 1. The first two sessions will be about the role of religion in correctional institutions, taught by Sister Susan Van Baalen of the Adrian Dominican Sisters. A session on Taoism, a Chinese philosophy based on the writings of Lao Tzu, will be taught by retired Siena Heights University professor and administrator Robert Gordon. Linda Farley, a certified massage therapist who is retired from Hospice of Lenawee, will teach about the power of massage and human touch from a spiritual perspective.

The Manhattan Project from an Oak Ridger’s Perspective: This class will meet on Tuesdays at 1 p.m., for four weeks beginning April 1. It will be taught

by Mark Schersten, who was born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and will deal with Oak Ridge’s role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. Introduction to Watercolor: This class will meet on Tuesdays at 3 p.m., for four weeks beginning April 1. It will be taught by retired art teacher Sally McNamara.

Supreme Court Decisions/ Psychology/Higher Education Changes and Challenges: This series of classes will meet on Wednesdays at 9 a.m., for four weeks beginning April 2. Two of the sessions, taught by Robert Gordon, will deal with two different legal cases — one dealing with a law banning the social media platform Tik Tok and one dealing with the Trump administration’s attempt to end birthright citizenship. A session on critical thinking through psychology will be taught by Gordon Hammerle, professor emeritus at Adrian College.

And Douglas Palmer, president of Siena Heights University, will discuss how SHU is adapting to the needs of a changing society.

Poetry: This class will meet on Wednesdays at 11 a.m., for four weeks beginning April 2. It will be led by retired English teacher Charmaine Stangl.

Welcome to the Library: This class will meet on Wednesdays at 1 p.m., for four weeks beginning April 2. Taught by Adrian District Library director Jennifer Wrzesinski, it will cover a variety of topics related to libraries, including censorship, the history of public libraries, and how libraries are evolving in the 21st century.

Travel Tips/Financial Tips/eBay Tips: This series of classes will meet on Wednesdays at 3 p.m., for four weeks beginning April 2. Bob Behnke, director of the LISD’s exchange program with Moriyama, Japan, will teach two sessions on travel. Jennifer Farver, branch manager with Premier Bank, will discuss fraud prevention and some banking best practices. Gary McDowell will share his experiences as a seller on the online auction platform eBay. A Brief Overview of Latinos in Lenawee County: This class will meet on Thursdays at 6 p.m. in the Chico Martinez Community Center. It will

be taught by Ben Negron, founder of Hispanics of Lenawee Alliance, and Idalí Feliciano, a retired educator.

April Tours: Meeting on Friday mornings at 9 a.m., this class offers an opportunity to tour various locations in Lenawee County, including the LISD Tech Center, the LISD Center for a Sustainable Future, and the Blissfield Model Railroad Club.

For more information about Lenawee Lifelong Learning or to register for classes, go to lenaweelifelonglearning. wordpress.com.

The registration deadline for the spring semester is Monday, March 24.

MORE CLASSES FOR ADULTS Lenawee County offers lots of opportunities for adults who want to learn a new skill or just expand their horizons. The following list is just a sample and emphasizes classes that require no prior experience. Some classes also allow teens. Visit the sponsoring organizations’ websites for more information and for expert classes.

Adrian Center for the Arts, 1375 N. Main St., Adrian Beginner and Continued Throwing: Acquire or continue to build pottery skills using a throwing wheel.

Taught by Erin Hoekzema. Mondays, March 10 to April 21, from 6-9 p.m. or Wednesdays, March 12 to April 30, from 6-9 p.m. $300.

Build a Character Vase: A one-and-done class with Laura Van Camp. Participants will use slab construction to build a one-of-a-kind tabletop vase. Saturday, March 14, from 2-4 p.m. $45.

Introduction to Glass Bead Making: Explore the properties of glass and learn to make your own beads. Taught by Susan MatychHager. $55.

— adriancenterforthearts.org The Buzz Cafe and Marketplace, 110 E. Maumee St., Adrian Fudge Making Experience: Come by yourself or with friends and learn the ins and outs of making fudge from chocolatier Ben Rosebrock. Thursday, March 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. $60.

