The Lenawee Voice — September 2025

Adrian City Commission chooses Canton police chief as administrator » PAGE B1

THE LENAWEE VOICE

SEPTEMBER 2025

Literacy Center helps adults learn essential skills » PAGE C1

Immanuel Lutheran celebrates its heritage » PAGE B6

Trains, trains, trains

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — John McConnell’s interest in model trains began when he got a Lionel train set at age 11. Later, during his years in the Navy, he created a train set that fit in his locker.

“I’ve always had [a model train] at home, and now I’m building a new one,” the Tecumseh resident said.

For Joe Watts of Blissfield, while he too had a train set as a boy, his passion for trains was also stoked by family members who worked on actual rail lines and by his own experience. As a young man, “my summer job was as a clerk with the Santa Fe Railroad,” he said.

Both McConnell and Watts are longtime members — for about 18 years and almost 20, respectively — of the Blissfield Model Railroad Club, located at 109 E. Adrian St. (U.S. 223).

The club, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, actually got its start in Adrian back in 1992, but eventually moved to Blissfield because it could rent its own space there. When it lost its lease on that location in 2013, it ended up next door in its current spot.

Not only does it own that building, which Watts said is very unusual for

a model train club, but whereas the previous location was on the second floor, this one is on the ground level and handicapped-accessible with parking in front, making it very visitor-friendly.

People who visit during one of the club’s regular open houses will find more than 3,200 feet of main line rail, with trains winding their way past 52 different

industries, 20 towns, and countless homes, businesses, people, animals, and vehicles of all sorts — including, just for the fun of it, the Batmobile and a Sherman tank guarding a tunnel. There’s a stockyard, a junkyard, and all manner of eating establishments

Blissfield Model Railroad Club offers a wealth of experiences for rail enthusiasts

Blissfield Model Railroad Club wend

John McConnell of Tecumseh shows a portion of the 3,200 feet of rail line at the Blissfield Model Railroad Club. The club holds frequent open

for anyone interested in seeing the trains in person, with the next one being scheduled for Sept. 13 and 14 from 10 a.m.

p.m. The club is at 109 E. Adrian St. in downtown Blissfield. PHOTOS BY ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE

Suspect named in 2024 hit-and-run that injured Adrian teen

Felisha Madison was viewed as a possible suspect from the beginning, but investigators faced numerous obstacles, court documents show

By Erik Gable The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — An Adrian woman was arraigned on Aug. 20 in connection with the hit-andrun accident last year that left a local teenager fighting for his life.

Felisha Racine Madison, 39, was charged with failure to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in significant impairment, which is a felony. Madison had already emerged as a possible suspect within a few weeks of the hit-and-run crash that left Dakota Courington in a medically induced coma. The crash happened on Aug. 9, 2024.

But police encountered numerous obstacles in the investigation, including secondhand statements that could not be traced back to the original source and a witness who died before police learned that Madison had allegedly confessed to him.

Documents filed in Lenawee County District Court detail numerous interviews conducted by police over the course of a year as they worked to build a strong enough case to bring charges against Madison. The court filings also contain accounts of her trying to redirect suspicion onto others and making threats against a person she had allegedly confessed to.

In the two weeks following the accident, according to court documents, police received tips from multiple people who said they had heard from others that Madison had struck Dakota and was

Madison’s phone was in Adrian at the time of the crash, which happened around noon. Police say that when they questioned Madison, she said she was in the area that afternoon and had driven to a home on Church Street to pick up her grandchildren because her son and his girlfriend had a wedding to attend at 2 p.m. However, her son told police he was at work that afternoon, and his girlfriend stated that the wedding was actually the following day.

Eventually, a firsthand account of a confession came from a man who had had a dating relationship with Madison. Police say this man told them about a conversation he had with her on Jan. 27 of this year, during which Madison — who he said was smoking crack and marijuana and drinking — began talking about her “regrets.” The man said she told him that one of her regrets was “hitting that boy,” and that she hadn’t known what to do when it happened so she “just took off.”

After describing this conversation to police, the man reportedly told Madison about his conversation with the detective. He later showed the detective screenshots of his text message conversation with her. In that conversation, she allegedly threatened to kill the man, and also said she would tell police that he had molested a little girl.

In a subsequent interview, police say, Madison admitted to the conversation but denied telling the man that she had struck Dakota.

She also requested that police investigate another person, a man who she said had a Chevrolet Cruze with front-end damage parked at his house. That man described being told by a third person that Madison had shown up at his house upset because she had “hit some kid on a bicycle.” However, police were unable to verify this report because that person had died in April of this year.

Another witness told police that he confronted Madison about whether or not she had struck Dakota and she attempted to blame her brother and his

Felisha Madison

Adrian Public Schools begins energy savings project

ADRIAN — Adrian Public Schools has entered into a contract with Trane, a manufacturer of HVAC equipment and an expert in building energy solutions, to lead a district-wide energy efficiency initiative that includes the replacement of the aging boiler at Adrian High School and upgrades to building envelopes across the district.

The project will be funded through the use of a school improvement bond that allows school districts to issue bonds and repay them with the energy savings captured through energy efficiencies and upgrades. This allows school districts to complete infrastructure projects without asking voters for an increase in taxes. The project represents a total investment of $5.4 million aimed at reducing energy costs, modernizing infrastructure, and enhancing comfort and sustainability for students and staff, according to a news release.

By leveraging energy savings and school improvement bonds, the district will be able to complete this project without having to ask taxpayers for additional funds, superintendent Nate Parker said.

“This is part of our strategic plan for facilities,” Parker said. “The foresight to plan for the long-term care and maintenance of our facilities, through an intentional process that allocated dollars over the last nine years for projects like this, allows us to address a tremendous need without having to go to our residents for a tax increase.”

The project includes:

n Replacement of Adrian High School’s outdated boiler system, scheduled for the summer of 2026. The steam boiler will be replaced with a much more efficient hot water boiler.

n Envelope upgrades across multiple district buildings, including improvements to insulation, windows, and doors, beginning in the summer of 2025.

According to CFO Dan Pena, $1.5 million will be contributed directly from the district’s Capital Projects Fund, $3.7 million will come from school improvement bonds that are intended to be repaid using guaranteed energy savings from the upgrades, and $200,000 will come from annual payments from the district’s annual budget over the course of five years. Pena said the upgrades will not raise taxes for district residents.

By upgrading insulation, sealing leaks, and replacing one of the district’s most outdated mechanical systems, Adrian Public Schools expects significant reductions in energy usage and operational costs. These savings will not only cover the bond repayment but also contribute to a healthier and more comfortable learning environment, district officials said.

“We’re excited to launch this project,” said facility director Brandon Garland. “This work addresses both immediate infrastructure needs and long-term energy efficiency, allowing us to reinvest savings back into classrooms where they belong.”

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.

Lenawee Humane Society to begin construction on new shelter in October

By Erik Gable The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN TWP. — The Lenawee Humane Society plans to begin construction in October on its new shelter, which will be on the campus of ProMedica Hickman Hospital.

The project will take place in multiple phases.

“Phase 1 will cover all of the animal needs because that’s the most important part,” said Marcie Cornell, executive director of the Humane Society.

The first phase includes an improved shelter space and more capacity in the veterinary clinic.

Dogs at the new shelter will have indoor/outdoor kennels allowing them to go in and out on their own. The outdoor portion of the kennels will open directly onto the play yard, so that staff and volunteers don’t need to walk them through the rest of the shelter when taking them for exercise.

Another improvement is that people who are going through the emotionally difficult process of surrendering a pet will no longer be in the same lobby as people adopting a pet. Currently, Cornell said, “all of those emotions are happening at the same time in one space.”

This drawing shows one of the interior plans for the new

to be built on the campus of

The new shelter will also have more clinic capacity, Cornell said, which will lead to shorter wait times for veterinary services.

Construction is expected to take about 12 months.

The Humane Society has a $7.2 million fundraising target for Phase 1 and has raised about $4.7 million so far.

The group currently has a $150,000 matching challenge running, and is soliciting donations to meet that match, Cornell said. Future goals include adding an education center and a sallyport, and the Humane Society would also eventually like to be able to offer boarding and daycare services.

Housing Solutions Conference set for Oct. 29

ADRIAN — Housing Lenawee will host its second annual Housing Solutions Conference at the Align Center, 440 E. Church St., Adrian on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The conference will include speakers and panel discussions on resources to solve housing challenges in Michigan communities.

Featured speakers and presenters include:

n Amy Hovey, executive director and CEO of Michigan State Housing Development Authority.

n Winfield “Scott” Gibson, member of real estate developer Collier Gibson.

n Ashley Connelly, founder and CEO of Lionbear Ventures.

n Jeff Campbell, vice president of consulting services for Great Lakes Housing Services.

n Jessica DeBone, vice president of development for real estate developer River Caddis Group.

n John Lindley, president and CEO of the Michigan Manufactured Housing Association.

In addition, there will be other presentations on proven solutions, capital stacking and other resources for new construction, according to a news release.

“Our conference will provide new ideas and resources for community leaders, developers and lenders,” said Lisa Hewitt-Cruz, Housing Lenawee committee member. “We have a packed day of presenters with experience in creating partnerships and solutions to build housing in Michigan communities.”

Tickets are available to purchase online at housinglenawee.com/events and are $65 per person.

For more information or questions about the conference, visit housinglenawee.com or email info@ housinglenawee.com.

Lenawee Humane Society shelter,

ProMedica Hickman Hospital.

City OKs purchase of more land along Winter Street

ADRIAN — The Adrian City Commission voted on Aug. 4 to approve the purchase of 227 N. Winter St., also known as Courthouse Commons — but what the city really wanted was a narrow strip of land that is located south of Courthouse Commons and is owned by the same people.

The city had previously purchased the former Daily Telegram, Access Shoppers Guide, and Eagles Club

POLICE REPORTS

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

ADDISON

Aug. 3: Burglary (residential, forced entry), 6400 block of Sorby Highway.

ADRIAN

July 26: Disorderly conduct, Addison and Hunt streets. Assault, Merrick and Main streets. Assault, 600 block of North Dean Street. Telephone harassment or threats, 600 block of North Dean Street.

July 27: Retail fraud, 300 block of East Beecher Street. Assault, 1200 block of North Main Street.

July 28: Sexual assault, 900 block of Riverside Avenue. Fraud and telephone harassment or threats, 400 block of College Avenue. Telephone harassment or threats, 600 block of West Beecher Street.

July 29: Assault, 100 block of North McKenzie Street. Property damage, 1300 block of South Main Street. Assault and property damage, Center and Michigan streets.

July 30: Assault, 100 block of East Maumee Street. Larceny from a vehicle, 1800 block of West Maumee Street. Vehicle theft, 100 block of Sand Creek Highway. Larceny from a vehicle, 100 block of Sand Creek Highway. Retail fraud, 1500 block of West Maumee Street. Property damage, 100 block of Sterling Street.

July 31: Vagrancy, 100 block of East Butler Street. Larceny from a building, 300 block of Erie Street. Assault, 100 block of Mixer Street.

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buildings on North Winter Street, as well as a house on the same block, and demolished all of those buildings earlier this summer. The goal is to clean up the riverfront area and create an attractive parcel that can eventually be sold for residential development.

However, Mayor Angela Sword Heath said, there was a narrow strip of land separating one part of the property from the other, which would have blocked

Assault, 500 block of Frank Street. Assault, 400 block of North Locust Street.

Aug. 1: Property damage, 300 block of Division Street. Retail fraud, 1300 block of South Main Street. Assault, 1200 block of North Main Street. Retail fraud, 800 block of North Main Street. Retail fraud,1500 block of West Maumee Street. Operating while intoxicated, South Main and West South streets. Retail fraud, 900 block of East Beecher Street. Disorderly conduct, Erie and Tecumseh streets.

Aug. 3: Property damage, 1100 block of East Hunt Street. Assault, 200 block of Park Street.

Aug. 5: Assault, 200 block of South Tecumseh Street. Assault, 1000 block of South Winter Street. Operating while intoxicated, Rice and Merrick streets. Assault and disorderly conduct, East Maumee Street and Park Place. Operating while intoxicated, 700 block of Lakeshire Trail.

Aug. 6: Assault, 1300 block of South Main Street. Larceny from a building and illegal credit card use, 1300 block of South Main Street.

Aug. 7: Larceny from a yard, 300 block of East Hunt Street. Property damage, 600 block of State Street. Retail fraud, 4400 block of West Maumee Street. Assault, 1200 block of South Main Street. Property damage, 300 block of State Street. Larceny from a yard, 700 block of Erie Street.

Aug. 8: Assault, 500 block of Dennis Street. Property damage, 500 block of West Maple Avenue.

Aug. 9: Assault, 1200 block of Division Street. Fraud, 500 block of Hidden River Drive.

Aug. 10: Assault, 100 block of Chestnut Street. Assault, 400 block of Allis Street. Assault, 400 block of Cherry Street.

Aug. 11: Assault, Toledo and Main streets.

Aug. 12: Assault and intimidation, 1200 block of South Main Street.

Aug. 13: Assault, 200 block of South Locust Street. Assault and disorderly conduct, 700 block of South Main Street. Assault, 200 block of Chestnut Street. Assault less than murder, 500 block of College Avenue. Assault, 600 block of Riverside Avenue. Larceny from a yard, 500 block of College Avenue.

Aug. 14: Assault, 1300 block of West Maumee Street. Larceny from a vehicle, 500 block of Seeley Street. Larceny from a building, 600 block of Madison Street.

Aug. 15: Property damage, 800 block of North Main Street. Property damage, 900 block of South Main Street. Drug possession, West Beecher and Hoch Avenue. Larceny from a yard, 700 block of College Avenue. Retail fraud, 1500 block of West Maumee Street. Telephone harassment or threats, 500 block of Toledo Street.

Aug. 16: Sexual assault, 200 block of North

those plans if the city were not able to buy it.

The owners of Courthouse Commons also own that strip, and the city was not able to get an agreement to buy that strip without also buying Courthouse Commons.

The purchase price agreed to by the city commission was $250,000. The sellers are James W. Daly and Anne Marie Daly. James Daly is a local attorney

Main Street. Property damage, 400 block of East Beecher Street. Assault, 700 block of North Main Street. Fraud, 100 block of Sand Creek Highway. Sexual assault, Church and Division streets. Assault less than murder, disorderly conduct, and property damage, 800 block of East Maumee Street. Vehicle theft, 400 block of South Madison Street.

Aug. 17: Disturbing the peace, 800 block of East Maumee Street. Property damage, Main and Beecher streets.

Aug. 18: Assault, 1600 block of West Maumee Street. Identity theft, 500 block of West Michigan Avenue. Assault and property damage, 800 block of Mulberry Street. Larceny from a yard, 500 block of Frank Street.

Aug. 19: Retail fraud, 4400 block of West Maumee Street. Assault, 400 block of East Butler Street.

Aug. 20: Assault, 100 block of Sand Creek Highway. Larceny from a building, 200 block of East Michigan Street.

Aug. 21: Property damage, 400 block of May Drive.

Aug. 22: Vagrancy, Center and Logan streets. Property damage, 600 block of Oak Street. Larceny from a building, 200 block of Division Street.

ADRIAN TOWNSHIP

Aug. 1: Property damage, 5600 block of North Adrian Highway.

Aug. 8: Fraud, 1800 block of Hamilton Highway.

Aug. 9: Assault, 6900 block of Rome Road.

Aug. 11: Operating while intoxicated, Wolf Creek Highway and Evergreen Drive.

BLISSFIELD

Aug. 17: Assault, 400 block of Redmond Drive.

Aug. 18: Fraud, 8300 block of Garno Road.

CAMBRIDGE TOWNSHIP

July 26: Operating while intoxicated, Killarney Highway and West M-50.

Aug. 1: Fraud, 7400 block of Reed Drive.

DEERFIELD

Aug. 14: Fraud, 400 block of Raisin Street.

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP

Aug. 20: Assault, 1200 block of Seneca Street.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP

Aug. 21: Fraud, 8200 block of O’Dowling Drive.

HUDSON

July 27: Assault, 200 block of North Railroad Street.

July 29: Assault, 14500 block of West Carleton Road.

Aug. 1: Assault and operating while intoxicated, 100 block of Jefferson Street.

MADISON TOWNSHIP

Aug. 11: Property damage, 2300 block of East U.S. 223. Assault, 2700 block of Park Drive.

Aug. 13: Operating while intoxicated, Carleton Road and Sand Creek Highway.

Aug. 14: Retail fraud, 1600 block of East U.S. 223. Assault, U.S. 223 and Division Street.

OGDEN TOWNSHIP

Aug. 5: Fraud, 5200 block of Crockett Highway.

PALMYRA TOWNSHIP

Aug. 16: Assault, 6400 block of Rouget Road.

Aug. 20: Telephone harassment or threats, 4900 block of Ogden Highway.

RIDGEWAY TOWNSHIP

July 26: Burglary (residential, forced entry), 8700 block of East M-50.

and member of the Lenawee County Commission.

According to the sale agreement, the city will take possession of the small strip of land to the south as soon as the sale is closed, while the seller will have until Jan. 1, 2026, to vacate the building and turn it over to the city. The intention is that there will be no tenants in the building when the city takes possession.

Aug. 22: Assault, 5800 block of Britton Highway.

RIGA TOWNSHIP

Aug. 8: Larceny from a vehicle, 11900 block of East U.S. 223.

Aug. 18: Disorderly conduct, Horton Road and U.S. 223.

ROLLIN TOWNSHIP

July 27: Property damage, 15000 block of Griswold Road.

July 29: Fraud, 200 block of Plank Road.

July 31: Assault, 6700 block of Hallenbeck Highway.

Aug. 8: Operating while intoxicated, 16800 block of Rome Road.

Aug. 14: Burglary (forced entry, nonresidential), 9600 block of Pottawatamie Drive.

Aug. 17: Assault, 17300 block of Hillside Road.

Aug. 20: Larceny from a building, 18700 block of Quaker Road.

ROME TOWNSHIP

July 27: Burglary (forced entry, nonresidential), 2000 block of Southard Highway.

Aug. 20: Assault, 3900 block of Southard Highway.

SENECA TOWNSHIP

Aug. 13: Operating while intoxicated, 8600 block of Seneca Highway.

Aug. 14: Assault, 9500 block of West Weston Road.

TECUMSEH

July 27: Assault, 9100 block of North Union Street.

July 29: Illegal credit card use, 700 block of South Occidental Highway. Operating while intoxicated, Chicago Boulevard and Wyandotte Street.

July 30: Larceny from a yard, 300 block of West Chicago Boulevard.

July 31: Assault, 1100 block of West Russell Road.

Aug. 5: Operating while intoxicated, Evans and Water streets.

Aug. 6: Operating while intoxicated, Chicago Boulevard and Pearl Street. Disorderly conduct, 1400 block of West Chicago. Assault, Chicago and Occidental.

Aug. 9: Disorderly conduct, 400 block of Adrian Street. Assault, 200 block of South Ottawa Street.

Aug. 11: Fraud, 700 block of Clark Street.

Aug. 13: Operating while intoxicated, Chicago Boulevard and Cairns Street.

Aug. 14: Illegal credit card use, 2000 block of Conklin Road. Larceny from a yard, 500 block of Red Maple Drive. Assault, 700 block of West Russell Road. Property damage, 300 block of North Union Street.

Aug. 17: Operating while intoxicated, Evans and Bidwell streets.

Aug. 22: Operating while intoxicated, Chicago and Democratic streets.

TECUMSEH TOWNSHIP

July 31: Fraud, 3000 block of West Chicago Boulevard.

Aug. 10: Larceny from a vehicle, 1100 block of East M-50.

WOODSTOCK TOWNSHIP

July 29: Property damage and larceny from a building, 14300 block of West U.S. 12. Sex offense against a child, 11500 block of Sanford Drive.

Aug. 3: Identity theft, 1100 block of Tompkins Drive. Assault, 15800 block of Winted Road. Aug. 8: Vehicle theft and larceny from a building, 17100 block of West U.S. 223.

Aug. 21: Assault, 7800 block of Stephens Way.

NEWS FROM AROUND LENAWEE COUNTY

COUNTY NEWS

SUGGESTED DONATION AMOUNT FOR MEALS TO RISE: The suggested donation amount for meals served at Lenawee County senior centers and delivered to senior citizens at home will rise from $3 to $4. However, mambers of the Lenawee County Department on Aging advisory board noted that the suggested donation amount is optional, and nobody is turned away for inability to pay. Chris Peoples, District 8 representative on the advisory board, said the average cost per meal, including food and staff time, is almost $7.75, and the suggested donation amount has not changed in 25 years.

— LOCAL BUZZ RADIO

SHERIFF’S OFFICE BUILDING TO BE NAMED FOR GERMOND: The building housing the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office is getting a new name, as Lenawee County Commissioners last month voted to name it in honor of Lenawee’s longest serving sheriff, Richard Germond, who died earlier this year.

— LOCAL BUZZ RADIO

STAN WILSON REMEMBERED: Recently retired Lenawee County Road Commission board chairman Stan Wilson is being remembered as a pillar of the community and a man whose life was marked by service, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to hard work. Wilson died on Aug. 13 at the age of 75, just weeks after stepping down from the commission that he had served on since 2006.

— LOCAL BUZZ RADIO

TODD BROWN NAMED TO ROAD COMMISSION: Todd Brown of Clayton was named to fill the Lenawee County Road Commission seat that had previously been filled by Stan Wilson. Brown told county commissioners he has relationships with road commissions across the state and had previously spent about 15 years in project maintenance of roadways with the city of Adrian. Brown has a total of about 25 years of experience in infrastructure design, civil engineering and public administration. — LOCAL BUZZ RADIO

USE OF RECYCLING DROPOFF SITE HITS NEW HIGH: Lenawee County solid waste officials say July’s use of the county recycling dropoff site in Adrian recorded its highest monthly tonnage of dropoffs in more than three years, with more than 42 tons of materials recycled that month. — LOCAL BUZZ RADIO

ADDISON

ADDISON SCHOOL OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWED: Voters in the Addison school district approved a sixyear renewal of the district’s non-homestead operating millage by a margin of 645 to 426 on Aug. 5. The Addison district includes portions of both Lenawee and Hillsdale counties. — LOCAL BUZZ RADIO

WOMAN DIES IN ADDISON CRASH: On Aug. 6 at approximately 5:30 p.m., Lenawee County sheriff’s deputies responded to a single vehicle crash in the area of U.S. 127 and Mason Street. The vehicle, a black Dodge Durango, had crashed into the guardrail. Investigators determined that the vehicle was traveling north on U.S. 127 when it ran off the roadway to the left, re-entered the road, struck a concrete barrier, then crossed the centerline again and struck a guardrail before coming to rest. The driver, a 61-year-old Jackson woman, was pronounced dead at the scene, and deputies said there were indications she may have suffered a medical emergency prior to the crash. — LENAWEE VOICE

COMMISSIONER CONVERSATIONS WITH BOB

BEHNKE: Adrian City Commissioner Bob Behnke invites city residents to stop by the Adrian District Library on Tuesday, Sept. 9, from 6-7 p.m. for his ongoing Commissioner Conversations series, an opportunity to ask about city issues, give feedback, or express concerns. — LENAWEE VOICE

MAN KILLED AFTER VEHICLE FALLS ON HIM: The Adrian police and fire departments were called on the afternoon of Aug. 5 to a report of a man trapped under a vehicle in the 600 block of South Winter Street. The man, a 67-year-old Adrian resident, was pinned under the vehicle and was deceased when emergency responders arrived. The preliminary investigation indicated that the vehicle had slipped from a jack that was being used to elevate it for service. — LENAWEE VOICE

The Michigan Department of Transportation spent much of August working on its M-52 reconstruction project through Adrian. The project includes resurfacing, joint repairs, and the installation of ADA-compliant sidewalks. The entire project runs from Beecher Street to Siena Heights Drive. ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

APS OFFICIAL NAMED TO STATE BOARD: Nikki Culley, director of human resources for Adrian Public Schools, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Michigan Association of School Personnel Administrators, a professional organization that supports school human resources leaders. — LENAWEE VOICE

FRANCHISE AGREEMENT TO GO ON BALLOT: Voters in the city of Adrian will be asked in November whether to approve a renewal of Citizens Gas Fuel Co.’s 30-year franchise agreement allowing the company to provide natural gas service in the city. The agreement was last renewed by voters in 1995. — LENAWEE VOICE

STATE CONTINUES TO MONITOR EGG PROCESSING PLANT: State environmental officials were back in Adrian in late August, continuing to record observations related to odor emissions from the Veos USA dried egg processing facility. The company recently became the target of an escalated enforcement action following the issuance of two air quality violation notices in July. However, air quality division staff issued no new violation notices following their evaluations on Aug. 20 and 22, saying that while odors were noticeable, they did not rise to violation status. — LOCAL BUZZ RADIO

COMMISSION CANDIDATE HOSTS PARK CLEANUP EVENTS AND CONVERSATIONS: Aaron Chesher, a candidate for city commissioner, is organizing a series of events in which residents can come together to improve city parks while also having conversations about different topics related to the city and community. The series of 10 events, each of which takes place on a Sunday from noon to 2 p.m., began Aug. 24. Residents are invited to bring gloves to wear while picking up litter. Trash bags will be provided. The upcoming dates, parks, and topics to be discussed are:

Sept. 7 — Monument Park; housing and neighborhood improvement.

Sept. 14 — Riverside Park; community safety and policing.

Sept. 21 — Dunlap Park; public events and cultural celebrations.

Sept. 28 — Fee Park; how to make parks safer and more inviting.

Oct. 5 — Burr Ponds Park; environmental protection and green projects.

Oct. 12 — Comstock Park; transportation, roads and sidewalks.

Oct. 19 — Parish Park; volunteerism and civic engagement.

Oct. 26 — Dana Park; open forum on Adrian’s future.

FOUR-WAY STOP AT HUNT AND TIPTON: The Lenawee County Road Commission recently approved adding a four-way stop at the intersection of Hunt Road and Tipton Highway, following several traffic studies. The intersection has been the site of numerous crashes over the years. — LOCAL BUZZ RADIO

HUDSON

HUDSON SCHOOLS REMEMBER “THE STREAK”: From 1968 to 1975, the Hudson football team won 72 victories in a row — up until that time, the longest high school football winning streak in the nation, and still the longest in the state. In recognition of the 50th anniversary of that accomplishment, the Hudson Area Schools Alumni Association is planning a celebration of that achievement during halftime of this fall’s game against Hillsdale on Oct. 17. — LOCAL BUZZ RADIO

MORENCI

MORENCI CONDUCTS MASTER PLAN SURVEY: The City of Morenci is seeking community input as it moves forward with the update of its master plan. A community survey is being conducted that asks residents to share their views on housing, economic development, facilities, infrastructure, and other local priorities. The survey is available online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/ MorenciMasterPlan and paper copies can be picked up at Morenci City Hall, 118 Orchard St. Responses will be accepted through Nov. 1. — MORENCI ADVOCATE

MAN DIES IN CRASH ON OAKWOOD ROAD: A 33-yearold Adrian man died after his pickup hit a tree in Raisin Township on Aug. 4. Raisin Township police said the man was eastbound on Oakwood Road around 3:15 p.m. when his pickup went off the road. The man, who was the only occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. — LOCAL BUZZ RADIO

TECUMSEH

BRETT COKER NAMED TECUMSEH CITY MANAGER:

The Tecumseh City Council decided to forgo conducting a search for their next city manager, following Dan Swallow’s acceptance of the city manager position in Saline. Instead, the council voted to appoint police chief Brett Coker as the city manager. The vote was 6-1, with council member Ron Wimple opposing. In addition to being police chief, Coker has been Tecumseh’s assistant city manager since January 2023. Swallow will start his new job in Saline on Sept. 8. — LOCAL BUZZ RADIO

EV CHARGING STATIONS UP AND RUNNING IN TECUMSEH: The city of Tecumseh now has two electric vehicle charging stations, located in the city’s northeast parking lot. The city has entered into a five-year agreement with Creek Enterprise of Adrian to install, maintain, and operate the charging pedestals. Creek Enterprise will cover the up-front cost, while the city of Tecumseh has agreed to apply for EV charging pedestal rebates from Consumers Energy and distribute any rebate received to Creek Enterprise. Consumers Energy installed power to the site, with the costs being covered by its EV charger program. — LENAWEE VOICE

ADRIAN

ADRIAN TWP.

