The Lenawee Voice — May 2025

Para noticias locales en español, por favor vaya a la página A9 Kiwanis Clubs bring patriotic displays to area » PAGE B8

Multiple local protests oppose administration policies » PAGE A6

Right to Life hosts annual dinner in Adrian » PAGE A7

THE LENAWEE VOICE

ADRIAN, MICHIGAN

FREE MAY 2025

LOCAL NEWS FOR ADRIAN AND LENAWEE COUNTY

3 SECTIONS | 48 PAGES

‘A lot of doors opening’ Former Telegram office and Adrian Inn get closer to demolition » PAGE A3

Onsted’s Emmry Ross keeps breaking records on the track » PAGE B1

Autism GRACE celebrates five years of helping kids and families » PAGE B3

Braxton Garza, pictured recently in downtown Adrian, is a Madison High School alumnus who recently competed on the NBC television show “The Voice.” ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE

Braxton Garza of Adrian sees opportunities coming from his recent run on TV’s ‘The Voice’

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

Hidden Lake Gardens prepares for annual plant sale » PAGE C1

ADRIAN — Ask Adrian’s Braxton Garza about his debut on NBC’s “The Voice” earlier this year, and he’ll tell you it was actually all a blur.

“I blacked out,” he said, laughing. “I can’t remember what the crowd was doing or the coaches’ faces.”

Garza, who grew up on Adrian’s east side and attended Madison Schools, earned chair-turns from both Michael Bublé and Kelsea Ballerini, two of the show’s judges, for his performance of Warren Zeiders’ “Pretty Little Poison” during the Feb. 10 blind auditions.

And although he was eliminated in the battle round, which came next, “I was grateful to be there,” he said. “Just to get a chair turn, no matter the outcome.”

Garza’s journey to “The Voice” began in January 2023 with a virtual open call.

He was told he wasn’t what the show was looking for that season, but that he should try out again.

Then an email arrived from a producer.

Braxton Garza of Adrian is pictured during his blind audition for “The Voice,” after which he ended up on Michael Bublé’s team. PHOTO COURTESY OF NBC After a lengthy process involving discussions of what kind of music he performed and what his inspirations were, and a background check, Garza got to make the trip to California for this season,

Rooftop solar panels to be installed at two Tecumseh school buildings » PAGE A6

the show’s 27th, and perform in front of Bublé, Ballerini, John Legend and Adam Levine for the blind auditions.

See GARZA, page A15

River Raisin Watershed Council to host its first native plant sale » PAGE A11

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MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Align Center plans 20 BROADWAy SEASON 25 to open this month MAY 9 - MAY 18

JUNE 13 - JUNE 22

ADRIAN — The Align Center for Workforce Development, a new facility on Adrian’s east side that aims to equip residents with the skills for high-paying careers, is expected to open in May. The Align Center is at 440 E. Church St., in the building formerly occupied by Restore World Church, and before that St. John’s Lutheran School.

The renovations to the space include training rooms, event spaces, offices for partner facilities, and even a day care facility to support adult students who might not otherwise be able to attend classes due to childcare needs.

To further its mission of providing residents with valuable skills, the Align Center aims to create a welcoming, accessible environment.

The Align Center also recently announced two strategic partnerships designed to enhance its usefulness to Lenawee County residents.

The Lenawee County Veterans Coalition will have office space in the building, giving veterans more ways to connect with community resources.

“With the support from the Align Center, we can facilitate the needs of those that have served while creating a welcoming atmosphere for the families of those who have protected our nation as well,” said Austin See, founder of the coalition.

Another partnership is with the Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee, which is located just a block away from the center. This collaboration will allow participants in Align Center classes to have safe social and recreational opportunities for their children available while they are in class.

The usual club membership fee of $3 per year will be waived for the children of Align Center students.

“We are looking forward to welcoming the Align Center to our neighborhood. It’s a great opportunity for us to collaborate and offer a safe supportive space for youth whose guardians are participating in Align courses,” said Sara Herriman, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club.

For more information about the Align Center, call H. Ron Griffith at 517-270-4580 or go to alignlenawee.org.

Michigan Chamber president to speak

JULY 11 - JULY 20

AUGUST 8 - AUGUST 17

SEPTEMBER 12 - SEPTEMBER 21

OCTOBER 17 - OCTOBER 26

NOVEMBER 21 - DECEMBER 7

THE CROSWELL 129 E. MAUMEE ST. ADRIAN, MI

517.264.7469 CROSWELL.ORG

ADRIAN — Jim Holcomb, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, will be the speaker at Lenawee Now’s Economic Club Luncheon on Tuesday, May 13, at 11:30 a.m. The event will take place at The Centre, 1800 West U.S. 223, Adrian.

His presentation, “Moving Michigan Forward,” will discuss how effective policy can stimulate Michigan’s economy. Tickets are $35 and registration is required by May 6.

To purchase tickets, go to lenaweenow.org.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

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MAY 2025

LOCAL NEWS IN BRIEF Two Adrian problem spots are closer to demolition 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.

Congressman to speak at Adrian College’s spring commencement

ADRIAN — Rep. John James (R-Michigan) will be the speaker at Adrian College’s spring commencement on May 4.

A native of Southfield, James served in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot from 2004 to 2012. Upon leaving the Army he joined his family’s John James business, James Group International, becoming director of operations and later president.

He ran for the U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020 before being elected to the 10th Congressional District seat in 2022.

SHU nursing program plans new partnership ADRIAN — Siena Heights University and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services have announced a partnership designed to cultivate the next generation of nursing professionals. The collaboration will establish a comprehensive scholarship and job opportunity program, directly benefiting Siena Heights nursing students.

The initiative will provide Siena Heights nursing students with access to Pine Rest’s Nursing Student Academy, offering handson experience and specialized training in mental health care.

“This partnership with Pine Rest is a transformative opportunity for our nursing students,” said Gina Rossetti, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “By combining rigorous academic training with real-world experience and financial support, we are empowering our students to become compassionate and highly skilled nurses who will make a significant impact in the field of mental health.”

City awards bids for former Daily Telegram office and neighboring buildings ADRIAN — Plans to tear down the former Daily Telegram office and several other dilapidated buildings on North Winter Street took a step forward on April 7 when the Adrian City Commission awarded bids for the demolition.

The project was split into two parts for bidding.

The contract for the buildings on the west side of the street (133, 155, 205 and 213 N. Winter St.) was awarded to RJ Industrial Recycling of Flint in the amount of $270,760. RJ Industrial is the company that handled the recently completed Bixby Hospital demolition for ProMedica. They were not the lowest bidder, but according to a memo from code enforcement officer Glenn Preston, reference checks for the lowest bidder did not indicate satisfactory performance.

The contract for the buildings on the east side of the street (132 and 142 N. Winter St.) was awarded to Handy Excavating of Quincy in the amount of

The former Daily Telegram office at 133 N. Winter St., which was sold by Telegram parent company Gannett in 2021, is set to be demolished along with several other vacant buildings along the Winter Street riverfront area. $44,500. Handy Excavating, which has previously demolished 26 houses for the city, was the low bidder for that portion of the project.

Eleven contractors bid on the project.

The former Telegram office at 133 N. Winter St., along with the Access Shoppers Guide building and the old Adrian Eagles

hall just north of it, were sold by Gannett, the Telegram’s parent company, in 2021.

Initially, a private development group bought the properties as part of a plan to rehabilitate the riverfront area along Winter Street. But they encountered numerous obstacles, and the city agreed to purchase the land in 2024.

City commission accepts Adrian College’s offer to buy Adrian Inn for $250,000 ADRIAN — The Adrian City Commission voted on April 21 to sell the Adrian Inn property at 1575 W. Maumee St. to Adrian College for $250,000.

The sale comes with an agreement that Adrian College will assume responsibility for demolition of the former hotel within six months, thus relieving the city of that expense.

Before voting, commissioners also reviewed information about demolition costs.

City staff members had collected bids on all the costs involved in tearing down the building, and the low bids came to $27,750 for cleaning out the rooms, $74,600 for asbestos removal, and $124,500 for the demolition itself, a total of $226,850.

Commissioner Mary Roberts, who previously had expressed reluctance about selling the property to a tax-exempt

The Adrian Inn is pictured in early April. The Adrian City Commission voted on April 21 to accept Adrian College’s proposal of purchasing the property for $250,000. The college has agreed to demolish the building within six months. organization and removing it from the tax rolls, said reviewing those costs convinced her to vote for accepting Adrian College’s proposal. It would take years for any property tax revenue to cover that cost, she said.

According to the city assessor’s website, previous tax bills for the property came to about $25,000 per year, with about $6,000 of that amount going to the city.

The college intends to put student housing on the property.

A4 | LOCAL NEWS

MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

City to get help preparing Witt Farm for development ADRIAN — The city of Adrian is going to get some free help preparing the Witt Farm site, a city-owned property on the north end of town, for sale and eventual development.

The Witt Farm was purchased by the city 25 years ago with the goal of using it for future development. In that time, although numerous developers have expressed interest at one time or another, only one project has come to fruition — the Gaslight Village assisted living facility, which opened in 2015. Most recently, the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute has expressed interest in a portion of the property.

Funding for the site preparation work will come from Ann Arbor Spark, an economic development agency that was recently awarded a Strategic Site

Readiness Program Grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund. Ann Arbor Spark is willing to spend $111,000 on site readiness activities, with no matching dollars required from the city.

According to Adrian economic development coordinator Jay Marks, the grant will fund various activities to make the parcel more marketable to prospective buyers, including topographic and boundary surveys, conceptual site plans for potential road placements, environmental assessment, a geotechnical assessment, and capacity and utility studies.

These activities would allow the parcel to be listed as “shovel-ready” by the Michigan Economic Development Corp., a status that should make it more appealing to developers.

A “For Sale” sign sits on the Witt Farm property on the north side of Adrian on April 17.

Ann Arbor Spark, an area economic development agency, will pay for site preparation work aimed at making the land more attractive to developers.

The work will be done by the Mannik & Smith Group, which has an office in downtown Adrian. Marks said it should take three to four months.

The Adrian City Commission voted unanimously at its April 7 meeting to accept the Strategic Site Readiness Program grant.

Sheriff’s department items get county commission’s OK Backup HVAC system to be installed at dispatch center; software contract for patrol vehicles also approved

By Erik Gable

The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — The Lenawee County Commission on March 27 approved the purchase and installation of a backup HVAC system for the county dispatch center, at an estimated cost of $37,425.

According to Sheriff Troy Bevier, the dispatch system in the sheriff’s office is inconsistent and unreliable.

In June 2024, Bevier stated in a report to the commission, a breakdown that

took several days to repair resulted in temperatures inside the dispatch center being in the 80s for six days.

“When [the HVAC system] goes down, they have to run fans in there,” said commissioner David Aungst (R-Rollin Twp.). “It gets really hot., and of course fans bring noise. It’s very important that they have an HVAC system that is working properly. They’re in there 24/7.”

The commission also approved a fiveyear contract with Whelen Engineering for a cloud-based system that helps

monitor the sheriff’s department’s patrol vehicles. The cost is $6,120 per year for 17 vehicles.

For the past three years, Lenawee County has been a test site for Whelen’s platform, and Capt. Jake Pifer told commissioners the system has been working very well. He also said Whelen has been responsive to all of the department’s requests for improvements.

“They’ve listened to everything we’ve asked for and given more,” he said.

In addition to diagnosing problems with emergency equipment and tracking routine maintenance like oil changes, the system always knows where patrol cars are. This has several benefits, Pifer said.

One is that if two cars are responding to the same scene, the deputies in the cars will be alerted when they’re getting close to each other.

Another benefit, Pifer said, is that if a crime is reported — such as a rash of breaking-and-entering incidents — the sheriff’s department can go back over the records and see if there were any patrol cars in the area at the time, and find out if the deputies driving the cars saw anything that they might not have realized was significant at the time.

The Whelen system also sends data to the navigation service Waze, which does things like alerting drivers when there is a crash ahead of them.

County commission to look at restarting its funding of Lenawee Now Voting no were Collins, Stimpson, and Ralph Tillotson (R-Adrian Twp.).

In a statement provided to the Lenawee Voice after the vote, Lenawee Now executive director Pat Farver said that “we are happy to have discussions with the county on how we can help improve economic development in our county.”

However, he also said that “for them to want to single us out to require more information than they require from any of the other entities they fund is not right.”

By Erik Gable

The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Three years after Lenawee County pulled its financial support of the economic development organization Lenawee Now, the county commission has formed a committee to look into the possibility of resuming that funding.

The action was taken on March 27.

Following a request from commission chair Jim Van Doren (R-Tipton), the board voted 6-3 in favor of creating the committee. The group will consist of commission vice chair Dustin Krasny (R-Onsted), ways and means committee chair Kevon Martis (R-Riga), and county administrator Kim Murphy.

“They’re the premier economic development organization in Lenawee County and they’re pretty well recognized throughout the state and nationally,” said Van Doren, who was Lenawee Now’s executive director before his election to the county commission in 2022.

Much of the debate revolved around the same question as when the county pulled its funding three years ago — whether the audited financial statements that Lenawee Now publishes are adequate for taxpayers to know their money is being spent well.

Commissioner David Stimpson (R-Tecumseh) said that without more details, “it’s a nonstarter for my district.

They want to know where the money from the taxpayers is going.”

“Show where the money from the taxpayers is going, how it’s being spent, how it’s being cycled through, so they understand what they’re spending it on,” Stimpson said. “But if they don’t do that it just raises more questions for me, and

Evening meetings discussed

Members of the Lenawee County Commission are pictured during their March 27 meeting. it should for all of you.”

Martis spoke in support of Lenawee Now, saying that even though the county is no longer funding the organization, its staff has been helpful anytime he’s needed help with economic development work.

“They’re always there and they’re always available,” he said.

Martis said that if getting more financial details from Lenawee Now is a “bedrock principle,” it should have come up during the years that the county was funding the organization before 2022.

He suggested that the decision to pull funding was retribution for Lenawee Now’s lack of support for Project Phoenix, which was a proposal to build a recreation complex on the site of the former Tecumseh Products factory.

“The audit was never an issue until there was a sudden vote out of the blue

to defund Lenawee Now, directly in response to them coming out having serious questions about the viability of Project Phoenix,” Martis said.

Commissioner Terry Collins (R-Adrian) disagreed with calling the 2022 decision “out of the blue,” and he said it sounds like the two commissioners being named to the committee have already decided to support funding for Lenawee Now. “We’re hearing those people who are going to be on this committee sounding to me like they’re already committed,” Collins said. “They’ve already made their mind up what they’re going to do. Why the hell are we having this committee?”

Voting to establish the committee were Krasny, Martis, Van Doren, David Aungst (R-Rollin Twp.), Beth Blanco (R-Dover Twp.), and Jim Daly (D-Adrian).

The county commission’s March 27 meeting took place in the evening, for the first time in about four years.

The commission normally meets on Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.

The evening time slot drew praise from some residents who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting.

“I can’t tell you how nice it is to come to a commissioners’ meeting in the evening,” Tecumseh resident Sandie Brissette said. “Thank you. Thank you so much for listening to us. This gives the public a chance to see what it is that you do.”

The commission’s next three meetings will be on its usual schedule, the second Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m.

However, there will be an evening meeting on Thursday, June 26, at 6 p.m., Van Doren said.

The commission meets on the second floor of the old county courthouse, 301 N. Main St., Adrian. The meeting schedule, meeting agendas, and recordings of past meetings can be found by going to lenawee.mi.us and clicking on “Meeting materials.”

THE LENAWEE VOICE

LOCAL NEWS | A5

MAY 2025

Commission receives update on zoning work ADRIAN — At their April 21 meeting, Adrian city commissioners received an update from planning commission chairman Mike Jacobitz on efforts to create a new zoning ordinance.

“Our current zoning ordinance has been updated and revised many times over the last 20 to 25 years,” Jacobitz said.

“It’s significantly out of date and includes a number of inconistencies, and is sometimes difficult to understand.”

A process with a consulting group, funded in part by a state grant, resulted in a draft ordinance that the planning commission felt still needed a lot of work.

“While the draft is an excellent example of a zoning ordinance, it falls short as Adrian’s zoning ordinance,” Jacobitz said.

He said some essential elements of Adrian’s current zoning ordinance were missing, and some of the draft’s requirements were too onerous for Adrian.

“We are not trying to scrap what came out of the last two years of effort,” he said, “but rather to use the strengths and to reintroduce the essential elements that were missing, and to remove some of the aspects that were obviously intended for a larger community with a lot more enforcement staff than Adrian has.”

When the process is done, Jacobitz said, the ordinance will be shorter and easier to understand than the current ordinance.

Jacobitz said the planning commission hopes to hold public open houses for discussion over the summer. This would be followed by a public hearing, and then once the planning commission gives its approval, it would go to the city commission for a first and second reading before it is adopted.

Community Development Director hired ADRIAN — The city of Adrian once again has a full-time community development director, after the city commission voted April 21 to approve hiring Lisa Hewitt-Cruz for the role.

Although she has spent the last 20 years working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development agency, this will not be Hewitt-Cruz’s first time working for the city of Adrian.

She worked in housing and community development for the city from 1996 to 2003, when her accomplishments included securing and administering more than $13 million in grants to improve housing and neighborhoods in the city. Initiatives she worked on at that time included developing the city’s rental inspection program and obtaining funding to renovate the former YMCA building in downtown Adrian.

The city has not had an employee dedicated full-time to the community development director position since 2020. It’s the job that former city administrator Greg Elliott was originally hired for in 2019, but he continued holding that title after he was hired as city administrator in 2020.

The search continues

After an offer is both made and declined, city commissioners resume search for a new administrator

By Erik Gable

The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — The search for a new city administrator came to a halt early in April when, in a development that caught even some city commissioners by surprise, a vote was taken to offer the job to police chief and interim administrator Vince Emrick.

But the search resumed two weeks later when Emrick thanked commissioners for their support, but told them he had decided against accepting the position.

The commission then voted to hire Ann Arbor-based consultants Yeo & Yeo to assist with the search.

April 7: A surprise motion According to the April 7 meeting agenda, commissioners were to spend part of their work study session discussing the two search firms they interviewed at a March 24 special meeting. But a few minutes into the discussion, Commissioner Kelly Castleberry proposed offering the job to Emrick and using the money that would have been spent on the search for staff training instead.

“He’s doing a very, very good job,” she said. “Communication is outstanding.

I’ve been nothing but impressed with him since he came on.”

Commissioner Gordon Gauss agreed.

“He’s only been on the job for nine weeks, and he’s taken care of problems that haven’t been taken care of as long as I’ve been on the commission, and several administrators prior to that,” Gauss said.

“All I’ve heard for the last five years is the community and business leaders here want somebody who’s invested in the city, somebody who cares about the city, and I don’t think we’re going to find that bringing anybody in from the outside,” he added. “I think once again we’re just going to be another stepping stone.”

Gauss placed a motion on the floor to offer the role to Emrick, and Castleberry seconded it.

Commissioner Bob Behnke called the motion “a slap in the face to our community,” and said that it went against the commission’s previous discussions about openness and transparency. He said that Emrick might well be the best candidate, but the city should go through the search process that commissioners had previously decided on.

Behnke is a former superintendent of Adrian Public Schools, and he noted that when he retired, Springbrook Middle School principal Nate Parker was hired to take his place, but only after a search process. “The board made the right decision to hire Nate, but they did so with eyes wide open looking at other candidates,” he said.

He also stated that because the vote was not on the agenda and came after the public comment period for items on the agenda had closed, members of the public did not have an opportunity to weigh in, either for or against the appointment.

Commissioner Mary Roberts agreed with Behnke.

“This is the first I’ve heard of this,” she said, adding that the commission has spent the last few months looking at search firms and doing research.

“I’m surprised. I’m not exactly sure what else to say at this point,” she said. “This a really, really uncomfortable position to be in, not just for us but for the chief.”

Gauss and Castleberry defended their proposal, with Gauss saying he didn’t feel that the decision was rushed.

“I think we’ve got somebody that’s qualified,” he said.

Castleberry said she didn’t think residents were being denied a voice, because Emrick would listen to them. “He is a positive change maker, and when people come to him with problems, he finds solutions,” she said.

“Through some very, very difficult times in our community he has stood very tall,” she said. “He has been a strong representative for the city and a strong representative for the people, regardless of who you are.”

Mayor Angie Sword Heath asked Emrick to confirm Castleberry’s statement that he was interested in the job, and he said yes. She also asked if he would still be interested if the commission decided to go through a complete search process.

“I have no problem going through the process,” Emrick said.

The vote to appoint Emrick was 4-2.

Castleberry, Gauss, and Commissioner Doug Miller voted yes, with Heath taking a pause during the roll call but ultimately joining them. Behnke and Roberts voted no, with Roberts also pausing to consider before casting her vote. Commissioner Matt Schwartz was absent.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, city residents both praised Emrick and criticized the way the appointment was carried out.

Judith Hammerle asked if votes coming up by surprise without the opportunity for public comment was something people could expect from the commission going forward.

Scott Marvin criticized the lack of opportunity for public comment. “I think Chief Emrick is a hardworking and caring individual, but I don’t feel like this was a transparent decision,” he said.

Don Taylor, also a city resident, agreed. “I’m really quite appalled by what happened tonight,” he said. “You’d have to search long and hard to find anybody in the city who respects Vince Emrick as much as I do, but I have to agree that you should have followed the process. You led everybody in this community to believe you had a process.

It was in the Daily Telegram, it was in the Lenawee Voice, so I must side with Commissioners Behnke and Roberts in that you really let the citizens down.

Acting administrator Emrick already said he’s happy to be part of a search process.

I say let the process play out, and I’m

really disappointed that this came out in the way that it did.”

April 21: The search is back on At the April 21 meeting, Emrick told commissioners he had decided against accepting a permanent appointment to the job he’s been doing on an interim basis since the beginning of February.

“I’ve come to the very difficult decision that this is not the right time for me to do that,” he said.

“I’m happy to continue as the interim administrator for as long as the commission will have me,” he said, adding that he appreciates the support he has received from both the commission and city residents, and the confidence that the commission showed in him.

After this, the commission picked up where it had been two weeks earlier, deciding on a search firm to help with the hiring process.

Commissioners voted unanimously to hire Yeo & Yeo, an Ann Arbor-based company that was one of two search firms they heard presentations from at a special meeting in March.

Bar Association plans Law Day observance ADRIAN — The Lenawee County Bar Association will host its inaugural Law Day on Friday, May 2, at 11 a.m. in Courtroom 302 of the Lenawee County Courthouse.

The program will include the presentation of the Liberty Bell Award, a recognition awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the cause of justice and liberty in Lenawee County.

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A6 | LOCAL NEWS

MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

U.S. 127 work near Addison is resuming LANSING — The Michigan Department of Transportation is resuming work on the U.S. 127 and U.S. 223 project near Addison.

Work will include rebuilding 14 miles of U.S. 127 and U.S. 223 and building a new roundabout at the intersection of the two highways, according to a news release from MDOT. The project will require daytime single-lane closures with two-way traffic maintained by flag operations for the duration of the work.

Drivers should expect delays.

The projected completion date is mid-June.

Solar power to be installed at Tecumseh schools TECUMSEH — The Tecumseh school district expects to save money on both utilities and roof repairs as a result of installing solar panels on the roofs of Tecumseh High School and Tecumseh Middle School.

According to Lenawee Voice news partner Local Buzz Radio, the school board has signed an agreement with a solar contractor that involves both replacing the roofs and installing the panels. The panels will come with a 20year warranty.

The cost of the entire project is less than what the district would have expected to pay Consumers Energy for electricity over the next two decades, and school officials said it will also allow about $2.3 million that otherwise would have been needed for roof work to be used for other infrastructure projects instead.

Guilty verdict in headless body case ADRIAN — A jury deliberated for about four hours on April 25 before convicting a Cincinnati man on five of the six charges he faced in a 1997 Lenawee County cold case involving the discovery of a dismembered body in a field near Blissfield.

While the jury found Richardo Sepulveda, 53, not guilty of first-degree murder, the panel convicted him on charges of conspiracy to commit firstdegree murder, assault with intent to maim, conspiracy to assault with intent to maim, tampering with evidence, and conspiracy to tamper with evidence.

Local Buzz Radio reported that sentencing was set for June 13.

His younger brother, Michael Sepulveda of Toledo, had earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the case under a plea deal that called for him to testify against his brother.

During the four-day trial, Michael Sepulveda testified that the body was that of a drug courier to whom Richardo owed money that he couldn’t pay.

People gather on the east lawn of the Lenawee County Courthouse for an April 5 protest. Several hundred people attended the rally, which was one of about 1,200 on that day. PHOTOS BY ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

Local opponents of administration ramp up protests in Lenawee County ADRIAN — Lenawee County residents opposed to Trump administration policies ramped up their visibility with multiple events last month.

Adrian was among an estimated 1,200 locations across the country where people gathered for an April 5 protest. Several hundred people filled the east lawn of the old Lenawee County Courthouse, waving at passing motorists on Main Street. The group spilled over onto the courthouse’s north and south lawns, as well as the other three corners of the intersection of Main Street and Maple Avenue.

The series of protests coalesced around the theme “Hands Off.” But within that theme, people at the protest in Adrian had a number of different takes on what it meant to them.

For example, “I’ve talked to a number of people who are very concerned about their Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid,” said Denise Benjamin of Blissfield.

Many of the signs being carried had to do with those programs. Elon Musk, a top administration lieutenant, has called Social Security a “Ponzi scheme,” and the administration has announced plans to cut 7,000 jobs from the Social Security Administration, about 12 percent of its workforce, and cancel leases on several dozen local Social Security offices.