— thebuzzadrian.con Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian First Sundays Drop-In Improv: Say “yes, and …” to the fun of improv with these drop-in classes for adults led by Kylie McElrath. First Sunday of every month from 6-7:30 p.m. Free.

— croswell.org Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute, 1375 N. Main St., Adrian Carve a Wooden Spoon: Learn the basics of wood carving while creating a handmade wooden spoon. Taught by Luke Barnett and Carolyn Racine. $200.

— longlivewood.org Tecumseh District Library, 215 N. Ottawa St., Tecumseh Diamond Art Bookmarks: Make gem-like masterpieces using colorful rhinestones in this easy and fun class for adults of all skill levels. Free.

— tecumsehlibrary.org Tink and the Frog, 128 E. Maumee St., Adrian All About Wool: Learn about spinning, felting and natural dyeing. Thursdays, March 6-27, from 5-7 p.m. This class is presented by the Adrian Center for the Arts but takes place at Tink and the Frog.

— adriancenterforthearts.org Weber Retreat and Conference Center, 1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian Oh, My Aching Back! Learn about the causes of back pain and how stretching and exercises can help. Taught by physical therapists from 3DPT. Part of the Lunch and Learn series. Free if you bring your own lunch; $7 if you purchase lunch. Wednesday, March 12, from 12:15 to 1 p.m.

A Jesuit’s Guide to the Stars: Jesuit spirituality is centered on finding God in all things, and Jesuits have figured prominently in the history of astronomy. This program will describe how to find God in the joy we experience observing the sky.

Thursday, March 13, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. $35.

— webercenter.org

YOUTH CLASSES Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian Second Sundays Drop-In Teen Improv: Dive into the spontaneous fun of improv with this inventive class that will test your reflexes and flex your creative muscles. For ages 13-17. Second Sunday of every month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free.

Spring Break Performance Camp: Students in grades 2-10 will learn and produce a musical, “Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon,” in just one week. March 24-28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., plus a performance on the evening of March 28. $200.

Explore-A-Story Theater: An introduction to creative storytelling through drama for students in 1st and 2nd grades. Tuesdays, April 1-29, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. $75.

Improv Toolkit: Learn the fundamentals and basic tools of improvisational theater in a fast-paced, creative environment. For grades 3-5. Wednesdays, April 2-30, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. $75.

— croswell.org

THE LENAWEE VOICE

ARTS & LIVING | C5

MARCH 2025

MARCH 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.

TUESDAY, MARCH 4 Singing the Good Old Songs Again Tecumseh District Library, 2 p.m.

Jackie Davidson (original member of the New Christy Minstrels and “Jackie and Gayle”) and Gary Brandt (folk performer and published songwriter) perform classic and original songs as well as stories from the Folk Era of the 1960s and ’70s. Free.

215 N. Ottawa St., Tecumseh tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

FRIDAY, MARCH 7 Adrian First Fridays: March Madness Downtown Adrian, 5-8 p.m.

Show your pride for our local all stars at downtown Adrian’s annual First Fridays event. downtownadrian.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 8 Taste of the Irish Hills The Irish Hills area, all day This is a self-guided tour of over 20 Irish Hills restaurants where you will sample some of their best cuisine. Each ticket will come with a map of locations so you can plan your day. Tickets are limited. $35, presale only. Continues Sunday.

221 Mill St., Suite C, Brooklyn 517-592-8907 or info@irishhills.com

Sand Creek Athletic Boosters’ Fourth Annual Reverse Raffle Lenawee County Fairgrounds, 5 p.m.

A fundraiser for Sand Creek athletic programs.

Dinner at 6 p.m., raffle from 7-10 p.m., DJ until midnight. $75 for one person; $125 per couple.

602 N. Dean St., Adrian www.sc-aggies.us or 517-436-3108

Maumee Street Jam First Presbyterian Church, 6 p.m.

Both musicians and spectators are invited to enjoy a casual jam session featuring folk, bluegrass and classic country. The Maumee Street Jam meets on the second Saturday of every month from September to April.