RAISIN TWP.

NAACP plans annual Freedom Fund dinner

ADRIAN — The Lenawee County branch of the NAACP will hold its 31st annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 3:30 p.m. The event will take place in the Tobias Room at Adrian College.

The keynote speaker will be state Sen. Sarah E. Anthony, a Democrat from Lansing. She is a former chair of the House Democratic Caucus, and in 2023 became the first Black woman to chair the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Tickets are $75 per person or $600 for a table of eight.

For more information, call 517-902-6223 or email lenaweenaacp@comcast.net.

Mental Health Authority plans town hall on proposed changes

ADRIAN — Lenawee Community Mental Health Authority is hosting a town hall meeting to discuss changes at the state and federal level and how they could affect behavioral health services in Lenawee County.

The town hall will be on Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 9-11 a.m. at the Align Center for Workforce Development, 440 E. Church St., Adrian.

The discussion will cover:

n How federal Medicaid cuts could affect community-based behavioral health care.

n The state’s Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan procurement process and what it means for local organizations.

n Ways to collaborate and advocate for the best possible outcomes for Lenawee County.

Organizers say there will be time for questions.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has released a Request for Proposals to restructure the state’s Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP) system that advocates say could disrupt the system in ways that are detrimental to the clients served.

Currently, there are 10 PIHP regions in Michigan. Lenawee, Livingston,

Washtenaw, and Monroe counties make up one of those regions. In addition to each county having its own board, the regions have their own boards made up of representatives from the local communities, and certain services are shared throughout each region.

The state’s proposal, which currently is slated to go into effect Oct. 1, 2026, would shrink those 10 PIHPs down to just three: one for the Metro Detroit tri-county area, one for the entire Upper Peninsula and the northern part of the Lower Peninsula, and one for the rest of the Lower Peninsula except for Metro Detroit, south of a line stretching from Mason County on the west side of the state to Arenac and Huron counties on the east side.

That would put Lenawee County into a PIHP made up not of just four counties, as is currently the case, but 44 counties instead.

Additionally, according to the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, the proposal would remove local decision-making authority and allow new regional entities, including private health plans, to manage Medicaid Specialty behavioral health funding and services.

Local activists stage ‘Die-in’ to protest cuts in health care spending

ADRIAN — Carrying mock gravestones with epitaphs like “R.I.P. Rural Health Care,” “Here Lies Medical Research” and “Died for a Billionaire’s Tax Cut,” about 75 area residents gathered at the Lenawee County Courthouse on Aug. 23 to protest cuts to Medicaid and other federal health care spending.

The “die-in” was organized by the local group Lenawee Indivisible. It followed the passage of Medicaid cuts that the Congressional Budget Office estimated would increase the number of uninsured people in the U.S. by 10 million. The cuts have also alarmed southeast Michigan hospitals and clinics, with officials at Hillsdale Hospital calling them “a serious threat to rural healthcare.”

Critics have noted that many upcoming cuts will not take effect until after next year’s midterm elections.

In addition, increases to subsidies for lower-income people buying health insurance through the Affordable Care Act are set to expire at the end of 2025 and have not been renewed.

“Medicaid keeps our hospitals open, our communities covered, our parents

cared for, and our neighbors alive,” Scott Hendrickson of Tipton, one of the organizers, said as he addressed the crowd.

Organizers also circulated a petition asking Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Tipton) to hold a public town hall meeting. Judith Hammerle of Adrian, a member of Lenawee Indivisible, said it was the ninth such attempt.

Judith Hammerle of Adrian and Scott Hendrickson of Tipton speak during a “die-in” protest on Aug. 23 at the Lenawee County Courthouse. ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

A mock gravestone reading “Died for a billionaire’s tax cut” is displayed at an Aug. 23 protest in Adrian.

State Sen. Sarah Anthony

IN BRIEF

Live2Lead event planned for Oct. 3 at The Centre

ADRIAN — Local speaker, trainer and coach Bill Kenyon is hosting a broadcast of Live2Lead on Friday, Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Centre, 1800 West U.S. 223, Adrian.

Live2Lead is an annual leadership and personal growth event hosted by the Maxwell Leadership Company. This year’s event features keynote speakers John C. Maxwell, Anthony Trucks, Tiffani Bova, and Jesse Cole.

“Live2Lead provides inspiration and new ideas for attaining your personal and business goals,” Kenyon said in a news release.

The event is available locally thanks to Anderson-Marry Funeral Homes, ComForCare Home Care, Dynamic Industrial Supply, the Lenawee Intermediate School District, and Old National Bank.

Tickets are available online at billkenyon.com and must be purchased by Sept. 26. The cost is $140 per person, or $1,000 for a table of eight, and includes watching the broadcast at The Centre, lunch, and an engaging program with other community leaders. A portion of ticket sales will benefit the HOPE Community Center.

For more information on the event, visit billkenyon.com/live2lead.

County National Bank announces new employees

HILLSDALE — County National Bank recently announced the hiring of Jody Dodd as vice president and chief human resources officer, Sean Schumitsch as assistant vice president and commercial loan officer, and Jen Shears as the Somerset Center branch manager.

Dodd joins County National with 10 years of experience in human resources. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Olivet and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University.

Schumitsch has 20 years of experience in the banking industry. He primarily serves Ingham County.

Shears comes to her new position with 27 years of experience in the banking industry. She is actively involved in her community and is a member of the Jackson County Treasurer’s Association. She also volunteers with Together We Can Make a Difference, the Jackson Interfaith Shelter, the Dahlem Center, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Britton-based garden center has new location in Brooklyn

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

BROOKLYN — Mark Prielipp Greenhouse & Mohr has expanded from its Britton location to a new garden center and farm stand in Brooklyn.

The garden center and farmstand, which opened in July, is owned by Mark Prielipp and his wife, Kathryn Mohr. The couple work together with their three children, Paul, Anna and Adam, along with their families.

It is located on the former site of JR’s Hometown Grill & Pub, which closed in January 2024.

Mark Prielipp Greenhouse & Mohr features all types of vegetables and fruits, as well as indoor foliage plants, annuals and perennials. The vegetables are all grown on the Britton Highway property, which features a 67,000-square-foot greenhouse that was built in 2018. Fruit is purchased from growers on the west side of Michigan.

The decision to start a business in Brooklyn came while operating a stand at the Jackson Farmers Market.

“Our sons and Mark would go to the Jackson market,” Mohr said, “and they decided that Brooklyn would be a great place to have a brick-and-mortar.”

They started with the purchase of greenhouses next to the store, and then purchased the farm market store itself.

The building is now painted bright red, which makes it easy to find. Renovation work — after getting the property rezoned — included removing the kitchen and replacing the floors. Garage-style doors were added to the front and back of the building to give shoppers the feeling of being outdoors.

“It was a complete rehab,” Mohr said. Mohr said that the Brooklyn community has been very supportive. The response was “overwhelming,” she said. “Greater than any expectation we could have had.”

“Everybody wants us to stay open year-round, which we hadn’t even considered,” she added.

Currently, Mark Prielipp Greenhouse & Mohr is open through December, with sales of wreaths and roping during the holiday season.

“We sell everything but trees, pretty much,” Prielipp said of the store’s holiday offerings.

Production of the vegetables, annuals and perennials starts in January in the Britton greenhouse. Seeds and cuttings are used to grow the plants in the heated greenhouse environment.

Prielipp, who has been in the growing business his whole life, said

the most important part of the business is family.

“It’s a family-run operation, with us and our three kids,” he said.

Mark Prielipp Greenhouse & Mohr is located at 11541 Brooklyn Road in Brooklyn.

Hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, go to mpgreenhouse.com, or on Facebook at facebook.com/ markprielippgreenhouseandmohr. The garden center can be reached by phone at 517-451-0022 or by email at psprielipp@gmail.com.

Mark Prielipp and Kathryn Mohr recently opened a second location of Mark Prielipp Greenhouse & Mohr on the site of the former JR’s restaurant in Brooklyn. Their first location is in Britton. JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

Jody Dodd

Sean Schumitsch

Jen Shears

Tsuji named director of Greater Lenawee Chamber

ADRIAN — Melissa Tsuji has been named as the new executive director of the Greater Lenawee Chamber of Commerce.

Tsuji comes to the Chamber from Siena Heights University, where she had been director of career services. She has served as a Chamber board member and past board chair.

“We are thrilled to welcome Melissa Tsuji as our new director,” Tino Rebottaro, the current board chair, said in a news release. “Melissa’s proven leadership, extensive community network, and passion for supporting local businesses align perfectly with the Chamber’s mission.”

Tsuji was selected from a strong pool of applicants, with her strategic direction and membership growth plans earning the board’s endorsement, Rebottaro said.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to step into this role,” Tsuji said. “I deeply appreciate the Chamber’s vital role in advocating for and supporting our local businesses. I look forward to working closely with our members, the board, and community partners to enhance our services, create new opportunities, and strengthen Lenawee County’s economy.”

Tsuji holds degrees from Siena Heights University and Bowling Green State University. Her community involvement includes co-chairing National Intern Day in Lenawee County, serving on the Town & Gown committee, and acting as a founding board member and current board president for the American Farm Museum & Education Center in Blissfield.

Postal Plus settles into new location

The store’s Adrian location is now in the former Key Bank on West Maumee Street

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Postal Plus has a new location in Adrian. The shipping and retail business recently opened in the old Key Bank building on West Maumee Street in Adrian, between Nob Hill Apartments and Wesco.

Postal Plus was in operation for over 20 years when Angela Moore took ownership of the business in 2023. The business had always been located on South Main Street in the Crossroads Plaza, but problems with the air conditioning eventually led Moore to decide that, rather than spend money on repairs, she would invest in a new location.

“I thought if we’re going to invest a lot of money into our space, let’s look for something bigger,” Moore said.

The new building has doubled the amount of space Postal Plus has, which will allow them to add printing services.

“We’re getting all settled in and that’s coming in the future,” Moore said.

Postal Plus in Adrian currently offers shipping, faxing, notary public, mail box rentals and postage stamps. Other retail items, such as Pine Creek soaps, Cherry Republic chocolates, Swan Creek candles and greeting cards, are also available, Moore said.

Scott Cremeans, who is the operations manager for Postal Plus, said customers can come in with any item that needs to be shipped. Postal Plus can create a label, box the item up and ship all from their location.

Creameans added that Postal Plus can handle returns, and can box up any items if the customer doesn’t have the original box.

Returns can be made using UPS, FedEx, DHL and USPS.

“We have a wide variety of options for shipping and also take care of all those returns,” he said.

In addition to carrying a standard assortment of shipping options that range from padded envelopes to boxes that measure from 5x4x3 inches to 36x36x36 inches, “we also can make boxes bigger than that out of cardboard

sheets that we have in inventory,” Cremeans said.

“We have a lot of people that throw the boxes away from things they’ve ordered and then they’ve got to return it and can’t find the box. We can make the box for them right here, no problem,” Cremeans said.

Postal Plus currently has locations in both Adrian and Tecumseh. The Tecumseh location offers a full range of custom printing and design services, which Moore said she plans to bring to the Adrian location as well.

“We’re excited about expanding service offerings, so our new location is going to give us a lot of new opportunities,” Moore said.

However, “shipping is really our main focus,” she said, “and that’s something we love to help people with.”

Postal Plus in Adrian is located at 1360 W. Maumee St. More information is available atpostalplusadrian.net or by phone at 517-265-4072.

Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Melissa Tsuji

Angela Moore, Scott Cremeans and Pat Brooks are pictured inside Postal Plus’ new location. JULIE C. CLEMES/LENAWEE VOICE

Competitive drive fuels Adrian College graduate now in the Major Leagues

By Jeffrey R. Plum The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Five Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association baseball games during the 2019 regular season and postseason tournament against Hope College showcased the competitive drive of Dugan Darnell.

“Dugan is a competitor,” Adrian College’s Craig Rainey said. “He likes to have the ball in tough situations. His role on our team really led him to be the closer.”

Rainey, who will enter his 33rd season at Adrian College in 2026, and his staff decided to put Darnell — the team’s starting third baseman — in the role of closer for Adrian College at the beginning of the 2019 season.

It was a decision that paid off for Darnell.

On Aug. 1, Darnell made his Major League Baseball debut with the Colorado Rockies as a short reliever on an up-andcoming staff.

“Dugan was a technician as a player,” said Adrian College assistant coach Aaron Klotz, who worked closely with Darnell as his infielders coach during his career. “Mind you, he didn’t pitch us much until his senior year. A student of the game, who wanted to win and wanted to be the best to help his team win.”

In those five games against Hope in his senior campaign, Darnell pitched 5.1 innings and earned four of his eight career saves against the Flying Dutchmen. He allowed no earned runs on one hit with 10 strikeouts and two walks.

“We wanted him in the lineup, hitting and playing third base as much as possible, so that role fit what we needed,” Rainey added. “He has an explosive fastball at our level and went right after people; that is what made him special. Hitting against Dugan is no comfortable task for opposing teams.”

Undrafted after graduating from Adrian College, Darnell went to the independent leagues, where he reached out to every MLB team in the league. Colorado answered, and Darnell worked his way through their minor league system, posting a 21-8 record and 3.74 ERA in 200 career games.

“Dugan has a goal to pitch and play as long and at the highest level he could,” Rainey said. “I think he is relentless and always believed there was a way to the MLB. He had to work hard to get where he is today.”

Through seven games with the Rockies since his Aug. 1 debut, Darnell was 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA. His stats included three earned runs on eight hits with five strikeouts and three walks in 9.1 innings pitched.

“He needed to prove himself every step of the way,” Rainey said. “The Rockies didn’t have a big signing bonus invested in Dugan; he wasn’t a firstround draft pick. He had to jump over all of those players along the way. Every stop at each level, he had to prove he belonged.”

Darnell becomes the fourth player in Adrian College baseball history to reach the Major Leagues, joining Rube Kisinger (Detroit Tigers, 1902-1903), Clint Rogge (Pittsburgh Rebels, 1915; Cincinnati Reds, 1921), and Ryan Dorow (Texas Rangers, 2021).

“He had a dream,” Klotz said of Darnell. “He worked tirelessly, never took no as an answer, and now, he’s living every boy’s dream in the big leagues.”

Dugan Darnell playing for the Colorado Rockies. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ADRIAN COLLEGE

Dugan Darnell is pictured during his baseball career at Adrian College.

LAND & WATER

IN BRIEF

Watkins Lake State Park is focus of new local group

NORVELL TWP. — The newly formed Friends of Watkins Lake State Park, or FoWL, has recently been formed with the purpose of providing stewardship, education, and advocacy for the park in coordination with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve includes a waterfowl refuge that is used by thousands of migratory waterfowl in the spring and fall, as well as for breeding during the summer months. Eagles and trumpeter swans have been observed nesting this year. The park is also home to many unique plants, insects, song birds and other wildlife.

The park is located at 14801 Arnold Road, Brooklyn.

For more information, go to facebook.com/WatkinsLakeSPCP.

Farmer Field Day coming soon in Monroe

MONROE — Farmer Field Day is planned for Thursday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Student Ag Farm on the campus of Monroe County Community College. This educational event is free of charge, and lunch reservations can be made by calling 734-241-8540 ext 5.

Field days are an opportunity to see something new, talk to university and company representatives, and talk to neighbors and farmers from other areas. This is often a first chance to see what new varieties or other products will be available.

— Ned Birkey, MSU Extension Educator Emeritus/Spartan Agricultural Consulting

This page is dedicated to coverage of agriculture, the environment, and the intersection between the two. To suggest story ideas, please email news@lenaweevoice.com.

Glacier Meadows Solar discussed at contentious Deerfield Township meeting

By Erik Gable The Lenawee Voice

DEERFIELD — About 80 people filled the Deerfield Township Hall on Aug. 13 for a public hearing on the proposed Glacier Meadows Solar project.

The project is being proposed by Orsted, a Danish energy company, and is designed to generate 200 megawatts of power, or about enough electricity for 50,000 homes.

Orsted has about 2,200 acres under lease, with about 1,200 acres slated to be fenced in and have solar panels installed. The project area is in Blissfield and Deerfield townships, with the majority of the acreage being in Deerfield Township.

Marla Korpar, a member of the development team, spoke at the beginning of the hearing. She said the project would generate about $35 million in local property tax revenue over the 35-

year life of the project. About 300 people would work on the project during the construction phase, she said, and then there would be three permanent full-time employees taking care of operations and maintenance. The power would be routed to the substation on County Line Road.

Korpar also discussed the setbacks involved in the project, saying they are 300 feet from any occupied buildings on nonparticipating properties, 150 feet from the property lines of nonparticipating properties, and 50 feet from public right-of-ways.

One of the speakers during the public comment portion of the hearing was Viviana Villasmil, a representative of First Solar, the Perrysburg, Ohio-based company that Orsted has contracted with to manufacture its solar modules.

“We are the only U.S.-headquartered company among the world’s largest solar manufacturers. The rest of the list is

completely dominated by Chinese statesubsidized companies,” she said.

Responding to a resident who brought up Chinese influence on the U.S., Villasmil said that First Solar has an entirely domestic supply chain. “You don’t want China, you want independence from all of those folks, this is how it starts,” she argued. “Having our own domestic supply chain and our own domestic solar generation.”

Villasmil had asked to be able to move her speaking slot to the end of the meeting so that she could publicly answer any other questions that came up, but was denied.

Opponents of the project said that farmland should remain in use for agriculture.

“If farmers do not possess the skill to produce profit from farming, they

Marla Korpar of solar power company Orsted speaks in front of a packed crowd at the Deerfield Township Hall on Aug. 13.

See SOLAR, page A13

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.

Se eligió un nuevo administrador de la ciudad

Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares

ADRIAN — Adrian pronto tendrá un nuevo Administrador de la Ciudad.

La Comisión de la Ciudad de Adrian votó por unanimidad el 18 de agosto para ofrecer el puesto a Chad Baugh, quien actualmente es el Jefe de Policía en el Municipio de Canton.

La decisión se tomó tras una tarde de entrevistas de 45 minutos con los cinco finalistas, una jornada a puertas abiertas donde los candidatos pudieron conversar con el público, entrevistas en video

donde respondieron preguntas escritas, cuestionarios que fueron llenados por todos los solicitantes y la revisión de los resultados de una evaluación en redes sociales realizada por la consultora Yeo & Yeo. Los comisionados también recibieron comentarios del personal municipal.

Para muchos comisionados, la elección se redujo a dos favoritos: Baugh y Elle Cole. Cole ha sido Tesorera y Administradora Municipal adjunta de Saline desde el año 2021.

A los comisionados les gustó la energía de Cole y su experiencia en

gestión financiera, pero también les gustó el hecho de que Baugh tiene experiencia administrando un departamento grande en una comunidad más grande que Adrian. También hablaron positivamente de las cosas que aprendieron durante su periodo como jefe de policía.

El Comisionado Bob Behnke dijo que Baugh es un líder que se ha mantenido al día con los nuevos tiempos, y dijo en particular que Baugh ha sido proactivo en la lucha contra la violencia policial.

Durante su mandato como Jefe de policía, Baugh trabajó

Festival de arte programado para septiembre en el Centro de Adrian

Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares

ADRIAN — Artalicious, un festival de arte anual en el centro de Adrian, regresará este mes.

Los horarios de la feria de arte serán el sábado 20 de septiembre, de 11 a.m. a 7 p.m., y el domingo 21 de septiembre, de 11 a.m. a 5 p.m.

Los visitantes podrán recorrer más de 60 puestos de artistas, que incluyen pintura, fotografía, vidrio, cerámica, joyería, artes de fibra y más.

Además de los artistas que venderán sus obras, se realizarán demostraciones artísticas durante todo el fin de semana, lo que le permitirá a la gente observarlos trabajando. Pintura, orfebrería, grabado en vidrio, aerografía y cerámica son algunas de las artes que se exhibirán.

con la Coalición del Cantón para Comunidades Inclusivas, para formar un comité dirigido por ciudadanos para investigar las denuncias de mala conducta o parcialidad policial.

La Comisionada Mary Roberts dijo que ve a Baugh como alguien que será un líder servidor.

Los otros tres finalistas para el puesto fueron el Director de Parques y Recreación de Adrian, Jeremiah Davies; el Director de Servicios Públicos de Adrian, Will Sadler, y el Ex Administrador de la Ciudad de Benton Harbor, Ellis Mitchell.

Artalicious, un festival de arte anual en el centro de Adrian, regresará este mes.

La música también forma parte del festival. Además del espectáculo principal, habrá músicos que actuarán en todo el recinto del festival durante todo el fin de semana.

Para obtener más información, visite artalicious.org.

La Sociedad Protectora de Animales comenzará la construcción de un nuevo refugio en octubre

Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares

ADRIAN TWP. — The Lenawee Humane Society (La Sociedad Protectora de Animales de Lenawee) planea comenzar la construcción en octubre de su nuevo refugio, que estará en el campus del Hospital ProMedica Hickman.

El proyecto se desarrollará en varias fases.

La primera fase incluye un espacio de refugio mejorado y más capacidad en la clínica veterinaria.

Los perros en el nuevo refugio contarán con perreras interiores y exteriores que les permitirán entrar y salir solos.

La parte exterior de las perreras dará directamente al patio de juegos, para que el personal y los voluntarios no tengan que pasearlos por el resto del refugio para que hagan ejercicio.

Otra mejora es que las personas que están pasando por el proceso emocionalmente difícil de entregar una mascota ya no estarán en el mismo vestíbulo que las personas que adoptan una mascota.

Se espera que la construcción dure aproximadamente 12 meses.

La Sociedad Protectora de Animales tiene como objetivo recaudar $7.2 millones para la Fase 1 y actualmente ha recaudado alrededor de $4.7 millones.

Los objetivos futuros incluyen agregar un centro educativo y una salida, y a la Sociedad Protectora de Animales también le gustaría eventualmente poder ofrecer servicios de alojamiento y guardería.

La NAACP planea una cena anual

ADRIAN — The Lenawee County branch of the NAACP (La sucursal del Condado de Lenawee de la NAACP) celebrará su 31º banquete anual del Fondo de la Libertad el domingo 19 de octubre a las 3:30 p.m.

El evento se llevará a cabo en Tobias Room (el Salón Tobias) de Adrian College (El Colegio de Adrian). La oradora principal será la Senadora Estatal Sarah E. Anthony, demócrata de Lansing.

Los boletos cuestan $75 por persona o $600 para una mesa de ocho personas. Para obtener más información, llame al 517-902-6223 o envíe un correo electrónico a lenaweenaacp@comcast.net.

El Orgullo de Lenawee está programado para el 6 de septiembre

ADRIAN — Lenawee Pride, una celebración del amor e igualdad para los miembros de la comunidad LGBTQIA+ residentes y aliados, se llevará a cabo nuevamente en el Centro de Adrian este año.

El festival se llevará a cabo el sábado 6 de septiembre, de 3 a 8 p.m., en el City Market Pavilion (En el Pabellón del Mercado de la Ciudad), 115 Toledo St. El Orgullo Lenawee comenzó en el 2019 como un picnic comunitario y ha ido creciendo desde entonces. El evento se trasladó a Tecumseh en el 2024, pero regresa a Adrian este año. Participarán unos 30 vendedores que ofrecerán artículos como joyería, velas, ropa, regalos tejidos a crochet, libros, cerámica y vitrales. El entretenimiento incluirá un DJ, una artista drag y baile en línea a cargo de Cypressene Fitness. Aunque habrá un camión de comida en el lugar, los organizadores animan a los asistentes a apoyar a los comercios del centro. Se distribuirá un mapa de “Shop and Strut” con las tiendas y restaurantes que se han identificado como patrocinadores del evento. El estacionamiento estará disponible en la antigua tienda de comestibles Pharm, 124 E. Front St., o en el estacionamiento público detrás de Croswell Opera House y Adrian City Hall. Para obtener más información, visite campsite.bio/lenaweepride. — Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares

Chad Baugh

Este dibujo muestra el plano del nuevo Refugio para animales de la Sociedad Protectora de Animales de Lenawee.

Sospechosa acusada de atropello y fuga Library and League of Women Voters host

Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares ADRIAN — Una sospechosa ha sido acusada por el accidente de atropello y fuga del verano pasado que dejó a un adolescente de Adrian con heridas graves.

Felisha Racine Madison, de 39 años, fue procesada en el Tribunal de Distrito del Condado de Lenawee el 20 de agosto. El accidente ocurrió alrededor del mediodía del 9 de agosto de 2024. Dakota Courington, quien entonces tenía 15 años, iba en bicicleta cuando fue atropellado por un coche en la esquina de las calles Clinton y Chestnut. El vehículo lo tiró de la bicicleta, lo atropelló y huyó del lugar. Sufrió lesiones cerebrales graves y pasó varias semanas en coma inducido. Aún necesita un respirador artificial y, aunque recientemente recuperó la capacidad de tragar, aún no puede hablar ni caminar. El está consciente de lo que sucede a su alrededor y se comunica parpadeando una vez para decir “sí” y dos veces para decir “no”.

Los médicos de Dakota han dicho que, debido a que él es joven, es posible

que su cerebro se recupere mejor que si fuera un adulto. Pero su familia también sabe que él nunca volverá a ser como antes.

Los documentos judiciales describen el proceso que siguió la policía para reunir pruebas suficientes para acusar a Madison en el caso.

Durante las dos primeras semanas posteriores al accidente, varias personas informaron a la policía que habían oído de otras personas que la acusaban de ser la responsable. Sin embargo, la policía no pudo rastrear esas declaraciones para llegar a las personas a las que supuestamente Madison les había contado.

Cuando la policía interrogó a Madison, está declaró que se encontraba en la zona esa tarde y que había ido a una casa en la calle Church a recoger a sus nietos porque su hijo y su novia tenían que asistir a una boda esa tarde. Sin embargo, su hijo declaró a la policía que estaba en el trabajo, y la novia de su hijo afirmó que la boda sería al día siguiente.

Finalmente, un hombre que había tenido una relación amorosa con

Madison dio un relato de primera mano de una confesión.

La policía dice que este hombre les contó sobre una conversación que tuvo con ella el 27 de enero de este año. Durante esa conversación, Madison empezó a hablar de sus arrepentimientos, incluyendo haber golpeado a Dakota. El hombre también dijo que ella le contó que se fue del lugar porque no supo qué hacer.

Después de hablar con la policía, el hombre le dijo a Madison que había denunciado la conversación. Entonces ella supuestamente lo amenazó de muerte o de acusarlo de abusar sexualmente de un niño.

La policía también dijo que Madison intentó en repetidas ocasiones ocultar su participación en el accidente, incluyendo haberle solicitado a la policía que investigara a otra persona y decirle a un conocido que, en realidad, eran su hermano y la novia del hermano quienes conducían su coche ese día. En otra conversación, supuestamente también afirmó que su hermano y la novia de su hermano habían atropellado a Dakota mientras conducían el coche de la novia.