Other signs had to do with the Veterans Administration, public education, public lands, LGBTQIA+ rights, funding that aids public libraries, and the judicial branch, which has sparked anger from Trump and allies after judges blocked some of his executive orders.

“So many people are being harmed by this administration,” said Judith Hammerle of Adrian.

Hammerle said she and others are prepared to keep protesting. She noted that the Montgomery bus boycott during the civil rights movement lasted 381 days, and protests against the Vietnam War lasted for years.

People hold signs to be seen by passing drivers at an April 5 protest in downtown Adrian.

Pat Ulanowicz of Adrian speaks next to an empty chair holding a picture of Rep. Tim Walberg at an April 26 event at Adams Park in Tecumseh.

At another protest on April 19, organizers also collected canned and nonperishable food items to donate.

On April 26, the group Lenawee Indivisible organized an event billed as a town hall meeting at Adams Park in downtown Tecumseh. After the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee urged Republican lawmakers to stop holding in-person town hall

meetings, activists in congressional districts represented by Republicans started announcing town halls of their own and challenging representatives to attend.

At the Tecumseh event, organizers set up an empty chair with a picture of Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Tipton), and also collected postcards to be delivered to his office.

Fire destroys barn in Ogden Township; animals saved OGDEN TWP. — A barn where the Adrian College Equestrian Team horses were housed was destroyed in a fire on the night of April 5, but none of the animals were lost, college officials said.

The 80-foot by 200-foot barn on Station Road in Ogden Township went

up in flames around 8 p.m., according to Lenawee Voice news partner Local Buzz Radio. The cause was not immediately known.

Firefighters from Blissfield Township, Palmyra Township, and Madison Township were among the crews who

battled the fire for more than 2 ½ hours, with smoke and flames visible for miles in the area.

A number of pigs that were also in the barn were safely removed from the facility and firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to a nearby house.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

LOCAL NEWS | A7

MAY 2025

Local Right to Life chapter holds annual dinner

Supporters of the Lenawee County chapter of Right to Life gather for the organization’s annual Focus on Life banquet on April 3. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JULIE MOORE ADRIAN — Close to 200 people attended Right to Life Lenawee’s annual Focus on Life Banquet on April 3 at The Centre.

Sue Walberg, the wife of Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Tipton), gave a national legislative update and state Rep. Nancy Jenkins-Arno (R-Clayton) gave a Michigan update.

Holly Mitchell, winner of the local Right to Life affiliate’s annual oratory contest, presented her speech titled “The Lies of Abortion.”

The keynote speaker was Ken Stults,

a pastor and Right to Life of Michigan’s faith outreach coordinator. His address was titled “Reaping What You Sow,” and he encouraged audience members to gently, kindly sow seeds of positivity.

Bill Kean, development coordinator from Right to Life of Michigan, gave an appeal to the goal of reaching women were they are, and promoted the more than 100 local pregnancy resource centers that are in Michigan.

The local chapter can be reached at lenaweer2l@gmail.com or by calling Julie Moore at 517-902-3099.

Ken Stults speaks at the annual Focus on Life banquet in Adrian on April 3.

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MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Pictured from left to right are David Chambers, Lenco Credit Union’s first president and CEO; Sam Ewing, who has been on the Lenco board since 1978 and is currently its chairman; and Ben Neal, the current president and CEO. ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE

Lenco Credit Union celebrates its history A planned 50th anniversary celebration in 2020 was interrupted, so the credit union is marking its 55th birthday instead

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Back in 1969, Richard Werstler, a professor of education at Adrian College, wanted to do something about the fact that it was hard for teachers, like the new ones coming out of his program, to get loans because they weren’t paid year-round.

His solution was to form what was then known as Lenco Ed Credit Union to serve the county’s educational employees.

The fledgling institution’s charter was approved on April 13, 1970. Two weeks later, the first meeting was held and the first board was elected, including Werstler as board president.

Eventually the “Ed” was dropped from the name as the credit union’s membership was expanded. What is now known as Lenco Credit Union is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Lenawee County as well as Hillsdale, Jackson, Monroe, and Washtenaw counties, along with their immediate family members.

The institution will celebrate its 55th anniversary on Thursday, June 12, with special activities for the entire community at both the main office, 615 W. Maple in Adrian, and the branch office at 1455 E. U.S. 223, Adrian.

Both locations will have food vendors, special prizes for new members opening an account that day, and referral incentives for existing members who refer a new member. People visiting either office can enter a drawing for a gift basket of area goods and services. Additionally, the branch office is hosting a remote broadcast by radio station WLEN. The credit union has grown significantly over its 55 years. Today, according to president and CEO Ben Neal, it has 7,700 members and $135 million in assets and just recently hit the $500 million mark in loans.

“We’re not the biggest but I think we’re the friendliest,” Neal said.

Neal is only the second president/CEO in Lenco’s history. The first one was David Chambers, who in 1975 was just a year out of college and working at Household

Finance when he was hired to run what was then Lenco Ed. At the time, he was its only paid employee. Today, the credit union employs 19 people — “eighteen more than I had,” he joked.

He retired 40 years later at the end of December 2015 and was succeeded by Neal, who has his own long Lenco tenure.

Neal graduated from college in 1983 and, like Chambers had, went to work at Household Finance. But “I knew I didn’t want to work there,” he said, and answered a newspaper ad for an assistant manager at Lenco.

“I didn’t even know what a credit union was,” he said.

He started his new job in March 1985 and over the years became executive vice president and then president and CEO upon Chambers’ retirement.

Credit unions differ from banks in that banks are owned by their stockholders, whereas with a credit union, “our members own us,” Neal said. Credit unions can offer their members higher interest rates on deposits and lower rates on loans.

Lenco also gives back to its community through sponsorships and programs such as giving $100 to each child adopted in the county with which to open a savings account.

“The focus has always been on service to the community,” board chairman Sam Ewing said.

Ewing joined the board in 1978 and said he has enjoyed watching Lenco grow over that time. “We have a great board. They serve beyond belief in many respects,” he said. “And we have a super staff.”

Some of those employees have put in many years of service at Lenco, and Neal believes that’s because the credit union is a good place to work.

“David set a standard of treating our employees really well and taking a personal interest in them, and then he passed that on to me. … And we have a membership of good, kind people. We’re fortunate,” he said.

For more information, go to lenco.org, visit the Facebook page facebook.com/ LencoCU, or call 517-263-0851.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

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MAYO 2025

NOTICIAS LOCALES

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

La recolección de ropa de abrigo para los trabajadores del campo es un éxito Adrian College comprará la propiedad Adrian Inn Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares ADRIAN — La Comisión de la Ciudad de Adrian votó el 21 de abril para vender la propiedad Adrian Inn ubicada en el 1575 W. Maumee St. a Adrian College (El Colegio de Adrian) por la suma de $250,000. La venta viene acompañada de un acuerdo por el que el Colegio asumirá la responsabilidad de la demolición del antiguo hotel en un plazo de seis meses, liberando así a la ciudad de ese gasto.

Antes de tomar su decisión, los comisionados también revisaron información sobre los costos de demolición. Miembros del personal de la ciudad habían recaudado ofertas sobre todos los costos involucrados en la demolición del edificio, y las ofertas más bajas ascendieron a $27,750 dólares para la limpieza de las habitaciones, $74,600 dólares para la remoción de asbesto y $124,500 dólares para la demolición en sí, un total de $226,850 dólares.

La Comisionada Mary Roberts, quien anteriormente había expresado renuencia a vender la propiedad a una organización exenta de impuestos y eliminarla de las listas de impuestos, dijo que revisar esos costos la convenció de votar a favor de aceptar la propuesta de el Colegio. Se necesitarían de años para que los ingresos por impuestos a la propiedad cubrieran ese costo, dijo.

Según el tasador inmobiliario de la ciudad, las facturas de impuestos anteriores por la propiedad ascendían a unos $25.000 dólares al año, de los cuales unos $6,000 dólares iban a parar a la ciudad.

El Colegio tiene la intención de construir viviendas para estudiantes en la propiedad.

Artículo original por Erik Gable Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares ADRIAN — Cuando Pete Vargas hizo un llamado a la gente para que donara ropa de abrigo para los trabajadores agrícolas migrantes, su objetivo era recolectar 300 sudaderas con y sin capucha para los cientos de personas que trabajan cosechando cultivos en las granjas del Condado de Lenawee cada temporada.

Al final, se donaron más de 1,000 artículos.

El esfuerzo comenzó con una simple publicación en Facebook, y no pasó mucho tiempo para que las ofertas de ayuda comenzarán a llegar. Vince Inclan, propietario de La Barberia, “My Cousin Vinny’s Barbershop”, ofreció sus negocios en Adrian y Saline como lugares de entrega.

Y la gente empezó a donar, no sólo del Condado de Lenawee, sino también de Saline, Ann Arbor y hasta Detroit y Lansing.

Se recolectó ropa tanto para hombres como para mujeres. Vargas dijo que alrededor de una cuarta parte de los trabajadores agrícolas migrantes del Condado de Lenawee son mujeres.

Además de las sudaderas con y sin capucha, Vargas dijo que se donaron muchas cobijas, así como algo de ropa de mujer que se distribuirá en una feria de salud para migrantes a finales de esta primavera.

Los trabajadores son contratados por granjas de la zona, que gestionan visas H-2A que les permiten venir a Estados Unidos estacionalmente. La mayoría de los trabajadores provienen de países más cálidos y muchos no tienen ropa lo suficientemente cálida para estar cómodos en Michigan.

Vargas dijo que el objetivo del proyecto es brindar comodidad y dignidad a los trabajadores que desempeñan un papel vital en nuestro sistema alimentario.

El 13 de abril, un grupo de voluntarios se reunió en La Lavandería, “Adrian Super Laundromat” ubicada en la calle South Winter para lavar, secar y doblar toda la ropa donada. La gente donó detergente, suavizante de

Vince Inclan y Pete Vargas aparecen en la foto con algunas de las sudaderas donadas que fueron dejadas en La Barberia, “My Cousin Vinny’s Barbershop” en Adrian.

Marina Reyna, Katey Morgan, Geraldine Boykin y Dianne Vidalez doblan y clasifican sudaderas donadas en Adrian Super Laundromat el 13 de abril. telas, rollos de monedas de veinticinco centavos y, por supuesto, tiempo.

Terminaron justo a tiempo para que esa misma noche algunas de las sudaderas salieran para ser entregadas a un grupo de unos 20 trabajadores que acababan de llegar.

Aunque Vargas se sorprendió de haber superado tanto la meta, dijo

que no le sorprendió que personas del Condado de Lenawee se presentaran para ayudar.

Dijo que en tiempos de incertidumbre, de lo único de lo que podemos estar seguros es que, cuando es necesario, los residentes del Condado de Lenawee se hacen presentes para ayudar a su comunidad.

La venta anual de plantas es el 10 de mayo Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares TIPTON — Hidden Lake Gardens (Jardines del Lago Escondido) organizará su venta anual de plantas para el sábado 10 de mayo. La venta comienza a las 10 a.m. y continúa hasta las 2 p.m. o hasta que se acaben todas las plantas.

Cada año, jardineros y amantes de las plantas de toda la región acuden a la venta, que contará con más de 1,500 plantas.

Prepararse para la venta anual es una tarea ardua. Las semillas se encargan en enero y el personal y los voluntarios las plantan a principios de abril.

La venta de plantas fue iniciada en la década de los 1990 ‘s por la voluntaria Charlene Harris.

También se celebrará en Hidden Lake Gardens (Jardines del Lago Escondido) la venta anual de Hostas, que será el sábado 28 de junio, desde las 9 a. m. hasta que se vendan todas las plantas.

Jon Generaux, miembro del personal de Hidden Lake Gardens (Jardines del Lago Escondido), habla con compradores en la venta de plantas del año pasado. RENA SPEARS

Elliana Gutiérrez, pasante de Hidden Lake Gardens (Jardines del Lago Escondido), trabaja en la venta de plantas del año pasado.

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MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

COURT NEWS

from Local Buzz Radio | localbuzzradio.com

Former AHS band director pleads guilty to abuse charges ADRIAN — A former Adrian High School band director has pleaded guilty to four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, stemming from offenses involving a minor beginning in May 2022. Aaron Mykeloff, 50, entered the pleas at a pretrial hearing in April. He remains lodged in the Lenawee County Jail pending a May 20 sentencing. The incidents were not connected to his job with the school district.

Adrian man faces charge of assault with intent to murder ADRIAN — An Adrian man who allegedly stabbed his then-girlfriend multiple times with a knife in February is facing charges of assault with intent to murder and unlawfully driving away an automobile.

Timothy Neves Jr., 32, of Adrian is accused of strangling the woman and then stabbing her six times in the torso, arm, and hand following a disagreement on Feb. 23, before taking her car and leaving. The woman said she spent six days in the hospital and is still recovering from her injuries. Neves was arrested the following day. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for May 14.

Undercover sting leads to Adrian man’s arrest in Ohio ADRIAN — An Adrian man is facing more than 20 felony charges in Wood County, Ohio, after he allegedly traveled to Lake Township in April to meet with someone he thought was a juvenile girl, but who actually was an undercover police officer.

Duane Baugh, 27, was arrested on April 23. Lake Township police said the arrest followed a six-month investigation during which an officer posing as a young girl had several conversations with him.

Ex-bus driver pleads guilty ADRIAN — A former school bus driver charged with sharing explicit photos with a member of a nonprofit group who was pretending to be a teenage girl faces at least five years in prison after pleading guilty to three of the five charges against him at a pretrial hearing in April.

Michael Bonica, 45, remains lodged in the Lenawee County Jail pending a May 29 sentencing. He pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material and one of accosting a child for immoral purposes.

Former employee files civil suit against university ADRIAN — Siena Heights University’s former chief financial officer has filed a lawsuit against her former employer, claiming she was terminated for refusing to lie to the university’s board about budgetrelated issues. In the suit filed in U.S. District Court for Michigan’s Eastern District, Debi Andrews also alleges she was falsely accused of having an affair with another employee, and that she was retaliated against for encouraging another administrator to file a sexual discrimination complaint.

The university says it stands by the personnel decisions that were made.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

A11

MAY 2025

LAND & WATER IN BRIEF Two area MSU Extension educators to be honored EAST LANSING — Vickie Pfeifer and Phil Tocco and will receive Michigan State University Extension Excellence in Teaching Awards on May 8.

The awards recognize MSU Extension educators who have demonstrated exceptional teaching skills, Vickie Pfeifer implemented innovative techniques and contributed to the success and impact of MSU Extension programs on society.

Pfeifer is an MSU Extension Phil Tocco community nutrition instructor in Lenawee County. In her role, she facilitates learning focused on nutrition and physical activity for all ages and populations throughout the County. She also guides community partners in making healthy changes regarding policy, systems and environmental initiatives. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes inclusivity and engagement, ensuring educational experiences are accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.

Tocco is an MSU Extension educator in Jackson County, focusing on food safety on the farm and supporting fruit and vegetable producers across Michigan. His teaching philosophy emphasizes taking learners on a journey to find insights within themselves.

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

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

River Raisin Watershed Council to host native plant sale on May 30 TECUMSEH — Native plant sales are popping up all over Michigan, and Lenawee County is no exception. The River Raisin Watershed Council will host its first-ever native plant sale from 2 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 30, at the organization’s headquarters, 804 N. Evans St., Tecumseh.

The watershed council is planning to offer a selection of native plants from a variety of local vendors such as Feral Flora, Windy Rock Farm, and Liv’s Native Nursery.

Some of the watershed council’s conservation partners will be on hand with kids’ activities and informative handouts, with the goal of making the sale a fun and educational experience for the whole family.

Master Gardeners from the Little Garden Club of Tecumseh will be on hand to answer questions and offer guidance on species selection and how to incorporate native plants into your landscape.

Native plants are plants that are indigenous to an area, having evolved

there instead of being transplanted by humans.

Advantages of native plants include: n Providing food and shelter for wildlife. n Supporting pollinators, birds, and other beneficial insects. n Offering a diverse range of plant options for gardeners.​ n Helping to restore and maintain local ecosystems.

More information: riverraisin.org/plant-sale

Lenawee County sets collection event for tires and shipping supplies ADRIAN — The Lenawee County Solid Waste Department will host its annual Spring Collection Event from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 31, at the Lenawee County Fair and Event Grounds.

Residents can bring the following items to the fairgrounds: n Scrap tires. n Shipping foam. n Reusable packing supplies.

Proof of residency is required for tire recycling. Clean passenger vehicle, light pickup and motorcycle tires will be accepted with a 10-tire limit per vehicle.

The costs are $2 per motorcycle or small tire and $4 per passenger vehicle or light pickup tire. The Lenawee County Solid Waste Department reserves the right to reject any tire that may damage recycling or processing equipment.

The tire recycling is sponsored by Lenawee County through a grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. The shipping foam recycling is sponsored by Dart Container. The packing supply recycling is sponsored by Greenjak.

Entry to the event is through the north entrance to the fairgrounds, on Hanke Lane off of Siena Heights Drive.

Household hazardous waste collection is May 10 ADRIAN — Anderson Development, in partnership with Wacker Chemical, will host a household hazardous waste collection day on Saturday, May 10, from 8 a.m. to noon at 1415 E. Michigan St. The event is intended to give residents a way to dispose of items that cannot safely be thrown in the trash.

The materials that will be accepted include paint, household cleaners, batteries, automotive fluids, herbicides and pesticides, mercury, and miscellaneous items such as nail polish, glues and waxes, lighter fluid, and 16-ounce propane tanks.

This event is free of charge to all Lenawee County residents, and proof

of residency may be required. It is not intended for commercial businesses, and the maximum amount a resident can bring is 10 gallons. No container should be larger than 5 gallons, and residents are reminded that it is not safe to mix chemicals.

For more information, contact Anderson Development at 517-438-5332.

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MAY 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

LOCAL VIEWS

Some things shouldn’t be a surprise “Everyone loves a surprise” is an old cliche, but surprises have their time and place.

One place they don’t belong is in important government decisions like the hiring of a city administrator.

The advertised agenda for the April 7 Adrian City Commission meeting said that commissioners would be discussing the next steps in their search for a new administrator. They had just interviewed two search firms, and it seemed like the next decision they made would be about which one should guide the process.

So it took a lot of people by surprise when, during the portion of the meeting that is usually only used as a work study session, two commissioners put a motion on the floor to stop the process and offer the job permanently to police chief Vince Emrick, who has been the interim administrator since the beginning of February.

Emrick, a well-respected department head, would have been a good choice.

City commissions over the years have thought highly enough of his abilities to entrust him with an interim appointment not just this time, but during the previous three vacancies as well.

But a decision this important should never happen without advance notice and a deliberative process.

After a discussion in which many commissioners were clearly uncomfortable with the position they’d been placed in, the commission voted 4-2 in favor of making the offer — an offer that, after consideration, Emrick decided not to accept.

It’s hard to find any upsides to the way the April 7 meeting went down.

It placed Emrick, a public servant who has dedicated his entire career to the city, in an incredibly awkward position.

It deprived the public of their right to comment.

It deprived commissioners of the ability to take their time weighing an incredibly important decision.

Had Emrick accepted the offer, he would have started off at a disadvantage compared to if his appointment had been ratified unanimously, which certainly could have happened if he had decided to apply and the process had been followed.

And now that the search is continuing as originally planned, the city will need to assure prospective applicants that they won’t be working for a commission prone to impulsive decisions.

In the wake of this awkward and unnecessary situation, the city commission should work to prevent it from happening again. For example, they could adopt a policy stating that major decisions such as the hiring of key personnel will not be voted on unless they have been published in an agenda.

Although policies set by the commission can always be overridden, this would be a useful checkpoint to discourage future surprises — and it would definitely help establish public trust.

Lenawee County residents line up to vote in the November 2024 election.

Our right to vote is under attack On April 10, the House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or “SAVE Act” which would require you to present, in person, valid forms of documentary proof of U.S. citizenship which include a U.S. passport, a Real ID-compliant ID such as an enhanced drivers license (which requires a birth certificate), a government-issued photo ID showing the U.S. as your birthplace, or a U.S. military ID if shown alongside a military record of service showing the U.S. as your birthplace.

The requirements would apply when registering to vote for the first time or when updating your registration (such as if you change your last name when getting married or move to a new address). They would also apply if you have been dropped from the voter registration files for any reason.

The bill now goes to the Senate where Republicans, with a 53-47 majority, would need bipartisan support to overcome the 60-vote threshold to send it to President Trump to sign into law.

Sounds reasonable, right? But if the SAVE Act passes as currently written, as many as 69 million women who changed their name after they were married or divorced would face significant difficulties registering to vote. That is because their married name would not match the name on their birth certificate. In addition, the requirement to register in person would make it impossible for troops serving overseas and Americans living abroad to be put on voter rolls.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Help animals in need The overpopulation of cats and dogs is getting out of control. Two cats and their offspring can have 80 million cats in ten years! In six years, two dogs and their offspring can have 67,000 dogs! When they are born feral, they can’t usually be given to humans because they are so used to the wild that they can’t adjust.

Also, wild cats and dogs can get rabies, and that is very dangerous.

MITCH MYERS Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who introduced the bill, said that the act is “being attacked because the policy is wildly popular with the American people, its opponents want and need illegals to vote, and they’ll use anything they can to attack it.”

But voter fraud remains a very rare occurrence across the country.

“Research has been consistent over time that voter fraud is infinitesimally rare and almost never occurs on a scale that would affect an election outcome,” said Alice Clapman, senior counsel for voting rights at the Brennan Center for Justice, which advocates for expanded voter access.

Roy argues that the SAVE Act would allow each state to make their own exceptions for aspects of the law. That would mean that each state could develop their own voter registration requirements, which could differ from state to state. But it’s important to note that the bill does not include any federal money for state electoral facilities, making it harder for states to implement their own laws that are built around the SAVE Act. An amendment was proposed by Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-Oregon) that would have required additional research

Here are some ways we can help: you could donate to a shelter’s wish list. It is usually posted online. It lists things the shelter needs like food or toys for the animals. You could also foster.

Fostering an animal is a great help, you take them home and take care of them until someone wants them. If you see a stray dog or cat, bring it to the nearest shelter. If they can’t keep it, they will spay or neuter it and then release it.

This is called a trap neuter return. There is also adoption, if you want a cat or dog, you could always adopt a pet from the

to ensure the requirements would not disenfranchise millions of voters. House Republicans voted it down.

It has been suggested that if you don’t have your birth certificate, you can use a passport. But you need your birth certificate to get a passport.

Anyway, in a recent Bedford Township town hall meeting, Tim Walberg, our congressional representative, was asked about people who can’t afford a passport and replied “well, then they shouldn’t be voting.” His statement made the national news! Walberg later tried to walk back his statement. He might have spoken out of frustration because of all the people at the town hall were voicing their anger over the bill, but he said what he said, and his statement was dismissive of his constituents.

After Trump lost in 2020, there were 62 lawsuits filed contesting the election.

All were ultimately dropped, dismissed, or resolved in favor of the election being legitimate — many by Trump-appointed judges.

I’m not saying that as a country, we shouldn’t protect our voting process.

We should. Our Constitution and a host of federal laws already protect our right to vote; and they work. Sixty-two courts have already said they do.

If the people of this country support changes in the current voting laws and Congress passes laws that do not disenfranchise American voters, so be it. But the SAVE Act as currently written goes too far.

Mitch Myers lives in Adrian.

shelter. Both the workers and animals would appreciate it. You could donate to a pet food bank. A pet food bank is where people who are struggling to keep their pet fed can get a bag of food to get through hard times.

Will you please volunteer to help for a while? Helping out benefits many lives, not just one so let’s help those animals! In conclusion, every little bit helps!

— Mira Nichols, Addison (Girl Scout Troop 60206)

THE LENAWEE VOICE

A13

MAY 2025

ROLL CALL Following are selected votes taken by Lenawee County’s federal and state elected officials between March 22 and April 25.

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

Nomination of John Phelan to be Secretary of the Navy: The nominee was confirmed, 62-30. Peters and Slotkin voted no.

S.J. Res. 18: This resolution was to overturn a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulation that limited the overdraft fees that can be charged by large banks to $5. The resolution passed, 52-48. Peters and Slotkin voted no.

Nomination of Mehmet Oz to be administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: The nominee was confirmed, 53-45. Peters and Slotkin voted no.

Senate Amendment 1310: An amendment to a budget bill aimed at prohibiting the use of any commercial messaging application to transmit information revealing the timing, sequencing, or weapons to be used during impending United States military operations in foreign countries. The amendment failed, 46-53. Peters and Slotkin voted yes.

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

ADDISON March 26: Larceny, 100 block of North Street Street.

April 11: Assault, 18400 block of Manitou Road.

April 20: Assault, 9000 block of North U.S. 127.

April 23: Drug charges, 200 block of North Comstock Street.

ADRIAN March 16: Operating while intoxicated, 2700 block of Bent Oak Highway. Intimidation and assault, 1200 block of Vine Street. Assault, 500 block of North Winter Street. Property damage, 500 block of College Avenue.

Retail fraud, 1500 block of West Maumee Street.

March 17: Drug possession, 700 block of Riverside Avenue. Identity theft, 900 block of Woodfield Drive.

March 18: Illegal credit card use, 300 block of Erie Street. Assault, Toledo and McVicar streets. Fraud, 1200 block of East Siena Heights Drive. Larceny from a yard, 800 block of East Maple. Property damage, 700 block of East Butler Street. Assault, 800 block of East Maumee Street. Larceny from a building, 1300 block of South Winter Street. Burglary (residential, forced entry), 700 block of East Maple Avenue. Assault and disorderly conduct, Logan and Division streets.