156 E. Maumee St., Adrian facebook.com/groups/79602539959

CrossBow Celtic Band Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m.

By incorporating pop, rock and folk into traditional Celtic tunes, this band’s distinct, eclectic vibe charms music lovers of all ages. $15-$33.

400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh thetca.org or 517-423-6617

SUNDAY, MARCH 9 Taste of the Irish Hills The Irish Hills area, all day This is a self-guided tour of over 20 Irish Hills restaurants where you will sample some of their best cuisine. Each ticket will come with a map of locations so you can plan your day.

Tickets are limited. $35, presale only.

221 Mill St., Suite C, Brooklyn 517-592-8907 or info@irishhills.com

Free Community Baby Shower Milton C. Porter Education Center 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Expecting parents and families with children up to 1 year of age are invited to attend. The event is designed to celebrate and support families as they prepare for and embark on their parenting journey. It will be an engaging day packed with resources, activities, photo opportunities, giveaways and more. To ask about transportation assistance, call 517-417-8051. Hosted by Care Pregnancy Center of Lenawee. Free (pre-registration is appreciated).

2944 Sutton Road, Adrian friendsofcpclenawee.com or 517-263-5701

Spring Flower Show opens March 8 Shake off the winter blues and step into a world of color inside the Hidden Lake Gardens Conservatory when the botanical center hosts its annual Spring Flower Show. The entry fee include access to all garden attractions.

Hours are Tuesdays through Sundays from March 8-23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults ages 18-64, $8 for seniors age 65 and older, $8 for military and veterans, $5 for ages 4-17, and free for ages 4 and under.

Hidden Lake Gardens is at 6214 Monroe Road (M-50), Tipton. For more information, go to ipf.msu.edu/hidden-lake-gardens/springshow or call 517-431-2060.

Chili Cook-Off Clayton Fire Department, noon to 3 p.m.

Local first responders will prepare their finest chili for you to taste and cast your vote in the Clayton Fire Department’s second annual chili cook-off. The winner will be crowned based on public choice. There will also be a silent auction. $10.

11029 Center St., Clayton facebook.com/events/533115809127796

Cookies with Cops

by Autism Grace of Lenawee The Ashlar, 2-4 p.m.

Meet and greet with local law enforcement and get free ID kits. Child ID kits are used by parents to collect specific information by easily recording the physical characteristics, fingerprints and DNA of their children on identification cards. If ever needed, this ID kit gives authorities vital information to assist in locating a missing child. Preregistration is required; please email autismgraceoflenawee@gmail.com with the total number of people who will attend, the name and age of your loved one on the spectrum, and the names and ages of all children in your family that will be attending, so that ID kits can be ordered. Free.

700 Bishop Reed Drive, Tecumseh autismgrace.org or 517-270-9415

Rhythm of the Dance will bring the art of Irish step dancing to the Tecumseh Center for the Arts on March 9.

Rhythm of the Dance Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 4 p.m.

For over 25 years, Rhythm of the Dance has been sharing the evolution of Irish movement on stages all over the world. Their champion dancers are known for executing the fastest and most intricate Irish stepping ever performed. $15-$33.

400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh thetca.org

THURSDAY, MARCH 13 Bobby L. Williams Fraternal Order of Police All Stars vs. Detroit Lions Superstars Merillat Sport & Fitness Center, 7 p.m.

The Bobby L. Williams FOP Lodge #117 AllStars will take on the “Past Legends” Detroit Lions in an exhibition basketball game.

249 S. Charles St., Adrian fop117.publicsafetypsa.com or 800-544-2993

FRIDAY, MARCH 14 “The Cat in the Hat” Croswell Opera House, 6:30 p.m.

Everyone’s favorite cat comes to mischievous life in this theatrical adaptation of a Dr. Seuss classic. Adults $10, students $10.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian croswell.org or 517-264-7469

11th Annual Battle of the Badges Arrington Ice Arena, 7 p.m.