Candidato a la Comisión organiza eventos y conversaciones para la limpieza de parques

Traducido por Lizbeth Perez-Cazares

ADRIAN — Aaron Chesher, un Candidato a Comisionado de la Ciudad, está organizando una serie de eventos en los que los residentes pueden reunirse para mejorar los parques de la ciudad y al mismo tiempo conversar sobre diferentes temas relacionados con la ciudad y la comunidad.

La serie de 10 eventos, cada uno de los cuales tendrá lugar un domingo desde el mediodía hasta las 2 p.m., comenzó el 24 de agosto.

CALENDARIO DEL CENTRO EBEID

ADRIAN — Los siguientes programas educativos y reuniones comunitarias se llevarán a cabo en septiembre en el Centro Ebeid (Ebeid Center), en el 801 este de la calle Maumee (801 E. Maumee St.), Adrian. Las clases se ofrecen en inglés a menos que aparezca una opción en español. Es posible que haya intérpretes disponibles para algunas clases si es que se necesita. Para realizar alguna consulta, envíe un correo electrónico a AdrianENP@ProMedica.org o llame al 517-264-1365.

Comité de Planificación de Actividades (Coalición Comunitaria de East Adrian) — el martes 2 de septiembre, 5 p.m. Ayude a dar forma a actividades que construyan relaciones sólidas entre vecinos, promuevan un espíritu comunitario positivo y brinden experiencias enriquecedoras para todas las edades. Abierto a todos.

Reunión de la Coalición Comunitaria (Coalición Comunitaria de East Adrian_ — el lunes, 8 de septiembre , 5-6 p.m. La Coalición celebra su reunión mensual el segundo lunes de cada mes a las 5 p.m. Ven y haz que tu voz sea escuchada. Venga a contribuir a la conversación sobre cómo los residentes pueden tener un impacto positivo en nuestra comunidad. Se discuten las actividades, pero en este

Las próximas fechas, parques y temas a tratar son:

7 de septiembre — Monument Park; mejoras de vivienda y vecindario.

14 de septiembre — Riverside Park; seguridad comunitaria y vigilancia policial.

21 de septiembre — Dunlap Park; eventos públicos y celebraciones culturales.

28 de septiembre — Fee Park; cómo hacer que los parques sean más seguros y atractivos. 5 de octubre — Burr Ponds Park;

grupo se discuten temas más amplios. Únete a la construcción de una mejor comunidad para todos.

Alquiler para el Exito (por Community Action Agency) — el miércoles 10 de septiembre, 5:30-7 p.m. ¡Vuelve el alquiler para el éxito! Aprenda sobre las leyes de vivienda justa, contratos de arrendamiento, derechos de los inquilinos, mantenimiento, reparaciones y más. Los participantes que completen este curso y una sesión privada de asesoramiento presupuestario con CAA reciben un estipendio de $50. Se requiere registro.

Céspedes Saludables (por Lenawee Conservation District) — el martes 11 de septiembre 11, 5:30-7 p.m. ¿Tienes un parche de césped verde? ¿Hay algo más que hierba? Si desea obtener información sobre las alfombras de bienvenida y los espacios de juego al aire libre de su hogar, venga y aprenda a mantener su césped saludable a medida que termina el verano.

Ventana Emergente del Banco de Pañales (por Lenawee Great Start) — el jueves 16 de septiembre, 3-5 p.m. ¿Necesitas pañales? Pase a recoger pañales, crema para pañales y toallitas húmedas para una semana. Para familias con niños de 0 a 12 años en Lenawee Co. Con WIC.

Comprender el crédito (por Community Action Agency) — el martes 23 de septiembre, 5:30-7 p.m. ¿Alguna vez ha tenido problemas para pagar sus facturas, salir de deudas o no está seguro de cómo mejorar su puntaje crediticio?

protección del medio ambiente y proyectos ecológicos.

12 de octubre — Comstock Park; transporte, carreteras y banquetas.

19 de octubre — Parish Park; voluntariado y compromiso cívico.

26 de octubre — Dana Park; foro abierto sobre el futuro de Adrian.

Se invita a los residentes a traer guantes para recoger la basura. Se proporcionarán bolsas para recolectar la basura. Usted puede contactar a Chesher por correo a chesherforadrian2025@ gmail.com.

Ven y aprende cómo establecer o reparar tu crédito y lograr una mayor estabilidad financiera y autosuficiencia. Se cubren aspectos importantes de la Ley de Informes de Crédito Justos. Exploración de Carreras de Realidad Virtual (por Michigan Works) — el miércoles, 24 de septiembre, 3:30-5 p.m. Venga a explorar más de 20 simulaciones de carreras prácticas con los auriculares Transfer VR, que ofrecen experiencias inmersivas en campos como la aviación, la atención médica, la ingeniería, la construcción y otros oficios para ayudarlo a descubrir su futura profesión. Adultos y niños mayores de 12 años son bienvenidos.

Bingo de Presión Arterial (por Coalición Comunitaria de East Adrian) — el viernes 26 de septiembre, 6-8 p.m. De vuelta por demanda popular está el bingo con un giro. Los participantes tendrán la oportunidad de tomarse la presión arterial esta noche y ganar muñequeras de presión arterial, un brazalete de presión arterial y aprender datos de salud relacionados con la presión arterial.

Padres de Lenawee (facilitado por De’Angelo Boone) — el martes 30 de septiembre, 6 p.m. Los padres están cordialmente invitados a unirse a una reunión de grupo de enfoque para discutir el desarrollo de un Grupo de Apoyo para Padres en el condado de Lenawee. Damos la bienvenida a los padres y a las agencias de apoyo a la comunidad para que compartan ideas y colaboren en esta importante iniciativa.

ADRIAN — The League of Women Voters of Lenawee County, in partnership with the Adrian District Library, announces its “Living Library,” an initiative designed to challenge stereotypes and foster understanding within the community.

The event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 25 in the Community Room at the Adrian District Library, 143 E. Maumee St, Adrian.

Attendees can “borrow” real people for conversations, instead of traditional books. Participants should arrive between 5 and 5:30 p.m. to be matched up with the people acting as “books” for the event, which will then last from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Human Library, which began in Denmark, aims to create a safe space for dialogue and questions about challenging topics. Volunteers, known as “Human Books,” will represent various groups facing stereotypes, stigma, or prejudices based on their lifestyle, beliefs, disability, or ethnicity. The Human Library began in Copenhagen with a youth organization called Stop the Violence. The group wanted to create a safe place for conversation between individuals in order to dispel assumptions and create understanding. The project has spread, and is now worldwide.

“Human Books are people who have been victims of prejudice, felt dismissed, or have experienced stigma in some way,” said Chelsey Boss, assistant director at the Adrian District Library. “We have all made judgments about others. Now’s the time to unjudge someone and hear their story.”

The volunteers will include individuals with experiences related to living with a disability, being part of the LGBTQIA+ community, being unhoused, and surviving abuse.

Attendees may “borrow” a “human book” for a 15-minute conversation that encourages questions and learning directly from those with lived experiences.

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

Model railroad from page A1

including one with a giant doughnut on its roof. There’s a police officer making a traffic stop, people fishing and canoeing, and a railcar that’s met its demise going into a river. A carnival complete with a working carousel and Ferris wheel has a prominent spot.

And all that just barely scratches the surface of what people will find in the display. After all, it takes up some 2,300 square feet of space.

The layout is an HO-scale representation of actual sections of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad and the Clinchfield Railroad in Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. A lower section depicts the Port of Toledo, complete with an ore freighter tied up at the dock.

Many of the buildings, industries, and scenic backdrops are faithful to the actual towns and countryside along those routes. In fact, McConnell

Solar

from page A10

should sell their farmland to the many other farmers who do possess this skill,” said Renee Gordon of Deerfield. “This is agriculture territory, prime farmland, not solar territory.”

Connie Loar of Blissfield said she will be 300 feet from the facility.

“I don’t need to look out on my porch and see panels,” she said. “I don’t want it. We don’t want it. If we have solar into all this ground, where is our vegetables and everything going to come from? It’s going to be gone. We need to keep this ground farm ground because that’s what we are. Farm people.”

Karlene Goetz of Whiteford Township said she lives one-half mile from the proposed solar farm and asked, “Why do you developers insist on putting these panels on the very best farmland that exists?”

Supporters said that leasing land to a solar developer can help farmers diversify their income, and that, like growing crops, it’s a way to use their land to meet a need.

“As a fifth-generation farmer of this land that we’re speaking about, I would like to speak on behalf of the underrepresented farmers and landowners in the room,” Eric Keller of Deerfield said. “As long as we have owned and cared for this dirt, we have used it to grow commodities based on the needs of the country.”

Keller said that 14,950 U.S. farms stopped operating in 2024, and the country’s current total of 1.88 million farms is down from 6.8 million in 1935. He said farms are struggling, and leasing land “doesn’t mean selling out or giving up,” but will provide farms with a source of steady revenue.

Others said it’s a question of property rights.

“I get that you guys don’t like it, you don’t want to look at it,” said Tom Creque of Sylvania. “It’s not your land.”

Andrew Hall, representing to Michigan Land and Liberty Coalition, said: “I think this comes down to one thing. Is a farmer allowed to do with their land as they see fit, in their best economic interests?”

“You can’t force a farmer to farm a certain kind of crop, you can’t force them to farm certain parts of their land,” he said. “We shouldn’t be telling them, if they want to lease plots out to a developer, that they can’t do that.”

Hall said if local governments worked with developers instead of shutting

noted as he pointed out the depiction of downtown Huntington, W. Va., one visitor to the display could even tell which streets they were. And the model of the Armco Steel Mill in Ashland, Ky., is not only true to life but was constructed with the help of two steelworkers.

The trains themselves generally represent the mid-1950s to mid-1960s, with railcars carrying everything from coal and trucks to passengers to Miller High Life beer.

them down so that the decision moves to Lansing, they would have more power to negotiate for things like better screening between the installations and neighboring properties.

Another speaker from the Michigan Land and Liberty Coalition was Noah Buttita.

“Property rights have been the backbone of prosperity and liberty in this country, and those rights don’t disappear because we don’t like the way something looks,” Buttita said. “This project is rooted in landowners’ rights and economic freedom.”

Others, however, said property rights aren’t absolute.

Barry Fawcett of Deerfield talked about being able to hear the buzzing of the substation from his house, and said, “I get farmers can do what they want with their land, but when they sell it to corporations like this for solar fields, it kind of impacts everybody.”

Tyler Fall of Deerfield said, “If I want to have a junkyard in my yard, I can’t have a full-on junkyard.”

Renewable energy advocate Peter Sinclair of Midland said that solar and wind power are the best short-term tools to keep energy costs from rising, and urged people to go to his website, sun101.org.

There was also a contentious moment between township officials and attorney John Weiss, representing Orsted, who asked the township to officially reject the plan so that Orsted could go on to the next step as defined by state law, which is applying to the Michigan Public Service Commission. He said the township has an overlay that clearly doesn’t allow Orsted’s project, so “it’s my position that you’re wasting everybody’s time.”

“We’re here in good faith,” he said. “We’re not entirely sure that that’s being reciprocated.”

Rouget Road Solar

Another meeting took place on Aug. 26 at the Blissfield American Legion for a different project that is at a different phase in the application process. Having been unable to get approval from Palmyra Township, RWE Clean Energy is now in the process of seeking the Michigan Public Service Commission’s approval to build Rouget Road Solar.

The properties included in Rouget Road Solar are generally located south of Deerfield Road, north of Gorman Road, east of Ogden Highway, and west of Robb Highway.

The Aug. 26 meeting was led by RWE as part of the process required by the

There is enough space for 37 different trains, so the club is limited to 37 members. Presently, the group is at its limit, but it keeps a waiting list.

Members run the gamut age-wise and currently come from not only all over Lenawee County but from as far away as Flat Rock and Southgate., Mich., and down in Ohio. The club meets once a month on the first Wednesday of the month.

When the members are there operating their trains, they do so in radio communication with a dispatcher who oversees the whole layout via computer, controlling the signals just as would happen in real life. “And you have to obey what he says,” McConnell said. For example, a passenger train gets priority and other trains have to stop accordingly.

“To me, that’s the really fun part, running it like a real railroad,” he said.

Having such an elaborate setup gives the members a model-railroading experience that they wouldn’t get in many other places, Watts said. “And

Public Service Commission. Set up on easels around the room were maps of the project and renderings of the landscaping buffers, a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, that RWE said they plan to put in.

Project development manager Kevin Cole said RWE is the third-largest renewable energy company in the U.S.

“Our experience allows us to build responsibly and deliver clean and affordable energy to the grid,” he said.

The proposal is for a 175-megawatt installation, enough to power about 30,000 homes. Cole said RWE hopes to have it operating by the end of 2028. He said it will generate $33 million in property tax revenue over 35 years, with 320 people being employed during construction and four permanent employees operating it once it’s built.

“These guys are going to need food, housing, fuel, and many other items that will be a boost to the local economy,” he said of the 320 temporary workers.

One neighbor who spoke against the project was Richard Eaton, who said he moved to Palmyra Township from California intending to be around farmland.

“You’ve surrounded my house on three sides,” he said. “Would you raise your family in the middle of a solar farm?”

Ryan Powell of Palmyra said, “Our fight has never been with the people who own the land here. I understand you’re trying to do what’s best for your families. Our fight is with the system and the representatives of that system that believe rural America can be industrialized without its consent.”

Conrad MacBeth of Deerfield said solar facilities don’t belong on agricultural land.

“Put it in a brownfield, not in a farm field,” he said.

One speaker for the project was Adam Leckler of LaSalle Township.

“Farms are failing at a massive rate,” Leckler said, “and we need the ability to diversify our lands into something that we feel will generate revenue, not only for ourselves but for our communities.”

Tom Creque of Sylvania called solar installations an ideal project because, unlike many other land uses, they generate revenue without drawing on local water, sewer, or other infrastructure after they’re built.

Paul Wohlfarth of Ottawa Lake said a lot of misinformation is being circulated to turn people against solar power.

“There’s a lot of misinformation out there that’s not true, and people are being told a lot of lies,” he said.

After public comment, RWE representatives addressed a variety of

it’s fun when you get trains going everywhere.”

And yes, he added, every now and then someone runs a red signal and there’s a wreck.

The club welcomes visitors at its regular open houses, which take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on several upcoming Saturdays and Sundays.

For more information about the Blissfield Model Railroad Club, its trains, and its layout, go online to www.bmrr.org or www.facebook.com/blissfieldmrc.

Upcoming open houses

Sept. 13 and 14, 2025

Oct. 18-19, 2025

Nov. 8-9, 2025

Dec. 13-14, 2025

Dec. 20-21, 2025

Jan. 18-19, 2026

Feb. 22-23, 2026

March 15-16, 2026

April 19-20, 2026

Hours for all open houses are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days.

questions. One had to do with what happens if the company goes out of business. Cole said that solar developers are required by law to put money into a decommissioning bid held by a third party so that, even if the company goes bankrupt, the money is still there to be used for restoring the land to its original condition at the end of the project’s life.

Responding to questions about why these sites were chosen, Cole said there were three factors — the flat land, the availability of transmission lines, and the fact that there were property owners in the area interested in leasing.

He also discussed the impact on soil, saying that solar developments don’t negatively affect the soil and actually improve it because the soil has time to regenerate.

“The soil is resting,” he said. “We plant pollinator species around the solar panels, and every year they grow and they bloom and they die, and they enrich the soil.”

On the subject of water, Cole said that solar facilities don’t use any water and are required to work with local drain commissions to make sure they don’t alter drainage patterns.

RWE doesn’t use concrete pads, Cole said, instead driving the pilings into the ground to an average depth of 14 feet. This led to a question about what happens if drainage tiles are damaged. Cole agreed that, no matter how hard they try, it is inevitable that some drain tile will be damaged, but that the company hires a contractor — when possible, the drainage tile installer who has put in most of the tile in the area — to follow after and fix it.

“When there is something that needs repaired, we repair it until it’s right,” he said.

NOTE TO READERS

The owner of Lenawee Independent Media, which publishes the Lenawee Voice, is one of the property owners who has an agreement to lease land to the Rouget Road Solar project. Because we are writing about a topic in which this newspaper has a direct financial stake, we feel it is only appropriate to disclose this to our readers.

We have made every effort to cover this story as fairly as we would cover any other. However, we do not ask you to take our word for it. The Aug. 26 meeting about Rouget Road Solar was also covered by The Advance in Blissfield. We encourage readers who are interested in this topic to purchase the Sept. 3 edition of The Advance and read their story as well.

Joe Watts of Blissfield adjusts a train at the Blissfield Model Railroad Club.

For the Love of Lenawee: A Community That Cares

When neighbors come together for a common purpose, something remarkable happens: needs are met, hope is restored, and futures are changed. That’s the spirit behind Lenawee Cares, our community’s own annual campaign to support the health and human service needs of people right here in Lenawee County.

Founded by the Lenawee Community Foundation in 2016, Lenawee Cares is more than a fundraising effort. It’s a movement of Lenawee, by Lenawee, and for the love of Lenawee, powered by the belief that when we join forces, we can create lasting change.

How the campaign works

Every year, a dedicated committee of local volunteers works alongside the Foundation to assess current needs in Lenawee County. They review local data, listen to community voices, and identify where funding will make the greatest difference. This process ensures that every dollar raised stays right here in our county and is directed to programs that produce measurable results.

Grants are awarded to organizations tackling urgent needs such as food security, housing, literacy, counseling, youth development, and senior services. In the most recent funding cycle, 31 organizations received grants ranging from $1,800 to over $15,000. From the HOPE Community Center to Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee, these partners are working daily to lift people up and create opportunities for better lives.

We also think about tomorrow. That’s why 10% of all campaign funds are invested into an endowment, ensuring that years from now, Lenawee Cares will still be meeting the needs of our neighbors, no matter what unexpected challenges lie ahead.

Your impact in action

n $1 = 5 pounds of food from the food bank.

n $2 = A meal at a shelter or soup kitchen.

n $31 = One year of books for a child through the Imagination Library.

n $38 = Processing venison for Hunters Helping Lenawee.

n $100 = Matching dollars for childcare scholarships.

n $200 = Support a student working toward graduation.

n $500 = Brings light and safety to a new home for a local family working toward stability.

Every dollar you contribute joins with thousands of others to create real change for real people — your neighbors, your coworkers, your friends.

Why it matters

Lenawee Cares is not driven by an outside agency. It is fueled entirely by our community. From local business leaders to teachers, retirees to young professionals, people from every corner of Lenawee County step forward each year to ensure that our county remains a place where everyone can thrive.

This work is possible because of our shared belief that when we care for each other, we strengthen the very foundation of our community. In Lenawee County, we don’t just talk about helping; we show up, roll up our sleeves, and make it happen.

Join us

a career with

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.

Numbers tell part of the story, and the latest results are impressive. In our most recent campaign, Lenawee Cares donors contributed an incredible $475,229, bringing the total since our founding to more than $4 million in support for local nonprofits. But it’s the real-life stories that truly show the heart of this effort:

n Sam, once facing homelessness and addiction, found shelter, guidance, and a job that gave him a second chance. “If it wasn’t for the shelter,” he shared, “I probably wouldn’t even be alive.”

n Anna and her parents now navigate daily life more safely, thanks to a wheelchair ramp funded by a Lenawee Cares grant. “This ramp isn’t just wood and screws, it’s peace of mind.”

n Michael, a HOPE Hoopsters basketball player, discovered friendship, teamwork, and the thrill of making the winning shot. “The Hoopster program gave my son experiences he wouldn’t otherwise have.”

These are just three of the many lives touched because people in Lenawee County choose to care.

What your gift can do

One of the most inspiring parts of Lenawee Cares is that every gift matters. Whether you give a few dollars a week or make a leadership contribution, your generosity has a direct impact.

As we enter our 10th annual campaign, I invite you to be part of this incredible tradition of giving. Whether through a workplace campaign, a personal pledge, or a one-time gift, you can make a difference.

Together, we can continue to write stories of hope, opportunity, and transformation that will echo through our community for years to come. Give today. Give generously. Give for the love of Lenawee.

Paula Trentman is vice president and director of grants and programs for the Lenawee Community Foundation. To learn more or to make a gift, visit lenaweecf.com or call 517-263-4696.

PAULA TRENTMAN

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Why stiffen penalties for protesting without a permit?

Rep. Nancy Jenkins-Arno, it came to my attention that you co-sponsored a bill to limit the rights to assembly. Anyone protesting in the streets in Michigan, without a permit, could go to jail for 93 days and face a $5,000 fine under your legislation. What is this all about and what prompted the need for such legislation? Don’t we already have laws that address this? Why is this a priority over getting a spending budget done? Seems this is an overreach, a way to stop your constituents from bringing attention to subjects they find objectionable. Just another roadblock in getting public attention to what the voters need to hear. We have a news

desert in many parts of your district and it seems you want further restrictions on our first amendment rights. Explain to me the reasons for this bill?

Paul Wohlfarth, Ottawa Lake

A student’s perspective

Nursing students at Siena Heights University are facing an uncertain future, with little support from the administration.

In June 2025, the university announced that it would be closing its doors after the 2025–2026 school year due to financial troubles. The announcement stated that SHU’s “top priority will be … working with partner institutions to establish transfer pathways.”

With only a few weeks remaining until fall classes resume, those “transfer pathways” are not yet established in

the School of Nursing, leaving 50 to 60 students in limbo. But an even bigger problem is lurking beneath the surface: SHU is facing loss of accreditation in the nursing program, and that’s a big deal — especially for the 15 seniors who are faced with potentially graduating from a non-accredited program. This would negatively affect their future job prospects and their ability to go on to grad school.

In May 2025, SHU received a “show cause directive” from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), indicating serious problems related to university-level budgeting practices. The university has until Dec. 1 to reply. Considering the university’s precarious financial situation — a leading factor in its decision to close — a positive outcome is not assured.

As one of those 15 senior students faced with potentially graduating from

BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY

a non-accredited program, I am deeply concerned that my Bachelor of Nursing Science (BSN) degree will be worthless. I have invested three years of my life and thousands of dollars to get to this point. Taken together, all signs point to an organization that has been badly managed for some time. I wanted the public to know more about what is going on behind the façade the university is trying to project. Siena Heights University is not the wellrespected organization it once was, and students are suffering the consequences — with no recourse of any kind.

Vanessa Wallace, Adrian Letters to the Editor should be 300 words or fewer and may be emailed to letters@lenaweevoice.com. Please include your town of residence and a phone number for verification purposes.

OUR TOWNS

Chad Baugh chosen for top job in Adrian City Hall

By Erik Gable The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — After narrowing the field to five finalists, the Adrian City Commission voted unanimously on Aug. 18 to offer the position of city administrator to Chad Baugh, currently the director of police services for Canton Township.

The decision followed an afternoon of 45-minute interviews with all five finalists, an open house where the candidates could have conversations with members of the public, video interviews in which the candidates replied to written questions, questionnaires that were filled out by all of the applicants, and reviewing the results of a social media screening done by consulting firm Yeo & Yeo. Commissioners also received feedback from city staff.

For many commissioners, the choice came down to two favorites, Baugh and Elle Cole.

“They just bring different strengths to the table and that is what we have to figure out,” Mayor Angela Sword Heath said during the discussion.

Baugh has been with the Canton Police Department since 1996, and was promoted to his current position in 2020.

See ADMINISTRATOR, page B7

THE LENAWEE VOICE

New

and

Effort underway to create more owner-occupied housing in Adrian

By Arlene Bachanov

The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — A once-dilapidated duplex in Adrian has become the first home in the city renovated and put on the market by a new nonprofit whose goal is to address the problem of blight by turning rundown rental properties into fully renovated owner-occupied houses.

ADRIAN

HopeStreet Housing, a registered 501(c)3 started by Kapnick Insurance Co. CEO Jim Kapnick and two other men, purchased the property at 705 College Ave. to kick off the nonprofit’s efforts.

The organization got its start late in 2024 thanks to a conversation among

the three men over lunch one day about the problem of blight in Adrian and what could be done about it. “We decided to start up a nonprofit that could be more proactive” about the situation, Kapnick said.

“Blight leads to crime leads to a lot of other issues. And I believe that if you start fixing up a place, the rest of the neighborhood starts in [on their properties].”

According to Kapnick, more than 50 percent of the homes in Adrian are rental properties. HopeStreet Housing believes that much of the solution to blight lies in increasing the number of owner-occupied homes in the city.

The group’s mission statement reads: “To strengthen our community by eliminating blight and giving families

the opportunity to own a home, stabilizing neighborhoods, and building wealth.”

The home on College Avenue was built as a single-family home in about 1915, and was eventually turned into a duplex.

When HopeStreet Housing bought the property, half of it was unoccupied and the renter in the other half was moving out.

To do the extensive renovation that was needed, Kapnick enlisted the services of Cohl Beaubien, who in turn brought Braxton Southwell on board. Beginning this spring, the two men thoroughly gutted the house and went to work on literally every part of it.

See HOUSING, page B7

Jim Kapnick, Cohl Beaubien, and Braxton Southwell are pictured at a house that was recently renovated by HopeStreet Housing, a nonprofit that was founded to turn rundown rental properties into owner-occupied homes. ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE

musical playground

StoryWalk installed at Gerber Hill Park » PAGE B3

Chad Baugh

Trees for Comstock Christmas Riverwalk will be available starting in mid-September ADRIAN

ADRIAN — This year will mark the city of Adrian’s 12th annual Comstock Christmas Riverwalk.

Trees for the Riverwalk will be on sale starting Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 8 a.m.

The cost for a tree is $70, which includes lights. Local businesses, organizations, families, and individuals who purchase trees will decorate them to be displayed in Comstock Park throughout the holiday season.

Tree forms will be available at City Hall and on the city website, adriancity.com, beginning the first week of September,

along with the link for online sales. The online link will be available then as well.

A total of 550 trees will be available this year, parks and recreation director Jeremiah Davies said. Last year, all the trees were sold within 48 hours of becoming available.

Davies said the money from tree purchases and sponsorships goes into a dedicated fund that covers the cost of the trees and all related expenses, such as

electrical repairs in the park, replacement of lights, cords, decorations, and supplies.

The city does not directly fund the Riverwalk, but does provide support in the form of labor by Parks and Recreation and Department of Public Works employees.

The Riverwalk will be lit in a ceremony that will coincide with Adrian First Fridays on Dec. 5. The trees will stay up until early January.

For more information, email mdewey@adrianmi.gov or cschmucker@ adrianmi.gov, or call 517-264-4815.

The Comstock Christmas Riverwalk tree and light display, seen here in 2023, will be illuminated starting on Dec. 5 this year, with the tree lighting scheduled during Adrian First Fridays. Trees for the Riverwalk can be purchased starting Sept. 17. ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

Musical playground opens at Gerber Hill Park

BLISSFIELD TWP. — Lenawee County’s Gerber Hill Park may be best known as a popular sledding destination in the winter, but now there are two more reasons to visit the 40-acre park near Blissfield.

BLISSFIELD

The county celebrated the opening of a new, fully accessible musical playground and StoryWalk at Gerber Hill Park with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 18.

The musical playground was made possible through a $75,000 grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. It includes outdoor instruments designed for all ages and abilities to enjoy, encouraging creativity, sensory engagement, and shared experiences in nature.