Burglary (residential, forced entry), 200 block of East Berry Street.

March 19: Internet harassment or threats, 1100 block of West Maumee Street.

March 20: Assault, 600 block of Springbrook Avenue. Disorderly conduct, 100 block of Dawes Street.

Assault, 2900 block of Airport Road.

Assault and burglary (residential, no forced entry), 200 block of Division Street. Fraud, 2300 block of Treat Highway. Property damage, 500 block of Dennis Street.

March 21: Retail fraud, 200 block of East U.S. 223 (two reports). Retail fraud, 900 block of East Beecher Street (two reports). Assault, 1200 block of South Main Street. Fraud and illegal credit card use, 100 block of North Main Street.

March 22: Operating while intoxicated, Dawes Street at Division.

Operating while intoxicated, 1300 block of Division. Assault and burglary (residential, forced entry), 600 block of Oak Street. Illegal credit card use, 100 block of South Scott Street.

Senate Amendment 1466: An amendment to a budget bill aimed at protecting federal employees’ right to unionize. The amendment failed, 48-51.

Peters and Slotkin voted yes.

Senate Amendment 1646: An amendment to a budget bill aimed at preventing any disruption in military aid to Ukraine. The amendment failed, 48-51.

Peters and Slotkin voted yes.

Senate Amendment 2180: An amendment to a budget bill preventing any closure of Social Security offices. The amendment failed, 48-51. Peters and Slotkin voted yes.

H. Con. Res. 14: Establishing the federal budget for fiscal year 2025. The resolution passed, 51-48. Peters and Slotkin voted no.

Nomination of Peter Hoekstra of Michigan to be ambassador to Canada: The nominee was confirmed, 60-37. 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).

S.J. Res. 18: This resolution was to overturn a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regulation that limited the overdraft fees that can be charged by large banks to $5. The resolution passed, 217-211. Walberg voted yes.

March 23: Assault less than murder and larceny from a building, 1100 block of South Main Street. Operating while intoxicated, corner of Main and Maumee.

Telephone harassment or threats, 1500 block of Village Green Lane.

March 24: Fraud, 400 block of East Maumee Street. Illegal credit card use, 100 block of Gorham. Assault, 1200 block of South Main Street.

Assault, 100 block of Pleasant Knoll Drive. Internet harassment or threats, 600 block of South Madison Street.

Assault, 1300 block of South Main Street. Assault, 400 block of South Main Street. Sexual assault, 400 block of North Winter Street. Sexual assault, 1000 block of South Winter Street.

Assault, East Maple Avenue and Ormsby Street.

March 26: Operating while intoxicated, Toledo and Broad streets.

Fraud, 100 block of East Maumee Street. Larceny from a vehicle, 1100 block of South Main Street.

March 27: Property damage 500 block of Stockford Drive. Assault, 200 block of Division Street.

March 28: Property damage, 600 block of East Beecher Street. Property damage, 700 block of Merrick Street.

Assault, 1500 block of Redwood Court. Assault, 3000 block of Bent Oak Highway.

March 29: Burglary (non-residential, forced entry), 1100 block of South Main Street.

March 30: Vehicle theft, Division Street at Berry. Retail fraud, 4400 block of West Maumee Street. Operating while intoxicated, North Scott Street at Orchard Road.

March 31: Operating while intoxicated, 1400 block of South Main Street.

April 1: Assault, 600 block of Tabor Street. Disorderly conduct, 400 block of West Maumee Street.

April 2: Sexual assault, 1500 block of Village Green Lane. Assault, 400 block of West Maumee Street.

April 3: Larceny from a building and attempted robbery, 100 block of Sand Creek Highway. Drug possession, 700 block of Riverside Avenue (two reports). Larceny from a building, 200 block of Division Street.

April 4: Drug possession, South Locust and East Michigan streets.

Property damage and burglary of an unoccupied structure, 1200 block of North Main Street. Fraud, 700 block of South Main Street. Assault, 100 block of Pleasant Knoll Drive.

April 5: Operating while intoxicated, 1100 block of North Main Street.

April 6: Fraud, 500 block of East Michigan Street.

April 7: Operating while intoxicated, Locust and Toledo streets.

April 8: Vagrancy, 200 block of West Beecher Street. Larceny from

H.R. 1526: This bill would limit the authority of federal district courts to issue injunctions. The bill passed, 219-213.

Walberg voted yes.

H. Con. Res. 14: Establishing the budget for fiscal year 2025. The resolution passed, 216-214. Walberg voted yes.

H.R. 22: This bill would require people to present certain types of documentation of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. The bill passed, 222-208.

Walberg voted yes.

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.B. 4047 and 4048: These bills would allow for civil lawsuits against anyone who produces or distributes a realistic fake image or video that appears to show another person engaged in sexual conduct. The bill passed, 104-1. Jenkins-Arno, Bruck, Miller, and Wortz all voted yes.

the mail, 1400 block of West Maple Avenue. Drug possession, 700 block of Riverside Avenue.

April 9: Assault, 1100 block of South Main Street. Retail fraud, 1200 block of North Main Street. Identity theft, 1000 block of State Street. Fraud, 4400 block of West Maumee Street. Retail fraud, 200 block of East U.S. 223.

April 10: Retail fraud, 1300 block of Division Street. Sexual assault, 600 block of College Avenue.

April 11: Fraud, 2300 block of Tayer Road. Stalking, 500 block of South Main Street. Assault, 1100 block of Frank Street. Fraud, 1100 block of Bent Oak Avenue.

April 12: Operating while intoxicated, 500 block of South Scott Street. Assault, 500 block of West Maple Avenue. Assault, 1000 block of North Broad Street. Assault, 800 block of Mulberry Street.

April 13: Assault, 200 block of East Butler Street. Assault, 500 block of South Winter Street. Retail fraud, 200 block of East U.S. 223 (three reports).

Assault, 800 block of Lansing Avenue.

Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

April 14: Assault, 500 block of East Michigan Street. Assault, Union and State streets.

April 15: Assault, 700 block of Riverside Avenue. Disorderly conduct, 400 block of Allis Street.

April 16: Assault, 800 block of East Maumee Street. Stalking, 500 block of East Maumee Street.

April 17: Vagrancy, 2500 block of South Main Street. Assault, 700 block of East Michigan Street. Assault and property damage, 600 block of North Broad Street. Assault, 700 block of Riverside Avenue. Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223. Arson at a residence, 300 block of Comstock Street. Assault, 100 block of Sand Creek Highway.

April 18: Operating while intoxicated, South Adrian Highway and James River Blvd. Larceny from a vehicle, Bent Oak Highway and Curtis Road.

April 19: Drug possession, Center and Erie streets. Property damage, 300 block of Erie Street (two reports).

April 20: Vagrancy, Division and Beecher streets. Retail fraud, 300 block of East Beecher Street. Illegal credit card use, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

April 21: Larceny from a vehicle, 4200 block of Hunt Road. Assault, 500 block of Dennis Street.

April 22: Larceny, 6300 block of Burton Road. Drug possession, 300 block of Comstock Street. Sexual assault, 1100 block of East Maumee Street.

April 23: Assault, 400 block of South Winter Street. Assault, 700 block of Riverside Avenue. Assault, 1000 block of East Maumee Street. Operating while intoxicated, Dennis and Beecher Streets.

No sale after all for Tecumseh schools TECUMSEH — First there was no buyer for Tecumseh’s vacant elementary schools. Then there was. And then there wasn’t again.

In March, the Tecumseh school board announced that they had received no bids for the former Herrick Park Elementary School.

Then they received an offer from Adrian investors to purchase not just Herrick Park but also Patterson Elementary School for $150,000 each, with the intention of repurposing them as apartments.

However, that deal fell through because the buildings are surrounded by properties zoned primarily for singlefamily housing. According to Lenawee Voice news partner Local Buzz Radio, the city has previously been reluctant to consider spot zoning changes.

With the former schools still in the school district’s hands, school officials plan to pursue listing them with a realtor or seeing if the Lenawee County Land Bank Authority can find a buyer.

April 24: Retail fraud, 1300 block of South Main Street.

BLISSFIELD March 24: Property damage, larceny from a building, and burglary (non-residential, forced entry), Pence Highway and Weston Road.

BRITTON April 7: Internet harassment or threats, 300 block of East Chicago Boulevard.

DEERFIELD March 20: Operating while intoxicated, East Keegan and Raisin streets.

April 4: Assault, 200 block of Deerfield Road.

April 8: Fraud, 13900 block of McMahon Road.

April 11: Assault, 200 block of Deerfield Road.

April 14: Assault, 200 block of Deerfield Road.

April 18: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

April 19: Assault and electronic harassment or threats, 2400 block of East U.S. 223.

April 22: Illegal credit card use, 3200 block of South Adrian Highway.

Burglary (residential, forced entry), 2400 block of East U.S. 223.

April 23: Assault, South Adrian Highway and Gorman Road. Assaiult, 5700 block of Treat Highway.

April 24: Disorderly conduct, 2500 block of South Main Street. Illegal credit card use, 2700 block of Sharon Drive.

MORENCI April 3: Operating while intoxicated, Seneca Highway and Packard Road.

April 16: Fraud, 9700 block of West Mulberry.

ONSTED March 31: Assault, address not listed.

DOVER TOWNSHIP April 23: Illegal credit card use, 6400 block of Whaley Highway.

RIDGEWAY TOWNSHIP March 25: Assault, 8300 block of East M-50.

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP April 24: Assault, 8300 block of South Adrian Highway.

TECUMSEH March 18: Assault, 1000 block of East Chicago Blvd.

March 21: Telephone harassment or threats, 1300 block of West Chicago Blvd.

March 22: Property damage, 9100 block of North Union Street.

March 27: Operating while intoxicated, Union and Logan streets.

March 29: Operating while intoxicated, Kilbuck and Union streets.

April 8: Larceny, 1400 block of West Chicago Blvd.

April 10: Operating while intoxicated, Russell Road and Occidental Highway.

April 12: Wire fraud, 1000 block of Meadow View Drive.

April 14: Operating while intoxicated, 800 block of West Chicago Blvd.

April 16: Operating while intoxicated, Logan Street and Maiden Lane. Fraud, 400 block of Seminole Street.

April 17: Intimidation, 1300 block of West Chicago Blvd.

April 18: Operating while intoxicated, Maumee and Shawnee streets.

April 19: Operating while intoxicated, Evans and Brown streets.

April 20: Operating while intoxicated, East Chicago Blvd. and Eastern Street.

April 23: Fraud, 1000 block of East Chicago Blvd.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP April 12: Operating while intoxicated, U.S. 12 and M-52.

April 24: Assault, 12900 block of Tipton Highway.

HUDSON April 6: Fraud, 500 block of South Meridian Road.

MADISON TOWNSHIP March 21: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

March 22: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223. Assault, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

March 27: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

March 28: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223. Assault, 3100 block of South Winter Street.

March 30: Property damage, 1200 block of East U.S. 223.

March 31: Larceny, 2800 block of East U.S. 223.

April 1: Fraud, 2300 block of Linden Drive.

April 4: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223 (two reports).

April 6: Assault, 2200 block of East Gier Road.

April 8: Larceny, 1200 block of East U.S. 223.

April 11: Burglary (non-residential, forced entry), 1200 block of East U.S. 223.

April 15: Larceny, 1600 block of East U.S. 223.

A14

MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

American 1 Credit Union opens new branch on West Maumee Street The credit union has been growing its presence in Lenawee County

Pictured at the grand opening of American 1 Credit Union’s new Adrian branch are, from left to right, chief finanical officer Sarah Miller; president and CEO Martha Fuerstenau; board members Tim Hernandez, Angella Arnold, Cheryl Schantz and Philip Hoffman; chief operating officer and executive vice president Kristina Edgar; and chief member experience officer Carolyn Duncan.

Bohn Pool Waverunners welcome new members ADRIAN — The Bohn Pool Waverunners swim team is welcoming new members for summer 2025.

Membership is open to any child or teenager in grades K-12 who can swim one 25-yard pool length unassisted in deep water.

The first day of practice is tentatively scheduled for May 27. There are both morning and evening practices available.

The cost ranges from $150 to $210 depending on age and residency, and financial assistance is available for those who need it. Meets are scheduled for June and July.

For more information, contact coach Christy Pino at cpino@ymcatoledo.org or search for “Bohn Pool Waverunners” on Facebook.

ADRIAN — The west end of Adrian has a new look and area residents have a new resource for banking.

American 1 Credit Union, a Jacksonbased credit union, is expanding its presence in Lenawee County with the opening of a new Adrian branch at 1586 W. Maumee St. The property is the former home of the Eclipse nightclub, and before that, the LA Cafe.

American 1 built a completely new building on the lot. The new branch is approximately 2,600 square feet. It currently has seven employees and is a full-service branch with drive-through lanes and a drive-up ATM. American 1 was founded in 1950, but its roots go back to the end of World War II. In 1945, members of the Jacksonarea manufacturing community started Jackson Co-Op Services, known today as the Community 1 Cooperative. The reason for starting the co-op was that even though the country was experiencing a postwar economic boom, the average Jackson worker didn’t have access to lowcost credit and regular savings programs, and the organization was an attempt to address that shortcoming.

In 1950 the co-op leaders agreed that starting a local credit union would help meet the financial needs of everyday

working people in the community, so they founded what was then called the Jackson Co-Op Federal Credit Union.

Its first location was inside the union hall of what was then the United Rubber Workers Local 185. A year later, the credit union purchased a small house on Chapin Street in Jackson to serve as its office, and then a vacant church on Pearl Street. Ultimately it bought the former McCourtie dealership at 718 E. Michigan Ave. in Jackson, which is still its headquarters.

By 1964, the credit union had more than 5,000 members and soon established branches in Battle Creek, Hillsdale, and other areas surrounding Jackson County.

In 1987, the organization changed its name to American 1 Federal Credit Union. In October 2011, it changed from a federally chartered credit union to a state-chartered credit union and dropped “Federal” from its name.

The credit union started expanding into Lenawee County in 2017. It currently has about 66,000 members, about 5,800 of whom are in Lenawee County.

The new Adrian branch opened in late March and a ribbon cutting was held on April 22.

The credit union previously operated a branch inside Country Market on West Maumee Street.

More information is available at american1cu.org or on the credit union’s Facebook page, facebook.com/ american1creditunion.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

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MAY 2025

Garza from page A1 “Pretty Little Poison” came from a long list of music provided by the show, from which he had to choose a dozen options.

The producers made the final choice for him based on what they thought would suit him and what would add variety to the show.

“I think it was a good choice. It fit my voice,” he said.

He made it onto Team Bublé when Bublé used his “block” to keep Ballerini from getting Garza for her team.

“All the judges were super kind,” he said, and although he didn’t make it as far in the show as he would have hoped, he came away from the experience having heard some very special words of praise from both Ballerini and Bublé.

“Michael told me ‘you don’t know how good you are.’ That was great to hear,” he said.

And he enjoyed getting to meet so many other singers, ranging from people who’ve never done professional gigs before to some who already have touring experience.

“Almost everyone I met out there was super humble,” he said. “I made a lot of friends.”

And while one might expect the world of singing competitions to be on the cutthroat side, “it was a very supportive group of people.”

Garza grew up listening to a wide variety of music. His dad liked everything from classic rock to Prince to Michael Jackson, while his mom leaned more toward Shania Twain and the Dixie Chicks. His first guitar came from his grandfather, who liked to sing and recorded videos of himself. “’Simple Man’ was one of the first songs I learned,” he said. “It was one of Grandpa’s favorite songs.”

Garza — who never learned to read music, teaching himself either by ear or through watching tutorials — describes his style as “a country, bluesy, rock blend.”

“I just like integrating all those things,” he said, and he’s intent on having his own sound. “I don’t want people to tell me I sound like someone else.”

Losing his dad “was definitely a rough time,” he said. “Nothing will ever feel good enough to explain that relationship, song-wise.” And, he admits, it took a friend’s pushing him “to get my drive back.”

When he’s not performing, the father of two works for the Adrian Parks & Recreation Department. “They’re all good people and very supportive,” he said.

To this point, his performances have been online videos or small gigs like the local bar scene — and for a man who now has “The Voice” on his resume, “it’s more scary singing in front of 10 people than for 200 people far away,” he said — but later this year he’s opening for a big act, yet to be announced, at Meckley’s Fruit Farm in Somerset.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “There are a lot of doors opening for me.”

“I don’t want people to tell me I sound like someone else.”

— Braxton Garza He and a backup band consisting of “a few buddies who are helping me bring my vision to life” focus on originals as opposed to covering other musicians’ songs. That’s a deliberate choice.

With a cover band, “people hear you sing and they hear your voice, but they don’t hear your ability to write,” he said.

But there was one especially poignant cover song in his life. When Garza’s dad died in 2021, he recorded “Go Rest High on That Mountain” for the memorial service.

BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY

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BLISSFIELD VETERINARY SERVICE 8353 US 223, Blissfield, MI 49228 Phone: 517-486-4395 Email: blissfieldveterinaryservice@gmail.com Website: www.blissfieldvetservice.com

To advertise in this space, call 313-300-2300 or email publisher@lenaweevoice.com

A16

MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Old Orchard Point highlights local products » PAGE B9

Former church preserved as event center » PAGE B7

NEIGHBORS

LCF celebrates community service » PAGE B11

THE LENAWEE VOICE SECOND SECTION MAY 2025

Rewriting the record books

Onsted High School senior Emmry Ross, pictured here on the Onsted track, has been breaking records as a runner throughout her high school career, not just locally but also nationally. ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE

Onsted’s Emmry Ross is setting new speed records on the track

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

ONSTED — Onsted High School track star Emmry Ross went to the CIRCUIT New York City track meet in midFebruary and proceeded to break her

own U.S. No. 1 time in the indoor 800 meters with a time of 2:03.95.

A month later, this time at the New Balance Nationals Indoor, she not only broke that time, but in the process set a meet record — and a personal best time — at 2:03 flat.

Then in April at a meet in Napoleon, Mich., Ross set a national best in the outdoor 800 at 2:03.84.

And as if all that isn’t fast enough, “we think there’s two minutes in there” at some point, Rhonda Hubbard, Onsted’s

varsity track and field coach, said.

To say that running is in the Ross family’s blood is an understatement. Her late grandfather, Phil Six, was a longtime holder of Onsted’s 400-meter record. Her parents, Daryl and Alicia, were athletes themselves. And all of her siblings and cousins — there are nine girls in all across two Ross families — are or have been high school runners.

Ross, now a senior, has been rewriting the record books throughout her high school career. Besides her national

successes, she holds five school records, four in track and one in cross-country, and has a long list of Michigan High School Athletic Association accolades as well.

Last year, for example, she became one of only a few girls ever in MHSAA history to win four individual titles in a single meet, notching wins in the 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 meter events. In cross-country, just one of her honors was becoming the 2024 Girls Division 3 MHSAA Regional Champion.

See ROSS, page B4

Warm clothing drive for migrant farmworkers is a success

By Erik Gable

The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — When Pete Vargas put out a call for people to donate warm clothing for migrant farmworkers, his goal was to collect 300 hoodies and sweatshirts to distribute to the hundreds of people who work harvesting crops on Lenawee County farms every season.

The final tally was more than 1,000 — “enough to fill a whole storage unit,” Vargas said.

The effort started with a simple post on Facebook, and it didn’t take long for offers of help to start rolling in. Vince Inclan, owner of My Cousin Vinny’s Barbershop, offered his businesses in Adrian and Saline as dropoff locations. And people started donating — not just from Lenawee County, but from Saline, Ann Arbor, and as far as Detroit and Lansing.

Both men’s and women’s clothing was collected — Vargas said about a quarter of migrant farmworkers in Lenawee County are women — and in a variety of sizes.

“In these times of uncertainty, the one thing we can be certain of is that when it counts, Lenawee County shows up for its community, and this is an example of that.”

— Pete Vargas In addition to the hoodies and sweatshirts, Vargas said, “we also got a lot of blankets donated, and some miscellaneous women’s clothing that will be distributed during the migrant health fair that happens in about a month.”

See FARMWORKERS, page B4

Marina Reyna, Katey Morgan, Geraldine Boykin, and Dianne Vidalez fold and sort donated sweatshirts at the Adrian Super Laundromat on April 13. ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

B2 | NEIGHBORS

MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Adrian teen to compete at international swim meet

London Rising, an Adrian High School junior, is pictured with coach Brent Ransom of the Greater Toledo Aquatic Club at the NCSA Spring Championships in March in Orlando.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE RISING FAMILY

By Ryan McDowell The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Adrian High School junior London Rising, 17, will compete on the international stage later this month.

Rising, who swims with the Greater Toledo Aquatic Club, qualified for the 2025 Adam Peaty Race International Meet to be held in London, England, from May 24-26.

He will be representing the National Club Swimming Association Junior Team, which is made up of 26 girls, 26 boys, and 12 coaches from around the United States. GTAC coach Brent Ransom will be joining the coaching staff and GTAC teammate Max Buff will also be competing in London.

The National Club Swimming Association’s Spring Championships were held in Orlando, Florida, in late March where Rising swam to a personal record of 1:36.70 in the 200-yard freestyle, nearly three seconds under his previous best.

“It was a pretty big PR for me,” Rising said. “It’s not usual at all. I haven’t dropped three seconds probably since I was 9.”

By the age of 9, Rising already had a few years of experience under his belt.

“I feel like I’ve known how to swim my entire life. I know I got into swimming lessons young,” Rising stated. “Starting around 7 years old, I was doing the summer league team through the YMCA, and then I joined the YMCA team in the winter.”

Rising swam for the Adrian Middle School team followed by the Adrian High School team, but has been with GTAC for the last two years. GTAC provides access, opportunities, and training for national level USA Swimming meets and NCSA meets.

“The local team didn’t provide access to USA swimming meets,” Rising

explained. “So when I transferred to GTAC things really took off from there.”

GTAC provided Rising with the opportunity to compete in meets all over the country. In addition to the NCSA’s spring championships in Florida, they’ve competed in the states of North Carolina, California and Texas to name a few.

But the AP Race will be Rising’s first taste of international competition and it’s a dish he’s been looking forward to trying.

“I’m super excited,” he said. “This is gonna be good practice for international meets.”

Rising’s actual practice schedule keeps him in the pool six days a week, sometimes two sessions a day, and adds four lifting sessions throughout the week for good measure.

Rising will be competing in five events over the three-day meet. He will swim the 200m freestyle race he qualified in as well as the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 400m freestyle and 100m fly.

“The end goal — I eventually do want to swim in the Olympics in 2028,” Rising said.

The AP Race will be held at the London Aquatic Centre, which was the home for swimming at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Rising is a member of the class of 2026 and has verbally committed to Arizona State University. The ASU Sun Devils and head coach Herbie Behm won the 2024 National Championship.

He was quick to give thanks to God and his family and GTAC coaches Brent Ransom and Keri Buff along with ASU staff for helping him reach this point in his career. And as he continues to elevate his goals, he is reminded of what first sparked his interest in this sport.

“There is no limit to how fast you can be,” Rising said. “I believe that if you want something bad enough you can work for it. There’s no limits to how hard you can push yourself in practice, and most of the factors can be controlled by you.”

THE LENAWEE VOICE

NEIGHBORS | B3

MAY 2025

Group marks five years of serving kids with autism and their families

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — After Brandon and Megan VanEtten’s son Alden was born, it didn’t take long for the couple to know that something was going on with him.

Megan, who has a degree in early childhood education, could see that Alden wasn’t hitting the usual milestones the way he should have, and the way their older son Jude had. The couple took Alden to the University of Michigan to be assessed, and by age 2 he had been diagnosed with autism.

“It’s daunting to get that diagnosis,” Deborah Corbin, Megan’s mother, said.

“You realize your child’s life is going to be very different, and your life will be too.”

And even though there are plenty of resources available, families with a child on the autism spectrum need help finding those resources.

Alden is now 15 and, while he was originally nonverbal, has gotten more verbal over time. Today, Corbin said, he’s an ardent Google Mapper and a “huge foodie” who loves finding restaurants on Google Maps.

“There’s so much he knows and understands,” she said of her grandchild.

“A lot of times, these children are well aware, but they just can’t communicate.”

Because the VanEttens know the challenges of having a child on the autism spectrum and wanted to do something to help other families in that situation, they decided to found Autism GRACE of Lenawee. The faith-based nonprofit, located in Adrian, was started in January 2020.

Corbin said the organization’s name just came to Megan one night. “She called me and said, ‘Mom, Autism GRACE.’ God laid it on her heart. She wanted to do something positive and to love and support these families.”

GRACE is an acronym for Groups, Resources, Advocacy, Community Events, and Empowerment.

The nonprofit was originally run solely by the family, but over time, a diverse group of community members joined the board. The VanEttens, besides being the co-founders, are co-directors, while Corbin is the secretary and her husband, Rex, is treasurer.

All the board members are volunteers.

“Literally every cent we raise goes into the program,” Corbin said.

See AUTISM GRACE, page B4

Deputy Cody Bowman of the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department talks with Wyatt Brooks during a March 9 Cookies with Cops event while parents Kyle and Cynthia Brooks look on. The event was organized by Autism GRACE of Lenawee and took place at The Ashlar in Tecumseh. PHOTOS COURTESY OF AUTISM GRACE OF LENAWEE

Autism GRACE of Lenawee hosted a Family Fun Dance on April 12, with the theme Princesses and Superheroes.