Once again the Lenawee Smoke Eaters will take on the Blue Knights in a Police vs. Fire hockey match. Silent auction, zamboni raffle, and 50/50. Sponsored by Associated Charities of Lenawee. $10 for adults, $5 for youth 13 and under.

273 S. Charles St., Adrian givegrove.com/aclcbob11 thecharities@tc3net.com 517-265-7255

C6 | ARTS & LIVING FRIDAY, MARCH 14 “Appalachian Spring” Dawson Auditorium, 7 p.m.

The Adrian Symphony Orchestra welcomes violist Matthew Lipman for a performance of John Williams’ Concerto for Viola and Orchestra. The concert also features music of Aaron Copland and Reena Esmail. See story on page C3.

110 S. Madison St., Adrian adriansymphony.org or 517-264-3121

SATURDAY, MARCH 15 Top O’ The Mornin’ 5k Fun Run The Market on Evans, 9 a.m.

This is a fun run with no timer. All ages are welcome. Participants can walk, jog, or run. $30 for ages 13 and up.

213 N. Evans St., Tecumseh greaterlenaweechamber.org 517-423-3740

Shop & Stroll Saturday

MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

SUNDAY, MARCH 16 “The Cat in the Hat” Croswell Opera House, 2:30 p.m.

A production for young audiences based on the Dr. Seuss classic. Adults $18, students $10.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian croswell.org or 517-264-7469

THURSDAY, MARCH 20 Third Thursday Music Downtown Adrian, 5-8 p.m.

Enjoy live music in downtown Adrian. downtownadrian.com 517-264-4816

Book Sale Lenawee District Library 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

4459 West U.S. 223, Adrian lenawee.lib.mi.us or 517-263-1011

FRIDAY, MARCH 21

Downtown Adrian, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A downtown Adrian retail event.

Craft and Vendor Show AJ Smith Recreation Center 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Shop over 60 booths at this craft and vendor sale. Admission $2.

810 N. Evans St., Tecumseh tecumsehparksandrec.recdesk.com 517-423-5605

Leprechaun Hunt Downtown Tecumseh, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Help find all the Leprechauns that are hiding around Tecumseh for a chance to win a gift card packet from the local merchants. Clue sheets will be available at the main four corners downtown by the large shamrocks.

The clue sheet will also be available online closer to the event. downtowntecumseh.com/events 517-424-6003

“The Cat in the Hat” Croswell Opera House, 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

A production for young audiences based on the Dr. Seuss classic. Adults $18, students $10.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian croswell.org or 517-264-7469

Aura Photography The Broom Closet, noon to 3 p.m.

Stop in for an aura photo session for only $15. You’ll receive a color photo and brief intuitive interpretation. What are the energies you’re receiving and sending? Where might you be blocked?

210 S. Evans St., Tecumseh 517-605-9720

Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Tasting Harvest Chocolate, 2 p.m.

This hands-on experience will take you through every step of the bean-to-bar journey, including tasting cacao fruit, the roasting, cracking, winnowing, and grinding of cocoa beans all while enjoying your own chocolate flight from Harvest Chocolate’s seasonal lineup. Multiple dates available. $30 (must be purchased in advance) 110 W. Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh harvestcraftchocolate.com 517-301-4023

Quarter Mania Michener Elementary School, 4:30 p.m.

Bring your quarters and join the Michener PTO for their annual Quarter Mania fundraiser. Vendors will be on hand and proceeds will benefit Michener activities. $5 entry fee includes one paddle and a popcorn snack. Extra paddles are $3 (or 2 for $5).

104 Dawes St., Adrian

The Croswell Opera House’s annual theater for young audiences production, “The Cat in the Hat,” runs for one weekend, March 14-16. The play is just under an hour long. The Saturday afternoon show will be a sensory-friendly production, with adaptations to the theater environment intended for children who are on the autism spectrum or who have sensory processing difficulties.