Integrated along the path is a StoryWalk, developed in collaboration with Lenawee Great Start, which displays an illustrated children’s book page by page along a walking route. Families are encouraged to read, explore, and interact as they move from panel to panel, with prompts for fun physical activities tied to the story.

“The musical playground and StoryWalk together offer a dynamic space where families can connect through movement, music, and reading,” Lenawee County administrator Kim Murphy said in a news release. “This project enhances Gerber Hill Park as a place where people of all ages and abilities can come together to learn, play, and grow.”

The additions to the park are part of Lenawee County’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusive recreation, early

literacy, and community wellness by enhancing public spaces across the county, she added.

This project was one of the priorities identified in the five-year plan for the county park system, which was approved by the county commission last year.

The guests for the ribbon cutting on Aug. 18 included members of the Gerber family, which donated the land that was used to start the park in 1988. Other park features include picnic shelters, athletic fields, trails, and a sledding hill.

Gerber Hill Park is located at 14360 Carroll Road, Blissfield.

Members of the Gerber family were on hand for the ribbon cutting of the new playground and StoryWalk at Gerber Hill Park. Pictured here are Kristy Faust, Sherry Faust, Zachary Wimmer, Gloria Faust, and Cindy Faust. Frank and Elizabeth Gerber bought the 19-acre parcel that would eventually become part of the park in 1935, and the Gerber family donated the land to the county in 1988. PHOTOS BY LINDA CAMPBELL/LENAWEE VOICE

Quinn Henning tries out one of the instruments in the new musical playground at Gerber Hill Park. The park now includes a variety of outdoor musical instruments designed for people of all ages to enjoy.

Daniel Johnson plays one of the outdoor musical instruments at Gerber Hill Park. In the background is one of the panels in the park’s new StoryWalk, which was installed in collaboration with Lenawee Great Start.

— AROUND — LENAWEE COUNTY

RIGA COMMUNITY DAY

We’re not sure who the youngest firefighter on record is, but this young man who we met at Riga Community Day on Aug. 2 must be in the running. Miles Porter, 4, of Fairfield Township took part in the Community Day Parade decked out in his turnout gear — and, yes, that’s a flashing light on his wagon. His dad, Riga Township firefighter Chris Porter, reports that Miles comes to every truck check.

ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

Madison Garden Center and Flower Shop, formerly known as Barrett’s Showplace Gardens, hosted a Summer Garden Party from Aug. 15-17, with workshops, food trucks, live music, and more. The workshops included an educational presentation about beekeeping by Cecile Fain (left) and Janet Tucker from the River Raisin Beekeepers Club. To be a beekeeper, Tucker said, “you have to understand the way they work in their hives.” She described the roles that different bees play in the hive at different points in their lives before going on to show some of the tools used in beekeeping. Madison Garden Center is located at 1033 W. Beecher St. in Adrian and has beekeeping supplies in stock. ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

The Bits and Pieces RC Club, a local group of radio-controlled aircraft enthusiasts, hosted its annual Big Fun Fly at Adrian’s Heritage Park on Aug. 2. Although the Big Fun Fly is held once a year, club members also fly their planes at Heritage Park at 2 p.m. on the first Sunday of every month from April through October, weather permitting. Pictured here is longtime club member Mike Green, who lives in Ypsilanti but is originally from Jasper, working on his plane. Anyone interested in learning more can search for “Bits and Pieces RC Club” on Facebook or email mggreen54@yahoo.com.

ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

ART AT YOUR FEET

Chris Smith of Riga works on a chalk drawing during Blissfield’s 17th annual Art At Your Feet, organized by the Schultz-Holmes Memorial Library. South Lane Street was closed for the event and people were invited to make chalk art creations on the pavement.

ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE BACK TO

The Align Center for Workforce Development and Lock’d In Construction & Environmental hosted a Back to School Bash on Aug. 17 at the Align Center. The event included a DJ, food, games, free haircuts, a bounce house, a variety of giveaways, and informational tables staffed by local organizations.

Above, Zariah Wilson of Adrian gets her face painted by Ida Scott.

At left, Austin Shirey of Deerfield and Camden Gorski of Blissfield represent Boy Scout Troop 708, giving out information about scouting.

A relatively new tradition at the Croswell Opera House is for cast members to reunite the Thursday after a show closes for a cabaret performance in Farver’s at the Croswell, the bar just off the theater’s main lobby. Here, Caroline Hubbard of Chelsea, Zariah Blackmon of Adrian, Adalyn and Alayna Brazzil of Holland, Ohio, Vivienne Taylor of Ottawa Lake, Maddox Reitz of Sylvania, Rylee Pickett of Toledo, Charlotte Teall Beaver of Ann Arbor, Olivia Grzebik of Clinton, and Makenzie Gonzalez of Adrian reprise “It’s the Hard Knock Life.”

‘ANNIE’ REUNION

Immanuel Lutheran Church celebrates ‘150+5’

BLISSFIELD TWP. — The members of Immanuel Lutheran Church celebrated 155 years of church history on Aug. 24.

The church at 1500 Blissfield Highway was founded in 1870 and had originally planned to mark its sesquicentennial in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to the plans. So instead, members chose to hold a celebration this summer of “150+5.”

BLISSFIELD

The story of Immanuel Lutheran Church begins with a small group of German families who settled north of Blissfield. According to a history compiled by Monita Fergus in 1991, most of them were from the northern part of Pomerania, now in Poland.

They were poor, but also strong-willed and resourceful — and undeterred by the fact that the rich farmland we know today was, in those days, a waterlogged swamp. As they settled and began to farm, they decided they needed a church. The first service was held in the home of Karl Miller and was conducted by the Rev. Franz Wilhelm Kroencke,

Joining the pastor and members of Immanuel Lutheran Church to celebrate the church’s anniversary were a former pastor, the bishop of the Southeast Michigan Synod, and several pastors who either interned at the church on their way to becoming ordained or have been connected to the church in some other way. In the front row are Revs. Rick Webb, Denise Russell, Gary Leking (former pastor), Melinda VanderSys, and Janice Locke. In the back row are Rev. Dale Hedblad, Bishop Donald Kreiss, and Revs. Katherine Kolodziejczyk, Doris Sparks, and Rick Hogan, the current pastor. ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

who had previously organized Trinity Church in Riga. The church was officially formed on Aug. 28, 1870.

The congregation’s first church was built in 1878, and in 1890 the church called its first resident pastor — the

Rev. A. Hahn, who also established a parochial school to serve the children of German families in the area.

Both services and schooling were conducted in German for the first several decades of the church’s existence, giving way to English only when World War I began to cause problems for Germanspeaking residents. However, the service for laying the cornerstone of the present church in 1927 was still conducted in both languages.

The congregation moved to its current location in 1898, building a church — its second — on land purchased from Blissfield School District No. 7. That church was destroyed by fire in 1926, and the original building was brought back into service while the third, and current, church was being built.

The present church was dedicated on Dec. 11, 1927. The current pastor is the Rev. Rick Hogan.

Joining in the celebration were Bishop Donald Kreiss of the ELCA Southeast Michigan Synod and several pastors whose paths have crossed with Immanuel Lutheran over the years.

Tecumseh seeks input on downtown streetscape

TECUMSEH — The city of Tecumseh and the Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority have launched a downtown streetscape design project focused on accessibility, sustainability, and flexibility while embracing the history and community of the downtown area.

The city has partnered with Jones Petrie Rafinski for the streetscape design project. JPR, an architecture and engineering firm based in northern Indiana, is known for its innovative and cost-effective solutions, according to a news release from the city.

A community workshop will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22, in the council chambers at Tecumseh City Hall, 309 E. Chicago Blvd. This interactive session will provide a platform for residents to share their ideas, discuss concerns, and collaborate on the design of future streetscape enhancements.

An online survey took place over the course of August.

The project will unfold in two phases. Phase 1 focuses on community engagement and analysis, while Phase 2 will develop design concepts supported by a detailed report, funding assessment, and implementation plan.

For more information, email Kelly Jo Gilmore at kgilmore@tecumsehmi.gov.

A mural welcoming visitors to downtown Tecumseh. ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

It was a major project. “You think you have an idea what you want to do and then you start peeling plaster away,” Beaubien said.

Although the “bones” of the house were good, plenty of structural work needed to be done before anything else could get started. For example, because a load-bearing wall had been removed at some point over the years, that situation had to be addressed. The house also received a new metal roof and new plumbing and wiring.

With those and other fundamental issues taken care of, Beaubien and Southwell went to work on everything else both inside and outside, transforming the duplex into a threebedroom, two-and-a-half-bath singlefamily home with all-new mechanicals and fixtures and even new landscaping and grass.

“They’ve done a great job” on the property, Kapnick said.

Only local contractors were part of the project. “That’s important to me,” Beaubien said.

two men found a metal nameplate underneath it that read “G.E. Lennard,” the home’s original owner. They were able to locate the Lennards’ grandson, who came to see the renovation work.

“He was so happy to see it being fixed up,” Southwell said.

So were the neighbors, who brought doughnuts and water over for the workers. One neighbor even wants to plant a tree at the home.

After some five months of work on it, the property went on the market in midAugust listed at $279,900.

For HopeStreet Housing’s next projects, Kapnick and his colleagues have their sights set on properties on McKenzie and Scott streets, funded by the proceeds from the College Street home’s sale.

Beaubien said that the goal was to make everything about the home as easy as possible for its new owner, from the brand-new fixtures to the fact that the landscaping is designed to be lowmaintenance.

Administrator from page B1

He has also held positions on statewide boards, and was recently appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the Organized Retail Crime Advisory Board.

Cole has been the city treasurer and deputy city manager for Saline since 2021, and served as acting city manager during a recent vacancy. She previously worked as township administrator for Sumpter Township near Belleville, and before that ran her own business as a certified public accountant. When Adrian’s interview process began, she had also just been offered the position of city manager in Boyne City.

Commissioners also expressed their appreciation to the two internal candidates who applied, parks and recreation director Jeremiah Davies and utilities director Will Sadler.

“That took a lot of courage for our department heads to put their names in the hat,” commissioner Mary Roberts said, adding that being able to field two finalists from within is a good sign for an organization.

A fifth finalist was Ellis Mitchell, the former city manager of Benton Harbor.

The five finalists were chosen from among 88 applicants for the role.

Roberts said it was a difficult choice, and that she was evenly divided between Baugh and Cole. She said she liked Cole’s enthusiasm and some of the programs she has brought to Saline, as well as her financial experience and her background as a small business owner. At the same time, Roberts said Baugh is somebody who will be a servant leader and “would do a lot of consensus-building, within our community and within our staff.”

Commissioner Bob Behnke said he saw Cole as somebody with strong leadership skills, and that he appreciated Cole’s background as a CPA, particularly with looming uncertainties in state and federal funding. In addition, he said he heard from residents who liked the energy she brought into the room in her interview.

Although Cole’s resume showed the most obvious financial background, some commissioners noted that as police chief, Baugh has also had to manage a budget.

One fun surprise did come Beaubien’s and Southwell’s way during the work. When the siding was removed, the

Commissioner Gordon Gauss said that the budget of Canton’s police department is almost the same size as Adrian’s overall budget, and the number of officers and administrators that Baugh oversees now is similar to the size of Adrian’s city government.

On the other hand, Gauss said, Saline is smaller than Adrian.

Gauss also noted that Baugh has family connections to Adrian and is familiar with the community.

Commissioner Kelly Castleberry said many police department budgets have faced challenges recently.

“I’ve worked in nonprofits most of my career, and you have to learn how to rub two pennies together to get a quarter. I feel like he has that ability as well,” she said of Baugh.

Castleberry also spoke positively about what commissioners learned about his tenure as police chief in Canton.

“For a police chief to be beloved by his staff and people, and beloved by such a multifaceted community, is huge to me,” she said.

Behnke agreed, saying that Baugh’s record “shows that he has the depth and breadth of a leader that’s facing the times when it comes to incidents of police violence, how to address that in a proactive manner, and engage the community in how to respond appropriately.”

During his tenure as police chief, Baugh worked with the Canton Coalition for Inclusive Communities to form a citizen-led committee to investigate allegations of police misconduct or bias.

The commission briefly discussed the idea of calling candidates back for another interview, but were cautioned by Amy Cell, president of Yeo & Yeo, that a delay could lead to candidates accepting other jobs, particularly with the knowledge that Cole had received an offer to become city manager of Boyne City just as Adrian was beginning the interview process.

Commissioners ultimately decided to go ahead and make a choice that evening.

“We’re up here to make decisions,” Roberts said, “and sometimes we don’t have all the time in the world to make these decisions.” Housing from page B1

“If we can get a couple of these things going, the hope is we’ll have the money to go further,” he said.

“Being a nonprofit means that all the money [from one home’s sale] will go into the next house. We’re not trying to do this to make any money.”

For more information on the College Avenue property, call 517-403-5799. HopeStreet Housing can also be found on Facebook.

At the end of the meeting, Heath offered her thanks to Emrick for his work as interim administrator over the past several months, a comment that drew applause from both the commission and the audience.

“Some people will step into an acting role just to help out, and they just kind of let it be status quo, just to get through, and that is not how Chief Emrick took that job on,” Heath said. “He took every part of it — the good, the bad and the ugly.”

HopeStreet Housing’s first renovation project.

NEIGHBORS

2025 Adrian Kiwanis Club celebrates 85 years of service » PAGE C4

Taste of Lenawee returns to the Armory

— Launch Lenawee’s popular Taste of Lenawee event is back, giving people an opportunity to sample food and drink from a variety of local restaurants and caterers while also supporting small business development in Lenawee County.

The event will take place on Friday, Sept. 19, from 6-9 p.m. at the Adrian Armory Event Center, 230 W. Maumee St. Tickets are $60 plus EventBrite fee, and may be ordered online at adrianarmory. com/taste-of-lenawee. The price includes 12 food stations, complementary bar, and live entertainment provided by Above Pete’s Garage.

Proceeds will suport three related intiatives: the Adrian Armory, the Launch Lenawee Entrepreneurial Action Program, and the Makerspace Community Kitchen, which helps food industry entrepreneurs by providing commercial kitchen space.

At the event, Launch Lenawee will also recognize oustanding service by locally owned businesses with its new “Under the Radar” awards. This honor, aimed at calling attention to the independent businesses that make up the backbone of the local economy, is for small businesses that have been providing exemplary products or services to the Lenawee County community for 10 years or more.

The five businesses chosen for the first Under the Radar awards are A-Drain Plumbing, El Chapulin restaurant, Sphere Contracting, Grey Fox Floral, and Hadden Tire.

The Adrian Armory supports the growth and development of Lenawee County through educational programs and small business development services.

SECTION

Literacy center helps adults gain essential skills

The center was founded by the Adrian Dominican Sisters in 2008 and recently became an independent organization

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — “When are you going?”

César Del Campo-Hernández, a learner at the Adrian Rea Literacy Center, studied that question, which was part of a lesson in his workbook, and copied it onto a piece of paper.

“How would you answer?” asked Doris DeNudt, an administrative assistant at the literacy center who was serving as Del Campo-Hernández’s tutor this particular evening. When he hesitated, she asked another question: “What is the subject?”

“You?” Del Campo-Hernandez replied.

“Yes. Good!”

Del Campo-Hernández, who lives in northwest Ohio, came to the U.S. about 12 years ago from Mexico, where he was a veterinarian. He presently works at an area dairy farm.

When he first arrived in this country, he knew only the most rudimentary

English. “I knew ‘hello,’ ‘good morning,’ ‘how are you?’ Just basic things,” he said.

He started coming to the literacy center two or three years ago because he knew that learning English was important to his success in the U.S. Not only do the people he works with speak English, but even everyday tasks can be a challenge for a non-English speaker. “It’s sometimes difficult when you go to the market or the bank,” he said.

And besides, knowing English will help a person like him “do better and get better jobs,” he added.

César Del Campo-Hernández works with staff member Doris DeNudt at the Adrian Rea Literacy Center. The center was opened by the Adrian Dominican Sisters in 2008 and serves both English language learners and native speakers who need to learn reading and writing. ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE

Champion auction buyers at the fair » PAGE C7

ADRIAN

Supporting veterans

The local organization VALOR was officially formed in 2024 and organizes ongoing veterans’ breakfasts and an annual flag display

CLAYTON — The local organization VALOR (Veterans and Loved Ones Resources) was born from a growing community of veterans, their loved ones and community partners coming together to support each other.

VALOR officially formed in August 2024. The nonprofit organization houses two programs — a series of breakfasts that bring veterans together for fellowship and an annual tribute to veterans who have been lost to suicide.

The breakfasts happen every month in multiple locations to provide veterans with a sense of community and a warm meal to eat. The organization provided over 300 meals in just the last month.

The group also organizes “The Ongoing Cost of War,” a display in which 22 flags and lights are put out every day in September as a visual reminder of how many veterans have been lost due to suicide.

This will be the group’s fourth year setting up flags at the village park in Clayton.

The public is invited to join the group on Tuesday nights in September from 6-9 p.m. at the Clayton Village park to see the flag display as it grows, in addition to enjoying a bonfire, hot dogs, s’mores, and an opportunity for veterans to discover a sense of community and learn about available resources.

Other communities joining in with their own displays include Hudson, Adrian, Tecumseh, Hillsdale, and Perrysburg, Ohio.

For more information, go to ongoingvalor.com.

The following letter was written by an area veteran about the experience of attending VALOR’s community meals:

“I found out about the VALOR gatherings just recently and was pleasantly surprised to find a lunch room

full of classmates about the same age with shared experiences and outlooks. I say ‘classmates’ because we all graduated as professional veterans through the different military branches, but with the same goals, training and beliefs. For many of us just out of high school or in our early 20s this was our first time leaving our home state and for many, our country.

“We all were put into life and death situations almost immediately. How we dealt with those and survived formed the foundations of our young lives. Those stories are worth hearing over and over.

“Many of us were lucky to visit foreign countries. Some were peaceful, others had raging wars. From the peaceful countries I learned respect, family honor and cultural amazement. For the countries at war that I experienced, it was more complicated. The power — the government, controlling those countries had the same agenda as every preceding tyrant through history: take the land, suppress the people, spread their doctrine. From this experience I had a lot of ‘what’s, whys and whens.’ A lot to digest in a short, hectic amount of time. This made the return home all the more welcome, valued and emotional. I enjoy talking to new friends at the breakfast meetings about their experiences in their different branches of service. Oddly enough we all have some humorous tales to relate. I also think about those foreign countries — those that experienced the horrors of war 60 years ago. If you are lucky enough to travel back there on a vacation — and look — you’ll still see some respect, family honor and cultures embracing peace. I like to think the lunchroom classmates did their job well — exceedingly well.

— Rich Katuzin, USN Attack Squadron 65 (VA-65)

Embrace the colors of

FALL FALL

“The Ongoing Cost of War,” an annual flag and light display highlighting veterans who have died through suicide, is organized each year in Clayton by the local organization VALOR (Veterans and Loved Ones Resources). PHOTO COURTESY OF BRIANNA JOHNSTON

Lenawee Bike Tour helps Rotary serve the community

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — The ninth annual Lenawee Bike Tour, presented by the Adrian Noon Rotary Club and the Lenawee Endurance Club, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27.

The fundraiser was started by the Rotary Club, and this is the second year that the Lenawee Endurance Club has planned the route for the event. Start times, which begin at 7:30 a.m., depend on which route a cyclist chooses. Routes are planned for 25, 44, 62 and 100 miles throughout Lenawee County. A three-mile “fun ride” for kids is also

planned, and will go through Riverside Park and Burr Ponds Park in Adrian. All rides start and end at Bohn Pool, 631 S. McKenzie St. in Adrian.

Funds will be raised through tieredlevel sponsorships, said Robert Gardner, president of the Noon Rotary Club. Last year, the bike tour event raised $13,000. This year, the goal is at least $15,000.

“We go out and get sponsors for the bike event from local businesses and their owners,” he said. Each tier will get a different level recognition for their support of the event.

Michele Gardner, also of the Rotary Club, said the funds raised from the event will go to support the projects

that the club works on throughout the year.

We do a lot to support the youth and children of our county,” she said.

One of these projects includes a growing partnership with Michener Elementary School in Adrian. Last May, the Noon Rotary Club took the thirdgraders from the school to the Toledo Zoo. Many of the club members served as chaperones for the field trip.

“It was a really big event for them,” she said.

The Adrian Noon Rotary also works with the Adrian District Library and Lenawee District Library, the Lenawee County 4-H program, and the Adrian

AHS graduates to give presentation on 50th anniversary of 10,000-mile bike trip

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — Matt Hermes and Matt Harpst, Adrian High School graduates who spent a summer after graduation riding their bicycles through the United States and Canada, will give a presentation on the 50th anniversary of the trip on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Lenawee County Historical Museum in Adrian.

The “Matt and Matt Bike Tour” took place from May 1 to Sept. 2, 1975, starting and ending at Adrian City Hall.

Over the course of the 10,000-mile trip, Hermes and Harpst cycled through 33 states, two Canadian provinces and crossed the Continental Divide twice. Before leaving, they decided that the bike tour could be more than just a ride around the country.

“Both Matt and I thought since we were to travel the country on bicycles, we might as well raise money for a good cause, so we contacted Ruth Carter of the American Cancer Society in Adrian,” Hermes said. Funds were raised through word of mouth and interviews with local newspapers along the way.

Hermes said that Tom Thiery, who taught art at Adrian High School at the time, helped them plan their route. Thiery had experience planning bike tours for his own group, the Overlanders.

“He knew especially where and when to travel to avoid rainy and extreme weather conditions,” Hermes said.

That experience came in handy when it came to planning the most scenic spots of the tour, such as the Gulf Coast Highway in Florida, which is known for its beautiful beaches, Hermes said.

But it didn’t completely keep Hermes and Harpst from running into weather problems along the way. One stretch in eastern Colorado saw headwinds so difficult, they could only ride 40 miles in six hours, he said. The next day, they faced the same winds going downhill, when they had to pedal their bikes to travel downhill because of the wind.

“We ended up walking a lot that day, because it was brutal,” Harpst said.

Without a doubt, Hermes said, his favorite part of the trip was “the encounters with people from all walks of life” who they met along the way.

“Often, people invited us to spend the night with their families,” he said.

Harpst said his favorite part of the trip was biking through Colorado, then up to Glacier National Park in Montana. Twice during the trip, they were able to enjoy

coasting nine or 10 miles downhill.

Touring the entire West Coast was memorable for Harpst.

“There was something new around every corner,” he said.

Hermes and Harpst will present their memories of the tour on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Lenawee County Historical Museum, 110 E. Church St. in Adrian. For more information, email lenaweemuseum@yahoo.com or call 517-265-6071.

City Band, among other community organizations.

The Lenawee Endurance Club is adding their expertise in planning bike routes for the event.

“The Lenawee Endurance Club is essentially a group of endurance athletes,” said Jacob Cooper from the club. “We put on a lot of events, from 5K runs to 10Ks to bike tours to group runs and ride and swims and triathlons.”

Signup for the ninth annual Lenawee Bike Tour, along with information about and sponsorship opportunities, can be found on the Lenawee Endurance Club Facebook page or through a link on ridesignup.com.

Hospice announces upcoming volunteer training

ADRIAN — Hospice of Lenawee is seeking caring and compassionate people to serve as hospice volunteers. Whether working directly with patients, assisting in the office, or working at events, all volunteers support the mission of Hospice of Lenawee.

The organization is especially in need of individuals willing to visit hospice patients for companionship or caregiver respite in a patient’s home or a facility. Prospective volunteers must wait a minimum of one year after the loss of a loved one to be eligible for training.

All four training sessions must be attended to become a hospice volunteer. The sessions will include valuable information on the hospice philosophy and the many roles in which someone can donate their time and skills.

To apply or for more information, call Heather Rowe at Hospice of Lenawee at 517-263-2323, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Training will be held on four Wednesdays in October, from Oct. 8 to Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m. Training will take place at Hospice of Lenawee, 1903 Wolf Creek Hwy., Adrian.

Prospective volunteers must complete an application and meet with the director of volunteers prior to training. Application is required on or before Sept. 24.

Hospice of Lenawee provides compassionate, patient and familycentered care during and after the last season of life.

Chiaroscuro men’s chorus invites prospective new members in September

ADRIAN — Chiaroscuro, an Adrianbased community men’s chorus, will begin its membership drive in September on Tuesday evenings (Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30) from 6:30 pm to 9 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Adrian, 1245 W. Maple Ave., in the church sanctuary. Any men interested in singing with the chorus are encouraged to join the

current members of the chorus at any or all of the open rehearsals, which double as auditions.

During rehearsal, guests will join in the singing of four-part men’s choral selections so that they can enjoy and experience the unique sound and camaraderie that comes from singing in a men’s chorus. Singers are expected to

be able to “carry a tune” and be willing to work outside rehearsal to learn the required concert music. Recordings of voice parts are available for this purpose.

The ensemble is directed by Susan Matych-Hager.

“Chiaroscuro welcomes new and former member tenor-bass voices to its ranks. We continue to strive to be

a chorus of excellence as well as one which not only performs music with emotion but also creates a caring choral community among its members,” Matych-Hager said.

A concert is planned for Thursday, Dec. 18. at 7:30 p.m.

For more information, go to ChiaroscuroMensChorus.org.

Matt Hermes and Matt Harpst at the conclusion of their 10,000-mile bike tour in 1975.

Kiwanis Club of Adrian marks 85 years of service

By Julie C. Clemes The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — On Aug. 20, the Kiwanis Club of Adrian celebrated its 85th anniversary with an event at the Adrian Armory. The club, which was originally chartered by the Hillsdale Kiwanis Club on Sept. 25, 1940, now has 90 members.

SERVICE CLUB ROUNDUP

The original Kiwanis Club of Adrian met at the former Lenawee Hotel, which was located at the corner of West Maumee and South Winter streets in downtown Adrian. The club had 34 members at that time. The club’s first program was to take over a toy project from the Adrian Fire Department “to provide a Merry Christmas to needy families in the community,” according to information on the club’s website.

Heather Pearce, current president of the club, said the group now helps hundreds of families at Christmas.

“Our motto is: We Build,” Pearce said. Since its inception, the Kiwanis Club of Adrian has sponsored other Kiwanis clubs in Lenawee County, including Tecumseh, Blissfield, Onsted, Hudson, Morenci, Addison and others. Currently, the Kiwanis Club of Adrian sponsors an active Key Club at Adrian High School, as well as the Aktion Club, which is affiliated with Hope Community Center.

Pearce said that club members include individuals, businesses owners and employees as well as others.

“It’s just people who want to give back to the Adrian community,” she said.

The Avenue of Flags, which currently displays 1,600 flags for eight different holidays, is among the many projects the group sponsors. The Duck Race, a fundraiser for group projects, is scheduled for Sept. 21.

The club also has a program with elementary schools in Adrian and surrounding area during March is Reading Month. The club currently awards $500 to each of the schools to use for rewards for the students, instead of a single bicycle, as was done in the past.

“It’s proven to be really beneficial,” Pearce said. “They’re able to award more children with the $500 than having one bicycle.”

One of the biggest projects was the building of the Kiwanis Riverview Terrace. The club eventually sold the building and the proceeds of the sale were used to support its foundation. The foundation awards mini-grants of $2,500 as well as larger grants. All members of the club are able to vote on each of the

REUNIONS

Adrian High School Class of 2005: Friday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m. in Maple Stadium for the Homecoming football game. Gates open at 6 p.m. Game entry is $7. Family friendly. Contact Brittany (Wagoner) Farley at 517-488-2772 or brittwfarley@gmail.com.