B4 | NEIGHBORS

MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Ross

Longtime Onsted coach and MHSAA track official John Springer has plenty of his own praise for Ross, not only as a competitor but for her sportsmanship.

“She runs a race not to say ‘I beat you.’

She runs to compete, and she has great

respect for the sport. I think she knows the sport will be here long after she’s gone,” he said.

As the track team’s captain both last year and this year, Ross leads the stretches and warmups “and encourages the team,” Hubbard said.

“You can’t put a better young lady in a leadership role,” the coach added. “Her focus, her work ethic, her sportsmanship — she may be the first one done, but she’s the last one standing there when everyone else finishes,” cheering her teammates on.

When she’s not competing or working on making herself a better runner, Ross is a mostly A student and is taking nursing prep courses at the LISD Tech Center.

She also enjoys spending time with her family.

“We like to go up north a lot,” she said, traveling to the family’s cabin and enjoying activities ranging from, depending on the time of year, kayaking to snowmobiling and skiing.

Her next stop after high school is the University of Michigan, which recruited her for her prowess as a middle-distance runner and where she will study kinesiology. She also has the Olympics in her sights and has a long-term goal to be a professional runner.

For right now, however, as she finishes out her high school career, “I want to be the best athlete I can be,” she said. “But I also want to have people remember me as the best person I can be.”

a detective with the Saginaw Township Police Department, whose son Carter is on the autism spectrum.

In 2019, Severs recognized the need for first responders to be equipped with tools to help special-needs children, like Carter, at the scene of an incident. He worked with a clinical neuropsychologist and several others to develop the kits and make them widely available.

Autism GRACE of Lenawee’s goal is for all county first responders to have a kit.

To date, 40 kits have been given out, with more coming as funding allows. Each kit costs about $100.

Such a kit would have come in handy for the VanEttens themselves a few years ago, when the family was involved in an auto accident and Alden would not get into the ambulance.

“Bless his heart, the officer tried to hand him a stuffed animal, but that’s not Alden’s thing,” Corbin said. On the other hand, something like the headphones in a Carter Kit would have helped him more.

Related to that sort of situation, Autism GRACE of Lenawee also helps families get Help Belts, which are Velcroed sleeves that go over a seat belt to inform first responders that the person is autistic.

Medical information can go in the sleeve.

Help Belts are given out at some of the group’s events, or the organization can assist a family with getting one.

The organization also provides GRACE Guest Baskets to local restaurants that want to have them available.

Corbin said waiting at a restaurant combined with the environment itself, with its noise and light, can be hard for people on the autism spectrum.

The baskets include noise-canceling headphones and a variety of fidget and sensory items.

A family can request a basket, if the restaurant has one, and use the items while at their table. All the items can be easily cleaned to be ready for the next family.

Autism GRACE of Lenawee relies on its donors to make all these programs possible. One way to help is by becoming a sponsor at a Ruby, Emerald, Gold, or Diamond level.

The 2025 Diamond sponsors are Tecumseh Family Dental Care, Faith Baptist Church, TLC Credit Union, Ted Aranda Dog Training, Danmar Products, Tecumseh Masonic Lodge No. 69, Tecumseh Chapter No. 51 Order of the

from page B1 “I don’t know what I’d do without running,” Ross said. “I’ve done it for so long, and I’ve surrounded myself with people who’ve done it for so long.”

She especially enjoys the middledistance track events because “you have to have speed but also endurance,” she said, whereas “in cross-country, you just have to endure.”

Her success is grounded in being committed to everything from following the right diet to strength training to practicing three or four hours a day almost every day.

And while all that’s a lot of work, “my team and my coaches and my family make it more fun,” she said.

Ross played volleyball and basketball in middle school in addition to running track. By the time the young woman got to high school, Hubbard knew she was going to be something special as a runner. “She has a nice stride,” the coach said. “It’s a running stride.”

And even though Ross has been demolishing records right and left, Hubbard describes her as someone who’s never satisfied to rest on her laurels.

“The individual success, she thrives on that,” she said, but Ross believes “there’s always room for improvement.

She’s at the top of her peers now, but she’s always looking to be better.”

Autism GRACE from page B3 The organization regularly offers a wide variety of free family events including bowling, horseback riding, movies at the Clinton Theater, cookie decorating, dances, and picnics.

At school-photo time, a photographer does special photo shoots for the children, and for Christmas there’s a sensory Santa event.

Another regular event, Cookies with Cops, introduces children with autism to police officers. Both sides benefit because it helps the children see that police officers aren’t people to be afraid of, and the officers gain a greater understanding of autism.

Corbin said the goal of hosting these experiences is to give families things they can do together in a safe space at no cost to them. In the process, it helps the children build social skills, creates community with other families, and lets the families enjoy an outing without fear of judgment or worrying about needing to leave if something becomes too much for their child.

Other services from Autism GRACE of Lenawee include a Gifting Program that helps families get items they need, such as an adaptable bike, noise-canceling headphones, gates for the home, or help with yearly insurance deductibles.

The organization also connects families with resources such as support groups and services, and can provide assistance from board members at school Individualized Education Program meetings, to advocate for the child and his or her parents.

Corbin said that so far, Autism GRACE of Lenawee has served about 200 local families.

Another of the nonprofit’s initiatives is to fund Carter Kits for first responders.

Carter Kits include items to help first responders calm an autistic person, such as noise-cancelling headphones, fidget spinners, and a weighted blanket. The kits were the brainchild of Justin Severs,

Emmry Ross competes at the Michigan High School Athletic Association state meet in 2024. Last year, as a junior, Ross became one of only a few girls ever in MHSAA history to win four individual titles in a single meet.

ERIK TJOLSEN/ONSTED COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Ashley Bowen, Harrison Bowen, Jan Bartee and Keegan Clark enjoy a movie event hosted

by Autism GRACE of Lenawee at the Clinton Theater.

Farmworkers from page B1 The workers are hired by area farms, which arrange for H-2A visas that allow them to come to the U.S. seasonally.

Most of the workers come from warmer countries, and many don’t have warm enough clothing to be comfortable in Michigan — where, in addition to being chillier than they’re used to, “the weather changes every five minutes,” Vargas noted.

Vargas said the goal of this project is to provide comfort and dignity to the workers who play a vital role in our food system.

On April 13, volunteers gathered at Adrian Super Laundromat on South Winter Street to wash, dry and fold all of the donated clothes. People donated detergent, fabric softener, rolls of quarters — and, of course, time. It was just in time for some of the sweatshirts to go out that evening for a group of about 20 workers who had just arrived.

Was Vargas surprised to have exceeded the goal by so much?

“I was, but I wasn’t surprised that people from Lenawee County really showed up,” he said.

“It’s a beautiful thing,” he added. “I think in these times of uncertainty, the one thing we can be certain of is that when it counts, Lenawee County shows up for its community and this is an example of that.”

One of Autism GRACE of Lenawee’s programs is distributing Carter Kits to first responders. The purpose of Carter Kits is to equip first responders with tools to better help kids with autism when responding to emergencies.

Eastern Star, Masquerades by Michelle, and Morning Fresh Bakery.

The organization’s largest annual fundraiser is the Autism Walk of GRACE. This year’s walk is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturday, June 7 at The Centre.

The cost is $35 per team and $20 for individuals. Participants are encouraged to solicit donations as well. Sponsors fund the event’s major costs, but the entry fee covers lunch and T-shirts for participants.

Pre-registration ends May 9, but registrations can be done up to the day of the event, although later registrations can’t be guaranteed their requested T-shirt size.

The walk is open to the entire community, not just families with an autistic member. Other activities that day will include tie-dyeing, face painting, bounce houses, and more. Vendors will also be on hand to provide information for families about their services.

To date, this event has raised about $6,000, Corbin said.

Autism GRACE of Lenawee facebook.com/AutismGRACEofLenawee autismgrace.org

THE LENAWEE VOICE

NEIGHBORS | B5

MAY 2025

These morning LISD Tech Center students were recognized by the National Technical Honor Society on April 3.

These afternoon LISD Tech Center students were recognized by the National Technical Honor Society on April 3.

National Technical Honor Society recognizes LISD Tech Center students ADRIAN — The Lenawee Intermediate School District Tech Center recognized members of the National Technical Honor Society on April 3, inducting new members and recognizing senior members. Two ceremonies were held, one for students who attend Tech Center classes in the morning and one for students who attend in the afternoon.

The new NTHS members from the morning session are: Samantha Anderson (Health Care Careers, Hudson); Braylyn Borck (Culinary Arts, Hudson); Zettie Borton (Biochemical Technology, Tecumseh); Jackson Boyd (Culinary Arts, Adrian); Allison Brockway (Education Careers, homeschool); Grace Carr (Digital Media Production, homeschool); Rebecca Cox (Education Careers, Morenci); Logan Cullen (Building Trades, Onsted); Annabelle Czeiszperger (Culinary Arts, Hudson); Lauryn Dominique (Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Morenci); Nevaeh Edison (Education Careers, Addison); Alexis Edwards (Emergency Medical Technician, Onsted); Finnley Faulkner (Health Care Careers, Clinton); Marisela Fermin-Jacobo (Engineering, Design and CAD, Adrian); Drew Fetty (Graphic Design, Tecumseh); Lauren Fisher (Education Careers, Adrian); Mikaela Gray (Natural Resources,

Onsted); Cora Harsh (Custom Class in Veterinary Assisting, Clinton); Hannah Hill (Law Enforcement and Corrections, Onsted); Evelyn Joughin (Accounting, Morenci); Sydney Keefe (Custom Class in Veterinary Assisting, Onsted); Hailey Kennedy (Biochemical Technology, Tecumseh); Karlie Kimerer (Health Care Careers, Onsted); Isaiah Lamb (Certified Nurse Aide, homeschool); Ellie Loar (Building Trades, Hudson); Dane Louden (Emergency Medical Technician, homeschool); Anders McClelland (Computer Information Services, homeschool); Grace Olsofsky (Health Care Careers, Addison); Bryce Radant (Building Trades, Tecumseh); Kaylee Reiser (Dental Assisting, Clinton); Mia Rogers (Digital Media Production, Hudson); Allison Rohde (Dental Assisting, Blissfield); Ella Salenbien (Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Adrian); Reilan Sayler (Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Blissfield); Hailey Scott (Computer Information Services, homeschool); Emerson Sholl (Health Care Careers, Hudson); Zoey Sierer (Accounting, JC/LISD Academy); Hailey Sills (Dental Assisting, Blissfield); Lucy Skampo (Engineering, Design and CAD, Adrian); Aubreigh Smith (Health Care Careers, Onsted); Adam Stutzman (Building Trades, Blissfield); Addyson Valentine (Health Care Careers,

Morenci); Rakell Vazquez (Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Adrian); Henry Vo (Engineering, Robotics and Mechatronics, Madison); Haylee Vore (Education Careers, Adrian); Victoria Vredeveld (Nursing Preparation, Adrian); Makayla Whitehead (Education Careers, Clinton); and Leigh Wyman (Education Careers, Blissfield).

The new NTHS members from the afternoon session are: Olivia Adams (Culinary Arts, Tecumseh); Carley Allen (Nursing Preparation, Sand Creek); Luke Barden (Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Tecumseh); Logan Boley (Law Enforcement and Corrections, homeschool); Lydia Cheng (Accounting, Madison); Lillian Darm (Health Care Careers, Blissfield); Kurina Dotson (Health Care Careers, Britton Deerfield); Henry Dusseau-Bates (Law Enforcement and Corrections, Britton Deerfield); Harmony Fetty (Education Careers, Tecumseh); Taylor Griffith (Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Tecumseh); Bryce Jordan (Accounting, Madison); Noah Judson (Graphic Design, Adrian); Lylla Kinnick (Health Care Careers, Tecumseh); Ava Kurowski (Dental Assisting, Onsted); Abigail Lang (Nursing Preparation, Adrian); Patrick Leake (Education Careers, Adrian); Brooke Meckley (Health Care Careers, Sand Creek); Ella Mishka (Agri-Tech and

Horticulture, homeschool); Dane Morrin (Residential Construction, Sand Creek); Madeline Osburn (Nursing Preparation, Sand Creek); Oscar Patton (Digital Media Production, Madison); Adriana Rafalko (Health Care Careers, Britton Deerfield); Miranda Ramsey (Emergency Medical Technician, Onsted); Aaliyah Rivera (Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, JC/LISD Academy); Lilian Robinson (Education Careers, JC/LISD Academy); Shaylee Staten (Dental Assisting, Tecumseh); Payton Steinke (Education Careers, Sand Creek); Cole Stetler (Natural Resources, Britton Deerfield); Bryson Sutherland (Engineering, Design and CAD, Onsted); Landen Thompson (Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Onsted); Elayna Thornton (Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Britton Deerfield); Kaylee Ulrich (Nursing Preparation, Britton Deerfield); Brianna Willoughby (Biochemical Technology, Britton Deerfield); Joseline Wilson (Education Careers, Sand Creek); Sophie Witt (Nursing Preparation, Britton Deerfield); and Margurite Zellen (Education Careers, Onsted).

The LISD Tech Center, which enrolls more than 1,000 students from local schools, offers career and technical education to prepare high school students for in-demand, high-wage careers.

B6 | NEIGHBORS

MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

RIGHT TO LIFE NAMES ORATORY CONTEST WINNER Holly Mitchell, a local homeschool student and member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, was the winner of Right to Life of Lenawee’s 36th annual oratory contest, after giving her speech in front of a panel of three judges and a small audience.

Mitchell was chosen to represent Lenawee County at the state level during Right to Life of Michigan’s high school oratory contest in Lansing. She is pictured here with Julie Moore, president of the Lenawee County affiliate.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RIGHT TO LIFE OF LENAWEE

Lenawee Humane Society plans ‘Wagapawlooza’ ADRIAN — The Lenawee Humane Society is putting a new spin on its former “Walk ’N Wag” fundraiser with “Wagapawlooza,” an event for dogs and their humans, on Saturday, May 10.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Adrian College track. It includes activities for kids and pets, pet contests, games and raffles, food, music, and vendors. Tickets are $15 for adults and free for kids (who must be accompanied by an adult).

Pictured at right is Wayne, the “Grand Marshal” of Wagapawlooza.

For more information or to register, go to lenhumanesoc.org/wagapawlooza.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

NEIGHBORS | B7

MAY 2025

Preserving local history

Nail technician Nelsy Martinez recently opened Dollhouse, a salon in downtown Adrian. JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

New salon opens in downtown Adrian

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Finding a place to get “all dolled up” in downtown Adrian is easier now that Dollhouse, a nail, hair and skin salon, has opened its doors. Owner Nelsy Martinez worked in the beauty business for over seven years before opening her own salon, and loves working in her downtown Adrian location.

Dollhouse opened its doors in January.

Martinez, the nail technician, trained as an apprentice at a local salon before getting her license from the state. Martinez said that learning through an apprenticeship gave her an advantage when she earned her license as a nail technician.

“I think apprenticeships are better because you are hands-on, and, of course, you can get the support then as well,” she said. “You get the customer experience already.”

Nail services at Dollhouse include acrylic nails, manicures and pedicures. In addition to being a nail salon, Dollhouse also offers other services. Two hair stylists work in the salon. One specializes in color, cuts and other hair services, and the other specializes in braiding and dreadlocks.

The salon also offers services from an aesthetician, who specializes in facials, body and facial waxing, and eyebrow threading.

Martinez enjoys working in downtown Adrian because she likes to see the people and traffic that go by the front window of the shop.

“The salon that I first started my apprenticeship at was downtown and I really, really like being down here,” she said.

“I like to see downtown growing,” she continued. “It’s fun being downtown.”

Martinez said she also likes the downtown location because of its central location.

“Being centrally located is really convenient for all of my clients,” she said.

Dollhouse takes customers by appointments only.

Appointments can be booked at dollhouseofadrian.glossgenius.com, on Facebook by searching for Dollhouse of Adrian, and on Instagram at @dollhouseofadrian. Appointments can also be made by phone at 517-442-9126.

The salon is located at 115 E. Maumee St., Suite 180, Adrian.

The former Palmyra Presbyterian Church, which dates to the 1860s and closed in 2023, is now an event center after a Blissfield couple purchased and renovated it with an eye toward preserving the integrity of the historic building. JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

Blissfield couple converts shuttered church into an event center

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

PALMYRA TWP. — A 164-year-old former church in Palmyra now has a new lease on life as an event center, thanks to a local first responder and schoolteacher who wanted to see the integrity of the building maintained.

Brian and Dawn Wilcox of Blissfield took an interest in buying the former Palmyra Presbyterian Church when it went up for sale after the last service was held on December 31, 2023. They purchased the building in October 2024. After renovating the main floor of the former church, they started taking rentals in February of this year.

The Palmyra Presbyterian Church was founded in 1836 by a group of 16 people from congregations in Blissfield, Adrian and Tecumseh. According to the Michigan Historical Site marker in front of the building, the congregation originally met in a schoolhouse, and later built their first church in 1842-1843.

Construction at the final location on Palmyra Road was completed in 1861.

Most of the materials for the church’s construction were donated. The building was originally designed in the form of a New England meetinghouse, according to the marker, and has been remodeled several times throughout the years.

The Wilcoxes said their goal is to keep the building in good condition, and to use it in a way that continues to serve the community.

“It’s a beautiful building, and you hate to just see a beautiful building like this sit and deteriorate,” Dawn said.

After watching a lot of “do it yourself” shows on television, “we took a chance and bought it,” Brian said. The

Brian and Dawn Wilcox of Blissfield are the owners of Lifes Little Moments Event Center. renovations so far include new flooring and new paint on the walls and ceiling of the main floor.

“We didn’t want to make any major changes,” Brian said. “We wanted to keep the character as historic as we can.”

Most of the pews were sold, but the Wilcoxes kept a few “to keep the history” of the building, Brian said. The stained glass windows and balcony rail remain in their original condition. Currently, they are working on remodeling the basement kitchen, which is currently usable but “a work in progress,” Brian said.

Lifes Little Moments Event Center can comfortably seat 80 to 100 people. Tables, chairs and tablecloths are provided. The kitchen area has a stove, refrigerator and counter space for electric appliances.

The Wilcoxes said that the basement area will be available for full use once the renovations are complete. An elevator is also available.

Along with the rental area on the main floor, the former “crying room,” adjacent to the main room, now serves as a play area for kids, complete with little tents, coloring books, and board games to keep the kids entertained while attending an event with their parents.

“Sometimes people are at an event and kids just don’t have much to do,” Dawn, who teaches in the Ypsilanti Lincoln school district, said.

Rental fees range from $150 for a kids’ birthday party to $1,000 for a full weekend. Special discounts are given to first responders and Palmyra residents.

Food and alcohol are allowed, within the bounds of state law.

More information about Lifes Little Moments Event Center can be found on Facebook. The Wilcoxes can be reached by Facebook message, by phone at 517-605-2455, or by email at secondtimesacharm@gmail.com.

LCF exceeds fundraising goal for Imagination Library ADRIAN — The Lenawee Imagination Library, a program of the Lenawee Community Foundation, raised $21,602 in March, exceeding its $15,000 goal by over $6,600 thanks in part to a dollarfor-dollar match challenge by Midwest Energy & Communications, which matched the first $7,500.

The donations will be used to cover the cost of mailing books to children from birth through age 5 in Lenawee County. The LCF’s partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library ensures all Lenawee County children can have books at home. The Dollywood Foundation covers overhead costs

associated with the program, so the foundation and Lenawee Imagination Library are only responsible for the atcost book and mailing expenses, which come to about $31 per child per year.

The Lenawee Imagination Library was founded in 2010. To learn more, go to lenaweecommunityfoundation.com.

B8 | NEIGHBORS

MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Bryan Reeder and Paula Trentman plant a flag just before Memorial Day 2024, at the beginning of the Kiwanis Club flag season.

Kameron and Makenna Havens are pictured putting out flags with the Kiwanis Club just before Veterans Day 2023.

Kiwanis Clubs bring flag displays to Lenawee County communities every year

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Thanks to the Kiwanis Club of Adrian and an army of volunteers, the streets of Adrian and surrounding areas will be lined with American flags during the federal holidays that run from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. Altogether, the Kiwanis Club of Adrian and their partners work to display 1,600 flags each year.

This is the project’s 14th year, according to Lynne Punnett, who chairs the flag committee and is past president of the club. The flag project was started by former Kiwanis Club of Adrian members Dave Siler and Larry Stephan, after they heard about a similar project from Ray Maxe. It serves as a fundraiser for various projects that the club sponsors.

“They brought it up as a possible fundraiser, but also just the pride that they personally felt of seeing our beautiful flag displayed, so there’s a strong patriotic component as well,” Punnett said.

Most of the flags are single flags that an individual or group pays $45 a year to have Kiwanis purchase, put out, and take down. A group of three or more flags in a given location costs $35 per flag for the year, Punnett said.

The flags go out before Memorial Day and stay out through July 4. They go back out right before Labor Day and stay out until 9/11, and are then brought back in. The flags then go back out before Election Day in November and fly through Veterans Day.

SERVICE CLUB ROUNDUP

The flag project has 130 volunteers that work in 38 teams to put out the flags.

The teams are made up of members of the Kiwanis Club and six “partner” groups who use the project to fundraise for their own groups, Punnett said.

The project nets about $45,000 to be used for projects such as $25,000 in grants for nonprofit agencies and a Thanksgiving meal that is a partnership between the club, Adrian Public Schools, and Alpha Koney Island. The project also funds Reading Month grants for schools.

Flag orders are taken through May 15 for Memorial Day displays, Punnett said, but people can start at any time during the season. For more information, email at AdrianKiwanisflags@gmail.com or call 517-270-4350.

Flag projects around Lenawee County: The following Kiwanis clubs in the Lenawee County area also sponsor flag displays during the year.

The Kiwanis Club of Addison can be contacted by email at AddisonKiwanis49220@gmail.com or by phone at 517-416-1233, and a form is available on the club’s Facebook page. The Addison club is running a competition with the Kiwanis Club of Onsted to see which club can register more new and renewal flag orders through May 30.

The Kiwanis Club of Brooklyn can be reached at brooklynkiwanismi@gmail. com or 517-938-5178.

The Kiwanis Club of Morenci has information about the flag project on its Facebook page.

The Kiwanis Club of Onsted has information at www.onstedkiwanis.org.

The Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh has a flag project registration form on its website at k04618.site.kiwanis.org.

Fallen peace officers to be remembered ADRIAN — A service recognizing National Peace Officers Memorial Day will take place on Thursday, May 15, at Oakwood Cemetery in Adrian.

The service will take place at 11 a.m. It will be followed at noon by a lunch in Father Williams Hall at the St. Joseph campus of Holy Family Parish. All law enforcement officers in Lenawee County are invited to attend the lunch.

National Peace Officers Memorial Day has been observed since 1962, when it was first proclaimed by President John F. Kennedy to remember law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

NEIGHBORS | B9

MAY 2025

There’s lots going on at Old Orchard Point New store on South M-52 is filled with products from local farmers and artisans

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

FAIRFIELD TWP. — Old Orchard Point, a family-owned and community-oriented farming and retail market enterprise, is beginning its second season in business at 7062 S. Adrian Highway.

Matt and Hollie Hillard operate Old Orchard Point as part of their jobs as fulltime farmers. Also part of the enterprise are David and Jody Hillard and Mark Hillard and Leslie Blaker.

The property at Old Orchard Point includes the building that is used as the store, a pole barn, and about 50 acres of land, of which about 40 is good for farming, Matt said. It was used as an apple orchard before the Hillards bought it at an auction in November 2023.

Other previous uses include a trucking business that operated on the property at one point. The building housed a business that sold die-cast toys online.

But the Hillards had one main idea in mind at the time of the purchase.

“We came to the auction because there was farmland that went along with [the buildings],” Matt said. “Things ended up working out the night of the auction and we were able to purchase it.”

“We weren’t sure what we were going to do with the building.” he continued.

“We really didn’t have any plans at all.”

An idea came during a conversation with a local strawberry farmer, Ed Judson, who buys straw from the Hillards to cover his strawberry plants. A retail business at Old Orchard Point seemed like a good way to sell strawberries, and things took off from there. The Hillards opened the retail store in May 2024.

Matt and Hollie Hillard are pictured in front of Old Orchard Point, a family-owned store that sells produce from area farms and a variety of other local products, as well as offering workshops and classes. JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE The berries were sold in quarts and flats of eight quarts. Hollie picked the berries up each morning from the Judson farm. The Hillards advertised with signs in front of the building, on Facebook, and by word-of-mouth, Matt said. The strawberry season lasted about 2 ½ weeks.

“We surprised Ed with how well we did,” Matt said.

“That led into selling produce throughout the summer,” he continued.

The Hillards grow sweet corn themselves, and they buy more produce from Sadowski’s Produce in Swanton, Ohio, another family business.

“We wanted to stick with small [operations] like that,” Hollie said.

The most popular produce item was the tomatoes, which customers thought were delicious, Matt said. In late summer and fall, Old Orchard Point features peaches, apples and cider they purchase from MacQueen’s Orchard, another family operation located in Holland, Ohio.

The Hillards also sold pumpkins in the fall, as well as Christmas trees in the winter. During the winter, hours are cut back, but Hollie is still in the store selling freeze-dried candy, and honey and maple syrup. Hollie is a beekeeper and makes the honey herself, along with help from her dad, Steve Hallett. The Hillards also make their own syrup from trees they tap themselves.

Also helping out in the store are Hollie’s mom, Cindy Hallett, and Blaker’s mom, Nancy Cleghorn.

Old Orchard Point also hosts workshops in the main building.