The cast consists of Mitchell LaRoy of Blissfield as the Narrator, Zarek Devlin of Adrian as the Boy, Mazyn Maybee of Adrian as Sally, Jonah Hiatt of Palmyra as the Cat, Jen Letherer of Hudson as the Fish, Marleigh Cook of Adrian and Lillian Salenbien of Sand Creek as the Kittens, Adrienne Clair of Canton and Josiah Torrence of Adrian as Thing1 and Thing 2, and Pat Bogusz of Tecumseh as the voice of the Mother.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for students. Order by calling 517-264-7469 or going to croswell.org.

Dates and times: n Friday, March 14 @ 6:30 p.m. n Saturday, March 15 @ 11 a.m. n Saturday, March 15 @ 2:30 p.m. (sensory-friendly production) n Sunday, March 16 @ 2:30 p.m.

Kids’ Expo and Craft Show The Mill Sports & Events Center 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Mills Sports and Events Center will host a Kids’ Expo and Craft Show. Kids from ages 5 to 17 can apply to sell items at the show.

For information, call 517-467-5529, or send a Facebook message to The Mill Sports and Events Center, Inc. Proceeds will go to the Catherine Cobb Safe House. Admission $2 (cash only).

240 N. Mill St., Onsted

‘The Cat in the Hat’ at the Croswell

Kameron Marlowe Adrian College, 7:30 p.m.

Adrian College’s annual spring concert features country performer Kameron Marlowe. $50. events.hometownticketing.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 23 Spring Equinox Weber Center, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Welcome the return of spring with story, song and gratitude. Bring a treat to share if you like. Free.

1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian webercenter.org or 517-266-4000

SATURDAY, MARCH 29 Double Chuckle Comedy Tour AmVets, 8 p.m.

Patrick Madison brings his national hit comedy tour to AmVets #1957 for a night of laughter and fun. Free.

122 N. Main St., Adrian

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 Jimmy Buffett Tribute Croswell Opera House, 7:30 p.m.

A night of island vibes, good friends and a celebration of the iconic music of Jimmy Buffett, featuring songs like “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Fins,” “Son of a Son of a Sailor,” “Margaritaville” and more. $35 for adults, $25 for students.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian croswell.org or 517-264-7469

SUNDAY, APRIL 6 Lenawee Community Chorus: Songs of the British Isles First United Methodist Church, 4 p.m.

The Lenawee Community Chorus, under the direction of Brad Pierson, will perform a variety of traditional and contemporary songs. $15 for adults, free for students.

1245 W. Maple Ave., Adrian lenaweechorus.org

Jimmy Buffett Tribute Croswell Opera House, 7:30 p.m.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian croswell.org or 517-264-7469

LIVE MUSIC AT BARS AND NIGHT SPOTS Information in this listing is taken from a mixture of submissions and information published by the venues. We recommend checking to verify that information is up to date before making plans. To submit listings, email news@lenaweevoice.com before the 15th of the preceding month.

SATURDAY, MARCH 1 Bordine & Loar, 8-11 p.m., Rich Lanes Bowling, 622 W. Adrian St., Blissfield.

Stained Glass City, 8 p.m. to midnight, Adrian Eagles, 2522 W. Beecher Road. $5.

Def Leppard tribute by Armageddon and Poison tribute by Rock of Love, p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $50, four for $80, eight for $130; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 7 Soup Sandwich, 7-10 p.m., Flamingo Beach Grille & Bar, 4321 Michigan Ave., Tipton.

Tom Petty tribute by Teddy Petty and the Refugees, 7 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $50, four for $80, eight for $130; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 8 Marvin Rieli, 7-10 p.m., Flamingo Beach Grille & Bar, 4321 Michigan Ave., Tipton.

Noah Martis, 7-10 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

1980s Tribute by HairMania, 7 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $50, four for $80, eight for $130; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 13 Jonathan Torrence, 6:30 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

FRIDAY, MARCH 14 The Phoenix Theory, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $50, four for $80, eight for $130; chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

Sean Stringer, 7:30-10:30 p.m., Mammoth Distilling, 108 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

SATURDAY, MARCH 15 Wasabi Pearl, 7-10 p.m., Flamingo Beach Grille & Bar, 4321 Michigan Ave., Tipton.