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

107th Britton-Macon Alumni Banquet: Friday, Sept. 26, at 5 p.m., Britton Deerfield High School Cafetorium, 201 College Ave., Britton. Social hour at 5 p.m., followed by banquet at 5:30 p.m. Honor classes this year are all classes before 1955 and the classes of 1955, 1965, 1975, and 1985.

grants that are proposed and fit the goals of the group, Pearce said.

“It keeps everyone engaged,” she added. “It keeps everyone involved.”

The Kiwanis Club of Adrian meets at noon on Wednesdays at The Centre, 1800 U.S. 223, Adrian. Lunch is provided, and Pearce said that everyone is invited to attend and learn more about the group.

“You’re welcome to stop in,” she said. “You don’t need to be invited.”

More information about the Kiwanis Club of Adrian, including details of the upcoming Duck Race, is on the club website at adriankiwanis.org or on Facebook at Kiwanis Club of Adrian.

Tecumseh Service Club: The Tecumseh Service Club will meet on the first Monday of September, October, November and January at 7 p.m. at the Tecumseh United Methodist Church, 605 Bishop Reed Drive, Tecumseh. Anyone interested in joining the group is welcome to attend. Applications for Christmas assistance are available online at tecumsehserviceclub.com starting Oct. 15.

Zonta Club of Lenawee: Zonta will present its ninth annual “Corks & Caps; A Celebration with Purpose” on Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Tecumseh Golf Club,

Prepaid reservations are required. For information, call Charlene Dickerson at 517-605-7925.

Adrian High School Class of 1970: Sept. 26-27. Friday, golf outing at 9 a.m. and casual gathering at ZZ’s Sports Bar & Grill, 520 College Ave., from 7-9:30 p.m.; Saturday, reunion at the Root 52 Event Venue, 8452 South M-52, Jasper, at 6:30 p.m. Contact Kathy Raines at k.raines360@comcast.net.

Blissfield High School Class of 1970: Saturday, Sept. 27, at 5 p.m. at Rich Lanes Bowling, 622 W. Adrian St. Contact Debbi Rogers, dgrogersmi@gmail.com.

Adrian High School Class of 1959: Friday, Oct. 3, at 11:30 a.m., ZZ’s Sports Bar & Grill. Contact Jon Wetherbee, jpwetherbee@tc3net.com or 517-662-0729.

Third annual Bixby Hospital employee reunion: Saturday, Oct. 11,

Boys

& Girls Club begins fall programs

ADRIAN — The Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee began its fall programming on Aug. 25 at its Adrian and Hudson locations.

The club invites all Lenawee County students in grades 1-12 to join for a year of growth, learning and connection. Membership is $3 per year.

School-year hours will be:

n Adrian Club: 2:45 to 7 p.m.

n Hudson Club: 2:45 to 6 p.m.

Both locations will offer homework assistance, educational activities, social programs, and recreational opportunities.

Dinner will be provided at the Adrian Club on Monday through Friday at 4 pm.

Families interested in attending must pre-register online by visiting www.bgclenawee.org and selecting the “Join” option.

Transportation is available daily from Adrian and Madison schools to the Adrian club.

5200 Milwaukee Road, Tecumseh. Hand selected wines and craft beer tastings, hors d’oeuvres and desserts from local favorites, entertainment and raffles will all be available “under an early autumn sky.” All funds raised will go directly to scholarships, grants for local nonprofits serving women and children, advocacy programs, and mentorship and outreach program across Lenawee County. For more information, email zontacluboflenawee@gmail.com or find the club on Facebook.

Kiwanis Club of Onsted: The Kiwanis Club of Onsted is hosting the Eugene Deuel Fall Scholarship Dinner on Friday, Sept. 26, in the Onsted High School Auditeria. The dinner follows the Homecoming Parade, which starts around 4 p.m. and ends before the start of the football game. The menu includes Sloppy Joes, chili dogs, and ice cream bowls with toppings. Prices are $8 for adults, $5 for students in 4-12, and $25 for families of four or more. Children in third grade or younger eat free. Ice cream bowls are sold individually for $3. All proceeds from this event will go directly to the Onsted Kiwanis Foundation for the scholarship fund. For more information, contact John Springer at 517-260-2367 or Jim Decker at 517-467-6193.

from 1-4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1245 W. Maple Ave., Adrian. Past employees, physicians, and volunteers are welcome to attend. Please bring your own beverage and a dish to pass based on the first letter of your last name: A-H main dish, I-P salad, Q-X dessert. Committee members: Sylvia Stoner, Kathy Betzoldt, Linda Butchart, and Kathy Raines. Email k.raines360@ comcast.net.

Lenawee County Snowbird Luncheon: Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 11 a.m., Golden Corral, 5525 Cortez Road, West Bradenton, Florida. Call 727-364-4273 or 517-260-0432.

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

The Hudson club, which is located on the Hudson Area Schools campus, offers transportation to students’ homes after programming.

The Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee serves nearly 1,000 children annually.

“After an amazing summer full of fun and growth, we’re thrilled to welcome students back for an exciting school year,” said Sara Herriman, chief executive officer of the organization. “Our newly renovated teen space and enhanced programs are all set to make this year both enriching and memorable.”

The club’s mentorship program is expanding this year thanks to an ongoing grant from the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ Resilient Communities initiative.

To learn more about opportunities to serve as a mentor, contact Julia Tilton, mentorship director, at jtilton@bgclenawee.org.

Share the Warmth fundraiser in Morenci set for Sept. 6

MORENCI — On Saturday, Sept. 6, the Morenci Legion will host an afternoon of food and community spirit as Share the Warmth of Lenawee presents its second annual BBQ Fundraiser from 1–5 p.m. at 9010 Morenci Road.

Catered by Jake’s Smokehouse, the event promises both mouthwatering barbecue and a meaningful opportunity to support the shelter’s mission of providing emergency housing and hope to those in need.

Guests can also participate in a silent auction featuring a variety of items donated by local businesses and supporters.

Tickets are $20. All proceeds will benefit Share the Warmth’s shelter operations and housing navigation services, which are aimed at helping individuals and families find safety, stability, and renewed possibility. For more information, contact the shelter at 517-759-3223 or email share@stwlenawee.org.

Cary Carrico, Heather Pearce, Lynne Punnett and Paul Mueller are pictured at the Kiwanis Club of Adrian’s 85th anniversary celebration on Aug. 20.

Adrian Schools Educational Foundation to honor outstanding teachers and alumni

ADRIAN — The Adrian Schools Educational Foundation has announced the 2025 recipients of the Outstanding Teaching & Mentoring Awards and Outstanding Alumni Awards, as well as former foundation board members who will be named trustees emeritus.

These individuals will be celebrated during the Adrian Schools Educational Foundation’s annual awards night on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. in the Julianne and George Argyros

Performing Arts Center at Adrian High School.

Outstanding Teachers & Mentors: The ASEF recognizes exceptional educators each year for their dedication to student success, professional excellence, and meaningful mentorship.

This year’s Outstanding Teacher & Mentor Award recipients are Alyssa Asani, English teacher at Adrian High School; Sheila Kowalski, reading specialist and technology teacher at

Alexander Elementary School; and Michelle Moore, science teacher at Adrian High School.

Outstanding Alumni Awards: Two Adrian High School graduates will be honored for their accomplishments and service.

Saul Bosquez, class of 2003, is being honored for his service to our country in the military and his community outreach through the USA Patriots softball program.

Reneé Dils Snyder, class of 1974, is being honored for her 38-year career in public service as an Adrian Public Schools business office accountant and her lifelong commitment to the Maples. Trustee Emeritus honors: The ASEF will also recognize two longtime supporters and former board members for their leadership and long-lasting contributions to the Foundation: Kristin Youngs Nelson, class of 1967, and Jay VanBuren, class of 1983.

Foundation announces over $100,000 in grants

ADRIAN — The Adrian Schools Educational Foundation recently announced the distribution of $105,519 in Classroom and Arts Grants to Adrian Public Schools staff for the 2025-26 school year.

These grants continue the foundation’s commitment to supporting educational excellence by funding innovative and enriching projects that enhance the classroom experience

beyond the scope of the district’s traditional budget.

This year’s awards support nearly 100 initiatives throughout the district, reflecting the creativity and passion of APS educators. The grants allow teachers and staff to incorporate dynamic resources, new instructional tools, and experiential learning opportunities into their daily teaching.

Many projects emphasize STEAM

(Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) disciplines, programming, literacy development, and social emotional learning — all of which bolster the foundation’s mission to support the educational excellence of Adrian Public Schools.

“Each year the passion and innovation behind these grant applications remind us how committed APS staff are to enriching student

learning,” said Jenny Engle, executive director of the foundation. “Their dedication to educational innovation and student success continues to inspire us. We look forward to seeing the lasting impact these grants will have across the district.”

For more information about the Adrian Schools Educational Foundation, go to www.adriansef.org or contact the foundatioon office at 517-263-2911.

Lenawee County Reading Clinic is an innovation that helps teachers build stronger reading skills in students

ADRIAN — A podcast. That’s where it all started.

When Robyn Francis, a local educator, tuned in to a story about the Washington, D.C. Reading Clinic — a program where teachers learn how to better teach reading while tutoring struggling students — she had an idea: “Why not bring something like this to Lenawee County?”

Fast forward a few years, and that idea is now the Lenawee County Reading Clinic (LCRC) — a growing initiative helping teachers build stronger reading skills in students, using what’s known as the Science of Reading. Since launching in 2021, the program has helped educators across the county become more confident, skilled, and effective at teaching kids how to read.

Training teachers, helping kids

With support from LISD superintendent Mark Haag and curriculum consultant Amanda Morris, the clinic officially began in fall 2021. Francis teamed up with Morris and Heather Hartwig to lead the first group of teachers through the training. Educators gathered once a month during the school year to learn and practice researchbacked ways to teach reading — then applied what they learned by tutoring students after school.

Their focus? The building blocks of reading — like sounding out words, recognizing letter patterns, and building confidence through small, consistent steps. The clinic uses well-known, evidence-based tools like: Dr. David Kilpatrick’s “One Minute Activities” to build phonemic awareness; UFLI Foundations, a program out of the University of Florida for teaching phonics; and “Uncovering the Logic of English” by Denise Eide to support spelling and vocabulary. They even created a list of “10 Must-Do Practices”

to help teachers bring these tools into everyday classrooms.

A ripple effect across Lenawee County

Four years later, the impact is clear. Dozens of teachers have completed the program, many of whom are now sharing what they learned with others in their schools. Some have taken on literacy leadership roles in their districts. Others have inspired colleagues to rethink how they teach reading. It’s what the clinic team calls a “ripple effect”— and it’s being felt across Lenawee County.

Teachers from nine of Lenawee County’s 11 public school districts have taken part in the program, helping to build a countywide network of educators

who are passionate about improving literacy.

In the third year, Emily Stiver joined the leadership team to help facilitate training. As Morris and Hartwig shifted their focus to other projects, Francis and Stiver continued leading the program. Under Stiver’s leadership, the LCRC expanded to include a summer intensive cohort, condensing the yearlong format into an eight-day training that includes daily tutoring. During the summer session, 12 students from around the county participated in five tutoring sessions.

The hope is to grow this summer model in the years to come — offering even more students help when they need it most and giving educators a chance to keep learning year-round.

Why it matters

While teaching kids to read might seem straightforward, it turns out many teacher training programs don’t include the latest research on how children learn to read. That’s where programs like the LCRC come in, filing the gap and giving local teachers the tools they need to help every child succeed.

This work is especially important now. In October 2024, Michigan passed a new Dyslexia Law, which will require schools to use research-based reading strategies by the 2027–28 school year. Thanks to the LCRC, Lenawee County educators are already ahead of the curve.

— Story and photo provided by the Lenawee Intermediate School District

Dominika Krekora, a second-grade teacher from Hudson Area Schools, is one of the local teachers who is part of the Lenawee County Reading Clinic.

4-H auction buyers from the Lenawee County Fair

ADRIAN — Following is the list of bidders and buyers from the 4-H auction at the Lenawee County Fair:

A&A Rebottaro, A&S Livestock and Handling, Abbey Carpet & Floor, ACP of Lenawee, Acuspray, Adjust to Health Chiropratic, Adrian Electric & Generator, Adrian Image Center, Adrian Precision Machining, Adrian Steel, Advantage Livestock Magnawave, Aggie Mechanical, Ag-Pro, Alexa & Jon Fischer, Alisha Hall, All Seasons Underground Construction, Allen Family Farms, Alro Steel Foundation, Amber Halmekangas, American 1 Towing, Amy Roome, Andersons Litchfield Farm Center, Anderzack Pitzen, Andrew & Nicole Kellenberger, Andrew Woelmer, ANG Water Technologies, Angela Wingerd Financial Services, Anjel Solis, Anonymous, Anthony Wilkins, Ashley Marr, Ashley Davis, Avery Oil.

Baa Mom, Back in Balance Massage, Bakerlads Farm, Bank Michigan, Beagle & Associates, Beagle Bros. Farms, Becks Hybrids (Bill Strouse Jr., and Evan Leach and Doug Wildt), Becks Hybrids Wildt Farms (Bill Strouse Jr.), Bell Chevrolet, Bellfy’s Plumbing, Ben Raglow, Bill Bierman, Bill Schwingel, Bits and Brews, Bleich Family Farms, Blissfield Financial Services, Blissfield State Bank, Blissfield Veterinary Service BOR Meats/ Feight Farms, Boullion Sales, Bowers DVM, Brad Frederick, Brad Neuhart Auctioneers, Bradley Williams, Brenner Oil, Brian Boring Racing Stables Brown & Nofzinger (Brian Nofzinger CPA), Brown Farms, Bulmon Farms, Burnips.

C&J Pallets, C&S Farms, CR Timber, Caleb & Abbie Fox, Caleb Fox, Callie L., Cappelletty Electric, Carol McMillan, Carol Wallerstein, Carpenter Farms Greenhouse, Carpenter Farms Pumpkins, Carrie Ringkvist, Carter Lumber, Cassie Scramlin, Charlie Rebottaro (Bowman Chevrolet), Charlie Westcott, Charlie’s Repair, Chelsea Dermatology, Chelsea Ellis, Chelsea Lumber Co., Cheri Willis, Choates Belly Acres, Chuck Bierman, Chuck Griffith, Cindy Malaczewski, Clayton Montage, Clear Season General Contracting, Clift Buick GMC, Clinton Trail Animal Hospital, Cognitive Keys, Continental Service, Cordelio Power, Corrigan Oil, Country Market, Countryside Veterinary Services, County National Bank, Cravins, Creek Enterprise, Creekside Carpentry, Creque Farms, Crossroads Ranch (Cannon Family), Crystal EO Farms, Crystal Flash, Crystal Lagger, Cummins Farms, Curtis Bailey Exelby & Sposito, Cutting Edge Engraving, CWJ LLC.

D&B Terry Farms, D&C Wielfaert Family Greenhouse, D&C Farms, Dale McCray, Dan Maves, Dana Varney, Dawn & Jason Fisher, Dean & Julie Lakatos, Deb Elliott, Decker & Sons Insurance, DeJonghe’s Farm Drainage, Denise and Craig Owens, DH Custom Fabrication, Diamond E Farm, Diana Morse, Diane’s Cleaning Service, Dillon McCullough, Diuble Equipment, DJN Cattle Farm, DM Diesel Technology, DMC Seed Solutions, Doug & Julia Spiegel, Doug & Beverly Long, Downtown Dempsey’s, Dr. Nancy Kelly, Dwight Fisher Farms. Eagle One Firearms Training, Eagle Valley Ag Risk Advisors, Eddie & Renee Lewis, Eisenmanns Golden Acres (EGA Inc.), Elgin Service Center (Pioneer), End-A-Lane Corp., Engler, Garrow & Roth, Eric & Lisa Reichow, ESC Dry Ice, Extrunet America.

F&M Bank, Fall’s A-1 Auto Care, Family Farm & Home of Tecumseh, Family Farm and Home of Adrian #31, Farm Bureau Insurance (Chris Maye Agency), Fasco Employment Solutions, Ferris & Sons

Gretchen Gautz of the Lenawee Legends 4-H Club with her Grand Champion Market Pen lambs, purchased by the Sieler family.

PHOTOS BY WIESLER PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY OF LENAWEE COUNTY 4-H

MaryOlive Caplon of the Tipton Jets 4-H Club with her Grand Champion Dairy Goat, purchased by Thee Old Mill.

Annabella Demonico of the Quaker Willing Workers with her Grand Champion Fryer Rabbits, purchased by Continental Service.

Evan Rising of the Quaker Willing Workers 4-H Club with his Grand Champion Turkey Roasters, purchased by Marry Funeral Home.

Lily Tillotson of the Deerfield Lucky Clovers with her Grand Champion Chicken Roaster, purchased by Sieler’s Water Systems.

Milk Hauling, Ferris Farms, First Woods Farm, Chad Fisher, Fishers Ag Insurance Services, Franks American Concrete. G Force Automotive, Gallery Of Shops, Garrison Farms, Garst LP Gas, Gaylord & Kay Kutzley, Gerald Grain

Center, Gerardo Ramirez Jr., Gerig Realty, Gerken Materials, Gleaner Adrian Arbor, Gleaner Legacy Arbor, Golden Acre Farm, Gordon & Sons Water Well Drilling, Gould Farms, Grandma Sarah and Papa John, Great Lakes Truck and

Transport, Green Hills Farm, Greenjak, Greenstone Farm Credit Services, Greg Crosley, Gust Brothers Pumpkin Farm, Gust Flower and Produce Farm.

4-H

from page C7

Halliwill Farms, Hanks Plumbing Mechanical Contractors, Hart Brothers, Hartland Farms, Haulin Auss, Heart Song Homestead, Heidi Spence, Hinesly Orthodontics, Hoddinott Acres, Hoffland Dairy, Howells Mechanical Service, Hubbard Auto Center, Hughes Seed Solutions, In Memory of Isiah Stephens, Ingstead Farms, Integrity Communicators, Invenergy, Iott Insurance Agency, Iott Ranch & Orchard, Irish Hills Acupuncture & Wellness, Isaac Brugger and Family, J&W Warner Farms, Jacob’s Supply, Jan & Brian Ford, Jane Berry, Janette, Jason & Kara Bleecker & Girls, Jason Plum, Jasper Feed & More, Jeff & Deb Matteucci, Jeff & Dawn Benz , Jeff Jackson Farm Bureau Insurance, Jeffery Schmidt Roofing, Jim & Diane Seegert, Jim Goetz Farms, Joe Gust Farm, Joe Salenbien Farm, John Marion Inc., John Wielfaert, Julie Helinski, Justice for Dee.

K&W Ag, Kaeb Sales, Kastel & Sons Ranch, Katherine Whelan Farm Bureau Agency, Kathryn Smoke, Kathy Billings CPA, Katie Clark, Kay Rutledge, Keller Insurance, Kelly Veterinary Clinic, Ken Bollinger, County Commissioner Kevon Martis, Key Bank, Kim Welke/Camp Sequoia, Kleinow Farms, Klump Farms, Knapp Motors, Kory L. Alcock Farms, Kreeger & Associates, Krieghoff-Lenawee Co., Krisann Sharp, Kristian Muir, Kristina Inclan, Kupa Bros. Farms, Kurt Peebles.

Lakatos Family Farms, Larry Smith, Laura Fisher, Laura Powelke, Layman Construction, Lee & Donna Andre, Lenawee County Fair Board, Lenawee County Farm Bureau Young Farmers, Lenawee Dairymans Association, Lenawee Fuels & Jerry’s Market, Lenawee Shooting Stars 4-H Club, Lenco Credit Union, Lenco Painting, Lennard Farms Trucking, Leo Thomas, Leo’s Metal & Wood Pallets, Level One, Lindsay Husband, Lisa Sayler, Living in Lenawee Realty, Lizz’s Place Childcare, Longschot, Love Family Dental, Luckey Farmers Inc., Lucky Acres Farm. MAC Inc. Blissfield/Jasper, Machined Solutions, Madison Arbor of Gleaner Life, Madison Garden Center & Flower Shop, Mapstone Farms, Marks Farms, Marlynn Alston, Marry Funeral Home, Marry Monuments, Martin, Marvin Farms, Mary, Mason Farms, Matt & Hollie Hillard Farms, Mattek Farms, McAuliffe’s Meats, McKenna Maxson, McKown Farms, McMunn Brothers & McMunn Transport, Mechanical Extremes Heating & Cooling, Megan Gust (Pioneer Seeds), MI Homegrown Athletics, Michigan Living Real Estate, Midwest Energy and Communications, Mike & Karen Ely, Misfit Homestead, Mitchell Auctioneering, MMPA, Moll family, Monica Siebarth.

Napoleon Feed Mill, Napoleon Livestock, Neumann Family, Next Generation Automotive, NFD, Nick Vanover, Norm Emmons, North Creek Stables, North Shore Pontoon Center, Not So Boring Farm, Nutrien Ag Solutions (Reading), Nutrien Ag Solutions (Blissfield & Morenci), Nutrien of Saline.

Old Orchard Point LLC, Orsted, Ottawa Lake Co-op.

Papa Jeff Wolcott, Papenhagen Construction, Paragon Farms, Partridge Farms, Pat Snyr, Penn Acres Grain, Phenicie Enterprises Concrete Flatwork & Excavating, Pittsford Feed Mill, Play & Stay Pet Resort, Poling Dairy Farm, Posey Creek Farms, Previch Durocs, Prime Acres Hay & Straw, Primetime Chiropratic, Professional Towing & Recovery. See 4-H,

Magnolia Andre of the Britton-Macon 4-H Club with her Grand Champion Homegrown Roaster Rabbit, purchased by Hinesly Orthodontics.

Jacob Caplon of the Tipton Jets 4-H Club, with his Grand Champion Homegrown Fryer Rabbits, purchased by Aggie Mechanical.

Renee Hosler of the Rome Blue Ribbons 4-H Club with her Grand Champion Holstein Steer, purchased by Chelsea Dermatology.

Mollee Wahl of the Palmyra Future Leaders 4-H Club with her Grand Champion Feeder Calf, purchased by Ottawa Lake Co-Op and Scott and Janah Wahl.

4-H

from page C8

QuakerMaid VooDoo, R&A Thompson Farm, Rapid Machine, Reau & Associates, Rebottaro Family, Redline Equipment, Reliable Remodeling, Rerun Acres, Richard Reitz, Ricketts Ricketts & Assoc, Ries Family Farms, Rising Excavating, Rob Blatchford, Robin Ginter, Robinson Post Frame Construction, Robison Curphey & O’Connell, Rosemary Dickerson, Rural Roots, Russ & Donna Averill, Russ Mitchell, Rustic Lane Farm, RW Oates Farm, RWE, Ryan’s Complete Construction.

S&S Parts, Sally Berry, Sally Jo Freese, Sam & Dawn Everly, Sand Creek Telephone Company, Sandra Porter, Sanford Family Farm, Schaible Farm/ Golden Harvest Seeds, Schmidt Mobile Wash, Schudel Farm & Drainage, Scott & Jen Long, Scott & Natalie Thompson, Scott and Janah Wahl, Shane & Jennifer Morse, Shaws Clothing, Shepherd Hill Farms, Sherri Wielfaert, Short Construction, Sieler Construction, Sieler family, Sieler’s Landscape & Design, Sieler’s Water Systems, Six Family Farm, South Riga Go-Getters, Southern Michigan Bank & Trust, Spartan Crop Insurance (Gerrit deGlee), Squires Farm, Stacy Jenkins, Stan Wilson, Stanger Seed Solutions, State Line Farms, State Rep. Nancy Jenkins-Arno, Steven Rennhack, Stevenson Water Hauling, SunRyz Dairy, Sweet Izzy, Sweet Reserves, Swinderman Family, Sydney Deters.

Tecumseh Family Dental Care, Teepee Town Storage, Terrehaven Farms, Terry Insurance Farm Bureau, the Adams Family, the Brooks Family, The Rising Project, The Spotted Cow, The Springs, The Stepp Team of Foundation Realty, The Taylor Agency, The Veterinary Standard, The Wagley Group, The Wilbur Ellis Co., Thee Old Mill, Thee Old Mill Equipment Rentals, Thompson Recycle Co., Tilton & Sons Shoes, Tim & Michelle Bovee, Tim Mitchell, Tim Spence, TLC Community Credit Union, Toby’s Instrument Shop, Todd Monroe, Toledo Pipe Transport, Top Tier Enterprise (Jared Halliwill), Top-o-Hill Farm, Towler Family Dentistry, Travis & Sarah Taylor, Travis, Emma & Claire Alexander, Trick Cut Metal Works, Tri-County Feeds and Rob-See-Co, Trident Contractors, Trimark Construction, Triple C Ranch, Troy Brown Family Farms, Truland Equipment, Twin Pines Eatery, Ty & Jamie Hill, Tyler Ford.

Underwood Orr Post 34, Van Ekins, VanBrunt Transport, Vernae & George Hillard, Vet Standard, Voll Farrier Service,

4-H

from page C9

Waldron Grain, Wallace Auto, Walmart, Waltz Carpentry, Wauseon Eye Care, Weatherwax Farms, Dr. Josephine Weeden DDS, WesBanco Bank, WG Dairy Supply, Whitcher Plumbing, Willett Farms, Willow Pediatric Dentistry of Tecumseh, Wolf it Down BBQ, Worthington Steel, Wright Plumbing & Sewer Service, Xsell Realty, Yvonne McNicol CPA, Zac Malewitz, Z’s Odd Jobs Guy.

The 2025 Lenawee County 4-H Queen and King: Mattilynn Louden

Hoofbeats) and Garrett Smith (Tipton Jets).

4-H RESULTS

The following category was omitted from the listings in the August issue

BEEF

Grand Champion Market Animal

Caleb Luck, Medina Pioneers

Reserve Grand Champion Market Animal

Andi Dillon, Quaker Willing Workers

Grand Champion Feeder Calf

Mollee Wahl, Palmyra Future Leaders

Reserve Grand Champion Feeder Calf

Abigail Willett, Lenawee Shooting Stars

Grand Champion Holstein Beef

Renee Hosler, Rome Blue Ribbons

Reserve Grand Champion Holstein Beef

Ashton Platt, Tipton Jets

Junior Feeder Calf Showman

Mollee Wahl, Palmyra Future Leaders

Intermediate Feeder Calf Showman

Jayden Flores, South Riga Go-Getters

Senior Feeder Calf Showman

Abigail Willett, Lenawee Shooting Stars

Junior Beef Showman

Dodge Root, Medina Pioneers

Intermediate Beef Showman

Andi Dillon, Quaker Willing Workers

Senior Beef Showman

Ryan Good, Britton-Macon

Overall Champion Beef Showman

Ryan Good, Britton-Macon

Overall Reserve Champion Beef Showman

Andi Dillon, Quaker Willing Workers

Paisley McMunn of the Medina Pioneers 4-H Club with her Grand Champion Roaster Rabbit, purchased by Carpenter Farms Greenhouse.

Josslyn Gray of the Lenawee Legends 4-H Club with her Grand Champion Meat Ducks, purchased by Sieler’s Water Systems.

Caleb Luck of the Medina Pioneers 4-H Club with his Grand Champion Market Steer, purchased by Hanks Plumbing Mechanical Contractors.

of The Lenawee Voice.

Joscelyn Layman of the State Line Hustlers 4-H Club with her Grand Champion Market Hog, purchased by Nutrien Ag Solutions, Layman Construction, and Lennard Farms Trucking.

(Lenawee

Sanaras Wellness Studio opens in Tecumseh

TECUMSEH — Sanaras Wellness Studio is now open in Tecumseh, offering a destination for mind-body restoration.