Workshops, which are advertised on Facebook, are typically for 10 to 15 people and feature topics such as Tastefully Simple freezer meals, flower arrangements, soap, tie-dye and crochet.

“People tell me they want to do something and I try to find someone who can teach it,” Hollie said.

Old Orchard Point 7062 S. Adrian Highway, Jasper 517-605-5961 Facebook: Old Orchard Point LLC

Gleaner to host annual American flag exchange on June 11 ADRIAN — Gleaner Life Insurance Society will again help Lenawee County residents honor Flag Day by hosting an exchange of worn and weathered American flags on Wednesday, June 11.

The event will help residents have a new flag ready for Flag Day on June 14.

The June 11 flag exchange is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Gleaner home office at 5200 West U.S. 223, Adrian.

Lenawee County residents are welcome to exchange one old flag per person for one new flag. The exchange is free, but donations will be accepted.

To obtain enough flags with either grommets or pole sleeves, residents seeking a flag must register online at www.gleanerlife.org/flagexchange by June 5.

Gleaner Life Insurance Society is a notfor-profit fraternal benefit society that assists its members in achieving financial security through a range of life insurance and annuity financial solutions. As a fraternal organization, Gleaner provides volunteer opportunities and supports outreach programs in the communities where its members live and work.

Residents line up to exchange old flags for new ones at Gleaner Life Insurance Society’s 2024 flag exchange.

This year’s exchange is on June 11, and people are asked to sign up by June 5.

The exchange is free, although donations are welcome.

B10 | NEIGHBORS

MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

FUTURE TEACHERS CELEBRATE CERTIFICATION

Competitors in the Lenawee County Equations Super Tournament on April 2 included Abby Meyers (Adrian) and Zekiah Garcia (Tecumseh). PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE LISD

Teacher Education students at Adrian College recently took part in the tradition of ringing the Victory Bell on campus to celebrate passing the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification.

Pictured above are, in the back row, Logan Pennock, Chris Wozniak, Rebekah Deline, Clayton Lynch, Leta Carlisle, Christopher Smith, and Sage Doan; and in the front row, Kylie Skidmore, Peyton Broadway, Emma Delzochio, Caleigh Kosarue, Ashley Boden, Emillee Smith, Bria Hirschman, and Morgan Armentrout. Pictured at right is future secondary social studies teacher Rebekah Deline taking her mallet to ring the bell. PHOTOS COURTESY OF KYLE GRIFFITH

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/eoe.

Tech Center hosts annual Equations tournament ADRIAN — The Lenawee Intermediate School District Tech Center was alive with energy on April 2 as students from across Lenawee County gathered for the Lenawee County Equations Super Tournament, the final event of the Lenawee Equations season.

Students from Adrian Public Schools, Madison School District, Sand Creek Community Schools, and Tecumseh Public Schools took park in a day of math-based competition.

Participants were grouped by grade levels — grades 5/6, grades 7/8, and high school — with additional divisions within each group.

This year’s tournament concluded with Tecumseh taking home the traveling trophy for grades 5/6 and the high school division, while Sand Creek claimed the traveling trophy for grades 7/8. All participating districts had students place in the top three across various divisions, highlighting the academic talent throughout Lenawee County.

The Lenawee Equations program is led by Jacqueline Clegg, a teacher at Madison.

“Equations is a wonderful program that allows our young mathematicians to creatively compete with their mathematical logic and affords all students a chance to be a part of a sport,” Clegg said.

Adrian math teacher and Equations coach Amber Lilly said the program has been growing.

“Last year, we had 11 students participate, and this year we brought a team of 26 — the momentum is truly exciting,” Lilly said. “It’s rewarding to see students connect with peers who share their interests in such a dynamic and challenging environment. The competition is intense, and it’s incredible to see that level of engagement come from a math-based game. Equations is every bit as competitive as any sport I’ve played, just in a different way — and it’s

Jude Kelly (Tecumseh) and Emma Bryant (Madison) take part in the Equations Super Tournament at the LISD Tech Center. a fantastic opportunity for students to strengthen both their critical thinking and social skills.”

The program’s longevity is also a highlight for Tecumseh, where students often stay involved in Equations throughout their school years.

“Equations is one of the few extracurricular programs that students can join as early as fifth grade and stay involved with all the way through high school,” said Tecumseh coach Jan Garner. “It’s amazing to see how many of our students stick with it year after year.

Equations is a great way to turn math into something fun, challenging, and engaging.”

Sand Creek coach Jennifer Gunter said the program offers not only academic growth, but also a sense of belonging.

“For students who may not be involved in traditional sports, Equations gives them a place to compete, belong, and grow,” she said. “It pushes their math skills to new heights and helps build meaningful connections. I especially love seeing our older students mentor the younger ones — it creates a sense of community and shared purpose that goes beyond the game.”

Education Foundation to host 30th Strokes for Students golf fundraiser ADRIAN — The Lenawee County Education Foundation invites the community to tee off for a cause at the 30th annual Strokes for Students golf event on Monday, May 19, at the Hills of Lenawee Golf Club.

Since its inception, the Strokes for Students event has raised more than $760,000 to support educational

initiatives throughout Lenawee County, including scholarships, job training grants, and teacher enrichment programs.

In the tournament, a high school golfer will be paired with each fourperson team in a scramble round.

For more information or to register, contact Kristy Suiter at 517-265-1626 or kristy.suiter@lisd.us.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

NEIGHBORS | B11

MAY 2025

Lenawee Lifetime Legacy Award recipients Gary and Cindi Gray, center, stand with Lenawee Community Foundation executive director Bronna Kahle, left, and board chair Dave Hickman. PHOTOS BY MIKE DICKEY/LENAWEE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Bob Vogel, center, accepts the Lenawee Leadership Award from Bronna Kahle and Dave Hickman at the Lenawee Community Foundation’s annual breakfast, which took place on April 17 at the Adrian Armory Event Center.

Karen and Stanley Caine were presented with the Stubnitz Award at the Lenawee Community Foundation’s annual celebration on April 17.

Jacob Wright, recipient of the Incito Award, is pictured with Paula Trentman, Bronna Kahle, and Megan Stevenson.

Community Foundation recognizes local leaders ADRIAN — The Lenawee Community Foundation celebrated accomplishments over the past year and honored several people for their service to the community during the organization’s annual breakfast on April 17.

The event, which was held at the Adrian Armory Event Center, began by noting some of 2024’s accomplishments.

Jim Kapnick, treasurer of the LCF board, shared that the goal of raising $2 million for the new Health, Happiness, and Hope Fund was exceeded. The purpose of the H3 Fund is to be a flexible, local resource that can meet needs and opportunities as they arise.

Paula Trentman, the LCF’s vice president and director of grants and programs, talked about milestones in the past year, which included increasing the amount of scholarships awarded to Lenawee County students by $100,000, bringing the annual total to more than $345,000.

“These aren’t just checks — they’re investments in our people, in their futures, and in the future of Lenawee,” she said.

The Hunters Helping Lenawee program also had a record year, with 5,178 pounds of fresh venison being donated to local food assistance programs. Fifteen new charitable funds were established in 2024, and the foundation awarded nearly $6 million in grants.

Awards were presented to two couples and two individuals.

The Lenawee Lifetime Legacy Award, which honors consistent giving to multiple local causes for 20 years or more, was presented to Gary and Cindi Gray. Nearly 35 years ago, the Grays created Hot Rock Basketball Training Camp to teach basketball and life lessons to young people at no charge. Gary Gray is CEO of the Gray Institute and director of program development and education at 3DPT Physical Therapy.

Cindi Gray volunteered and taught at the Adrian Training School for 20 years, has volunteered for numerous other organizations, and wrote a historical fiction book, “Locust in the Sandbox,” about the 1963 bombing of a Black church that killed four girls in Birmingham, Alabama.

The Lenawee Leadership Award was presented to Robert L. Vogel. This award, formerly known as the Maple Leaf Award, is given to people who exemplify the principle that the future of Lenawee County will be determined by the quality of its leadership. Vogel, a Clinton High School graduate, worked at Hardwoods of Michigan in Clinton for 43 years, serving as vice president for nine years and president for 20 years. He has served on numerous boards, including that of the Lenawee Community Foundation, where he was instrumental in starting the Hunters Helping Lenawee program.

The Stubnitz Award, named for philanthropists Maurice and Dorothy Stubnitz, was presented to Stanley and

Karen Caine. Stan Caine is a former president of Adrian College and has been active in the Rotary Club, Lenawee Community Foundation, and Lenawee County Educational Foundation. Karen Caine has been a tennis coach and served on the boards of Housing Help of Lenawee and the Adrian Symphony Orchestra. She is currently the president of the Stubnitz Foundation board, on which she has served since 2006. The Caines are members of First United Methodist Church in Adrian and have volunteered with Meals on Wheels and Share the Warmth.

The Incito Award, which recognizes people under the age of 40 who have emerged as community leaders, was presented to Jacob B. Wright. Wright is a Tecumseh High School graduate who earned degrees in architecture from the University of Michigan and now works at Krieghoff-Lenawee Co. He serves on the boards of Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Michigan and the Lenawee County Land Bank Authority, and is active in local government in Raisin Township. He is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh and chairs the club’s Canoe Race committee.

B12 | NEIGHBORS

MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Gleaner Gives campaign supports 24 local nonprofits ADRIAN — Gleaner Life Insurance Society and its employees recently donated a total of $79,626 to 24 local nonprofits through its 2025 Gleaner Gives campaign.

Most of the checks were handdelivered during March. Overall, the two nonprofit groups receiving the most support were Hospice of Lenawee with $16,565, followed by the Lenawee Humane Society with $14,629.

The ninth annual Gleaner Gives campaign consisted of employee contributions to the charities of their choice, which were matched up to $2,000

by Gleaner Life. This year, employees also were able to designate funds to their own city or village to support a local activity.

Gleaner Gives operates in conjunction with the Lenawee Community Foundation. Other recipients (listed

in alphabetical order) were: Adrian Community Preschool, Adrian Rea Literacy Center, Associated Charities, Boys & Girls Club, Catherine Cobb Safe House, Catholic Charities, Community of Addison, Community of Blissfield, Community of Morenci, Community of Onsted, Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, HOPE Community Center, Housing Help of Lenawee, Lenawee Department on Aging, Neighbors of Hope, Joseph Wildberg Fund for Veterans, Salvation Army, Share the Warmth, St. Mary’s Food Pantry, St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry, and The Daily Bread.

Founded in 1894, Gleaner Life Insurance Society is a fraternal benefit society that also provides volunteer opportunities and supports outreach programs in the communities where its members live, work and serve.

Gleaner Life Insurance Society and its employees donated $16,565 to Hospice of Lenawee through the Gleaner Gives campaign. Pictured here are Lupe Hamden and Angie Ashby with Hospice, Donna Coleman from Gleaner, Travis Havens from Hospice, Sabrina Mehan from Gleaner, and Heather Perez from Hospice.

Mental health resources and support in Lenawee County May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of mental well-being and its impact on overall health. Since its establishment in 1949, this month has served as a reminder that mental health is a global public health issue, closely linked to physical health and quality of life.

The role of public health in mental well-being While healthcare providers typically treat individuals experiencing mental illness, public health plays a critical role in prevention and early intervention.

By improving the environments where we live, work, learn, and play, public health efforts can reduce risk factors and enhance protective measures.

Addressing these factors can prevent issues such as chronic diseases, substance use, and adverse childhood experiences, all of which contribute to overall mental well-being.

According to the 2024 County Health Rankings, adults in Lenawee County reported an average of 5.3 days in the previous month when their mental health was not good. Additionally, Michigan Health Statistics reports that mental health concerns accounted for 6% of hospitalizations in 2022, ranking as the second leading diagnosis among individuals aged 18-44 and the fourth among those under 18.

Mental health, equity, and public health Mental health is a vital component of overall well-being, and prioritizing health equity ensures that all individuals have fair access to care and the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Public health focuses on prevention by addressing environmental and

EBEID CENTER EVENTS FOR MAY ADRIAN — The following programs are coming up in May at the Adrian Ebeid Center, 801 E. Maumee St. Activity Planning Committee meeting (East Adrian Community Coalition) — Monday, May 5, at 5 p.m.

Help shape activities that build strong relationships among neighbors, promote a positive community spirit, and provide enriching experiences for all ages.

Parent Cafe (Lenawee Great Start) — Tuesday, May 6, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

The power of language in mental health

societal factors that influence mental health, such as food insecurity, social support, and economic stability.

Food insecurity, for example, can impact brain function and stress management, while economic instability and unemployment can exacerbate mental health challenges, creating cycles of hardship.

Similarly, a lack of social support during major life stressors, such as job loss or the death of a loved one, can hinder coping mechanisms. However, support is available, and seeking help for one aspect of mental health can have positive ripple effects in other areas of life.

Building strong support networks through friends, family, or peer groups can provide comfort and connection.

Counseling and mental health services offer strategies to manage stress, anxiety, and behavioral health concerns.

Supportive communities and resources play a crucial role in fostering resilience, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, new parents, racial and ethnic minority groups, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

For children and teens, early intervention is key. Teaching coping skills, recognizing mental health concerns, and fostering open conversations can empower young people to manage their emotions and challenges with resilience. Supportive relationships and environments help

build a foundation for lifelong mental well-being.

Older adults may face unique mental health challenges due to life changes such as retirement, loss of loved ones, or declining physical health. Recognizing symptoms, such as a loss of interest in activities, can lead to timely support.

Talking openly about mental health, seeking treatment, and staying socially connected can help older adults maintain emotional well-being.

Maternal mental health is another critical area. Pregnancy and postpartum periods can bring intense emotions, including anxiety and depression. While these feelings often subside, some require professional support. Seeking help is essential for both parent and child, as unaddressed maternal mental health concerns can have serious consequences.

Racial and ethnic minority groups often encounter unique barriers to mental health care, making culturally competent and accessible services essential. Reducing treatment barriers and fostering inclusive care can create more equitable health systems that respect and celebrate cultural diversity.

The LGBTQIA+ community also faces distinct mental health challenges, often linked to discrimination or lack of support. Family acceptance, inclusive schools and workplaces, and peer support can significantly improve mental health outcomes. Recognizing and affirming LGBTQIA+ identities foster self-confidence and emotional wellbeing.

By addressing these factors and fostering inclusive, supportive environments, we can create a society where mental health is prioritized, stigma is reduced, and all individuals have the opportunity to thrive.

A space for caregivers to talk and listen to each other on topics that matter to them such as challenges and victories of raising a family. Dinner and childcare are provided. Registration is required; call 517-417-8051 or email quinn.wilt@ lenaweegreatstart.org.

East Adrian Community Coalition meeting — Monday, May 12, at 5 p.m.

The coalition meets on the second Monday of each month to discuss how residents can have a positive impact on the community.

Spring Wildflowers (presented by the Lenawee Conservation District) — Monday, May 12 at 6 p.m. Learn about

the spring flowers around us, with a special emphasis on native plants, and get a flowering plant to take home.

Virtual Reality Career Exploration (presented by Michigan Works) — Wednesday, May 21, from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Explore more than 20 hands-on career simulations with VR headsets, offering immersive experiences in fields such as aviation, healthcare, engineering, construction, and other trades. For adults and kids ages 12 and up.

Rent for Success (presented

by Community Action Agency) — Thursday, May 22, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Learn about fair housing laws, lease

agreements, tenant rights, maintenance, repairs, and more. Participants who complete this course and a private budget counseling session with CAA receive a $50 stipend.

Home Safety: Preventing Falls (presented by Hospice of Lenawee) — Thursday, May 22, at 5:30 p.m. Learn about ways to prevent fall, the leading cause of injury among older people.

Understanding Credit (presented

by Community Action Agency) — Tuesday, May 29, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Learn about credit scores and ways to achieve greater financial stability and security.

MONICA HUNT

Words matter. The language we use can either uplift or stigmatize individuals with mental health conditions. Choosing inclusive, respectful language helps create a supportive and understanding environment. Avoiding labels and acknowledging people’s experiences with empathy can foster acceptance and encourage individuals to seek help without fear of judgment.

Resources and support in Lenawee County Lenawee County offers various resources to support mental health, ensuring residents have access to support and care. Whether seeking crisis intervention, counseling services, or peer support, local organizations provide essential resources to promote mental well-being and resilience. n Lenawee Community Mental Health Authority provides counseling, mental health screenings, and educational programs. n Inter-Connections Inc. operates a drop-in center offering a safe place for people who have experienced mental illness or substance use disorder with mental illness. n 2-1-1 connects individuals with local support services. n 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers immediate assistance via call, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org.

For more information on local resources, visit our website or contact us directly. Mental health is a vital part of overall well-being, and by working together, we can create a healthier, more supportive community for all.

Monica Hunt is the Lenawee County Health Department’s health officer.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

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MAY 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] [AM] [BVH] [E] [H] [PA] [PS] [W]

Adrian Dominican Sisters, adriandominicans.org Anderson-Marry Funeral Homes, andersonfuneralservices.com Brown-Van Hemert Funeral Home, brownvanhemert.com Eineder Funeral Homes, einederfuneralhomes.com Handler Funeral Homes, handlerfuneralhomes.com Purse Funeral Home in Adrian, pursefuneralhome.com Gil Purse & Son, gilpurseandson.com Wagley Funeral Homes, wagleyfuneralhomes.com

Barbara “Barb” Ann Herrera, 58, of Adrian died on March 9. She was a 1985 graduate of Newberry High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Adrian College. She worked as a phlebotomist and medical lab tech for Bixby Hospital for nearly 30 years. [PA] Timothy Joseph Thomsen, 59, died on March 13. He was a heavy equipment operator for RW Mercer. He was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Lakes. [BVH] Jack Kenneth Lambka, 82, of Adrian died on March 15. He was an Adrian High School graduate and served in the Michigan Army National Guard. He was a barber for over 60 years and owned Jack’s Barbershop, also known as the “Bushwhacker,” in Onsted. [PA] Robert Lee Fletcher Jr., 81, of Jackson died on March 17. He was a member of the South-Central Michigan Bass Casters. He was involved in the Brooklyn hot rod car shows. [E] Michael Arthur Barry, 88, of Brooklyn died on March 18. He was a graduate of Berkley High School and Wayne State University in industrial engineering. He began his career at Parke-Davis in Detroit and then moved to Pennsylvania. When he returned to Michigan, he worked at Foote Hospital and retired from St. Rita’s Hospital in Lima, Ohio. [E] Tommy Lee Tucker Jr., 62, of Brooklyn died on March 18. He was very car-savvy and mechanically inclined. He was a member of Spring Arbor Church of the Nazarene. [E] JoAnn (Cook) Wusthoff, 78, of Clarklake died on March 18. She attended Tecumseh schools and graduated from Madison High School in 1965. Her first job was as a car hop at Bummies restaurant. She retired from Ford Motor Co. after 20 years of service. [PA] Emma Victoria Held, 97, of Addison died on March 20. She graduated from Lincoln Consolidated Schools in 1946.

She was a member of the Addison Senior Citizens and TOPS in Onsted. [BVH] John Micheal Knicley, 75, of Morenci died on March 20. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. [EM] Gregory Herbert Sturtevant, 72, of Adrian died on March 20. He was a graduate of Clinton High School and a devoted Michigan football fan. [PS] Jeffrey Alan Warner, 61, of Palmyra died on March 20. He was a 1982 graduate of Blissfield High School. He was a truck driver for many years. He enjoyed bowling, riding his Harley, and helping raise and breed AKC longhaired Dachshunds. [W] Roberto Luis “Bob” Coba, 70, of Franklin Township died on March 21. [PS] Leona A. Leathers, 72, of Hudson died on March 21. She worked at Fayette Tubular for over 20 years and also worked at Rima Manufacturing and 127 Party Store. She retired from ProMedica after 18 years of employment. She was an active 4-H member and enjoyed teaching clowning. [AM] Keith Ray Stutzman, 81, of Tecumseh died on March 21. He was a barber for almost 60 years in Ypsilanti. He belonged to Shawnee Squares and Maple City Swingers, and combining his love for camping and square dancing, he also belonged to Traveling Promenaders and Swingin’ Hitches. (H) Jacqueline “Jackie” Sue Van Loocke, 73, of Blissfield died on March 21. She worked as a beautician for many years at the JC Penney hair salon and at Faraday in Tecumseh. [PA]

James Christopher “Chris” Wininger, 58, of Adrian died on March 21. He was a welder and diesel mechanic by trade.

One of his favorite activities was riding his motorcycle. He enjoyed cooking and working on his lawnmower. [PS] Duane Louis Kronberg, 76, of Blissfield died on March 22. He was a 1966 graduate of Sand Creek High School. He served in the Army from 1968-70. He worked at General Motors for 34 years, first at the Adrian plant and then the Hydramatic plant in Toledo, retiring in 2014. [AM] Lois Aileen Duhan, 93, of Tecumseh died on March 23. She was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Tecumseh and served as a member of the Altar Society as well as the choir. She also belonged to the Wit and Wisdom Group, the Red Hat Society, and the Tecumseh Service Club. [H] Michael Steven Jessee, 63, of Adrian died on March 23. He was a graduate of Madison High School. He worked in construction and home improvement. He was a lifelong Motocross racer and fan. [PA] Dan Allen VanEtten, 67, of Adrian died on March 23. He was employed at Ervin Amasteel in Adrian for 44 years, where he worked in maintenance, as a crane operator, and furnace operator. He retired in 2020. [AM] Allen Lee Kuhn, 60, of died on March 24. He enjoyed NASCAR, football and having cookouts with his family and friends. [PA] Arthur William Liewert, 85, of Blissfield died on March 24. He was a 1958 graduate of Blissfield High School and earned his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. He worked at the family business, Sprunk & Liewert Plumbing and Heating, for over 40 years. He taught plumbing at Owens Community College from 1999 to 2013.

He was a longtime member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Riga. He was a volunteer for the Adrian Symphony Orchestra and the Lenawee County Department on Aging. [W] Rose Marie Wisniewski, 89, of Brooklyn died on March 24. She graduated from Saint Ladislaus High School. She worked in the automotive industry building buckles for seatbelts. She lived on Lake Columbia and loved boating. [W] Pauline M. Wood, 76, of Wauseon died on March 24. She lived most of her life in Adrian. She worked at Faraday for 25 years, retiring in 1989. She was a member of Palmyra Community Presbyterian Church. [AM] Philip Ernest Hughes, 96, of Adrian died on March 25. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Adrian and later attended the University of Dayton and the University of Toledo. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He spent his entire career working at Typewriter Sales and Service. In retirement, he helped his wife, Ann, run Ann’s by Design in downtown Adrian. [AM] Carol Valencich, 78, of Raisin Township died on March 25. [PA] Donna Sue Hale, 64, of Tecumseh died on March 26. She was a registered nurse who worked in home healthcare and in the emergency room at Bixby Hospital. [PA] Jack Clifford Ostrum, 74, of Adrian died on March 26. He was a member of the Eagles, the VFW and the American Legion. [AM]

David Patrick Hamann, 71, of Adrian died on March 27. He was a 1972 graduate of Adrian High School and served in the U.S. Army. He worked at Wacker Chemical as a chemical operator and then in maintenance. [W] Nancy Ann Hathaway, 85, of Adrian died on March 27. She attended Adrian High School and Adrian College. She earned her master’s degree in education from Michigan State University. She was a teacher at Lincoln Elementary School for 36 years. She was a member of the AEA, MEA, NEA, and the Michigan International Reading Association, and an honorary member of Delta Gamma. She was a longtime member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Adrian. [W] Larry Floyd Mocherman, 84, of Morenci died on March 27. He worked as a machine operator at Morenci Rubber Products for many years and retired from Demlow Products in 2007. [AM] Robin Kennedy, 80, of Adrian died on March 28. She worked at Wacker as a secretary for many years. After retirement she spent several years volunteering for the Grandma Program in Adrian schools. [AM] Joseph Frederick Melcher, 83, of Tecumseh died on March 28. He graduated from the University of Detroit and worked at Ford Motor Company for 35 years. He served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, where he sang in the choir, ushered, and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. He coached peewee soccer and basketball and was a mentor in the Lenawee Big Brother Big Sister program for many years. He also volunteered at Herrick and Hickman Hospitals. [H] Gregory Wayne Rose, 72, of Adrian died on March 28. He was a 1971 graduate of Adrian High School and a 1975 graduate of Ferris State College. He worked for 32 years at Kirchhoff (formerly Lenawee Stamping) in Tecumseh as a quality control inspector. [AM] Lindsey Herbert “LJ” Jones, 66, of Adrian died on March 29. His love of classic cars led to a successful career in the car business, owning and working at dealerships, including the Lafontaine brand, until his retirement. [AM] Arthur D. “JR” McGraw Jr., 60, of Adrian died on March 29. He was a 1982 graduate of Adrian High School and served in the U.S. Army. He worked at NSK in Ann Arbor for 13 years and was currently employed with ISPS in Toledo. [PA] Annabella Nicole Creque, 15, of Britton died on March 30. She was a freshman at Dundee High School where she was involved in soccer, softball, and the swim team. She played clarinet in the school band. She was a member of FFA and 4-H. [H] Michelle Lynn VanderHorst, 59, of Adrian died on March 30. She was a 1984 graduate of Onsted High School where she participated in 4-H and girls basketball. She served in the U.S. Army for eight years and was stationed in Germany and Savannah, retiring from the Army with the rank of sergeant. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Siena Heights University and was a labor and delivery nurse at Bixby, Herrick and Hickman Hospitals for 25 years. [AM] Eldon Ray Brand, 83, of Tipton died on March 31. He was a graduate of Windom High School and served in the U.S. Army. He worked for 30 years as a cargo supervisor for Pan Am Airlines. [E] Simon Andrew Brown, 20, of Blissfield died on March 31. He was a 2022 graduate of Munising High School. He loved fishing and nature. He was a gifted athlete and enjoyed playing basketball. [W] Melanie Lou McGurin, 72, of Tecumseh died on March 31. She worked as an administrative assistant at the University of Michigan. She was an avid bird watcher. [H] Sister Sarajane Seaver, OP, 79, of Adrian died on March 31. Formerly Sister Adam, she was in her 59th year of profession as an Adrian Dominican Sister.