AC/DC Tribute by Thunderstruck, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $50, four for $80, eight for $130; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 20 AP String Duo, 8-11 p.m., Chaloner’s Cigar House, 108 W. Maumee St., Adrian.

FRIDAY, MARCH 21 Croswell Broadway Season Miscast Cabaret, 7 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

Frankly Jack, 7-10 p.m., Flamingo Beach Grille & Bar, 4321 Michigan Ave., Tipton.

Charlie Johnson, 7:30-10:30 p.m., Mammoth Distilling, 108 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

Whitesnake Tribute by Slow an’ Easy, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $50, four for $80, eight for $130; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 22 Scott & Melissa, 7 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

Cat Canyon, 7-10 p.m., Flamingo Beach Grille & Bar, 4321 Michigan Ave., Tipton.

Jaded Soul, 8 p.m. to midnight, Adrian Eagles, 2522 W. Beecher Road. $5.

Fleetwood Mac Tribute by Seven Wonders, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $50, four for $80, eight for $130; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 28 Comedy with Tommy Cook, 7 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

Bret Maynard, 7:30-10:30 p.m., Mammoth Distilling, 108 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

Sponge (alternative rock), 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $50, four for $80, eight for $130; chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 29 Bordine & Loar, 7 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

Mike Finch, 7-10 p.m., Flamingo Beach Grille & Bar, 4321 Michigan Ave., Tipton.

Jim Bandy Band, 8 p.m. to midnight, Adrian Eagles, 2522 W. Beecher Road. $5.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

ARTS & LIVING | C7

MARCH 2025

Contest announced to ‘Loud at the Library’ design sheet music cover to benefit programs at for ‘Maple City Rag’ Adrian District Library ADRIAN — The River Raisin Ragtime Revue and Adrian Center for the Arts are organizing an art contest to design a cover for the sheet music for “Maple City Rag,” a new piece commissioned by the city of Adrian to mark its bicentennial.

Designs should be 8½ inches wide by 11 inches tall. Two-dimensional media such as painting, drawing, print, and digital, inspired by the style of the ragtime era (1890-1920), is eligible (see the sheet music covers below for examples of the style). The artwork must include the title (“Maple City Rag”) and the composer (William R. Hayes).

The submission deadline is May 15 at noon.

The winner will be chosen by a panel of artists and educators representing the ACA and the Ragtime Revue. The

winner will receive a $500 cash award in addition to recognition in local media, publication in various sources, and inclusion in the Adrian Bicentennial Time Capsule.

River Raisin Ragtime Revue will retain all rights to the image.

The winner will be announced by May 30.

To submit, send a high resolution scan of the original artwork to adriancenterforthearts@gmail.com.

The contest is open to artists of all ages.

Artists need not reside in Lenawee County to enter.

The premiere performance of the rag will be presented by R4 on July 5 during the group’s annual Ragtime Extravaganza on the campus of PlaneWave Instruments.

Tecumseh Pops Orchestra and Community Chorus welcome new performers TECUMSEH — If you’ve ever wanted to sing in a group or be part of an orchestra, here’s your chance.

As the Tecumseh Pops Orchestra and Community Chorus begin rehearsals for their spring concert, titled “An American Travelogue,” the groups invite interested musicians and vocalists, from ninth grade through adult, to join their ranks.

This volunteer group of musicians and vocalists represent all walks of life and come from Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw and Jackson counties.

Members have a wide variety of musical backgrounds and levels of experience.

ADRIAN — The Friends of the Adrian District Library are presenting their annual fundraiser, “Loud at the Library,” on Saturday, April 5, from 4-6 p.m. at the library.

This year’s event is titled “Loud at the Library: The Chocolate Version.”

The Friends of ADL’s mission is “to create a permanent endowment for the library, promote the importance of the library to the community, increase awareness of the resources offered by the library, and raise funds for library projects.” This fundraiser, sponsored

by Clift Buick GMC and TLC Community Credit Union, will aid in fulfilling that mission. The Friends are seeking additional sponsors as well.