Sanaras, a private sauna and soak experience, blends luxury, tranquility, and holistic care under one roof, providing guests with a variety of healing modalities designed to rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit.

From infrared and steam saunas to a whirlpool hot tub and invigorating cold plunge, Sanaras offers customized wellness experiences for those looking to enhance their health, recover from injury, connect with loved ones, or enjoy restorative time alone. The studio also features therapeutic massage, Reiki, yoga, meditation, and movement classes to keep both body and mind in harmony.

Sanaras is home to three specialized studio spaces:

n The Wellness Studio — Featuring saunas, hot tub, and cold plunge in two distinct, beautifully curated areas.

n The Movement Studio — Offering a full schedule of yoga, movement, and meditation classes to inspire strength, flexibility, and mindfulness.

n The Healing Studio — Providing private therapeutic massage and Reiki healing services tailored to individual needs, through a partnership with Soulutions by Sarah.

Guests can combine services from each studio to create a personalized visit every time.

Beyond individual wellness services, Sanaras also serves as a venue for private rentals, group events, day retreats, and photography sessions, along with hosting a variety of special events and community programs throughout the year.

“Sanaras is more than a yoga studio — it’s a private sanctuary where people can slow down, reset, and reconnect with themselves and others,” said Heather Herrera, studio director. “We’re proud to bring a one-of-a-kind experience to Lenawee County.”

Memberships, group rates, and multivisit class packs are available.

For more information or to book a session, visit www.studiosanaras.com, email info@studiosanaras.com, or call 517-442-9431.

Hillsdale Hospital launches Rural Health Strong campaign

Rural Innovation Exchange

HILLSDALE — A small, independent hospital in rural southeast Michigan has launched a national campaign to advocate for rural hospitals and against federal cuts to Medicaid and policy changes.

Hillsdale Hospital’s Rural Health Strong is a communications and advocacy campaign to promote the value of rural health and encourage the nation to take action toward preserving it.

The campaign is a response to Medicaid cuts introduced in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, as well as other ongoing regulation changes and program cancellations that are already resulting in job cuts and the closures of rural hospitals.

“We have to come together and lift our voices,” said Jeremiah J. Hodshire, president and chief executive officer of Hillsdale Hospital. “We’re financially viable right now, and to sustain that over time, we must be Rural Health Strong. Now is a critical time for us to support and advocate for all rural hospitals — our brothers and sisters around the country.”

The impact of the federal changes, according to various reports by healthcare organizations, will be particularly acute in rural areas.

The Medicaid cuts and other changes will result in significant coverage losses, reduced access to care, particularly for rural patients, and threaten the viability of rural hospitals and community health centers, according to the National Rural Health Association. State budgets, individual families and healthcare providers will sustain increased financial burdens, the organization said.

According to a report by the Center for Healthcare Quality & Payment Reform, up to 13 rural hospitals in Michigan were already at risk of closing before the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed.

“We seek to unite rural hospitals and equip communities to be advocates of rural health,” said Kyrsten Newlon, communications and donor development manager for Hillsdale Hospital. “This campaign will address the recent legislation that poses a serious threat to rural healthcare, and also provide education and regular updates on how cuts to Medicaid are impacting our industry and our communities.”

A report from the American Hospital Association says rural hospitals are already struggling. Nearly 50 percent of rural hospitals operated at a financial loss in 2023; 92 rural hospitals have closed their doors or been unable to continue providing inpatient services over the past 10 years; and rural hospitals lose money on several critical services, including behavioral health, pulmonology, obstetrics, and burns and wounds.

The Rural Health Strong campaign is designed to promote rural health by growing awareness of the value that rural hospitals bring to their communities. Hospital leaders also hope the campaign will help tell the stories of those who will be most impacted by legislation that puts rural hospitals at a disadvantage.

Hillsdale Hospital serves a unique patient population. Its payer mix is about 75 percent Medicaid and Medicare, “meaning we have a disproportionate share of government payers,” Newlon said.

“Being in a rural area, we have a higher percentage of seniors in our community and we’re a lower-income county compared to the rest of the state,” she said. “All this puts our patients in greater need of high-quality healthcare services that are locally owned and operated.”

Free workshops address how to prevent falls

Falls are the leading cause of injury for older adults — but they don’t have to be a normal part of aging. If you or a loved one are concerned about balance or the risk of falling, there are steps you can take now to stay steady and independent.

This September, in recognition of Fall Prevention Awareness Month, WellWise Services Area Agency on Aging is hosting a series of free Fall Prevention Events across the region. These sessions are designed to empower older adults, caregivers, and families with tools and resources to reduce the risk of falling.

Upcoming events

n Wednesday, Sept. 10 from noon to 1 p.m. at WellWise Services, 107 Chicago St., Brooklyn.

n Monday, Sept. 15 from 1–2 p.m. at the Jackson County Department on Aging, 1715 Lansing Ave., Jackson.

n Tuesday, Sept. 16 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Clinton Senior Center (inside the Clinton United Church of Christ), 300 Tecumseh Road, Clinton.

n Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 1-2 p.m. at the Hillsdale County Senior Services Center, 320 W. Bacon St., Hillsdale.

n Monday, Sept. 22 from 1-2 p.m. at Adrian First United Methodist Church, 1245 W. Maple Ave., Adrian.

What you’ll learn

n How to get up from a fall safely and fall in ways that minimize injury.

n Techniques for assisting someone with balance challenges.

n How to properly size and use walkers and canes.

n Ways to reduce your fall risk through medication management and simple home safety changes.

National Preparedness Month: Protect What Matters Most

As we step into September, we recognize National Preparedness Month, a nationwide initiative that reminds us all to take simple steps today to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities in the face of emergencies and disasters.

Emergencies, whether natural or manmade, can happen without warning. Talking about these possibilities may feel uncomfortable, but having open conversations now means fewer surprises and more confidence when it matters most. Preparedness starts with a conversation and continues with small, manageable steps.

Why preparedness matters

When we avoid discussing potential emergencies, we miss an opportunity to build safety and resilience. Starting the conversation today ensures you and your loved ones are better equipped to act quickly and effectively when disaster strikes.

Get started: Building preparedness one step at a time

You do not have to do it all at once. Begin by making preparedness a part of your routine:

n Choose a calm time to talk about preparedness, such as after dinner or during a weekend gathering.

n Break up the conversation into smaller discussions over time to avoid the topic becoming overwhelming.

n Share what you have already done, like setting up weather alerts or assembling a basic emergency kit, and invite others to ask questions or share their ideas.

n Visit trusted resources like Ready. gov to learn how to prepare for disasters such as floods, wildfires, extreme heat, and power outages. The site also offers tips in multiple languages. Ready.gov also provides a downloadable Emergency Supply Kit Checklist so you can make sure your family has essential items ready before a crisis hits.

Stay informed: Tools and resources to keep you safe

n Sign Up for Local Alerts and Smart911: Visit LenaweeAlerts.com to receive emergency notifications, severe weather alerts, and important community updates. During signup, you can also create a Smart911 profile to share critical information with first responders, such as medical needs, mobility limitations, oxygen use, or details about pets.

n Do1Thing Program: Not sure where to start? Sign up for monthly reminders from Do1Thing.com and take one small step each month to improve your emergency readiness. It is simple, effective, and tailored to everyday life.

Be Prepared: Make a Plan, Build a Kit, Stay Ready Visit www.ready.gov/plan to follow these four essential steps:

n Discuss your plan with family, friends, and household members.

n Consider the unique needs in your home, including medical devices, pets, or transportation.

n Create a Family Emergency Plan with contact information, meeting places, and emergency routes.

n Practice your plan regularly so everyone knows what to do.

Preparedness is a public health priority and a personal responsibility. This September, take time to protect what matters most. A little planning today could make all the difference tomorrow.

Stay informed. Stay ready. Stay safe. For more local resources and information, check our website, lenaweehealthdepartment.org.

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

Things to know about adult day services

Adult Day Services Week is celebrated during the third week of September each year to raise awareness about the availability and value of adult day programs nationwide. These programs support adults over the age of 60 who have limitations that may require ongoing care. Participants may need extra support due to physical fragility, post-stroke disabilities, hypertension, diabetes, or memory and mental health challenges such as dementia.

Adult day programs provide a safe, engaging environment for participants while giving caregivers valuable time to attend to other responsibilities.

Here in Lenawee County, Daybreak Adult Day Services — located at 327 Erie St. in Adrian — offers respite care Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. While attending, participants enjoy nutritious meals and snacks, as well as a “club-like” setting filled with activities,

CARI REBOTTARO

entertainment, and social opportunities. Staff members work closely with each participant and their caregiver to develop an individualized care plan that encourages participation to the fullest extent possible.

Well-trained staff lead dynamic activities such as exercise sessions, arts and crafts, music, pet therapy, discussion groups, and cooking projects. These activities are designed to promote independence, build friendships, and provide meaningful engagement.

With Daybreak and the Adrian Senior

n Access to free consultations and resources from Options Counselors to help with home modifications, assistive devices, and other support services. These events are free to attend and open to the public.

Whether you’re an older adult, a caregiver, or simply interested in learning more, these workshops are intended to offer valuable information and tools to stay safe.

For more information, visit www.wellwiseservices.org or call 517-592-1974.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Greater Hudson Area Breast Cancer Support Group: First Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m., Main Street Perk, 211 Main St., Hudson. Contact Carolyn Booker, 517-812-8855.

Support Recovery: A Christcentered recovery group meeting Saturdays at 9 a.m. at Ogden Church, 3201 East U.S. 223, Adrian. Contact Roger or Theresa Miller, 517-215-5754 or theresamillercr@yahoo.com.

Good Grief: Free drop-in group for adults widowed earlier in life, meeting on the second Tuesday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Hospice of Lenawee, 1903 Wolf Creek Hwy., Adrian. Contact Heather Popkey or Karen Cheney at 517-263-2323.

To submit a support group listing or report any corrections or changes, please email Linda Cline at lcline@lenaweevoice.com.

Safe driving for older adults

ADRIAN — Lenawee County TRIAD invites the community to attend a program designed to help older adults maintain their independence and confidence behind the wheel.

“Empowering You to Be a Safe Driver” will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 17, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Human Services Building (1040 S. Winter Street, Adrian), in the River Raisin Meeting Room.

This engaging and informative session is packed with valuable insights and practical tools tailored for today’s drivers. Attendees will hear from expert presenters who will cover:

Center located in the same building, shared activities enhance programming and expand opportunities for social connection.

As part of the Lenawee Department on Aging, Daybreak is an affordable resource for caregivers seeking respite care. Thanks to grant funding and support from the Senior Millage, hourly rates are set on a sliding scale to keep services accessible.

For many families, the goal is to keep their loved one at home for as long as possible. Adult day service programs help make that possible — offering both quality care for participants and relief for caregivers.

To learn more or schedule a tour, contact Daybreak Adult Day Services at 517-266-2588.

n Tips for ensuring the best fit in your car, including seat placement, mirror adjustment, and steering wheel settings.

n Tools and equipment designed to keep you safe and comfortable while driving.

n Updates to Michigan driving laws, including important information for older drivers.

n Strategies for navigating Michigan’s roads — with a special focus on how to safely approach and drive through roundabouts.

There will be opportunities to ask questions.

Snacks and door prizes will be provided as part of the event.

There is no cost, but registration is required and seating is limited. Call the Lenawee Department on Aging at 517-264-5280 to reserve a spot.

MONICA HUNT

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

IN MEMORY

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

[ADS] Adrian Dominican Sisters, adriandominicans.org

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

[BJFH] Borek Jennings Funeral Home, borekjennings.com

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

[E] Eineder Funeral Homes, einederfuneralhomes.com

[H] Handler Funeral Homes, handlerfuneralhomes.com

[MJ] Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Service, metcalfandjonkhoff.com

[PA] Purse Funeral Home in Adrian, pursefuneralhome.com

[PSM] Palm Southwest Mortuary

[PS] Gil Purse & Son, gilpurseandson.com

[W] Wagley Funeral Homes, wagleyfuneralhomes.com

Carol Ann Wakefield Getter, 59, of Jackson, formerly of Brooklyn, died on July 11. She was a 1985 graduate of Columbia Central High School and a 1989 graduate of Central Michigan University. [E]

Sister Marion O’Connor, OP, 95, of Adrian died on July 13. Formerly known as Sister Ellen Michael, she was in her 76th year of profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. She was born in Chicago. After entering the Congregation, she was a teacher for 60 years in Michigan and Illinois. She was recognized in 2010 with the National Catholic Educational Association’s Distinguished Teacher Award for her long service to education. [ADS]

Sister Charlotte Hoefer, OP, 93, of Adrian died on July 16. Formerly Sister Marie Josepha, she was in the 77th year of her religious profession as an Adrian Dominican Sister. A native of Lafayette, Indiana, she ministered for 24 years in elementary and secondary education in Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico, West Virginia, and Florida before entering the field of pastoral ministry. She cofounded the Dominican Center for Religious Development, later serving as its director. [ADS]

Sister Shirley Cushing, OP, 97, of Adrian died on July 18. Formerly Sister Blance Marie, she was in her 78th year of profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation. A native of Detroit, she ministered in education for 20 years in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Tokyo, Japan. At the age of 53 she went to law school and worked as an attorney for the Department of Senior Services in Macomb County. [ADS]

Michael Paul Tschirhart, 70, of Tecumseh died on July 20. He served 16 years in the U.S. Air Force, which took him from Florida to Spain and eventually Tucson, Arizona. He had a lifelong passion for motorcycles. He settled in Tecumseh after his retirement. [PA]

Benny Artie “Bubba” Daniels, 85, of Brooklyn died on July 21. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1963. He spent 43 years at Dana Corp. as a maintenance supervisor. During retirement he kept busy tending to the tree farm that he started with his wife, managing six acres of spruces, pines and firs. [E]

Cathryn Diane Keech Morse, 73, of Jerome died on July 21. She served as a Worthy Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star, most recently with the Fairfield chapter in 2022. She was a member of Tecumseh chapter #51 and a dual member of Fulton Chapter #67 in Ohio. [W]

Rhonda Leslie Roberts, 65, of Adrian died on July 21. She was a 1979 graduate of Ashtabula High School in Ohio. [PA]

Octaviano Cantu “Toby” Burciaga, 90, of Tecumseh died on July 22. He was a U.S. Army veteran, and after dischage he worked at Tecumseh Products until retirement. [PA]

Oria Cole-Snyder, 84, of Adrian died on July 24. She was a native of Alabama. [PA]

Sharon Lee Brininstool, 86, of Brooklyn died on July 26. She was a 1956 graduate of Adrian High School. In her younger years she was a member of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Cambridge Junction, and was a Girl Scout leader. [E]

June Ailene Williams, 98, of Deerfield died on July 26. She was a graduate of Deerfield High School. She worked for many years as the manager of the Memory Lane store at the Adrian Mall, retiring in 1989. She loved to quilt and sew and was a member of the Happy Hoopers Quilting Group. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Blissfield. [AM]

Richard John LaRowe, 72, of Jerome died on July 27. He was a member of Somerset Congregational Church in Cement City. [BVH]

Jeffrey Shawn Schoonover, 50, of Adrian died on July 27. He was a 1993 graduate of Onsted High School, where he played trombone in the marching band. He was employed with Uckele Health & Nutrition. [PS]

Virginia Lu Watson, 86, of Clinton died on July 27. She was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Plymouth. [H]

Kathleen Grace Campain, 82, of Tecumseh died on July 28. She was a member of the Tecumseh American Legion Auxiliary. She loved softball, Tai Chi, and skydiving. [H]

Doris F. Green, 88, of Clarklake died on July 29. She was an elementary school teacher in Brooklyn, retiring after 34 years of service. She loved spending time at the family cottage on Fife Lake during the summer. [E]

Wayne Floyd Wells, 68, of Tecumseh died on July 29. He was a graduate of Farmington High School and served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pusan, South Korea. After his mission he earned multiple degrees in chemistry and chemical engineering, and worked as a chemist and chemical engineer at Wacker Chemical Corp. for 28 years. [AM]

Thomas Eugene Richards, 72, of Adrian died on July 30. He was a graduate of Pittsford High School. He retired from Merillat Industries. [PA]

Edward Lewis Smith, 85, of Hudson died on July 30. He retired from M&S Manufacturing after several years as a machinist. During this time he and his family farmed over 500 acres. He and his wife owned and operated Smitty’s Sports Center in Hudson for over 16 years. He taught hunting safety and was a member of the Morenci Sportsman Club. [BVH]

Dawn Elaine Stornant, 64, of Tecumseh died on July 30. She was selfemployed as a cosmetologist and was the former owner of Scissors on Wheels. She was a devout Christian who was a faithful member and participant in ACTS retreats. She was an avid sports fan and in her younger years she enjoyed playing volleyball. [H]

Harriet Ann (Dvorsky) Woodby, 73, of Adrian died on July 30. She earned an associates degree from Schoolcraft Community College and worked as a librarian for several public and school libraries over the course of her career. She supported her husband in his ministry as a Lutheran pastor for 30 years. [PA]

Nancy Ann Banfield, 87, of Adrian died on July 31. She was a 1955 graduate of Burnham High School in Sylvania, Ohio. She worked as a legal secretary for the Baker & Durst Law Office, and later as a court recorder. She was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Riga. [W]

Jack George, 88, of Ruskin, Florida, formerly of Tecumseh, died on July 31. He was a U.S. Army veteran and retired from Ford Motor Company. [PA]

Edward L. Johnson, 91, of Adrian died on July 31. He owned and operated a Firestone dealership and auto repair facility known as Ed Johnson & Son in Adrian for many years. He was a longtime member of Christ Episcopal Church in Adrian. [PA]

Rodd Elliot Roesch, 55, of Tecumseh died on July 31. He was a 1988 graduate of Adrian High School and a 1992 graduate of Adrian College. He began his professional career as a DJ for WABJ, later serving as a sales representative for both WABJ and Q95 Country. Over the years he worked for Kapnick Insurance, Roesch Manufacturing, Sears, and Lowe’s. He was a volunteer with the Southern Michigan Railroad. [W]

Joan Laura Stebbins, 74, of Brooklyn died on July 31. She attended Notre Dame Academy and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Toledo. She served as a social worker for over 35 years, working with individuals with developmental disabilities and vision impairment. She was a fierce advocate for human rights. She volunteered for several community events, including the Frog Holler Farm festival and food bank fundraisers. [E]

Virginia Dorothy Meinke, 97, of Clayton died on Aug. 1. She was a 4-H leader for 10 years. She worked at Grant’s Department Store in Adrian, Kustom Fit in Pioneer, Ohio, and Lenawee Medical Care Facility in Adrian. [AM]

John Edward Rose, 80, of Brooklyn died on Aug. 1. He worked for Ford Motor Company, retiring after many years of service. He was an avid outdoorsman. [E]

Debra Lee Shaffer, 72, of Somerset Township died on Aug. 1. She held several jobs throughout her life and retired in 2013 from Addison Community Schools, where she worked as a custodian. [BVH]

Juanita “Mikki” Smith, 78, of Brooklyn died on Aug. 1. She enjoyed family vacations and introducing her children to the natural beauty of Michigan, and was also a gifted artist. [E]

Helen Irene Wines, 84, of Pittsford died on Aug. 1. She was a 1958 graduate of Pittsford High School. She worked with her husband at A&W Tool, which they owned. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Altar Rosary Society, and the Pittsford Garden Club. [BVH]

Brian Dennis Chenoweth, 74, of Tipton died on Aug. 2. He was a retiree of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 252 and spent the majority of his career working alongside his brothers and sisters in Ann Arbor. [H]

Lisa Kay Harper, 84, of Tecumseh died on Aug. 2. She was self-employed as a beautician. She attended St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. [H]

Michelle Christine Mersch, 57, of Adrian died on Aug. 2. [AM]

Leland Charles Spangler, 93, of Brooklyn died on Aug. 2. He devoted his work life to encouraging college students to reach their full potential and was strong in his Catholic faith. [E]

Ester Lee Poling, 85, of Hillsdale died on Aug. 2. She was a graduate of Addison High School. She and her husband raised irises, and she owned an upholstery business. She was a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church and Ladies Guild in Hudson, and later St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Adrian. She was a member of Wheatland Grange and was active in her local 4-H group. [BVH]

David Faye Fuller, 64, of Jackson died on Aug. 3. He lived with chronic pain from CRPS/RSD, but that didn’t keep him from his love of singing and playing music. After he learned to play the guitar, banjo, and mandolin, he enjoyed going to jam sessions at the Crouch Center and the Adrian Senior Center. He then joined his Uncle Carl’s Dulcimer Club. [E]

John A. Hernandez, 69, of Blissfield died on Aug. 3. He was a 1973 graduate of Blissfield High School. He attended Michigan State University and earned a bachelor’s degree from Adrian College. He was a district coordinator for AFLAC for 35 years. He was also a licensed pyrotechnician. He attended First Presbyterian Church of Tecumseh and was a member and president of the Blissfield Jaycees and Rotary Club of Blissfield. He served on the boards of Community Action Agency and Junior Achievement, and as president of the Hispanics of Lenawee Alliance. [PA]

Patrick Evan Holleran, 73, of Tecumseh died on Aug. 3. He served in the U.S. Air Force and went on to a career as an aircraft mechanic working for Southern Airways, Republic Airlines, Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines, retiring in 2011. [H]

Jack Eugene Merillat, 77, of Hudson died on Aug. 3. He was a 1966 graduate of Morenci High School. In addition to farming with his father, he worked at Martin Marietta, later Harvey Aluminum, for over nine years until the company relocated. He worked at Merillat Cabinetry for a year and then for 26 years as a laborer with Krieghoff Lenawee, retiring at the age of 52. He was a member of the Fayette Christian Church — Disciples of Christ, where he served as a deacon. [AM]

Michael “Mikey” Bernardo, 54, of Las Vegas died on Aug. 4. He grew up in Adrian, and also lived in Chicago. He worked with GE Healthcare. [PSM]

Michael Joseph Hill, 86, of Clarklake died on Aug. 4. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1957 and joined the U.S. Air Force upon graduation. After his service he attended Jackson Junior College and Arizona State University on golf scholarships. Before making his way onto the PGA Tour in 1968, he worked as a beer truck driver, a Goodyear Tire employee, and the head pro at Tecumseh Country Club. He had three PGA Tour wins and 18 official Senior Tour (Champions Tour) wins, but remained a farm boy at heart. [E]

Russell Eugene Knoblauch, 93, of Blissfield died on Aug. 4. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953-55 and worked as a forklift driver at Toledo Concrete for over 40 years before retiring. He grew up with a passion for farming, and later in life helped his children raise chickens, geese, ducks, and rabbits. [W]

Leo Gerald Jubenville, 90, of Tecumseh died on Aug. 5. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-56 as a helicopter mechanic and Link Trainer instructor. He also loved playing baseball for the Army. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a business degree, the first in his family to graduate from college. He worked for 36 years at Ford Motor Company as a supervisor. He opened J&B Gymnastics with his daughter, Jane, in 1988 and ran the gym for 13 years with his family. He was involved in the United Methodist Men. [PS]

Frank Stadler Spies, 85, of East Grand Rapids, formerly of Adrian, died on Aug. 5. He moved to Grand Rapids in 1964. He was a lawyer, and from 1974-77 he served as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan. [MJFS]

Tina Marie Buehler, 61, of Jackson died on Aug. 6. She worked at The Daily Telegram in Adrian for 10 years and then as an assistant manager at the Perky Pantry in Tecumseh. [H]

Ruth Ann Nortley, 77, of Adrian died on Aug. 6. She worked as manager of Conklin Estates Apartments for 15 years and was co-owner of Nortley Farms. She was a member of the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce. [AM]

Jimmie Allen Crowell, 60, of Munson died on Aug. 7. He was born in Morenci and was a graduate of Gorham-Fayette High School. He enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, and spending time with his dogs and horses. [AM]

Bertha May Hills , 84, of Brooklyn died on Aug. 7. She worked for many years as a secretary for a CPA firm in Jackson. [E]

Gregory Mark “Greg” Krill, 76, of The Villages, Florida, formerly of Adrian and a 1967 Adrian High School graduate, died on Aug. 7.