She was born in Adrian. She taught in

several schools in Michigan and California, was a parish minister in Winslow, Arizona and served as director of creative activities at the Weber Center on the Adrian Dominican campus and as financial aid officer at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit. She was a talented artist, known for her weaving. [ADS] Mark Duane Ross, 70, of Clinton died on April 2. He worked for 20 years as a nurse at Herrick Hospital until his retirement in 2016. He enjoyed disc golf. [H] James “Jimmy” Daren Van Etten, 62, of Dearborn Heights died on April 2. He was a 1980 graduate of Annapolis High School and served in the U.S. Army. He worked as a pipefitter and welder. [PA] Jean Ann Yarger, 92, of Manitou Beach died on April 2. She spent many years working for the academic dean at Hillsdale College. She was a member of the Addison Congregational Church where she sang in the choir and played the organ and piano for over 50 years. In 2016 she became a member of Lutheran Church of the Lakes.

She enjoyed playing cards at the Senior Center. [BVH] Kenneth Roger DeRemer, 82, of Tecumseh died on April 3. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Adrian College, where he was a founding member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He completed his education with a master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. He taught in Adrian Public Schools for 37 years.

He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol from 2016-25 and rose to the rank of captain. [H] Norma Fidler, 93, of Waldron died on April 3. Her entire life was devoted to taking care of her family and running the family business, Fidler’s Kennels. [AM] Mildred Crysilda “Chris” Gentz, 96, of Tecumseh died on April 4. She was a member of Tecumseh Church of the Nazarene where she taught Sunday school and served on the board. She taught for two years at the Standard School in Riga before serving at Onsted Community Schools as a first grade teacher from 1959-1973, and as principal from 1973 until her retirement in 1987. She served on the Zoning Board of Appeals in Tecumseh and the Hands of Hope Board, and was president of LSSM Auxiliary and the condo association where she resided. [AM] Steven Alan Alpaugh, 80, of Adrian died on April 6. He was a 1963 graduate of Adrian High School. In 1965 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge in 1967 he later became a member of the National Guard, retiring in 2004. He worked for 10 years at the former Cargotainer in Adrian, before his 27-year employment at Brazeway, where he served as a welder, a supervisor, and a superintendent of shipping and receiving. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, AmVets, and the Eagles. [AM] Wells Shepherd Johnson, the infant son of Bryce and Anna (Skippers) Johnson of Adrian, died on April 6. [AM] Mark Cameron McCartney, 67, died on April 6. He worked for General Motors for 30 years, retiring in 2008. He loved Golden Retrievers, blues music, and western movies. He was an avid NASCAR fan. [AM] Mary Ann Britten, 93, of Clarkston, formerly of Adrian, died on April 7. She was a graduate of Adrian Catholic Central. She worked as a telephone operator, real estate agent, and a secretary for both Tom Prange Auto Village and Lenawee County public schools for many years. She volunteered at Hidden Lake Gardens, and was an animal lover. She also volunteered at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. [W] Debra Sue (Stull) Cole, 68, of Hudson died on April 7. She worked for many years at RC Plastics. Outside of work she enjoyed tending her garden and canning. [AM] Michael Harvey Frey, 81, of Adrian died on April 7. He was a graduate of Saline High School and worked for 19 years at Johnson Controls in Manchester as a tool crib attendant. [AM]

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IN MEMORY Betty Lou Jones, 78, of Tecumseh died on April 7. After high school she worked as a sales associate at a local jewelry store. She later owned and operated her own cleaning service. She was a member of Tecumseh Assembly of God for over 10 years. [H] Andrew D. Cole, 55, of Dexter, formerly of Tecumseh, died on April 8. He was a 1987 graduate of Tecumseh High School. He was currently employed with Build and Rebuild in Ypsilanti. [PA] Shirley H. Cushing, 89, of Tipton died on April 8. She was a member of Tecumseh Assembly of God, where she was a greeter and Sunday school teacher for many years.

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George Harvey Hoag, 84, of Adrian died on April 8. He was a 1959 graduate of Adrian High School. He worked for Bohn Aluminum for 20 years. [PA] Emmadean “Emma” Lynn Schwartz, 49, of Blissfield died on April 8. She gave to everyone, even in death, having made the decision to be an organ donor. Whether she was tying knots at a Girl Scout meeting, painting murals, or handing out unsolicited life advice with a paintbrush in hand, she gave everything she had. [W] Sister Margaret “Peggy” Manners, OP, 88, of Adrian died on April 9. Formerly Sister Thomas Annine, she was in her 69th year of profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. She was born in Detroit.

After entering the Congregation she ministered as a teacher and principal in numerous schools in Michigan. She also worked as a counselor at Siena Heights University, and as an ESL tutor and literacycenter volunteer in Florida. [ADS] Kimberly Ann McBride, 76, of Tecumseh died on April 9. She was a graduate of Western Michigan University. Over the years she worked at Joann Fabrics in Adrian, as an aide at Patterson Elementary School in Tecumseh, and at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. She was artistic and operated a jewelry business, “Just Kim.” She was active in Girl Scouts and Al-Anon. [AM] Frederick (Fred) Alan Prezioso, 84, of Tecumseh died on April 9. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, a Master of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Seminary, a Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling from Siena Heights University, and a Master of Social Work

from Eastern Michigan University. He served as an ordained Lutheran Minister for 20 years. He worked at Chelsea Hospital, Saline Hospital, and Trinity Health/ Greenbrook Recovery, retiring in 2020. [H] Brian Hess, 60, of Camden died on April 10. He was a 1983 graduate of Addison High School. [P] Deborah “Debby” Pellowe, 77, of Adrian died on April 10. She was a 1965 graduate of Adrian High School and a 1969 graduate of Western Michigan University.

She worked as an Emergency Medical Technician and an EMT instructor. In 1976 she became a media specialist at the LISD Tech Center, writing and producing videos for student instruction. In 1994 she earned a master’s degree in social work from Siena Heights University. After retirement she volunteered with the Mayor’s Youth Council, was an assistant instructor at Siena Heights, and served on the Red Cross board. [W] John D. Sadowski, 83, of Clayton died on April 10. He retired from Adrian Steel in 2002 as a sheet metal fabricator. He was a blacksmith and loved history, especially the Civil War era. He was in the U.S. Army from 1963-1965 as a radio operator and served in Vietnam. [AM] Jerry Lee Welch, 76, of Hudson died on April 10. He served in the U.S. Navy for 26 years. Upon leaving the Navy, he worked with the state of Illinois. He had a passion for drawing and painting. [BVH] Pauline M. Scott, 85, of Morenci died on April 11. She enjoyed playing cards, bingo, watching game shows, and going to the casino. [AM] Michaele “Mickey” Spreeman, 82, of Jonesville died on April 11. She grew up in Canton, Ohio, and attended Malone College. She was the park manager of Hillan Lake Village in Brooklyn. She eventually retired from the county health department as a Children’s Special Health Care Representative. [PS] Maria Melquiades Torres Arellano, 96, of Adrian died on April 11. She loved gardening and taking care of her roses. In her younger years she worked at a shrimp factory in Texas. In her later years she settled in Adrian. [W] Kathleen Sue Dewey, 71, of Adrian died on April 12. [PA] Yolanda Fay Tenzy, 47, of Westland died on April 12. She was a graduate of Adrian High School. [PA]

THE LENAWEE VOICE

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MAY 2025

IN MEMORY Joseph Yankovich, 90, of Tecumseh died on April 12. He began his career as a Detroit police officer and then worked as a logistics manager for Central Transport for 23 years.

He was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He loved to referee high school football and basketball games. [H] Gary Michael Baetens, 82, of Clinton died on April 13. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University. He retired as an Industrial Engineer at General Motors after 43 years. He was a member of St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Clinton and the Knights of Columbus. [H] Gregory “Greg” Lee Kiest, 64, of Adrian died on April 13. He was a 1978 graduate of Adrian High School and then attended Spring Arbor College. He spent 20 years working for Roumel Racing with a focus on ARCA or stock cars. More recently he was employed at Lenawee Rec in Adrian as the bowling alley mechanic. [W] Frank “Bud” Douglass Lane, 88, of Brooklyn died on April 13. He graduated in 1954 from Brooklyn High School and attended Ferris State College, studying auto mechanics. He worked at Ford Motor Co. in Brooklyn and then transferred to the Saline plant, where he worked as a journeyman millwright and retired after 30 years. [E] Henry E. Collins Sr., 88, of Adrian died on April 14. He retired from General Motors in Adrian after 40 years of employment. He was a member of Christ Temple Ministries, where he served as a deacon. [PA] Janet Kathleen Crook, 72, of Hudson died on April 14. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hudson. [BVH] Donna Jean Apling, 84, of Adrian died on April 15. She was a 1959 graduate of Whitmer Public Schools and earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Toledo. She taught English at Whitmer High School before starting her family. She was active in Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She enjoyed boating and

the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, and supported the Humane Society. [W] Brenda Sue Romanowski, 66, of Hudson died on April 15. She worked at Waldron Industries, Kamco Industries, and Homer Donaldson Co. She enjoyed working in her flower garden and collected Bigfoot memorabilia. [AM] Lois Fern Kahle, 92, died on April 16.

She worked at Tecumseh Products for 40 years, retiring in 1994. She then worked for more than 22 years at Busch’s Fresh Food Market, retiring at 84. She was a member of Tipton Community Church. [H] Mary Emma Graves, 84, of Clinton died on April 17. She was a member of Tecumseh Missionary Baptist Church. [H] Claire B. Pinvidic, 104, of Tecumseh died on April 17. Her family relocated to Tecumseh in 1976. She enjoyed cooking, needlework, playing cards, and walking. [PS] Carolyn Ann Bettis, 84, of Adrian died on April 18. She worked in several professional dental and optometrist offices for 31 years, and at Kay Jewelers for 13 years. She was a member of Blissfield Presbyterian Church and served as an elder. [W] Benjamin Todd Howarth, 53, of Adrian died on April 18. He was a 1990 graduate of Adrian High School and obtained his journeyman electrician license from Washtenaw Community College. He was employed at Kirchhoff Automotive in Tecumseh for 33 years and was a member of the UAW Local 3000. [AM] Sharon Kay Dashner, 59, died on April 19. She was a longtime member of the Elem3nt Church in Blissfield. [AM] Karl Cecil Huff, 46, of Tecumseh died on April 19. He was loved by his family, friends, and the people he shared his life with at his group home. He was a Star Wars fanatic and is now at one with the Force. [AM] David Arthur Rosier, 85, of Adrian died on April 19. He was the former owner of Rosier’s Meat Market in Adrian and sold the business in 2002. He enjoyed golfing at Woodlawn golf course and was in several leagues. He was a longtime member of Weston Church of the Good Shepherd. [W]

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MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

RAGTimEbAND.oRG 

Held in conjunction with Adrian’s Bicentennial and Adrian Center for the Art’s 10th anniversary!

RIVER RAISIN RAGTIME REVUE’S 13TH ANNUAL

SATURDAY

pLANEwAvE

JuLy5 ADRiAN FREE 2pm-DARK

cAmpus 1375 N mAiN sT

FAmiLy FuN!

free shuttles from adrian farmers market pavilion

LIVE BANDS FOOD • CRAFT BEER • WINE REMOTE RADIO BROADCAST

ART

exhibits, vendors, and activities

VINTAGE CARS PlaneWave Science Tours

YOUTH-ORIENTED GAMES EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

FACE PAINTING

MAGIC

INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO

WITH GORDON THE MAGICIAN

GRAND FINALE AT DARK

MUSICAL

FIREWORKS fireworks and festival major sponsors:

Car shows return to the fairgrounds this month » PAGE C3

Country singer Josh Ross lined up for county fair » PAGE C6

ARTS & LIVING ‘Anastasia’ kicks off Croswell’s musical season ADRIAN — The Croswell Opera House’s 2025 Broadway Season opens May 9 with the musical “Anastasia.”

Based on the 1997 animated movie of the same name, “Anastasia” is a fictionalized version of the story of the Duchess Anastasia, who was rumored to have survived after her family was overthrown in the Russian Revolution.

Aubrie Lauren In the show, “Anya” a young woman named Anya is living in the newly renamed Leningrad with no memory of her past. She falls in with a pair of con men who hope to take advantage of her resemblance to the Duchess Anastasia to extract money from the Dowager Empress, now living in exile in Paris.

The show features a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, the team that also wrote the musical “Ragtime.”

The director of “Anastasia” is Stephen Kiersey, the vocal director is Gabriel Hagedorn, the choreographer is Sarah Nowak, and the live orchestra will be led

by Ray Novak.

The role of Anya is played by Aubrie Lauren of West Unity, Ohio, a graduate of the Austin Peay State University musical theater program who was previously seen in the Croswell’s productions of “Cabaret,” “Jersey Boys,” and “The Prom.”

See “ANASTASIA,” page C4

Original music highlighted in Hudson » PAGE C15

THE LENAWEE VOICE THIRD SECTION MAY 2025

A big undertaking

Hidden Lake Gardens volunteers Rachel Bruckwicki, left, and Pam Boydston prepare the Gardens’ signature soil mix during a work day on April 4, getting ready for this year’s plant sale. RENA SPEARS/SPEAR PRODUCTIONS

It’s over in just one day, but putting together Hidden Lake Gardens’ annual plant sale involves months of planning and preparation

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

TIPTON — Hidden Lake Gardens’ annual plant sale has become a can’tmiss event for area plant lovers over the past three decades, but although the sale takes just one day, preparation begins months in advance.

This year’s plant sale is on Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — “or until the plants are gone,” said Jessica Goodrich, marketing and publicity coordinator for the 755-acre botanical garden and arboretum in northwestern Lenawee County.

Hidden Lake Gardens’ annual plant sale DATE AND TIME: Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until sold out LOCATION: Hidden Lake Gardens, 6214 W. Monroe Road (M-50), Tipton MORE INFO: hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu or 517-431-2060 “Last year, we sold out before noon,” Goodrich said.

In the roughly three decades since it began, the Hidden Lake Gardens plant sale has grown to more than 1,500 plants every year and has become an essential destination for gardeners and plant lovers around the region.

Although the sale is held in May, preparations start in January. At that

time, plant seeds are ordered and plans for the sale are made by Hidden Lake Gardens managing director Paul Pfeifer and gardener Jon Genereaux.

“January ends up being a nice time for planning,” Goodrich said. “I was making a joke this year that we wished we had two Januarys, because it goes too fast.”

See PLANT SALE, page C14

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MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

This Month in Downtown Adrian:

May

First Friday - Dog Days Sponsored by, Friday, May 2nd

Get ready for a paw-stively amazing evening as we celebrate our four-legged friends in style! Watch the Ultimate Air Dogs, take flight as they leap into the splash pool! Don’t miss the dog parade filled with costumes and wagging tails!

Think your pooch has what it takes? Enter in one of our fun contests! Bring the whole family (and your pup!) for some doggone good fun!

Shop and Stroll- Mom and Me/ Flower Walk Saturday, May 10th

Celebrate in bloom at the Mom and Me Shop and Stroll. Treat yourself and your mom to the downtown flower walk! Build your own bouquet with a flower from each business and have an entire bouquet by the end! Be sure to register for the Flower Walk, there are limited spots available!

Third Thursday

Thursday, May 15th Come Downtown to enjoy live music by Bret Maynard and Genevieve Rose in the streets of downtown!

517 Day

Saturday, May 17th Celebrate the “517” on 5/17! This event is all about supporting our local businesses! Come downtown, shop, eat, and enjoy music in the streets of downtown!

What’s Happenin’ Wednesday Wednesday, May 21st

Downtown is shining a spotlight on its service businesses, as many will be extending their hours this day! Whether it's a quick errand run, late appointment, or you just want to support local, come on down!

Want to win hundreds in Downtown Dollars? Play in the downtown scavenger hunt!

Download the Eventzee app, create an account and then find the code for hunts on the Downtown Adrian Facebook page.

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors!

#ItHappensDowntown downtownadrian.com

downtownadrian

THE LENAWEE VOICE

ARTS & LIVING | C3

MAY 2025

Downtown Morenci to host Summer Saturdays series MORENCI — The Morenci Downtown Development Authority is expanding its events this summer with the launch of Summer Saturdays, a monthly event series designed to celebrate community, support local businesses, and bring families downtown.

Events will take place once a month from June through August, featuring themed activities, live music, and family-friendly experiences.

Kicking off on Saturday, June 7, the first event is themed around the Belmont Stakes and titled “Horsin’ Around.” It begins with the Run for the Roses 5K at 9 a.m., with lineup starting at 8 a.m. in the municipal parking lot at the corner of Mill and Locust streets. Registration is $35, and those who sign up by May 11 will receive a free event T-shirt.

Proceeds from the race will benefit the Morenci Middle and High School cross country programs to help refurbish their course. To register for the 5K, visit runsignup.com/Race/ Register?raceId=181253 From 4 to 6 p.m. behind North Street Pub, visitors can enjoy free pony rides for kids and lawn games for all ages. A horse-themed “kerplunk” raffle offers chances to win prizes, and horseshoes will be set up in the grass lot on North Street for casual play throughout the evening.

At 6:48 p.m., the Belmont Stakes will be broadcast at the Rex Theatre, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and free popcorn available for all guests.

The night wraps up with outdoor musical entertainment beginning at 7:30 p.m. behind North Street Pub. The Fade to Black BBQ food truck will be on site with food available for purchase.

All activities take place within Morenci’s Social District, allowing attendees to enjoy drinks from participating establishments while spending time downtown.

See MORENCI, page C4

First Friday car shows will return to county fairgrounds starting in May

People take in the cars on display at the June 2024 car show at the Lenawee County Fair and Event Grounds. Car shows will return to the fairgrounds starting in May and continue on the first Friday of every month through October. PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID SPENCLEY ADRIAN — The Lenawee County fairgrounds will once again be filled with classic cars, hot rods, and all kinds of marvelous motors when the First Friday car show series returns this month.

The series will last from May through October. Each month will have a different featured focus — although cars of all kinds will be welcome at all of the shows — and every month will also have live music, food trucks, and a variety of activities for children.

The shows, which are free to attend, will run from 5-8 p.m. on the first Friday of every month at the Lenawee County

Fair and Event Grounds, 602 N. Dean St., Adrian.

May 2: The theme will be Mustangs and Camaros, and music will be provided

by The Metros.

June 6: The theme will be Corvettes, Convertibles and Stock Cars, and the band Jaded Soul will perform.

July 4: The theme will be Jeeps and Broncos, and the entertainer will be Johnny Rodriguez.

Aug. 1: The theme will be Mopar, and The Metros will return to the stage.

Sept. 5: The theme will be Chevelles and Novas, and music will be provided

by Braxton Garza, recently featured on TV’s “The Voice.”

Oct. 3: The theme will be Hearses and Rat Rods, and Jaded Soul will return.

Kids’ activities include Hot Wheel races and giveaways, a bounce house, and coloring contests. Several food trucks will be on hand every month.

Vendors can reserve a 10-foot by 10foot spot for $20. Anyone who would like more information about being a vendor can call 517-749-0266.

For general information about the First Friday car shows, call 517-673-7553 or 810-730-6708.

Glow-in-the-dark petunias take center stage at Market House HUDSON ­— Two family-owned area businesses, Raker-Roberta’s Young Plants and Market House, are teaming up for a unique weekend event featuring Firefly Petunias, a glow-in-the-dark plant that was recently featured on the cover of Time magazine.

The event takes place May 2 and 3 at Market House, 325 Railroad St., Hudson.

On Friday, May 2, from 4-8 p.m., the Market House will host a Ladies’ Night, including wine tastings, charcuterie boards, and hors d’oeuvres.

The Kentucky Oaks horse race will

be streaming on a big screen. Local musician Russ Martin will provide entertainment.

On Saturday, May 3, from 4-8 p.m., the Kentucky Derby will be streamed on the big screen, and a seminar on horse handicapping and wagering will be offered. In addition to wine tastings, charcuterie boards and hors d’oeuvres, guests can enjoy bourbon samplings from Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail. There will be live music from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

On both Friday and Saturday, experts from Raker-Roberta’s will be on hand

to talk about the science behind Firefly Petunias, and guests will be able to experience the plants in a special dark room.

Raker-Roberta’s Young Plants, based in Litchfield, is a wholesaler of customgrown plugs and liners, supplying over 3,000 plant varieties to customers around the world. More information is available at raker.com.

Market House is a grocery store and community hub with locations in both Hillsdale and Hudson. Learn more at market-house.com.

C4 | ARTS & LIVING

Morenci from page C3 The series is made possible by sponsorship from more than a dozen local businesses and organizations.

Summer Saturdays will feature new themes each month, with announcements coming soon for the July and August dates.

“The DDA has really focused on growing what we offer downtown, and Summer Saturdays are the next step in that effort,” said Brad Frederick, chair of the DDA Events Committee.

“These events are a way to support our businesses, bring new energy to Morenci, and give the community something to look forward to. We are excited to keep building on this momentum and welcome anyone who wants to help us make it happen.”

Community members who are interested in helping with Summer Saturdays or getting involved in future event planning are welcome to join the DDA Events Committee. To learn more or volunteer, contact Brad Frederick at 517-605-1020.

Another new event coming to downtown Morenci this summer is an outdoor concert series at the North Street Pub, 113 North St. Live music is planned for the second Friday of June, July and August.

MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Habitat for Humanity chapter plans second annual pickleball tourney ADRIAN — The second annual pickleball tournament to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County will take place on Saturday, May 17, at Heritage Park, 3221 N. Adrian Hwy. The tournament is hosted by the Adrian Parks and Recreation Department and will support Habitat’s

funding for home repairs in the city of Adrian.

The event features men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles, and is open to players of all skill levels.

The cost to register is $60 per team.

For more information, visit Habitat’s website, habitat-lenawee.org.

Another opportunity to help Habitat’s programs is coming up in August when the organization will host its fifth annual Farm to Table Dinner. Proceeds from this signature event will directly support Habitat’s mission to repair and build homes, creating stability and hope for families in Lenawee County.

‘Anastasia’ from page C1 Dmitry, one of the con artists and Anya’s love interest, is played by Maxwell Lam of Adrian. Vlad Popov, his partner in crime and surrogate father, is played

by Jeffrey King of Temperance. Gleb Vaganov, the show’s main antagonist, is portrayed by Brian Jones of Maumee, Ohio.

The dowager empress is played by Mary Rumman of Milan, a veteran of many Croswell productions. Love Ruddell plays Countess Lily, the dowager empress’ lady-in-waiting.

Filling out the 38-person cast are Haylie Blohm, Cassidy Giddens, Everett Hanley, Meg Lam, Libby Pifer, Bryan Shane, Daisy Solis, Josiah Torrence, Ja’Vaughn White, Briella York, and Hallie Yuen, all of Adrian; Keith Rikli of Belleville; Mitchell LaRoy of Blissfield; Serenity Sanders Gerrild of Jackson; Joanna Bacarella and Olivia Bacarella of Monroe; Jonah Hiatt of Palmyra; Sami Chandler and Tim Chandler of Tecumseh; Jerold King and Emily Smith of Temperance; Ashley Thornton Murdock of West Bloomfield; Miriam Roth of Ypsilanti; Madeline Stewart and Hobbes Treynor of Holland, Ohio; Joshua Egnatuk of Luckey, Ohio; Maddie Burnham of Maumee, Ohio; Bella Bradbury of Monclova, Ohio; Kayla Garlick of Swanton, Ohio; and Will DuPuis and Abby Rose Hagedorn of Toledo.

“Anastasia” opens on May 9. The first weekend will have performances on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. The second weekend will have performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $26 to $46 for adults and $16 to $26 for students, and may be ordered online at croswell.org or by calling 517-264-7469.

The Croswell reminds patrons that it will never sell tickets for more than the advertised price, so any website offering tickets for a higher price is a scam.

Members of the men’s chorus Chiaroscuro are pictured at their Dec. 10 concert with director Susan Matych-Hager.

Chiaroscuro plans spring concert, invites interest from new members ADRIAN — Chiaroscuro Men’s Chorus will present its annual spring concert on Sunday, May 18, at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary at First United Methodist Church of Adrian, 1245 W. Maple Ave. Doors to the sanctuary will open at 6:30 p.m.

The concert will feature a variety of music composed and arranged for fourpart men’s chorus. A freewill donation will be accepted.

The chorus encourages men who love to sing to join them during their membership drive, which will take place during their June rehearsals beginning June 2.

Chiaroscuro, formed in 2013, is a men’s community chorus that strives to achieve the highest quality musical experience. The name of the choir is Italian for “light/dark.” The term is used in vocal music to describe a

Chiaroscuro spring concert DATE AND TIME: Sunday, May 18, at 7 p.m.

LOCATION: First United Methodist Church, 1245 W. Maple Ave., Adrian ADMISSION: A freewill offering will be accepted.

MORE INFO: chiaroscuromenschorus.org or fb.com/ChiaroscuroEnsemble vocal technique that results in a warm, resonant sound with great brilliance and carrying power.