Tickets are $25 per person, and participants will be able to enjoy chocolate treats that will be available to them at various stations around the library.

At 4:30 p.m., door prizes from The Buzz Cafe and Marketplace, Downtown Dempsey’s and Harvest Chocolate will be drawn at no additional cost to ticketed guests. Following that, will be a live performance by local musicians Maya Gangadharan and Jeff DiCenzo.

Gangadharan is an author, nutritionist and corporate trainer.

She is also the new Coordinator of Chocolate Experiences for Harvest Chocolate. She is also known as a singer and actor, having performed

Jeff DiCenzo

Maya Gangadharan

in many Croswell musicals, including “School of Rock” and “Company,” and in the plays “Boeing, Boeing” and “The Elevator: Sharing with Strangers.”

DiCenzo is one-half of the musical duo Linny and Moochie. He has also been with rocking Lazy River Band for several decades. An accomplished musician and singer, DiCenzo will be the emcee for the event and accompany Gangadharan on vocals and keyboard.

Friends of ADL president, Cindy Bily, invites members of the public to “poke around in the library, snack on some chocolate, hear fabulous music — it’s a bookalachocolapalooza!”

The Adrian District Library is located in downtown Adrian at 143 E. Maumee St. Tickets for the fundraiser can be purchased at the main desk of the library, or from any member of the Friends of ADL. Tickets can also be purchased online at givebutter.com/ LibraryFriends.

March at ADL

Rehearsals for the annual spring concert will begin on Monday, March 3, in the Tecumseh High School Band and Chorus Rooms.

The Community Chorus will rehearse beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the Pops Orchestra will rehearse beginning at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 4.

Anyone interested in joining either the chorus or the orchestra can contact Jeanette Meyer at 517-423-5989 or tandjmeyer@earthlink.net.

More information is available at tecumsehpops.org.

Thank you to the Adrian Breakfast Lions Club for the gift of a Zoomax Snow 12 Magnifier.

It offers magnification up to 19x and has text to speech capabilities.

Check it out today!

L AD gons Dra Book

ADL Book Dragons!

Next Book:

Looking to expand your reading horizons?

Join us!

March 27 6:30PM

La Hacienda (The Hacienda)

by Isabel Cañas

Listen to ADL staff dish on books, movies, pop culture, history and more in our bi-weekly podcast.

Find us on your favorite podcast platform!

WHY WORK WITH TERRAFIRMA DRILLING? We save landscaping.

Directional drilling through difficult locations.

We go under trees, driveways, garages and homes.

Open trenching as needed.

Water, sewer, storm and more.

4695 SWORD HWY, CLAYTON, MI 49235 Email drillchief1980@gmail.com Call or text Bill Ritchie at 517-270-9510 Be kind to others!

Have you heard about our Corporate Library Card?

Businesses and organizations located within the City of Adrian are eligible. Providing access to physical materials and all of our databases.

Interested or want to learn more?

Give us a call today or email cboss@adrian.lib.mi.us.

143 E. Maumee St. Adrian, MI 49221

adrian.lib.mi.us 517.265.2265

C8

MARCH 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

This Month in Downtown Adrian:

March

First Friday - March Madness Friday, March 7th

Get ready for an exciting night! Join us for a fun-filled basketball inspired night featuring special deals, and a scavenger hunt with the chance to win $350 worth of Downtown Dollars!

MVP - Shop and Stroll Saturday, March 15th

Celebrate local shopping with a twist at the Shop and Stroll, where the theme is MVP- Most Valuable Picks! Local businesses will be showcasing their best picks, and you will feel like an MVP as you support our community!

Third Thursday

Thursday, March 20th Come Downtown to enjoy live music by local musicians! Follow our Facebook for more details.

What’s Happenin’ Wednesday Wednesday, March 26th

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!

Play in the Downtown Scavenger Hunt! Download the Eventzee app and go to the Downtown Adrian Facebook page for instructions on how to win up to $350 in Downtown Dollars during selected events!

#ItHappensDowntown

downtownadrian.com

downtownadrian