Michael Dean Morse, 73, of Jerome died on Aug. 7. He was a 1969 graduate of Tecumseh High School and attended ITT Technical School and Indiana Technical College in 1972. He worked at Budd Wheel Company in Clinton, Industrial Mill Supply in Adrian, and Diversified Engineering in Jackson. [W]

Lenmore “Jim” L. DeBerry Jr., 83, of Tecumseh died on Aug. 8. He and his father raised horses and were active in the harness racing circuit from Virginia to Florida. In his later years he owned and operated a used furniture and antique store in Deland, Florida. He and his wife moved to Tecumseh in 2017. [H]

Kenneth R “Ken” Graf, 71, of Blissfield died on Aug. 8. He earned a degree from Grand Valley State College and became an educator in Morenci, Clinton, Hudson, Tecumseh, and Bedford. He dedicated

many years of his life to the Blissfield Area Little League in various roles and was the voice of Blissfield football for many years. He was an ordained elder and active member of the Blissfield First Presbyterian Church. [AM]

John George Meredith, 84, of Hudson died on Aug. 8. Early in his career he was a teacher and coach in Indianapolis area parochial schools. He completed graduate work in education at Butler University and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He was a school superintendent in Oregon, Michigan and Illinois. [AM]

Marcelino Amador, 38, of Tecumseh died on Aug. 9. He was a 2004 graduate of Tecumseh High School. He attended culinary school in New York and worked as a chef most of his life. [PA]

Richard Leland Gobba, 88, of Deerfield died on Aug. 9. He was a 1955 graduate of Deerfield High School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was an aircraft electrician and served in Japan. He worked most of his life as a tool and die maker, employed in Manchester for Johnson Controls (Uniloy) until his retirement in 2004. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and belonged to the Deerfield American Legion Post 392. [AM]

Max Walter Grieder, 78, of Hillsdale died on Aug. 9. He was a 1965 graduate of Morenci High School. After high school he started working at Parker Chemical as a lab tech for 25 years until it closed. He finished his career at ACT in Hillsdale. After retirement he lived in Florida and Michigan. [AM]

Luella Mae Rutan, 87, of Coldwater died on Aug. 9. She was a former resident of Addison and spent much of her life working in local restaurants and bars throughout the area. Later in her career she worked at Alson Corp. She was a member of New Beginnings Community Church in Sturgis. [BVH]

Michael Thomas Baird, 56, of Blissfield died on Aug. 10. He was a 1986 graduate of Blissfield High School, where he was on the varsity wrestling team. He earned his associate’s degree from Siena Heights University and worked for D&P Communications as a senior system administrator. [W]

Stanley “Stan” Ray Dunbar, 82, of Adrian died on Aug. 11. He was a 1960 graduate of Sand Creek High School. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. He worked at Peerless Gear for 20 years, Faraday for 10 years, and later at Libra Manufacturing for 13 years until retirement. He was a member of the Adrian First Church of the Nazarene and served with the Fairfield Township Fire Department. [W]

John David Sineveck Jr., 73, of Woodstock Township died on Aug. 11. He worked as a car salesman for several years at Atchinson Ford in Belleville and later ventured out on his own as a general contractor. He was co-owner of The Boat Gallery at Devils Lake. [AM]

Christine Arlene Ginther, 60, of Tecumseh died on Aug. 12. She was a devoted Christian and enjoyed fishing, making jewelry, and going to auctions. [H]

Alan “Al” Scott Thayer, 54, of Adrian died on Aug. 12. He was employed by Michigan Valley Homes in Brooklyn for over 20 years. [PA]

Gary L. Brink, 79, of Wauseon died on Aug. 13. He was born in Morenci and graduated from Chesterfield High School in 1964. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Adrian College and a master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. He was employed by Blissfield Community Schools for 40 years where he taught high school math and coached basketball and cross country, and served as athletic director for four years. He also taught driver’s education for 34 years. In 2009 he was inducted into the Blissfield High School Athletic Hall of Fame. For many years he was active in the Blissfield Baptist Church. [AM]

Robert M. Tooman, 80, of Tecumseh died on Aug. 13. He was a 1964 graduate of Tecumseh High School and was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as a Reservist for six years. He worked for Ford Motor Company for 30 years, retiring in 2003 from the Saline plant. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus Council 9937. He enjoyed golfing and was a member of Raisin Valley Golf Club for 40 years. [PS] Michael Donald Clark, 72, of Whitmore Lake died on Aug. 14. He owned Mr. Jim’s Pizza Shop in Westland and Canton. After marriage he and his wife moved to Addison, and in 2021 they moved to their family cottage in Whitmore Lake. He had a career in tool-and-die, then in his 40s he obtained his registered nurse license from Jackson Community College and worked at Hillsdale Hospital for 20 years until his retirement. [BJFH]

Marjorie “Marge” Jane Fetsko , 85, of Adrian died on Aug. 14. She was a 1959 graduate of Blissfield Community Schools. She was a care worker at group homes and worked with Hope Network before retiring. After retirement she volunteered for the Department of Aging. [W]

Jerome Joseph “Jerry” Myers, 85, of Adrian died on Aug. 14. He served for many years at the general manager of Peerless Supply Company. He was a lifelong member of Holy Family Parish, St. Mary Campus, and a member of the Adrian Eagles. [AM]

Pamela Jean Avedisian, 78, of Onsted died on Aug. 15. She was a self-empoyed retailer for over 20 years. [H]

Cynthia Sue Merillat, 69, of Fayette died on Aug. 15. She worked as a clerk for the Archbold Post Office, retiring after 32 years of service. [AM]

Larry E. Lawrence, 79, of Tecumseh died on Aug. 16. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and worked at the Ford Motor Co., Saline Plant, retiring in 2007. He was a member of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Hillsdale. [PS]

Hannah Rose (Webb) Miller, 91, of Onsted died on Aug. 16. She worked for Dearborn Public Schools, First Federal Bank, and the Michigan Department of Corrections. She was a member of New Life Baptist Church in Addison. [E]

Judith (Laux) Sayler, 81, of Blissfield died on Aug. 16. She was a 1962 graduate of Metamora High School. After her children were grown she worked at McDonald’s, Garden State Tanning, and Meijer. She grew up with a love of roller skating and spent much of her time at the Swanton Colosseum roller rink. [AM]

Sandra Marie Ringman, 79, of Adrian died on Aug. 17. She worked for 10 years at Country Inn and Suites before joining Cambrian Assisted Living as a dietary aide. She retired from there after 10 years. [AM]

Norma Mae Hansen, 93, of Adrian died on Aug.18. She and her husband owned and operated the former Hansen Sign Company. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and the Tabea Society. For over 20 years she marketed her artwork at the annual Sand Creek Craft Show. [AM]

Jessica Lynn Bailey, 45, of Blissfield died on Aug. 19. She was a 1998 graduate of Onsted High School. She worked as a mail carrier out of the Onsted Post Office, then later at Maxitrol in Blissfield. [W]

Steven Leroy Schneider, 72, of Adrian died on Aug. 20. He was an Adrian High School graduate and a lifelong resident of the community. [AM]

Valentine Mirelez Jr., 76, of Ann Arbor, formerly of Blissfield, died on Aug. 21. He served in the U.S. Army from 1972-78. During his time stationed at Rhein-Mein Air Force Base, he was recruited by the Air Force baseball team. He was a member of Holy Family Parish St. Mary Campus in Adrian and was a lifelong musician. [AM]

John Clayton “Jack” Koser Jr., 66, of Hudson died on Aug. 21. He worked for 43 years at Modern Builders Supply. Outside of work, he devoted much of his time to coaching youth sports. [AM]

Literacy Center

The Adrian Rea Literacy Center was founded by the Adrian Dominican Sisters in 2008. It is located on the Adrian Dominican campus at 1257 E. Siena Heights Drive.

Most of its learners are like Del Campo-Hernández: people studying English as a Second Language (ESL). These learners come from all over the world, including not only Mexico but Bolivia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, South Korea, and Venezuela.

The center also serves learners who are native English speakers but want to learn how to read or to improve the skills they already have.

People who come for tutoring have any number of goals. Some want to be able to move up in their current jobs or get better ones. Some are working to become U.S. citizens. Some want to be able to help their children with their schoolwork and be good role models for them when it comes to education. And some just want to be able to read their kids or grandkids a bedtime story.

Like Del Campo-Hernández, learner Andres Briones hails from Mexico. He worked in California before coming to this area, where he settled in northwest Ohio and works in a large greenhouse operation.

He’s been coming to the literacy center, with his employer’s wholehearted support, since 2019; before that, he attended a program in Wauseon but it was a group experience and he much prefers the Adrian Rea Literacy Center’s one-on-one tutoring.

As he proudly showed off the cuttingedge technology he uses at work and can access right from his smartphone, Briones said he enjoys his job very much and that his company is giving him more and more opportunities because he knows English now.

But there’s another reason learning the language is important to him: he’s a married father of three and “my kids are growing and they speak English,” he said. “I can have moments with them.”

“He’s made great progress. English is so hard,” said his tutor, Joel Rodriguez. Rodriguez has been a tutor at the center for 10 years and has worked with Briones since November 2021.

For Rodriguez, becoming a tutor was something inspired by his own family history. “My mother came from Mexico and she didn’t speak English,” he said. “She got involved with a program where a tutor came to the house. They became lifelong friends. That inspired me,” he said.

And, he said, he’s learning as much from Briones as Briones is learning from him. “My learner is my teacher,” he said, “and he teaches me about my heritage.”

Independent status and a new director

The Adrian Rea Literacy Center is one of six such centers that the Adrian Dominican Sisters have sponsored in Michigan, Illinois, and Florida. All of them are transitioning into becoming independent non-profit entities, which will give them greater ability to collaborate with other local organizations. The Adrian center recently got its own 501(c)(3) status.

In a statement provided by the Congregation, Prioress Elise D. García, OP, said, “We have deep appreciation, respect, and gratitude for the extraordinary work our literacy centers have done over the past 30-plus years.

“We are enormously proud of this educational initiative and of all the Sisters, Associates, and Co-workers who have been and continue to be involved in this vital and needed ministry. It gives us great joy that Adrian Rea Literacy Center will thrive into the future providing

critical and needed adult learning services in Lenawee County and the surrounding area.”

In addition to this change in status, the Adrian Rea Literacy Center recently underwent a leadership change. Rhea Staniszewski became its new executive director this summer after longtime director Sister Carleen Maly, OP, had to step down for health reasons.

A native of rural Minnesota who earned a Master of Social Work degree with a focus on community organization and non-profit management from the University of Denver, Staniszewski and her husband, Brent, moved to Michigan in 2013 to be nearer to family once they had their first child. The couple now has three children, aged 14, 11, and 8. The family has lived in Lenawee County since 2019.

“I worked a lot with volunteers in various capacities, and that’s what drew me [to the literacy center],” she said. “I’m really inspired by volunteers, that they take time to come in and make a tangible difference in someone’s life.”

In just her few weeks at the center, she’s found it to be a place where learners and tutors become a family. “People really care about each other and they want the best outcomes for each other,” she said.

It’s also a place that celebrates its learners’ accomplishments. Those who move up a level have a ceremony and get a certificate. “And how much that means to the individual,” she said, citing the example of one man who couldn’t wait to take his certificate home to show his dad. Those who attain U.S. citizenship get a party complete with a banner and cake.

Quite a few of the volunteers have been with the center for a decade or more, according to Sister Joanne McCauley, OP, a tutor and administrative assistant.

McCauley, who ministered as a teacher for many years, much of that time working with dyslexic children, has been part of the staff herself since 2011, and — echoing what Rodriguez said about Briones — said she learns from the learners.

“I really see what their lives are like,” she said.

Tutors wanted

The center always welcomes new volunteer tutors as well as new learners. Tutors receive the training and support they need to work with learners, so no prior teaching experience is required. All instruction is in English.

What tutors should be, according to the job description, is flexible, friendly, patient, and optimistic, and have a sense of humor. Each tutor meets with their learner two hours a week.

The next tutor training takes place from 1-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. To register or to learn more, email Staniszewski at director@ adrianrealiteracy.org or visit www. adrianrealiteracy.org.

Andres Briones works with tutor Joel Rodriguez at the Adrian Rea Literacy Center. Briones, who lives in northwest Ohio, has found increased opportunities at work as a result of the learning he’s done at the center. ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE

Rhea Staniszewski is the new executive director of the Adrian Rea Literacy Center.

Natural Resources students from LISD Tech Center compete at National Conservation Foundation Envirothon

ADRIAN — When five Natural Resources students from the Lenawee Intermediate School District Tech Center boarded a plane to Calgary, Alberta, they weren’t just carrying luggage — they were carrying the pride of Michigan on their shoulders.

The students earned the honor of representing Michigan at the 2025 National Conservation Foundation Envirothon, an international environmental and natural resource problem-solving competition. Facing off against over 50 teams from across the United States, China and Canada, the Lenawee County students brought not only knowledge and preparation — but also heart, humility, and team spirit.

Makayla Cunningham, the team’s wildlife specialist, called the experience “absolutely amazing and unforgettable,” and expressed gratitude for the opportunity made possible by the LISD Tech Center and their teacher and mentor, Dr. Carley Kratz.

“Representing Michigan was an honor — especially for someone like me, who has always had strong school spirit,” said Cunningham. “We even came up with little chants to stay motivated and have fun. It felt incredible to support our state on a national stage.”

The LISD Tech Center team competed in five key subject areas: Soils and Land Use, Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife, and a Current Issues challenge focused on boreal forest management and climate change. Each student took on a specific role:

Aquatic Ecology brought lighter moments, as students identified fish and macroinvertebrates, while Wildlife tested their knowledge through handson tasks like identifying skulls and pelts, understanding Latin species names, and how to use bear spray.

Even during the final and most tiring event — Forestry — the team’s determination held strong. “We leaned on each other, and that teamwork made a huge difference,” Cunningham recalled.

One of the team’s proudest accomplishments came during the Oral Presentation challenge, where they proposed real-world solutions to environmental issues. Their poise and synergy impressed the judges.

Kratz was deeply moved by the group’s performance and mutual respect.

“They may not have won awards,” she said, “but they won at life. They had great teamwork and the most positive attitude of any team there.”

n Megan Nadeau (JC/LISD Academy, senior) — Team captain and aquatic ecology specialist.

n Makayla Cunningham (Adrian High School, junior) — Wildlife specialist.

n Izabella Dusseau (Adrian High School, junior) — Soils and land use specialist.

n Claire Smith (JC/LISD Academy, senior) and Abbigail Garbers (Hudson High School, senior) — Forestry specialists.

While some sections of the competition were more challenging than others, the team leaned into each other’s strengths and fostered an environment of support. Cunningham noted that the Soils and Land Use segment proved to be a difficult portion for her, but it became a defining moment of team collaboration.

“Claire and Izabella stepped in to lift the group’s confidence,” she said. “Their encouragement was key to getting us through.”

For Cunningham, the competition reinforced her dream of becoming a wildlife rehabilitator. “I got great advice at the career fair about how to reach that goal,” she said. “I’m more motivated than ever.”

She also credited her team’s involvement in FFA for helping them excel in the high-pressure presentation.

“FFA taught us how to step forward in a discussion without interrupting. That kind of unspoken communication became a valuable part of our teamwork,” she said. — Story and photo provided by the Lenawee Intermediate School District

Izabella Dusseau (Adrian), Makayla Cunningham (Adrian), Claire Smith (JC/LISD Academy), Abbigal Garbers (Hudson), and Megan Nadeau (JC/LISD Academy), with LISD Tech Center teacher Carley Kratz, recently competed at the 2025 National Conservation Foundation Envirothon in Calgary, Alberta.

2025 Lenawee Pride will return to Adrian this year » PAGE D5

ADRIAN — After wrapping up the summer with the feel-good musical “Annie,” the Croswell Opera House in downtown Adrian will turn to a more serious page in September.

Beginning Sept. 12, the Croswell will present the musical “Parade,” a dramatization of the 1913 trial and subsequent lynching of Leo Frank, a Jewish man living in Georgia who was falsely accused of rape and murder.

“Parade” features music by Jason Robert Brown, who won a Tony Award for his work on the show and who also wrote the music for “The Bridges of Madison County.”

As the story opens, Leo Frank and his wife, Lucille, are struggling to make a life for themselves in Marietta, Georgia, where Leo works as a factory manager and wonders if he will ever feel at home in the South. Their lives are turned upside-down when Mary Phagan, a 13-year-old employee, is found murdered in the basement of the factory and Leo is accused of killing her.

The story of Leo’s fight to prove his innocence — and of his eventual death by lynching — is told through powerful songs that draw on a variety of musical influences, including folk, rock, gospel, and rhythm and blues.

The Croswell’s production is directed by Michael Yuen, who also directed last summer’s production of “The Bodyguard.” The choreographer is Sabriyah Davis, and the music director is Todd Schreiber.

The role of Leo Frank is portrayed by Matthew Porter of Adrian, who played Cliff Bradshaw in last year’s “Cabaret.” Leo’s wife, Lucille, is played by Kristin Kukic of Perrysburg, Ohio.

Hallie Yuen of Adrian plays Mary Phagan, and Riley Bollock of South Lyon plays Mary’s would-be beau, Frankie Epps.

Nickolas Brown of Monroe plays Jim Conley, the factory janitor who helps accuse Leo of Mary’s murder. Steven Kiss of Temperance is prosecutor Hugh Dorsey, one of the main villains of the show — along with antisemitic publisher Tom Watson, played by Joshua Egnatuk of Bowling Green, Ohio.

Jared Hoffert of Ann Arbor plays John Slaton, the governor of Georgia. Jeffrey King of Temperance plays the judge who presides over Leo’s trial. Maria Portaro-Mohler of Lambertville plays Mary Phagan’s mother. Will DuPuis of Toledo plavs Britt Craig, a reporter covering the trial.

Fall Fest coming up in October » PAGE D6

Artalicious fine arts fair set for the third weekend in September » PAGE D3

Fall antique tractor show is a living history lesson

Kids enjoy a ride on the Bierman Train, a tractor-drawn train that was donated by the Bierman family, at the Farmers Antique Tractor and Engine Association spring show.

Farmers Antique Tractor and Engine Association’s fall show marks its 40th anniversary

By Erik Gable The Lenawee Voice

ROME TWP. — Want to learn what life was like on a Lenawee County farm a century ago — or more?

The Farmers Antique Tractor and Engine Association is holding its annual fall show from Sept. 19-21 at 7600 Forrister Road, Adrian.

And while there will be tractors — lots and lots of tractors — the show is about more than that.

“It is a living history lesson about what it was like to live on a farm 100 or 150 or 200 years ago,” said Melinda Stubli, a member of the group.

“Our goal is to maintain our farming heritage and teach others about it,” she added.

In addition to the tractor and engine displays, which will be brought to the FATEA grounds by collectors from all over the area, a variety of activities for kids are planned.

Admission to the show is $5, but it’s free for kids under age 12 — and all of the kids’ activities are free as well.

Those activities include a Kids’ Fortune Hunt at noon on both Saturday and Sunday. When the engines blow their whistles, kids will dig for coins in a large box filled with sawdust.

Kids can also enjoy old-fashioned crafts like tin punching and take a ride in a tractor-drawn train that was donated to the association several years ago by the Bierman family. A variety of games and competitions are scheduled throughout the weekend.

The club was started in 1982, and after meeting in a number of different places, eventually purchased an 80-acre

See TRACTOR SHOW, page C4 See ‘PARADE,’ page C4

Todd Armstrong, with his grandson Landon, shows his Silver King tractor at the Farmers Antique Tractor and Engine Association spring show earlier this year.

From back to front, sisters Libby, Nellie and Maylee Bleecker, with their mom Kara, make a tin-punch craft at the most recent FATEA show.

Robbie Terry of Jasper shows his one-third scale steam engine at the Farmers Antique Tractor and Engine Association show last spring. PHOTOS COURTESY OF FATEA

‘A Colorful Dream’ is a family-friendly fantastic journey

ADRIAN — Designed to evoke and capture a sense of childhood fantasy, “A Colorful Dream,” opening this month at the Adrian Center for the Arts, tells a simple coming-of-age story in rich symbolic language that takes the viewer on a journey through the entire spectrum of the rainbow.

ART EXHIBITS

“A Colorful Dream” opens Thursday, Sept. 11, and runs through Oct. 12. It is a family-friendly, interactive exhibition by contemporary fine art photographer Adrien Broom.

The exhibit features a suite of photographs, some of them large in scale, detailing a young girl’s journey as she discovers a series of monochromatic fantasy worlds exploring the rich hues and associations that we have with every color in the spectrum.

Over three years in her studio, Broom constructed eight individual sets composed of objects evoking the essence of each respective color. She then photographed a young girl exploring and traveling through each world, passing through small portals that lead her on a journey through first a red world, then orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and lastly a rainbow encompassing all the colors. She encounters all kinds of creatures, characters, and vivid landscapes along the way.

The touring exhibition is presented by ExhibitsUSA, a national program of the Mid-America Arts Alliance.

Admission to the ACA Gallery is free thanks to the sponsorship of the Maurice and Dorothy Stubnitz Foundation.

The ACA is at 1375 N. Main St., Adrian, on the campus of PlaneWave Instruments. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday from 1-4 p.m. or by appointment. More information is at adriancenterforthearts.org.

Pinhole Photographs of Lenawee County: Flatlanders Art Galleries near Blissfield is presenting “Pinhole Photographs of Lenawee County,” an exhibit by Robert Gordon, from Sept. 5 to Oct. 11.

A reception with the artist will take place on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 1-3 p.m. at Flatlanders Art Galleries.

Robert Gordon was born and raised in Holland, Michigan. He was a professor and administrator at Siena Heights University for over 35 years.

A self-taught photographer, Gordon has traveled to and photographed in France, Scotland, Spain, Greece, Ireland, and China.

“Photography, like all art, seeks to give form to ever-changing reality,” Gordon said in an artist’s statement for the exhibit. “These photographs are fleeting moments of time, unions of cosmic forces and my spirit, arrested by my vision, recorded by my camera.”

Gallery hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Flatlanders is at 11993 East U.S. 223, east of Blissfield. For more information, go to flatlandersculpture.com or call 517-486-4591.

Woodworking institute featured in Ann Arbor exhibit: Twelve artists from the Sam Beauford Woodworking Institute in Adrian are featured in “Michigan Contemporary Craft,” an exhibit at the Ann Arbor Art Center, 117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor.

The exhibit opened Aug. 29 and runs through Oct. 5.

“This exhibition challenges the boundary between skilled trades and fine art, revealing how the two are often one and the same,” said SBWI president Luke Barnett.

In addition to Barnett, the featured artists are Logan Balis, KJ Borucki, Armando Covarrubias, Peter Densmore, Zack Fealk, Adam Davies, Jaime Marvin, Michael O’Connor, Carolyn Racine, Matthew Shockey, and Scott Treppa.

Gallery details can be found at annarborartcenter.org.

One of the pieces in “A Colorful Dream,” an exhibit by Adrien Broom that opens Sept. 11 at the Adrian Center for the Arts.

This photograph from Indian Crossing Trails Park is part of “Pinhole Photographs of Lenawee County,” an exhibit by Robert Gordon at Flatlanders Art Galleries.

Downtown Adrian’s Artalicious fair returns

ADRIAN — Artalicious, an annual fall celebration of the visual arts, will return to the streets of downtown Adrian on Sept. 20 and 21.

Visitors will be able to browse more than 60 artists’ booths, including painting, photography, glass, pottery, jewelry, fiber arts, and more.

In addition to artists selling their work, demonstrating artists will be set up throughout the weekend, giving people the chance to watch them at work. Painting, metalsmithing, glass engraving, airbrushing, and pottery are among the arts that will be demonstrated.

Although kids’ activities have always been a part of Artalicious, a new offering this year is a series of classes for adults offered by the Adrian Center for the Arts. Ranging in price from $30 to $60, these classes include neurographic watercolor on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; linocut printmaking on Sunday from 2-4 p.m.; and making a set of coasters using rubbing alcohol and inks, also on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. Another class, making and firing raku skulls for Halloween, begins the previous weekend at the ACA and finishes during Artalicious with the firing process. Register for classes at adriancenterforthearts.org.

Music is a part of the festival as well. In addition to mainstage entertainment, musicians will be performing throughout the festival footprint all weekend.

Artalicious takes place along Main and Maumee streets in downtown Adrian.

Hours for the art fair are Saturday, Sept. 20, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, go to artalicious.org.

People browse artists’ tents at the 2024 Artalicious festival in downtown Adrian. ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

A few samples of the types of work featured at Artalicious: Painting by Hannah Behm, jewelry by Debra Hoffmaster, glass by Susan Bostian, and mixed-media sculpture by Joan Mulvehill and Lisa Robideau.

Adrian Symphony gets ready for new season

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — For several years now, the Adrian Symphony has put a movie-music pops concert into its February concert slot, and that concert has been a hugely popular part of the season.

So the ASO decided that for its upcoming 2025-26 season, it would shake things up a bit by kicking the season off with that concert instead. “We’re looking at ways to start our year off with a great bang,” ASO music director Bruce Anthony Kiesling said.

That concert, titled “Epic Soundtracks Live,” is at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5. All the season’s concerts are at Dawson Auditorium, Adrian College.

In contrast with some of the recent movie-music concerts, this time around “there’s no John Williams on this program,” Kiesling said, laughing. “There’s so much great music not written by John Williams.”

Rather, the afternoon features everything from the “Lord of the Rings” movies to James Bond to “How to Train Your Dragon.”

After that start to its new season, the ASO turns to the classics in its next concert, with two early 20th-century works and something much more modern.

“Bravo Bravado,” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16, features Gala Flagello’s 2023 piece “Bravado,” the Ravel Piano Concerto in G with guest artist Rodolfo Leone, and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2.

When the ASO performed Flagello’s “Vitality” a couple of years ago, “our audience really took to that,” Kiesling said, and he expects the same will be true with this work.

As for the concerto, Leone “is going to be absolutely sensational. I know the audience will love it.” And the

‘Parade’ from page D1

Ebone Waweru of Maumee, Ohio, plays Minnie McKnight, the Franks’ housekeeper. Bradley Baker of Toledo plays Newt Lee, the factory’s night watchman and initial suspect in the murder. Leo’s lawyer, Luther Z. Rosser., is played by Nate Adams of Adrian.

Rounding out the cast are Cassidy Giddens, Christopher Harlan, Kylie McElrath, Love Ruddell, CaSaundra Taulton, and Aaron Treadway, all of Adrian; Julia Hoffert and Sarah Hoffert of Ann Arbor; Bob Eccles and AJ Landingham of Carleton; Jordan Marquez of Dundee; Carolyn Mohler of Lambertville; Jess Dougherty of Monroe; Ella Flumignan of Onsted; Eva Suchora of Ottawa Lake; Walter Book of Petersburg; Abby Dotz and Abigail Lipsitz of Saline; Oden Berthelsen of Tecumseh; Leah Fox of Ypsilanti; Madeline Stewart and Hobbes Treynor of Holland, Ohio; and Grace Wipfli of Toledo.

The musical debuted on Broadway in 1998. It was nominated for nine Tony Awards, winning two. A 2023 Broadway revival ran for 169 regular performances.

A national tour this year, which is due to wrap up soon, includes southeast Michigan resident Olivia Goosman, who has appeared in a number of Croswell shows, in the role of Mary Phagan.

Tickets to the Croswell’s production range from $26 to $46 for adults, $16 to $26 for students. The Croswell reminds patrons that it does not do business

Sibelius symphony “is very challenging, especially the third movement, but it’s incredibly rewarding to play. … The second movement is just a spectacular, spectacular piece of music.”

The orchestra’s traditional holiday pops concert, this year titled “Holidays in Harmony,” comes up next at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13.

The concert will feature local choirs and University of Michigan vocal student Kevin Ludwig as a soloist. “This will be nostalgic holiday music for the whole family,” Kiesling said. “It should be a lot of fun.”

Ludwig is one of several U of M performers who will be singing with the ASO this season as the orchestra works on cultivating a deeper relationship with the university’s music program. The others are part of the next concert on the schedule, “Broadway Love Songs” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.

With the symphony having moved its movie-music concert to the season’s opening slot and yet still wanting to put a pops concert in February, the door was obviously open for a Valentine’s theme this year. “It should be a great, great night,” Kiesling said, with a program of Broadway music that would make a perfect date night for couples.

Two more classical concerts round out the orchestral part of the season. The first, titled “The Hidden Score,” is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2026.

The concert’s title has to do with one of the works on the program, Elgar’s “Enigma Variations.” Exactly what the “enigma” of the title refers to has long been a topic in the music world.

“Ah, yes, what is this mystery?”

Kiesling said, adding that he is looking forward to conducting this very popular work with the orchestra. “It’s just a great piece and audiences respond to it in such a marvelous way.”

with third-party resellers and will never sell tickets for more than the advertised cost, so any website trying to sell tickets at a higher price is a scam.

Due to the nature of the story, the show is recommended for adults and mature teens. The show depicts violence, racism, and ethnic intimidation.

Dates and times

n Friday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

n Saturday, Sept. 13 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

n Sunday, Sept. 14 at 2:30 p.m.

n Thursday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

n Friday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

n Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

n Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2:30 p.m.

COMING UP

“Bonnie & Clyde” — Oct. 17-26. This cult-favorite Broadway musical retells the true story of America’s most infamous couple, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, the ill-fated lovers and outlaws whose story has been legendary since they achieved folk hero status during the Great Depression. Emma Skaggs and Kevin Ludwig play Bonnie and Clyde.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” — Nov. 21 to Dec. 7. This contemporary take on the classic tale features new characters, a hilarious libretto, surprising twists, and an unforgettable score. Ally Szymanski of Adrian plays the title role.

The concert opens with Niccolai’s “Merry Wives of Windsor Overture,” a piece that is much better known than the opera it comes from. But while the larger work isn’t part of the standard operatic repertoire, especially in the U.S., “boy, the overture is charming,” Kiesling said.

Also on that program is another Elgar work, his Cello Concerto, for which Sterling Elliott is the guest artist.

“We’re lucky to get Sterling,” Kiesling said. “His career is really taking off. And this concerto is such an incredible artistic journey.”

The orchestra concludes its offerings for the season with “Celebrate America,” a program honoring the country’s upcoming 250th birthday. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, 2026.

It begins with Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man.” When the ASO’s entire 2024-25 “Season of Copland” went by without the orchestra performing this very familiar and popular work, audience members let Kiesling know about it, he said, but it was because it’s a perfect way to start off this particular concert instead.

The program also includes Ives’ “Variations on America,” Hanson’s Symphony No. 6, Sousa’s “Washington Post March,” and Gershwin’s Concerto in F featuring guest pianist Albert Cano Smit.

“I really like the style of Hanson’s music,” Kiesling said, and the symphony the ASO will perform is “a little dissonant and challenging, but it has some great moments.”