During the school year, singers rehearse once a week on Tuesday evenings. Summer rehearsals are on Mondays from June through August, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at First United Methodist Church.

Chiaroscuro is under the direction of artistic director and founder Susan Matych-Hager, professor emerita of music at Siena Heights University and 2010 winner of the Maynard Klein Award for artistic excellence and

a lifetime of leadership in the field of choral music, presented by the American Choral Directors Association of Michigan.

The chorus is currently running a fundraising campaign to meet a challenge grant from an anonymous donor, who has pledged to match contributions up to $25,000 that are received by June 1.

For more information, go to chiaroscuromenschorus.org or visit the group’s Facebook page at fb.com/ ChiaroscuroEnsemble.

Flatlanders hosts Toledo Area Sculptors Guild Exhibition BLISSFIELD — Flatlanders Art Galleries will present the Toledo Area Sculptors Guild Exhibition from May 7 to June 21.

The exhibit features works by 11 members of the sculptors guild: Suzanne BebersPillarelli, Patsy Camp, Ian Dawson, James Havens, Todd Kime, Julia LaBay, Hannah Lehmann, Kristin Pinelli, David Smiczek, Joel R. Washing, and Jack Wilson. It is curated by sculptor and past president of the guild, Pamela Reithmeier.

ART EXHIBITS

Admission is free. A reception with the artists is planned for Sunday, May 18, from 1-3 p.m.

The Toledo Area Sculptors Guild was founded in 1983 by a small group of sculptors who met in a bronze casting course at the Toledo Museum of Art. Flatlanders Art Galleries operate in conjunction with Flatlanders Sculpture Supply, a full-service sculpture resource. Flatlanders is located just east of Blissfield, at 11993 East U.S. 223. For more information, go to flatlandersculpture.com or call 517- 486-4591.

Adrian Center for the Arts presents 4x4x4 exhibit: The ACA will host an exhibit of work by its member artists made up entirely of small works, with no dimension greater than 4 inches.

Media include clay, painting, drawing, sculpture, glass, metalsmithing, and printmaking.

The exhibit runs from May 28 to July 5. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 1-4 p.m.

The ACA is located at 1375 N. Main St., on the campus of PlaneWave Instruments. For more information, go to adriancenterforthearts.org.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

ARTS & LIVING | C5

MAY 2025

A tree walk in Oak Grove Cemetery with David Green MORENCI — Morenci resident David Green was walking through the town’s Oak Grove Cemetery last winter when he thought to himself, “There must be 20 different species of trees in this place.”

He discovered that his estimate was low, and now he’s ready to lead the public on a tree walk to show what he’s found. The walk will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 8.

“I decided to make a map to point out one location of each species,” Green said.

He cleaned up a Google Maps image of the cemetery, drew in the roads and started adding what came to mind from memory — more than a dozen, even without any of the oaks, maples and conifers.

“There are several that just stick in my head such as the little cluster of sassafras, the gingko, the tuliptree, the big dogwood and the witch hazel.”

Then he went on a walk for a closer look and his map started filling up. He was soon hoping to get to 30 species, but after additional walks, he thinks 40 is more like it.

“Our cemetery is like a very rich woods,” he said. “I’m really impressed with the diversity.”

There are a couple of asterisks to his work, he said.

“A lot of the trees aren’t in the mowed part of the cemetery,” he explained. “Many are on the land at the edge of the graveyard.”

The sassafras are a couple of feet over the edge. The redbud and wahoo can be seen by looking down the south hill toward the creek. That’s the same with pawpaw and bladdernut over on the west boundary.

Green adds another asterisk to the word “tree,” noting that some of the specimens on his map are considered shrubs. Wahoo, winged euonymus and northern spicebush, for example, aren’t likely to appear in a tree identification book, but botanists don’t all agree on the definition of a shrub. If it’s a woody plant, it’s on the tour, he said, as long as he is able to identify it.

The cemetery has been hit hard by storms in recent years and many trees have fallen or been cut after damage.

“Some areas were starting to look more like Oak Meadows rather than Oak Grove,” Green said.

The city council has directed money for replanting and a large donation covered the planting of several trees.

“If the new trees survive, it will make a big difference in how the cemetery looks in a few years,” Green said.

To join the tour, take the first cemetery entrance — the one closest to town — and drive on either road until it turns. Take a left and meet at the short drive that ends at a pile of dirt.

The walk measures about 1.25 miles in length, plus there will be a short extension afterward for those willing to tackle some rougher terrain to see pawpaw, bladdernut, wahoo and more.

The cemetery walk is planned in conjunction with Stair District Library’s celebration of the city of Morenci’s downtown tree planting grant.

God, science, and the stars

Brother Guy Consolmagno of the Society of Jesuits is pictured at the Zeiss Refractor in Castel Gandolfo in Italy. Consolmagno, director of the Vatican Observatory, spoke on March 13 at the Weber Retreat and Conference Center in Adrian. COURTESY OF THE VATICAN OBSERVATORY

In visit to Adrian, director of the Vatican Observatory shares a Jesuit view of the universe Adrian Dominican Sisters

ADRIAN — Religion and science are not opposed to each other, since they are both involved in the search for truth.

And despite the misunderstanding of many people, the Catholic church is not anti-science, but has been engaged in science for centuries. That was the core message that Brother Guy Consolmagno, SJ, director of the Vatican Observatory, delivered to an audience that filled the auditorium of Weber Retreat and Conference Center on March 13.

An accomplished astronomer — with a master’s degree in Earth and planetary science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a doctorate in planetary science from the University of Arizona — Consolmagno began his talk with a focus on the stars. He noted that they have been a source of wonder for people through the ages, proclaimed as gods by some and hailed in Scripture — especially in the psalms — as signs of God’s glory.

“The stars were made by a God who is outside of creation. God was already there, outside of space and time,” Consolmagno said. “If God made the universe, then the universe is worth studying.”

Consolmagno continued that, just as the stars are a creation of God, so are human beings. “We’re a created people,” he said. “The angels are envious of us because we have bodies. We celebrate God-Made-Flesh who so loved this world that he became a created thing for the love of us. ... This sense of physical works is why there’s a Catholic science.”

A native of Harper Woods, Michigan, Consolmagno was fulfilling his role as director of the Vatican Observatory even as he spoke to an audience close to his native home.

“When Pope Leo XIII established the observatory, it was to show the world that the Church supports science,” he said in an interview. “Now my job is showing the world. I’m the ambassador to the people in the pews. My goal isn’t to

convert atheists into being Catholics, but I’m speaking to the Catholics to remind them that science is something the Church helped to invent … and that it is a glorious way to get to know the Creator.”

Founded in 1891, the Vatican Observatory was originally established at the Roman College in Rome but was moved to Castel Gandolfo, the pope’s summer residence, in 1935. With that move, Consolmagno said, the pope put the Jesuits in charge of directing and staffing it. The observatory also supports an office in Tucson, Arizona, and the Mount Graham International Observatory on a mountain outside of Tucson.

Consolmagno began his fascination with astronomy as a student at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs School, where the Sisters of Charity fed his interest in math and science. Growing up at the time of Russia’s launching of Sputnik and the urgency of the United States to get into space also contributed to his interest.

“This guaranteed a lot of boys would want to be astronomers,” he added.

Consolmagno spent five years doing post-doctoral research at MIT and Harvard when he faced a crisis: “I had this feeling that all of the astronomy I was doing was a waste of time” in light of people throughout the world who were starving, he recalled.

He joined the Peace Corps and was sent to Kenya — not to work with poor people, as he had hoped, but to teach at a university. Every weekend, he visited his Peace Corps friends in the villages and brought his telescope.

“Everybody in the village would see the moons of Saturn and go, ‘Wow!’ That’s when I realized why you do astronomy: that hunger to know who we are and what this universe is.”

After finishing his tour with the Peace Corps, Consolmagno taught astronomy at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. His longtime connection with the Jesuits and an earlier realization that he was not called to the priesthood or married life ultimately led him to the

decision to become a Jesuit brother.

Consolmagno entered the Jesuits in 1989. After two years in the novitiate and two years of study, he expected to be assigned to teach at a small university — and was surprised by his assignment to do research at the Vatican Observatory in Castel Gandolfo. Pope Francis appointed him as director in September 2015.

His years at the Vatican Observatory have taught him even more than he gained through his research on meteorites. He also learned more about science and its place in human life.

“Science done correctly has some spiritual benefits, and the most surprising is that it teaches you humility,” Consolmagno said. “Science [involves] the answers we don’t know. It’s the pursuit of the answers, and you can only start by saying that you don’t know the answers.”

Science also lifts the souls of scientists and people who are intrigued by it. We are called not only to feed the poor, but to feed their souls, he said.

“Is our goal in serving the poor to make them rich? Our goal ought to be to give everyone the opportunity to do what God calls us to do on Sunday — to contemplate the universe.”

Consolmagno sees Sunday — and other times of sabbath — as “a day when we can feed our souls: to look at the moon and say ‘wow,’ or to write a poem about it, or to dance. If you’re struggling every day to work and you don’t have that sabbath, that day of rest, you’re no better off than a wild animal in the woods looking for the next piece of food to grab.”

Art performs the same service as science in this area, Consolmagno said.

“That’s why art is a high calling. That’s why science is in the School of Arts and Sciences. Science is an art.” Quoting a professor at Boston College, he said, “There are science theories that are Mona Lisas and Picassos — and scientific theories that are Elvis painted on black canvas. It takes an artistic soul to see the difference.”

C6 | ARTS & LIVING

MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Josh Ross, a Canadian country singer and songwriter, will perform at the Lenawee County Fair on July 24.

Country singer Josh Ross announced as headliner at Lenawee County Fair ADRIAN — The Lenawee County Fair has announced that country singer Josh Ross will headline a concert at the fair grandstand on Thursday, July 24.

Ross, a Canadian-born artist who has charted with the singles “First Taste of Gone,” “On a Different Night,” “Trouble,” “Ain’t Doin’ Jack,” “Single Again” and “Leave Me Too,” won Entertainer of the Year at the 2024 Canadian Country Music Awards.

He’s known for his emotionally charged lyrics and powerhouse vocals, and his modern country rock draws inspiration from influences as varied as

Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, and countryrock outlaw Steve Earle.

Opening for Ross will be Ohio native Preston Cooper, an up-and-coming country artist. The 22-year-old Cooper has released three singles and lists as his influences Chris Stapleton, Bob Seger, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Foo Fighters, and Erich Church.

Live music made a return to the fair grandstand last year after several years without a grandstand concert.

The Lenawee County Fair runs from July 20-26. For more information, call 517-263-3007 or go to lenfair.com.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

ARTS & LIVING | C7

MAY 2025

MAY THINGS TO DO IN LENAWEE COUNTY To submit events for inclusion in this calendar, please email news@lenaweevoice.com by the 15th of the month before the event.

THURSDAY, MAY 1 Fiddler on the Roof Lenawee Christian School, 7 p.m.

“Fiddler on the Roof” is a timeless musical that weaves together themes of faith, tradition, love, and change. Presented by LCS students. Continues Friday and Saturday.

Adults $15, students $13.

111 Wolf Creek Hwy., Adrian www.lenawee.org/show

FRIDAY, MAY 2 Adrian First Fridays: Dog Days Downtown Adrian, 5-8 p.m.

Dog Days in Downtown Adrian is a fun-filled, pet-friendly event celebrating furry friends.

Attractions include the Ultimate Air Dogs diving competition, costume contests, pet parade, live music, food trucks, and more. adrianff2016@gmail.com 517-264-4815

First Friday Car Show Lenawee County Fairgrounds, 5-8 p.m.

Monthly car shows return to the Lenawee County Fair and Event Grounds starting in May. This month includes a focus on Mustangs and Camaros, with live music by The Metros. Other offerings include food trucks and activities for kids. Car shows will take place every first Friday through October.

517-673-7553

Sip & Strategize: Grownup Game Night Musgrove + Co. (Tecumseh), 5-8 p.m.

For those 16 and up who like their coffee strong and their competition stronger — Musgrove presents a night of strategy and logic games, laughter, and friendly rivalry.

Musgrove’s downtown neighbor, Hopscotch Kids, will provide a selection of board games for the night. Free.

135 E. Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh musgrove.company

Fiddler on the Roof Lenawee Christian School, 7 p.m.

A musical presented by LCS students.

Continues Saturday.

111 Wolf Creek Hwy., Adrian www.lenawee.org/show

Adrian Symphony Orchestra: ‘Lincoln Portrait’ Dawson Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

The season’s orchestral finale welcomes not only combined choirs but also a quartet of vocal soloists to bring down the house with Haydn’s fiery “Paukenmesse” (the timpani mass). The ASO’s season of Copland wraps up with the “Jubilee Variation,” as well as “Lincoln Portrait,” which features narrators quoting some of the 16th president’s most powerful speeches. $25-$39 (discounts available for students and seniors).

110 S. Madison St., Adrian adriansymphony.org or 517-264-3121

The Tejano band La Nueva Onda is among the performers slated for Adrian’s annual Cinco de Mayo celebration, which will take place May 3 at the Lenawee County Fair and Event Grounds.

SATURDAY, MAY 3 Cinco de Mayo celebration Lenawee County Fairgrounds, 1 p.m. to midnight The 2025 Cinco de Mayo parade lineup begins at noon at the corner of Maumee and Greenly streets. The parade begins at 1 p.m. and will proceed down Maumee Street to the Lenawee County Fair and Event Grounds. Live music at the fairgrounds begins at 5 p.m., featuring Ramon Lucio, La Nueva Onda, and La Corporacion. A $10 suggested donation will be accepted at the door, with funds benefiting the Chico Martinez 2026 Memorial Scholarship.

517-215-2350

Fiddler on the Roof Lenawee Christian School, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.

A musical presented by LCS students.

111 Wolf Creek Hwy., Adrian www.lenawee.org/show

SUNDAY, MAY 4 Tecumseh Pops & Community Chorus: ‘American Travelogue’ Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 3 p.m.

The Tecumseh Pops and Community Chorus present a concert that includes classics like “Chattanooga Choo-Choo,”“Kansas City,” “Simple Gifts,”“Little Brown Jug,”“I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” and more, including a stirring collaboration of the chorus and orchestra performing “Battle Hymn Of The Republic.” $12.

400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh thetca.org or 517-423-6617

Stories and Music by Candlelight First United Methodist Church, 7 p.m.

This free event includes storytelling with Trudy McSorley and Haydn’s “The Lark” performed by the Toledo Symphony String Quartet. Hors d’oeuvres served at 6:30 p.m.

1245 W. Maple Ave., Adrian adrianfumc.org or 517-265-5689

C8 | ARTS & LIVING

MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

TUESDAY, MAY 6 Summer Camps Manitou Beach Creative Corner SEVEN weeks of summer art camps TWENTY selections for various grade levels (K-9) TWELVE students maximum per camp FOUR Art-certified Instructors THE BEST ART MATERIALS! Manitou Beach Creative Corner 103 Walnut Street, Manitou Beach, MI www.manitoubeachcreative.org email: art@manitoubeach.org

FRIDAY, MAY 9

Lenawee Great Start: Parent Café

Book Signing: ‘My Sister’s Protector’

Ebeid Center at Comstock School, 5:30 p.m.

An opportunity for parents and caregivers of kids from birth to age 12 to find fellowship and support. Free dinner and childcare are provided. Registration is required; call 517-417-8051 or email quinn.wilt@ lenaweegreatstart.org.

801 E. Maumee St., Adrian

Main Street Perk, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Local author Diana Creger will have copies of her book “My Sister’s Protector” available for sale and signing on May 9 and 10 at Main Street Perk in downtown Hudson. This is the first book in the series “Rising from the Darkness.” The book is geared toward teens and adults.

211 W. Main St., Hudson 517-306-6066

Scan Me

Author Talk with Deb Wuethrich

Michigan Notable Books talk: Amos Paul Kennedy Stair District Library, 6 p.m.

Morenci’s Stair District Library presents a talk by letterpress printer Amos Paul Kennedy, author of the book “Citizen Printer.”

228 W. Main St., Morenci 517-458-6510 or stairlib.org Meteorologist Q & A Tecumseh District Library, 6:30 p.m.

Local meteorologist Mark Gallup, a 14-year resident of Lenaeee County who has been a weather enthusiast since childhood and works as an aviation meteorologist in the private sector, will forecast the general weather patterns over the next few months.

Free.

215 Ottawa St., Tecumseh tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7 Five Wishes Tecumseh District Library, 2-5 p.m.

Learn how Five Wishes, a comprehensive advance directive, can help you and your loved ones make important health care decisions with clarity and compassion.

Presented by Hospice of Lenawee. tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

Tecumseh District Library, 2-3:30 p.m.

Deb Wuethrich’s newest book, “Chased by Demons, Caught by Grace” tells a compelling story of grief, mental health, spiritual warfare, and God’s grace.

Wuethrich will be at the Tecumseh District Library to sign books and share her story.

215 Ottawa St., Tecumseh tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

Adrian Garden Club plant sale 148 N. Scott St., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A variety of plants including perennials, hanging baskets, garden/yard items and other household items will be available for purchase. Proceeds support a student scholarship and other club programs.

Continues Saturday.

148 N. Scott St., Adrian

‘Anastasia’ Croswell Opera House, 7:30 p.m.

Opening night of “Anastasia,” the first musical in the Croswell’s 2025 Broadway season.

Inspired by the beloved animated film, “Anastasia” transports the audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Continues Saturday, Sunday, and next weekend. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian croswell.org or 517-264-7469

Birds & Binoculars Indian Crossing Trails Park, 6-7 p.m.

The River Raisin Watershed Council presents an introduction to the world of birdwatching.

This class is perfect for beginners and anyone curious about the fascinating birds in our local environment.

You’ll learn the essential skills for identifying birds by sight and sound, gaining a deeper appreciation for their diverse lives. Binoculars will be available for sharing, but people who have their own are encouraged to bring them. Limited to 25 students; register in advance. $10.

703 E Chicago Blvd, Tecumseh riverraisin.org or 517-662-8755

THURSDAY, MAY 8 Chocolate and Wine Tasting Cherry Creek Cellars, 6:30 p.m.

Harvest Chocolate is partnering with Cherry Creek Cellars for a chocolate and wine tasting. Discover the similarities between the harvesting of wine and chocolate while enjoying wine selections from Cherry Creek and learning about chocolate making. $45.

11500 Silver Lake Hwy., Brooklyn harvestcraftchocolate.com or 517-301-4023

Saving for Your Child’s Education with the Michigan Education Trust Tecumseh District Library, 6:30 p.m.

Want to start saving for your child’s education? Marie Davis of the Michigan Education Trust will answer questions about the savings program and how you can be a part of it. The Michigan Education Trust is Michigan’s 529 prepaid tuition savings program that allows parents, grandparents, businesses and others to pay for future education at today’s price.

215 Ottawa St., Tecumseh tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

SATURDAY, MAY 10 Hidden Lake Gardens’ Annual Plant Sale Hidden Lake Gardens, 10 a.m.

Annual Plant Sale featuring a wide selection of plants including annuals, perennials, woody plants, dwarf conifers, succulents, vegetable plants, and herbs. The Adrian Center for the Arts will be onsite the same day offering nature-themed artwork for sale.

6214 Monroe Road, Tipton hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu or 517-431-2060

Wagapawlooza Adrian College, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A fundraiser for the Lenawee Humane Society, featuring music, food, games, pet contests, activities for kids, dog agility contest, dunk tank, bounce house and more.

Adults $15 (free for kids with a registered adult).

110 S. Madison St., Adrian lenhumanesoc.org or 517-263-3463

Book Signing: ‘My Sister’s Protector’ Main Street Perk, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Local author Diana Creger will have copies of her book “My Sister’s Protector” available for sale and signing.

211 W. Main St., Hudson 517-306-6066

Salute to Service Lenawee Christian School, 10 a.m.

A recognition program for veterans will precede the LCS varsity baseball game.

517-265-7590

6th annual Adrian Music Mattress Sale Adrian High School, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The annual mattress sale benefits Adrian Public Schools music programs. One day only.

Free delivery; disposal of old mattress for a fee.

785 Riverside Ave., Adrian adrianmaples.org or 517-263-2115

THE LENAWEE VOICE

MAY 2025

SATURDAY, MAY 10 Adrian Garden Club plant sale 148 N. Scott St., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Featuring perennials, hanging baskets, garden/yard items and more.

Shop and Stroll Saturday: Mom & Me Downtown Adrian, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A day of shopping in downtown Adrian that includes a bouquet scavenger hunt at participating stores. facebook.com/downtownadrian

‘Anastasia’ Croswell Opera House, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Inspired by the beloved animated film, “Anastasia” transports the audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Continues Sunday, and next weekend. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian croswell.org or 517-264-7469

SUNDAY, MAY 11 Farmers Market Historic Walker Tavern, 10 a.m.

Opening day of the Walker Tavern Farmers Market, featuring local vendors.

13220 M-50, Brooklyn 517-930-3806

‘Anastasia’ Croswell Opera House, 2:30 p.m.

A brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Continues next weekend.

Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian croswell.org or 517-264-7469

MONDAY, MAY 12 Matinee Monday: “Chicago” Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 1 p.m.

A free movie presented by Friends of the TCA. thetca.org

Band-O-Rama Adrian High School, 7 p.m.

A performance by sixth through 12th-grade band students from Adrian Middle School and Adrian High School. Free.

785 Riverside Ave., Adrian adrianmaples.org/departments/fine-arts.php 517-263-2115

TUESDAY, MAY 13 Spring String Spectacular Adrian High School, 7 p.m.

A performance by sixth through 12th-grade orchestra students from Adrian Middle School and Adrian High School. Free. adrianmaples.org/departments/fine-arts.php 785 Riverside Ave., Adrian

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 Local History Trivia Adrian District Library, 6 p.m.

Answer questions about Adrian’s past and compete for bragging rights before Bicentennial weekend. In partnership with the Lenawee Historical Society.

143 E. Maumee St., Adrian adrian.lib.mi.us or 517-265-2265

Rummage & Bake Sale St. Mary’s Activity Center, Adrian, 5-8 p.m.

The Holy Family Women’s Guild presents a rummage and bake sale at Holy Family Parish (St. Mary campus). Continues Thursday and Friday.

305 Division St., Adrian

THURSDAY, MAY 15 Rummage & Bake Sale (Holy Family Women’s Guild) St. Mary’s Activity Center, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Holy Family Women’s Guild presents a rummage and bake sale at Holy Family Parish (St. Mary campus). Continues Friday.

305 Division St., Adrian

ARTS & LIVING | C9

C10 | ARTS & LIVING

MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

Learn all about pollinators at the River Raisin Beekeepers’ Club’s annual Bee Day on May 17 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 3448 N. Adrian Highway.

THURSDAY, MAY 15 Bring Your Own Talent Night The Buzz Cafe and Marketplace, 6-8 p.m.

The Buzz, in partnership with APG Audio Visual Mentoring, hosts an open mic night on the third Thursday of every month.

110 E. Maumee St., Adrian thebuzzadrian.com

Classic Car & Bike Show Old National Bank (Tecumseh), 6-8 p.m.

Get your motor running and head on down the highway to the 2025 Tecumseh Classic Car & Bike Show Series. Cars and bikes will be displayed in the Old National Bank parking lot at 205 E. Chicago Blvd. and the adjacent downtown parking lot. Special recognition awards will be given each month.

Registration is free, but a donation of canned or nonperishable food for area service clubs is requested. Check in across from Gregory’s Barber Shop, 201 E. Chicago Blvd., between 5:30 and 7 p.m.

205 E. Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh downtowntecumseh.com or 517-424-6555

Dig In,

Seed Saving 101

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Spring Tractor & Engine Show Farmers Antique Tractor & Engine Association, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tractor and engine displays, outdoor marketplace/swap meet, bake sale, lost arts/ crafts, working sawmill/copy lathe, tractor and lawn mower pulling, kids games, daily parades, live entertainment and more. No alcoholic beverages or ATVs on the grounds.

Camping available. Continues Saturday and Sunday. $5; free for exhibitors and kids 12 and under.

7600 Forrister Road (corner of Forrister and U.S. 223), Adrian 517-759-8928

16th Annual Art Walk & Mural Blast Downtown Tecumseh, 6-9 p.m.

Mural Blast is a live mural painting event that will take place in conjunction with an Art Walk. Three teams of artists will paint 4-foot by 8-foot murals on giant easels in the downtown district. During the Mural Blast there will be two Kid Art Battles. The mural artists will choose children from the audience to help them create a work of art to take home.

517-424-6818 or downtowntecumseh.com

Adrian District Library, 6-7 p.m.

Bevin Cohen from Small House Farm in central Michigan will discuss how to save the seeds from flowers, vegetables and herbs to use for next year’s garden.

143 E. Maumee St., Adrian adrian.lib.mi.us or 517-265-2265

Adrian Songfest Adrian High School, 7 p.m.

A performance by sixth through 12th-grade choral students from Adrian Middle School and Adrian High School. Free. adrianmaples.org/departments/fine-arts.php 785 Riverside Ave., Adrian

‘Anastasia’ Croswell Opera House, 7:30 p.m.

“Anastasia” transports the audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian croswell.org or 517-264-7469

FRIDAY, MAY 16 Rummage & Bake Sale St. Mary’s Activity Center, 9 a.m. to noon The Holy Family Women’s Guild presents a rummage and bake sale at Holy Family Parish (St. Mary campus). Final day.

305 Division St., Adrian

‘Anastasia’

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! 1033 W BEECHER ST | ADRIAN

MGCADRIAN.COM

Croswell Opera House, 7:30 p.m.

“Anastasia” transports the audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian croswell.org or 517-264-7469

Sing-Along & Play-Along Concert with Jim Gill LISD Tech Center, 6:30 p.m.

Get ready to sing, clap, and dance along during Lenawee Great Start’s free family concert by award-winning musician and author Jim Gill. His distinctive music play creates the spirit of a family room in the concert hall and is an invitation to children, parents and grandparents to sing, dance and play together. Free, but registration is required (register online at lenaweegreatstart.org or call 517-417-8051).

1372 N. Main St., Adrian

‘Punk: Chaos to Couture’ Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 6 p.m.

Infusion Performing Arts Academy is celebrating 10 years of artistry and performance in Tecumseh. The studio’s 10th annual recital, “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” will showcase talented dancers ranging from age 2 to seasoned adults. The May 16 show is a competition team showcase, and admission is by donation, with proceeds benefiting the Lenawee Humane Society.

400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh thetca.org or 517-423-6617

THE LENAWEE VOICE

MAY 2025

FRIDAY, MAY 16 Dragon Egg Crafting Tecumseh District Library, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Learn how to make a simple and beautiful dragon egg, using only a few crafting supplies. Register on the Tecumseh Library website to reserve your space.

215 Ottawa St., Tecumseh tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

‘Anastasia’ Croswell Opera House, 7:30 p.m.

“Anastasia” transports the audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Continues Saturday and Sunday. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian croswell.org or 517-264-7469

SATURDAY, MAY 17 Spring Tractor & Engine Show Farmers Antique Tractor & Engine Association, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tractor and engine displays, outdoor marketplace/swap meet, bake sale, lost arts/ crafts, working sawmill/copy lathe, tractor and lawn mower pulling, kids games, daily parades, live entertainment and more. No alcoholic beverages or ATVs on the grounds. Camping available. Continues Sunday. $5; free for exhibitors and kids 12 and under.

7600 Forrister Road (corner of Forrister and U.S. 223), Adrian 517-759-8928

Mural Blast Downtown Tecumseh, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mural Blast is a live mural painting event.

Three teams of artists will paint 4-foot by 8-foot murals on giant easels in the downtown district. During the Mural Blast there will be two Kid Art Battles. The mural artists will choose children from the audience to help them create a work of art to take home.

517-424-6818 or downtowntecumseh.com

Bee Day Festival St. John’s Lutheran Church, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Bee Day Festival is a free one-day event hosted by the River Raisin Beekeepers Club to celebrate the world of pollinators. Visit the Beekeepers to learn about bees and beekeeping. There will also be local artisans, food trucks, a silent auction, scavenger hunts, and crafting for kids.

3448 N. Adrian Hwy., Adrian riverraisinbeekeeperclub.com

Habitat for Humanity Pickleball Tournament Heritage Park, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This springtime event will welcome players of all skill levels for matches in men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles categories, to raise money for home repairs in Adrian. habitat-lenawee.org 517-265-6157

‘Punk: Chaos to Couture’ Tecumseh Center for the Arts, noon and 5:30 p.m.

Infusion Performing Arts Academy is celebrating 10 years of artistry and performance in Tecumseh. The studio’s 10th annual recital, “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” will showcase talented dancers ranging from age 2 to seasoned adults. Tickets to the May 17 shows are $12.

400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh thetca.org

Dinosaur Party Adrian District Library, 1-2 p.m.

Roar your way through the library at this dinosaur-themed party. Includes snacks, crafts, and activities centered around dinosaurs. Kids ages 5 and up are welcome.

143 E. Maumee St., Adrian adrian.lib.mi.us or 517-265-2265

‘Anastasia’ Croswell Opera House, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

A brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Continues Sunday.

Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian croswell.org or 517-264-7469

ARTS & LIVING | C11

C12 | ARTS & LIVING

MAY 2025 THE LENAWEE VOICE

MONDAY, MAY 26 Tecumseh Memorial Day Parade Downtown Tecumseh, 10 a.m.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. along Chicago Boulevard and proceeds to Brookside Cemetery for a tribute to the fallen. For more information, call Tecumseh City Hall at 517423-2107.

309 E. Chicago Blvd. Tecumseh downtowntecumseh.com —— SEND US YOUR MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS! To submit a Memorial Day event to be publicized online, please email news@lenaweevoice.com.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28 4x4x4 Exhibit Visit Lake Hudson Recreation Area, one of only six Dark Sky Preserves in Michigan, for a Dark Sky Event on May 17.

SATURDAY, MAY 17 Backyard Bash Family Picnic by Autism GRACE of Lenawee Faith Baptist Church, Adrian, 4-6 p.m.

Pack a picnic and join Autism GRACE of Lenawee for backyard games, bounce house and fellowship. The event is planned for outdoors but will move inside in case of bad weather. Please register by emailing autismgraceoflenawee@gmail.com with the name and age of your loved one on the spectrum and how many total from your family will be joining in.

3625 Hunt Rd., Adrian autismgrace.org or 517-270-9415

Dark Sky Event 2025 Lake Hudson Recreation Area, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.

Activities planned include a guided night hike, Stars & S’mores, Glow-in-the-Dark Star Hunt; Dark Sky-themed scavenger hunt, and night sky viewing. The event is free of charge, but requires a recreation passport for the vehicle that can be purchased at the park and on the day of the event.

5505 Morey Hwy., Clayton www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails 517-445-2265

SUNDAY, MAY 18 2025 Greg Adams E-Race Stigma 5K Adrian Farmers Market Pavilion, 8 a.m.

All proceeds from this race support health education programs in Lenawee County. The goal of the event is to increase the awareness of mental health issues with a focus on overall health and wellness; mind, body, and spirit. $15 for 5K participants ($20 on race day, cash only); $5 for the kids dash. For more information, contact Stefanie Mineff at smineff@lcmha.org or 517-264-0103.

115 Toledo St., Adrian runsignup.com/Race/MI/Adrian/ERaceStigma5K 517-264-0103

Spring Tractor & Engine Show Farmers Antique Tractor & Engine Association, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tractor and engine displays, outdoor marketplace/swap meet, bake sale, lost arts/ crafts, working sawmill/copy lathe, tractor and lawn mower pulling, kids games, daily parades, live entertainment and more. No alcoholic beverages or ATVs on the grounds. Camping available. Continues Saturday and Sunday. $5; free for exhibitors and kids 12 and under.

7600 Forrister Road (corner of Forrister and U.S. 223), Adrian 517-759-8928

‘Anastasia’ Croswell Opera House, 2:30 p.m.

“Anastasia” transports the audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Final performance.

Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian croswell.org or 517-264-7469

Chiaroscuro concert First United Methodist Church, 7 p.m.

The men’s chorus Chiaroscuro presents its annual spring concert. Freewill offerings will be accepted.

1245 W. Maple Ave., Adrian chiaroscuromenschorus.org

Adrian Center for the Arts, 1-4 p.m.

Marking art in small dimensions brings forth a different set of concerns when creating work.

ACA members created a series of three to six related small works in a variety of media with no dimension longer than 4 inches. This exhibit will be on display May 28 to July 5. The reception is Sunday, June 8, from 2 to 4 p.m.

1375 N. Adrian Hwy., Adrian adriancenterforthearts.org 517-759-3005

Local History Trivia

TUESDAY, MAY 20 National Homeschool Music Ensembles concert Tecumseh Center for the Arts, 7 p.m.

Join National Homeschool Music Ensembles’ Beginning Strings, Strings, Beginning Band, and Band students for their annual spring concert on their hometown stage, featuring local musicians ages 8 to 80. Free.

400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh thetca.org or 517-423-6617

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 Kids’ Creative Workshop AJ Smith Recreation Center, 6-7 p.m.

Kids ages 6 and up can craft, tinker, and bring a project to life at these events. Each session is loosely themed so kids can use their imaginations to create a masterpiece of their own. May’s theme is rock painting. $10 for Tecumseh residents, $12 for non-residents.

810 N. Evans St., Tecumseh

THURSDAY, MAY 22 The Croswell’s Great Big Night Adrian Farmers Market Pavilion, 5:30 p.m.

The Croswell Opera House’s annual fundraiser features dinner, games, entertainment, and celebration of the theater community. $150 per person.

115 Toledo St., Adrian croswell.org or 517-264-7469

FRIDAY, MAY 23 Car Cruise Downtown Morenci, 5-7 p.m.

This monthly car show also offers a local DJ, food, and door prizes. Located in the Crossroads lot (across from Wakefield Park).

For more information, contact Denise Walsh at 517-490-6068.

SATURDAY, MAY 24 Farmers & Crafters Market Manitou Beach, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

First day of the season for the Manitou Beach Farmers and Crafters Market, sponsored by the Land and Lakes Ladies Club. Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The market runs Memorial Day to Labor Day. Contact reederrunner@outlook.com or message Manitou Beach Farmers and Crafters Market on Facebook.

110 Devils Lake Hwy., Manitou Beach

Adrian District Library, 6 p.m.

Answer questions about Adrian’s past and compete for bragging rights before Bicentennial weekend. In partnership with the Lenawee Historical Society.

143 E. Maumee St., Adrian adrian.lib.mi.us or 517-265-2265

THURSDAY, MAY 29 Morenci Town & Country Festival Wakefield Park, 5-10 p.m.

Morenci’s annual Town & Country Festival moves to May this year. Carnival rides from 5-10 p.m.; royalty contest at 5 p.m. on the main stage.

555 W. Main St., Morenci

Morenci Town & Country Festival Wakefield Park, 5 p.m. to midnight Morenci’s annual Town & Country Festival moves to May this year. Carnival rides from 5 p.m. to midnight; music by Stealin’ Copper from 7-10 p.m. on the main stage.

555 W. Main St., Morenci

SATURDAY, MAY 31 Morenci Town & Country Festival Wakefield Park, 11 a.m. to midnight Morenci’s annual Town & Country Festival moves to May this year. Carnival rides from 11 a.m. to midnight; mainstage entertainment throughout the day includes cheer demonstration at 11:30 a.m., Encore Dance Studio at noon, New Heights Gymnastics at 12:30 p.m., talent show at 1 p.m., Soup Sandwich from 3-5 p.m., Johnny Lightning from 5-7 p.m., and The Metros from 7-10 p.m.

Fireworks at dusk.

555 W. Main St., Morenci

Corks & Kegs Fest Devils Lake Yacht Club, noon to 4 p.m.

A day filled with wine, beer, cider and good times. Sample a variety of local and craft beverages while enjoying music and delicious food. Open to the public; only 600 tickets available for purchase. $60.

2097 Marsh Dr., Manitou Beach. devilslakeyachtclub.com or 517 547-7352

FRIDAY, JUNE 6 Adrian First Fridays: Tee it Up Downtown Adrian, 5-8 p.m.

Includes free mini golf, inflatables, food trucks, and unique vendors. Free.

First Friday Car Show Lenawee County Fairgrounds, 5-8 p.m.

This month’s car show includes a focus on Corvettes, convertibles and stock cars, with live music by Jaded Soul. Other offerings include food trucks and activities for kids.

517-673-7553

SATURDAY, JUNE 7

FRIDAY, MAY 30 Native Plant Sale River Raisin Watershed Council, 2 to 7:30 p.m.

The River Raisin Watershed Council presents a sale of the native plants that grew in this area before European colonists arrived. RRWC will bring together native plant vendors and environment-related organizations for an afternoon of shopping and information sharing — the first event of its kind in Lenawee County. Attendees will learn about the importance of native plants and how to incorporate them into their existing landscape.

For those who are new to gardening with native plants, Master Gardeners from the Tecumseh Little Garden Club will be on hand to answer questions and help with species selection. Kids’ activities are also planned.

804 N. Evans St., Tecumseh riverraisin.org/plant-sale

Miss Bouvèé: A Night with our Queen of Drag Farver’s at the Croswell, 7 p.m.

The Croswell Opera House kicks off Pride Month with evening with celebrated drag queen Miss Minnie Bouvèé, accompanied by pianist Rick Leonard. $50. croswell.org

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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.

THURSDAY, MAY 1 Jon Torrence, 8-11 p.m., Chaloner’s Cigar House, 108 W. Maumee St., Adrian.

FRIDAY, MAY 2 Luke Woltanski, 7-10 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

D.J. Flo Sonic and Los Hermanos The Next Generation, 7 p.m., Lenawee County Fair & Event Grounds, 602 N. Dean St., Adrian. $15.

Stevie Nicks Tribute by Street Angel, 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, MAY 3 Jonathan Crayne, 6-9 p.m., Starling Lounge/ Four Keys Brewing, 133 S. Lane St., Blissfield.

Wilson & Brenner, 7-10 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

SATURDAY, MAY 24 Jaded Soul, Onsted Legion, 333 Conner St, Onsted.

Queen Tribute by Simply Queen, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted.

Van Halen Tribute by Panama, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $50, four for $80, eight for $130; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 11 Mike Lee, 1-4 p.m., Cherry Creek Cellars, 11010 Silver Lake Hwy., Brooklyn.

Wishing Well, 2-6 p.m., Artesian Well Sports Tavern, 18711 U.S. 12, Cement City.

SUNDAY, MAY 4 Storm Bandits, 12:30-4 p.m., Adrian Eagles.

FRIDAY, MAY 16 FiftyAmpFuse, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $50, four for $80, eight for $130.

THURSDAY, MAY 29 Jon Torrence, 8-11 p.m., Chaloner’s Cigar House, 108 W. Maumee St., Adrian.

SATURDAY, MAY 17 Blockhouse Valley Quartet, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Starling Lounge/Four Keys Brewing, 133 S. Lane St., Blissfield.

The Band The Groupe, 8-11 p.m., Two Lakes Tavern, 110 Walnut St., Manitou Beach.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute by Mister Breeze Band, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted.

FRIDAY, MAY 30 The Band The Groupe, 8-11 p.m. Devils Lake Yacht Club, 2097 Marsh Dr., Manitou Beach.

Nirvana Tribute by Smells Like Nirvana, 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, MAY 22 EMP Jazz Trio, 7-9 p.m., Starling Lounge/ Four Keys Brewing, 133 S. Lane St., Blissfield.

SATURDAY, MAY 31 Jaded Soul, 8 p.m. to midnight, Adrian Eagles, 2522 W. Beecher Rd., Adrian. $5.

KISS Tribute by War Machine, 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, MAY 9 Jimmy Buffett Tribute by Don Middlebrook & The Pearl Divers, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Two people for $50, four for $80, eight for $130.

Comedy & Caviar, Starling Lounge/Four Keys Brewing, 133 S. Lane St., Blissfield.

Comedy at The Rex, 8 p.m., 235 W. Main St., Morenci. $5.

SATURDAY, MAY 10 Broken Side and Wolves Of Oz, 6 p.m., Rex Theater, 235 W. Main St., Morenci, with special guests Bones Of Goliath. $15.

Comedy & Caviar, Starling Lounge/Four Keys Brewing, 133 S. Lane St., Blissfield.

Mötley Crüe Tribute by Wrëking Crüe, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted.

FRIDAY, MAY 23 Foo Fighters Tribute by Forever Foo, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted.

CLASSES FOR ADULTS The Lenawee County area 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.

Chips and Salsa with Salsa Dance: Drop-in event, no registration required. No necesitas registrarte. Peruvian Instructor Franco Van Oordt will teach individuals and couples how to dance salsa. Learn the basic steps and then how to dance with a partner. Enjoy some chips and salsa while listening and dancing to Latin music.

—adrian.lib.mi.us

Adrian Center for the Arts, 1375 N. Main St., Adrian Fundamentals of Drawing (four sessions) with Chelsea Younkman: This class aims to teach the fundamentals of drawing, including negative space, elliptical perspective, linear perspective, value and shading, and portraiture. Saturdays, May 3, 10, 17, and 24, from noon to 2:30 p.m., $125.

Veterans’ Doodling for Relaxation with Tayleen Theisen: This class is for veterans. Come and learn how the art of doodling can help you relax. This class is made possible by the generosity of the Flagstar Foundation. Please note this class is in a historic building with steps. Friday, May 9, from 6-8 p.m., Free.

Veterans’ Art Without Rules with Tayleen Theisen: This class is for veterans.

Forget the “rules” and create something of your own choosing. This class is made possible by the generosity of the Flagstar Foundaion. Please note this class is in a historic building with steps. Friday, May 16, from 6-8 p.m. Free.

—adriancenterforthearts.org

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. First Sunday of every month from 6-7:30 p.m. Free.

— croswell.org

Adrian District Library, 143 E. Maumee St., Adrian Adult Craft: Life is a party, let’s make a piñata! ¡La vida es una fiesta, hagamos una piñata! Did you ever wonder how to make a piñata? Come and learn how to make a piñata out of a cardboard box. ¿Te has preguntado como hacer una piñata? Ven y aprende como hacer una piñata usando una caja de carton. Saturday, May 10.

Weber Retreat and Conference Center, 1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian Lunch and Learn — Let’s Go To The Park: Learn about Adrian’s parks with Jeremiah Davies and Cindy Schmucker from the Adrian Parks and Recreation department. Wednesday, May 14, 12:15 p.m. Free if you bring your own lunch, $8 to purchase lunch (if buying lunch, please register two days in advance).

— webercenter.org

Gathering Home, 10401 Neuroth Hwy., Blissfield Bread Baking Class: Join Gathering Home for a hands-on workshop where students will explore the art of baking fresh, nutritious whole wheat bread from home-ground flour. Saturday, May 17, 2-4 p.m. $35. To register, call 517-902-1232 or email gatheringhome@yahoo.com.

Morenci Legion, 9010 Morenci Road, Morenci Glass Making Class: Enjoy a fun evening and create a beautiful glass piece; all materials provided. Eight spots available (four at 4 p.m., four at 5 p.m.) on Thursday, May 15. $50. Register and pay at the Legion post.

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Plant sale from page C1 Planting for the sale begins in early April, Goodrich said. The plants are grown from seeds and “plugs” in plant trays, as well as from plant cuttings and divisions, many of which come from plants that are part of the Hidden Lake Gardens collection.

The seeds and plugs are grown in a “poly house” that is located on the premises.

Once the seeds are planted, they need to be watered daily and fertilized regularly to keep them growing. A team of 10 to 15 gardeners, both staff and volunteers, do the work, Goodrich said.

“Watering is a daily chore,” Goodrich said. “We have a monthly schedule where we put volunteers on and then staff fill in the gaps.”

The plants are evaluated in May, and “only the nicest plants go into the sale,” she added.

Annuals, perennials and conifers make up most of the sale, as well as perhaps a few trees, Goodrich said. This year, the plant sale will include hanging baskets that are grown on-site, instead of being ordered as they have been in the past.

“We’ll also have some small ornamental shrubs,” Goodrich added.

“We’ll also have some of our dwarf conifers, similar to what we have in the Dwarf Conifer Collection.”

Goodrich emphasized that the volunteers who help with the gardening activities are a key element to what makes events like the annual plant sale successful.

Hidden Lake Gardens hosted a volunteer fair in March, but anyone interested in volunteering can sign up anytime.

“We take volunteers year round, so anytime anyone’s interested, it’s very easy to sign up to be a volunteer,” Goodrich said. Volunteer information can be found on the botanical garden’s website.

The annual plant sale was begun in the 1990s by volunteer Charlene Harris, who worked with dwarf and rare conifer enthusiast Justin C. “Chub” Harper to create the Harper Collection of Dwarf and Rare Conifers. Harper originally donated 300 specimens to Hidden Lake Gardns in the 1980s. The collection currently boasts over 500 varieties of rare and dwarf conifers.

Early plant sales featured shoots from some of the conifers in the Harper Collection. The idea was to make the rare and dwarf conifers more widely available, Goodrich said.

The sale has evolved into what it is now, with annuals, perennials, vegetables and some trees being offered, in addition to conifers. There was no sale in 2020

Jon Genereaux, Hidden Lake Gardens’ grounds manager, shares his knowledge with shoppers at the 2024 plant sale. This year’s sale will take place on Saturday, May 10. PHOTOS BY RENA SPEARS/SPEAR PRODUCTIONS and 2021 due to COVID-19. In 2022 and 2023, the plant sale came back and was combined with the annual hosta sale in late June, but that was too late in the growing season for some of the plants that had been part of the sale, so last year it was moved back to May. Hidden Lake Gardens is at 6214 Monroe Road (M-50), Tipton. For more information about Hidden Lake Gardens or the annual plant sale, call 517-431-2060 or go to hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu.

Upcoming events at Hidden Lake Gardens Annual Hosta Sale (hosted by the Michigan Hosia Society) — Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. until sold out, in the lower level of the Visitors Center. At this sale, gardeners can choose from a wide variety of well-established Hostas in an array of sizes, shapes, and colors — including many unique varieties not commonly found in retail stores.

Quantities are limited, and popular varieties tend to sell out fast — last year, all plants were sold in 30 minutes. The Hosta sale is cash or check only.

Art of Bonsai — Saturday, July 12, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A chance to explore an explore art form that combines distinct discipline, persistence and quiet contemplation. The event includes a bonsai exhibition featuring trees from Michigan and beyond; vendors offering a wide variety of bonsai essentials; live demonstrations by highly skilled bonsai artists; and introductory workshops.

LET OUR 50 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORK FOR YOU! CHARLES J. NOE 517-263-4062

ATTORNEY AT LAW FORMER ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR CRIMINAL LAW PERSONAL AND AUTO INJURY DIVORCE/FAMILY LAW ESTATE PLANNING

ADVICE MATTERS.

MARGARET M.S. NOE 517-263-8200

ATTORNEY AT LAW FORMER CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE FORMER ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR PERSONAL INJURY ESTATE PLANNING

NOE LAW OFFICE

147 NORTH MAIN STREET, ADRIAN noelawoffice.com

Elliana Gutierrez, a Hidden Lake Gardens intern, works at the 2024 plant sale.

Run for the Hills — Saturday, Sept.

13, at 8 a.m. A morning run through the trails of Hidden Lake Gardens featuring scenic hills and vibrant autumn views.

Fall Foliage Festival — Saturday, Oct. 18. A family-friendly fall celebration.

Under the Silver Moon — Friday, Dec. 12, and Saturday, Dec. 13. An evening walk featuring a glowing trail of luminaries that provides a chance to explore the beauty of light and shadow in nature.

THE LENAWEE VOICE

ARTS & LIVING | C15

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Celebrate Hudson Music in the Park announces summer concert schedule

The Debutants, a seven-member band from Fort Wayne, Indiana, are one of six acts scheduled for the Celebrate Hudson Music in the Park series this year.

The outdoor concert series focuses on acoustic artists performing original music HUDSON — For more than a decade, the Celebrate Hudson Music in the Park series has been bringing talented acoustic groups and singer-songwriters to play free concerts in Hudson.

Founder and organizer Dave Sheely calls the concert series “one of Lenawee County’s best kept secrets,” and this summer, six different groups will perform outdoors on the campus of the Southern Michigan Center for Science and Industry, 550 E. Main St. A mix of genres are featured, but the concert series favors acoustic music and singer-songwriters performing original work. Sheely presents the concerts in cooperation with the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce.

All of the concerts start at 6:30 p.m., and admission is free.

The Oh Boys: Thursday, June 5.

Chicago-based trio The Oh Boys is a vintage-inspired powerhouse of pop, rock, folk and doo-wop, whose songs feature tight harmonies, inventive arrangements, and poignant lyrics.

Veterans of the stage, their live show engages and entertains with a sense of humor, spontaneity, and melodic storytelling.

The Oh Boys will kick off the Celebrate Hudson Music in the Park series on June 5.

Mare Wakefield and Nomad: Thursday, June 19. Mare Wakefield was born with wanderlust in her DNA. Her rich vocals reflect her travels and range from travelscapes, and hope to barroom brawls. Story and song are woven together

by Mare’s intimate delivery and Nomad’s exquisite piano and accordion. Currently based in Nashville, the pair were 2016 and 2015 Kerrville NewFolk finalists and 2015 Falcon Ridge Emerging Artists.

The Debutants: Thursday, June 26.

The Debutants are a seven-member newgrass/Americana band from Fort Wayne, Indiana. They are known for their unique combination of bluegrass, indie folk, and Americana influences.

The band formed from a longstanding friendship between founding members Jon Swain and Lynn Nicholson, who both share a passion for bluegrass music that they began to explore during their teenage years in Fort Wayne. This collaboration led to the establishment of The Debutants in March 2019.

The Magnolia Janes: Thursday, July 24. The Magnolia Janes have a way of sorting through life’s highs and lows, painting lush, emotional soundscapes that guide listeners to look for the beauty within. Made up of friends and songwriters Ashley Riley and Sarah Bonsignore, the duo first met at a sync songwriting retreat in the Pocono Mountains. Both acclaimed solo artists who have had success writing music for film and TV, they bonded over their love of vintage clothes, cheap wine, and many laughs. Their rich harmonies make this concert an easy listening pleasure.

Andy Sydow: Thursday, July 31.

Americana, rock and folk singersongwriter Andy Sydow is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who’s lyrics paint a picture of poetic realism. Touring consistently both solo and with his band (Andy Sydow & The Minor League), Sydow is known to sway an audience with acoustic guitar ballads, surprising keyboard chops, and even sing a few numbers on his lap steel.

He draws comparisons to voices like Paul Simon and Jackson Browne, mixed with a roots rock vibe reminiscent of Tom Petty.

Suzie Vinnick: Thursday, Aug. 14.

A Saskatoon native transplanted to the Niagara Region of Ontario, Suzie Vinnick has a gorgeous voice, impressive guitar and bass chops and an engagingly candid performance style.

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