And although Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” is the better-known work by that composer, Kiesling said he always prefers to conduct this concerto. “You’re wrapped in this 1930s orchestral jazz sound that’s kind of grown up a little bit,” he said.

As is the ASO’s longtime tradition, the season wraps up with a concert not

Tractor show from page D1

parcel on Forrister Road that is now the association grounds.

The fall show has been taking place for 40 years, starting in 1985.

In 1993, the association started hosting a spring show as well.

The Farmers Antique Tractor and Engine Association is at 7600 Forrister Road, Adrian.

For more information, search for “Farmers Antique Tractor and Engine Association” on Facebook or call 517-260-3707.

SHOW SCHEDULE

Friday, Sept. 19

9:30 a.m.: Opening ceremony, including the National Anthem sung by McKenzie Daugherty.

11 a.m.: Line dancers.

Noon: Lunch whistle.

12:45 p.m.: Classic tractor parade.

7 p.m.: Fundraising auction.

Saturday, Sept. 20

9 a.m.: Opening ceremony.

11 a.m.: Transfer sled tractor pulling.

Noon: Lunch whistle and Kids’ Fortune Hunt.

1 p.m.: Kids’ Pedal Pull (registration at 12:30 p.m.).

2 p.m.: More kids’ games.

3 p.m.: Classic tractor parade.

4 p.m.: Steam engine activities.

5 p.m.: Live music by Pickin’ Roots.

involving the orchestra at all. This time around, it’s with The Motown Revue, a tribute band that performs the great hits of that era. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2026.

In addition to individual-concert tickets, three different subscription options are available. One is an “All for One” package of all seven concerts priced at $263 for adults, $249 for senior citizens, and $140 for students. The second is a “Pick 5” package priced at $187 for adults, $177 for senior citizens, and $100 for students. And, first-time subscribers can choose a $78 “Introductory Package” that allows them to attend four concerts for the price of 2. For more information on the season and to order tickets, call the ASO at (517) 264-3121 or go online at adriansymphony.org.

SEASON AT A GLANCE

Sunday, Oct. 5 at 3 p.m.: “Epic Soundtracks Live” movie-music pops concert.

Sunday, Nov. 16 at 3 p.m.: “Bravo Bravado” featuring the Ravel Piano Concerto in G.

Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m.: “Holidays in Harmony” pops concert.

Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.: “Broadway Love Songs” pops concert

Friday, March 13, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.: “The Hidden Score” featuring guest artist Sterling Elliott performing Elgar’s Cello Concerto.

Friday, May 1, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.: “Celebrate America” featuring guest artist Albert Cano Smit performing the Gershwin Concerto in F.

Friday, June 5, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.: “The Motown Sound” concert by the Motor City Revue tribute band.

Kids gather around a large box filled with sawdust, searching for coins in the Kids’ Fortune Hunt at the most recent Farmers Antique Tractor and Engine Association show.

Sunday, Sept. 21

9 a.m.: Religious service.

10 a.m.: Opening ceremony.

11 a.m.: Lawnmower pulling.

Noon: Lunch whistle and Kids’ Fortune Hunt.

1 p.m.: Kids’ Pedal Pull (registration at 12:30 p.m.).

2 p.m.: Steam engine whistle demonstrations.

3 p.m.: Classic tractor parade.

4 p.m.: Show concludes.

Lenawee Pride comes back to downtown Adrian

By Erik Gable

The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — After taking place in Tecumseh last year, Lenawee Pride is returning to Adrian.

The annual festival will take place on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 3-8 p.m. in the City Market Pavilion, 115 Toledo St.

Organized by members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, Lenawee Pride aims to be an uplifting celebration of love and equality.

“We just want to make sure everyone has a place to come and celebrate together in a safe way and know that there’s a place for them here in Adrian and Lenawee County,” said Kristina Henning of Adrian, one of the organizers of this year’s event.

Lenawee Pride is organized by the M Society, a local organization promoting equality, acceptance and quality of life for Lenawee County’s LGBTQIA+ residents and their friends and families. It is funded by a variety of local businesses and organizations that have signed on as sponsors.

About 30 vendors will be participating, selling items like jewelry, candles, clothing, crocheted gifts, books, ceramics, and stained glass.

Attendees will notice a few differences from last year’s event. Instead of a stage, smaller-scale entertainment will happen throughout the pavilion, provided by DJ Wilson and Toledo-based drag performer Nika Fierce. That’s because the M Society’s offices sustained damage during the March 15 fire downtown, and the organization has had to devote much of its time over the past several months to rebuilding.

“The goal is to ramp up entertainment again next year,” Henning said.

Another difference: Last year, when Pride was on the grounds of the Tecumseh Center for the Arts without any restaurants within walking distance, organizers made sure to have several food trucks on hand. This year, one food truck — Royal Treats and Eats — will be on site for convenience, but guests will be encouraged to support downtown establishments.

“We really want to encourage folks to shop and support local businesses,” Henning said.

A “Shop & Strut” map will be distributed with the names of restaurants and other businesses that have signed on as supporters of Lenawee Pride.

“Our goal is to not just be isolated to the market. We really want to spread out to the whole downtown,” Henning said.

The Shop & Strut map, she added, will give people a way to support businesses that support the LGBTQIA+ community.

About 20 downtown businesses are involved in some way, whether as event sponsors or as Shop & Strut participants.

Parking will be available at the former Pharm grocery store, 124 E. Front St.,

or in the public lot behind the Croswell Opera House and Adrian City Hall. Lenawee Pride started in 2019 as a picnic in Burr Ponds Park, and expanded into a festival in 2022. The event was in downtown Adrian in 2022 and 2023, then moved to Tecumseh in 2024. It has grown significantly since 2019, when that first picnic was attended by about 70 people.

“I think especially given the current political climate, it’s nice to know that here in our hometown there’s a safe place for everyone,” Henning said. More information is available at campsite.bio/lenaweepride.

People fill South Main Street in downtown Adrian for Lenawee Pride in 2023. After being in Tecumseh last year, the event will return to downtown Adrian in 2025. It will take place in the City Market Pavilion, 115 Toledo St. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSHUA FRANCK

Morenci’s Fall Fest set for first Saturday in October

MORENCI — The Morenci Fall Fest, hosted by the Downtown Development Authority, is back for its fourth year.

This year’s event is larger than before, stretching across all of Main Street from Summit to Baker, and along North Street from Main to Locust.

The free autumn celebration takes place on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 4-11 p.m.

It will include live music, food, vendors, and activities for all ages.

From 4 to 7 p.m., Main Street will be filled with family-friendly fun, including a photo booth, face painting, a petting farm, archery, a caricature artist, and a hayride — all free. Local merchants, businesses, and nonprofits will be set up with seasonal shopping and activities for kids.

The evening’s entertainment kicks off at 4 p.m. with the unveiling of new art in the downtown parklet Alley 221.

At 4:30 p.m., DJ Van Damage will provide live entertainment on the Main Stage under the stoplight. At 6:30 p.m., the Rex Theater will host a hard rock concert featuring Deep Coiler with opening acts ($15 admission). Closing out the night on the Main Stage at 8 p.m. will be a free outdoor concert by Chase VanBrandt and the Dive Bar All-Stars.

Hungry festival-goers can enjoy a variety of grab-and-go specials. North Street Pub will serve pulled pork and snacks; the Morenci Eagles will feature hot dogs, chili, and bean soup; and Pizza Box will offer pizza by the slice.

Morenci Fall Fest

DATE AND TIMES: Saturday, Oct. 4, from 4-11 p.m.

LOCATION: Downtown Morenci.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: Vendors, photo booth, face painting, petting farm, archery, caricature artist, and hayrides.

ENTERTAINMENT: DJ Van Damage under the stoplight at 4:30 p.m., hard rock concert at the Rex Theatre at 6:30 p.m., free outdoor concert by Chase VanBrandt and the Dive Bar All-Stars at 8 p.m.

The Morenci Fire Department will host a BBQ chicken dinner, and visiting food trucks include El Poquito Chapulin with Mexican cuisine and Got Ears? offering sweet treats.

The Morenci Social District will be open until 11 p.m., with alcoholic beverages available in designated cups from North Street Pub and Morenci Eagles.

Vendor registration is open through Sept. 15. Fall Fest welcomes both community organizations hosting fallthemed games and merchants offering homemade, handmade, or homegrown goods. Booth space is free for non-profits and community organizations, and $25 for a 10- by 10-foot space for merchants. Forms are available at Morenci City Hall or online at www.cityofmorenci.org.

For more information, contact community and economic development director Heather Sarnac at 517-429-0100 or heather.sarnac@cityofmorenci.org.

Tecumseh Center for the Arts announces 2025-26 touring season

TECUMSEH — The Tecumseh Center for the Arts has announced its 2025-26 touring season.

Illusionist Daniel Martin — Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Daniel Martin makes the impossible possible as he brings his award-winning magic show to the TCA stage.

Motown & More with Legacy — Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Known for electrifying performances combining powerhouse vocals with dazzling dance moves, Legacy is a tribute band that highlights the legends of American music, from the iconic sounds of 1960s Motown to the R&B hits of the ’70s, ’80s and beyond.

Alex Zerbe, the Zaniac — Saturday, Jan. 24 at 2 p.m. This act features highenergy laughs, jaw-dropping stunts, and nonstop family fun.

Elvis tribute artist Jimmy Holmes — Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. Jimmy Holmes will heat up the winter night with a passionate and an unforgettable tribute to Elvis Presley.

On the Lash — Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. On the Lash blends the raw spirit of traditional Irish folk with the grit and drive of modern rock. Known for their dynamic stage presence and irresistible rhythms, the band delivers a lively and authentic Celtic experience that’s perfect for audiences of all ages.

Lola Kristine — Saturday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. Back by popular demand, Lola Kristine returns with her signature fusion of soul, blues, jazz, and pop.

The Tecumseh Center for the Arts is at 400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh. To order tickets or for more information, call 517-423-6617 or go to thetca.org.

Vendors line Main Street in downtown Morenci at last year’s Fall Fest. The fourth annual Morenci Fall Fest will take place on Oct. 4. ERIK GABLE/LENAWEE VOICE

Croswell announces after-school theater classes for grades 1-12

ADRIAN — As the school year begins, the Croswell Opera House in Adrian is planning a new lineup of after-school theater classes for students in first through 12th grades.

All of the classes consist of five sessions and meet once a week.

Essentials of Acting (Grades 7-12) — Tuesdays, Sept. 9 to Oct. 7, 4-6 p.m. During this class, students will explore acting, vocal and movement techniques using scene work and monologues to land their next audition or bring their

character to life. The class is intended for both beginners and students with onstage experience. The cost is $100.

Improv Toolkit (Grades 4-6) — Wednesdays, Oct. 22 to Nov. 19, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Students will learn the fundamentals and basic tools of improvisational theater in a fast-paced, creative environment that encourages them to create stories and characters using a wide variety of improv techniques, formats and games. The cost is $85.

Undersea Story Theater (Grades 1-3) — Tuesdays, Oct. 21 to Nov. 18, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Students will learn how to create stories using voice and movement, exploring characters, story structure, acting basics, and more. This class is intended as a starting point for kids who are just beginning in theater. The cost is $85.

The instructor for all three classes is Kylie McElrath.

For more information or to register, go to croswell.org/education.

Fall semester of Lenawee Lifelong Learning offers wide range of classes for adults

ADRIAN — The fall semester of Lenawee Lifelong Learning is coming up in October.

Lenawee Lifelong Learning offers classes on a variety of topics for adults twice a year, with a spring session in April and a fall session in October. Most classes run for four weeks.

The registration deadline for the fall session is Sept. 29. There is a flat fee of $35 to take as many classes as you like.

Most classes take place at the Weber Retreat and Conference Center on the campus of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 E. Siena Heights Drive.

Eight classes are being offered this fall: Trees, Forests and People — Tuesdays at 9 a.m., taught by Michael McGrath.

Serving Lenawee — Tuesdays at 11 a.m. Each session will consist of a presentation on a different organization. The featured organizations will be the Boys & Girls Club, the Lenawee Community Foundation, the HOPE Community Center, and Goodwill Industries of Southeast Michigan.

School Sports Officiating/4-H and FFA Explained/Anne Frank: Life Before and After the Annex — Tuesdays at 1 p.m. This session is three topics in one, and the instructors are Don Fry, Janelle Stewart, and Bob Behnke.

The Protestant Reformation — Wednesdays at 9 a.m., taught by Mark Schersten.

Poetry — Wednesdays at 11 a.m., taught by Charmaine Stangl.

Upcoming Lunch and Learn topics at Weber Center

ADRIAN — The Weber Retreat and Conference Center invites the public to “Lunch and Learn” sessions on a variety of topics on Wednesday afternoons once a month.

The Lunch and Learn series continues this fall from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. with the following dates and topics: Sept. 10: Saving our Land, Water, and Soil. Representatives of the Lenawee Conservation District will share how they carry out their mission to sustain and enhance natural resources through education and technical service.

Oct. 15: Amazing Historical Sites. Paul Plassman, author of “Southern Michigan’s Castles, Churches and Courthouses,” will discuss amazing but often overlooked architectural gems.

Nov. 12: Weber Center Shop Christmas Open House Preview. Katherine Dusseau, Weber Center shop manager, will share what’s new at the store.

Dec. 10: Christmas Cookie Ideas. Bring a sample of your favorite Christmas cookies to share — as well as the recipe — and enjoy samples from other participants.

Participants can either bring a lunch or purchase one for $8. To order a meal, register at least two days in advance. Registration is not needed if you bring your own lunch.

The Weber Center is on the campus of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 E. Siena Heights Drive. For more information, go to webercenter.org.

Adrian District Library starting two new clubs for young readers

ADRIAN — Two new after-school clubs for ages 8-12 are starting up at the Adrian District Library.

Each club will meet once a month. The first 20 minutes will be spent reading a short book, followed by an activity.

The new clubs are intended to give kids an after-school activity that is educational as well as fun, according to youth services librarian Jess Bruechert.

History Makers will meet from 4-5 p.m. on the first Monday of each month, except for September, when the

meeting will be on Sept. 8. Each session will feature a biography of a significant person from the past. The first book will be “Drawing on Walls: A Story of Keith Haring,” by Matthew Burgess.

Young Explorers will meet on the third Monday of each month, also from 4-5 p.m. This club will feature books and activities about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

The Adrian District Library is at 143 E. Maumee St. For more information, call 517-265-2265 or go to adrian.lib.mi.us.

Supreme Court Decisions/ Psychological Aspects of Perception — Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Two topics in one class, taught by Robert Gordon and Gordon Hammerle.

A Brief Overview of Latinos in Lenawee County — Dates and times to be determined. This class will focus on education and civil rights, and will be taught by Idalí Feliciano and Ben Negron. It will take place at the Align Center for Workforce Development, 440 E. Church St., Adrian.

Tour of the Adrian Training School campus — Friday, October 17 at 9 a.m., at 1375 N. Main St., Adrian.

For more information and to sign up for fall semester classes, go to lenaweelifelonglearning.wordpress.com.

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SEPTEMBER

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, SEPTEMBER 4

20th annual Blue Jean Ball

Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

A night of fun, purpose, and community. This fundraiser includes dinner, a live auction, and plenty of opportunities to support the youth of the Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee. $100. 340 E. Church St, Ste A, Adrian bgclenawee.org or 517-266-9775

Movie: ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Lenawee District Library, 5:30-7:30 p.m. A free family movie at the library with popcorn and drinks.

4459 West U.S. 223, Adrian lenawee.lib.mi.us or 517-263-1011

Tecumseh Cub Scout Pack 607 Join Night St. Elizabeth Parish, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Check out the fun that Cub Scouts have, meet some scouts and leaders, play games, race a derby car, and enjoy treats. Boys and girls in grades K-5 are welcome.

517 N. Union St., Tecumseh seharwood22@yahoo.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

Adrian First Fridays

Downtown Adrian, 5-8 p.m.

Maple Pride is the theme for Adrian’s monthly First Fridays event, which will include Ming the Magnificent Magician, a touch-a-truck display, and live music from Spectral Threads, in addition to inflatables, face painting, food trucks and more. Free.

First Friday Car Show

Lenawee County Fairgrounds, 5-8 p.m.

The theme for this month’s car show is Chevelles and Novas, and the entertainment will be provided by Braxton Garza. Free. 602 N. Dean St., Adrian

Farm to Table: A Farm Fresh Dinner on Lane Street

Downtown Blissfield, 6-9 p.m.

Dinner Includes appetizers, main course, dessert, and two drinks. In addition, enjoy an evening of music featuring the Adrian College Ensemble. Tickets available for purchase at the Blissfield Village Office or eventbrite.com. Limited seating. $75.

130 S. Lane St., Blissfield 517-486-4347

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Day of Mindfulness:

Compassion In Action

Weber Center, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Deepen your understanding of and commitment to daily meditation practice. Reflecting upon our relationship with honesty and courage, we amplify our capacity to be loved within family, neighborhood, city, and world. $35, includes lunch; registration required.

1257 E. Siena Heighs Drive, Adrian webercenter.org or 517-266-4000

Irish Hills Eagles Summer Fest

Irish Hills Eagles 3689, noon to 9 p.m.

The Irish Hills Eagles Summer Fest features a pig roast, beer tent, live music, kids’ tent, craft vendors, bake sale, games, and garage sale. Open to the public.

9500 Wamplers Lake Road, Brooklyn

Lenawee Pride

Adrian City Market, 3-8 p.m.

Lenawee County’s sixth annual celebration of love, equality, and community. The focus of this year’s Pride celebration will be on building, connecting, and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. campsite.bio/lenaweepride

115 Toledo St., Adrian

BBQ Fundraiser for Share the Warmth Morenci Legion, 1-5 p.m.

Catered by Jake’s Smokehouse, this event will raise money to benefit Share the Warmth of Lenawee. $20.

9010 Morenci Road, Morenci sharethewarmthoflenawee.org

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Devils Lake Men’s Club Golf Outing

Devils Lake Golf Course, 8 a.m.

A fun day at Devils Lake Golf Course filled with unique hole challenges, prizes, and hot dogs, followed by ending the day at Highland Inn with a steak dinner. One of the prizes is a twoyear lease on a Ford Bronco Sport donated by Bell Automotive. $75 per person.

14600 Devils Lake Hwy., Manitou Beach devilslakegolfcourse.com 517-547-3653

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Great Outdoor Jamboree

Lake Hudson Recreation Area, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The annual Great Outdoor Jamboree presented by Pheasants Forever will include archery, BB gun ranges, and more. 5505 Morey Hwy., Clayton 517-445-2265

First Sunday Adult Improv Croswell Opera House, 6-7:30 p.m.

Say “yes, and...” to the magic of improv with fun drop-in classes for adults. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned expert, you’ll have fun thinking on your feet, exercising your wits, and spinning tales in these fun-filled sessions. Free, but advance registration is encouraged. 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian croswell.org/education

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Scratch Art: Upcycling old CDs

Tecumseh District Library, 6 p.m.

Get creative and eco-friendly at this craft program where you can turn old, unwanted CDs into stunning scratch art masterpieces. CDs, stencils and tools will all be provided. 215 N. Ottawa St., Tecumseh www.tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

Brooklyn Big Boy Car Show Big Boy, 5-8 p.m.

Fun, food, and music every Wednesday in September.

329 S. Main St., Brooklyn

Lunch and Learn:

Saving Our Land, Water, and Soil Weber Center, 12:15 p.m.

The Lenawee Conservation District serves the county by sustaining and enhancing natural resources through education and technical service. Learn how this mission is carried out and the ways that this organization serves the people of Lenawee County. Bring your lunch or purchase one from the Weber Center (please register two days in advance if you would like to buy lunch).

1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian webercenter.org or 517-266-4000

Nature Exploration: Mushroom Mastery

Stubnitz Educational Education Center, 6 p.m.

This course will teach you how mushrooms grow, from the wild outdoors to indoor cultivation. Become a confident forager by learning to identify common edible mushrooms and their poisonous look-alikes. Get hands-on with cultivation and explore the process of growing mushrooms yourself. Ages 15 and up. Registration is required at givebutter.com/mushmast. $15.

3241 N. Adrian Hwy., Adrian admin@riverraisin.org or 517-662-8755

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

Car & Bike Show

Springbrook Commons, 5-8 p.m.

The shops and restaurants of Springbrook Commons host a car show with entertainment for all ages.

628 W. Adrian St., Blissfield

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Summer Concert Series: Aaron Krott Trio Downtown Blissfield, 7-9 p.m. Enjoy live music in Bicentennial Park off of South Lane Street.

‘Parade’

Croswell Opera House, 7:30 p.m.

Based on a true story, “Parade” follows Jewish newlyweds Leo and Lucille Frank as they struggle to make a life in 1913 Georgia. When Leo is accused of an unspeakable crime, it propels them into an unimaginable and brutal test of faith. Continues Saturday, Sunday and next weekend. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Run for the Hills!

Hidden Lake Gardens, 8 a.m.

Enjoy a beautiful fall morning at Hidden Lake Gardens for the 15th annual Run for the Hills, which is a one-mile and 5K run or walk along paved roads. Proceeds from the race will benefit Hidden Lake Gardens and Oh These Irish Hills. Start time is 8 a.m., and all participants must arrive before the entry gate closes at 7:15 a.m. Late registration ($45) will be available starting Aug. 16 until 7:30 a.m. the day of the race. The cost is $10 for kids 14 and under. All participants will receive a participation medal. Only participants registered by Aug. 31 are guaranteed a T-shirt. Registration is only available online. Registration includes entry into Hidden Lake Gardens and the Reach for the Sky Canopy Walk.

6214 W. Monroe Road, Tipton hiddenlakegardens.msu.edu

Amvets Post 1957 Golf Scramble

Woodlawn Golf Club, 9 a.m.

Entry includes green fees and cart. After the scramble, enjoy a meal at Amvets Post 1957. $280 per team.

4364 Treat Hwy., Adrian www.amvets1957.com

River Raisin Watershed Council paddle event

Tecumseh Paddling Co., 10 a.m.

Mark the River Raisin Watershed Council’s 51st anniversary with this paddling adventure. Explore the pond’s edges at a leisurely pace, observing the fascinating ecosystem and keeping an eye out for herons, muskrats, and various waterfowl, while enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of this out-and-back route. $10 plus $5 kayak rental.

703 E. Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh admin@riverraisin.org or 517-662-8755

September Shop & Stroll: School Pride

Downtown Adrian, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Show your school spirit while exploring local shops and restaurants, enjoy special deals, and take part in a Downtown Scavenger Hunt for your chance to win $200, $100, or $50 in Downtown Dollars.

135 E. Maumee St., Adrian downtownadrian.com or 517-264-4816

Farm to Glass Fare & Pair

River Raisin Wine Trail, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Savor the flavors of fall along the River Raisin Wine Trail during Farm to Glass, a seasonal celebration of local harvest, expertly paired wines, and artisanal fare. Each stop along this self-guided trail invites you to experience the essence of autumn, where vineyard views meet farm-fresh bites and hand-selected wines. The River Raisin Wine Trail comprises four Lenawee County wineries: Cherry Creek Cellars in Brooklyn, Chateau Aeronautique Winery in Onsted, Flying Otter Vineyard & Winery in Adrian, and Pentamere Winery in Tecumseh. Tickets are $30 per adult and include wine samples and fall-inspired food pairings at each of the four locations. Designated driver tickets are available for $12 and include food only. visitlenawee.com/fare-pair-tickets

Irish Hills Music Festival

Onsted American Legion, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Proceeds from this event will support the Michigan Parkinson’s Disease Foundation and Irish Hills-area Hospices. Includes 12 live bands, a vendor market, food trucks, and more. 333 Conner St., Onsted irishhillsmusicfestival.com 517-438-1579

25 Years of Walking the Labyrinth Weber Center, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

For 25 years, the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ campus has welcomed many people who have found peace, calm, and awareness in walking this sacred outdoor path. Free and open to all; no registration needed.

1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian webercenter.org or 517-266-4000

‘Parade’ Croswell Opera House, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Continues Sunday and next weekend.

129 E. Maumee St, Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

‘Parade’ Croswell Opera House, 2:30 p.m. Continues next weekend. Adults: $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St, Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Brooklyn Big Boy Car Show Big Boy, 5-8 p.m. Fun, food, and music every Wednesday in September.

329 S. Main St., Brooklyn

Second Sunday Teen Improv Croswell Opera House, 6-7:30 p.m. Say “yes, and...” to the magic of improv with fun drop-in classes for ages 12-17. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned expert, you’ll have fun thinking on your feet, exercising your wits, and spinning tales in these fun-filled sessions. Free, but advance registration is encouraged.

129 E. Maumee St., Adrian croswell.org/education

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

Music in the Park Adams Park, 6-8 p.m.

Featuring the TCA Big Band and Vocalaires. Free.

309 E. Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh downtowntecumseh.com

517-423-5602

Classic Car & Bike Show

Old National Bank, 6-8 p.m. Cars & bikes will be displayed in the Old National Bank parking lot located at 205 E. Chicago Blvd. and the adjacent downtown parking lot; participants are encouraged to bring canned goods or non-perishable food items for area service clubs.

205 E. Chicago Blvd., Tecumseh downtowntecumseh.com

517-424-6555

‘Parade’

Croswell Opera House, 7:30 p.m.

Continues Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Adults: $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St, Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Farmers Antique Tractor and Engine Association Fall Show

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Includes antique tractor displays, kids’ activities, and more. The Fordson is this year’s featured tractor. $5 (free for kids 12 and under). Continues Saturday and Sunday. 7600 Forrister Road, Adrian 517-260-3707

Taste of Lenawee

Adrian Armory Event Center, 6-9 p.m.

Sample the best of Lenawee County’s local food scene and enjoy live music from Above Pete’s Garage.Your ticket supports three local initiatives that fuel innovation, entrepreneurship, and opportunity across Lenawee County. $60 plus Eventbrite fee.

230 W. Maumee St, Adrian adrianarmory.com/taste-of-lenawee

‘Parade’

Croswell Opera House, 7:30 p.m. Continues Saturday and Sunday. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16. 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Kids’ Day at the Adrian Farmers Market City Market Pavilion, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Includes free face painting, bounce houses, and sales by young entrepreneurs, plus live music and lemonade from Sip ‘N Sweets. 115 Toledo St., Adrian

Farmers Antique Tractor and Engine Association Fall Show

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Includes antique tractor displays, kids’ activities, and more. The Fordson is this year’s featured tractor. $5 (free for kids 12 and under). Continues Sunday. 7600 Forrister Road, Adrian 517-260-3707

Artalicious Fine Arts Fair

Downtown Adrian, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Downtown Adrian’s annual festival of fine art, food, and entertainment. Continues Sunday. artalicious.org

‘Parade’

Croswell Opera House, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Continues Sunday. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St, Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

Ventriloquist show with David Pendleton

Jasper Bible Church, 6 p.m. David Pendleton performs a family-friendly ventriloquist show. Free, but tickets are required. Call Chip or Cassie Connin at 419304-6550 or pick up tickets at Jasper Bible Church during open hours.

8230 S. Adrian Hwy., Jasper 517-436-3165

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Farmers Antique Tractor and Engine Association Fall Show

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Includes antique tractor displays, kids’ activities, and more. The Fordson is this year’s featured tractor. $5 (free for kids 12 and under). Continues Sunday. 7600 Forrister Road, Adrian 517-260-3707

A Ruck to Remember

American Legion, 10:30 a.m. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and this event shines a light on the reality that approximately 22 veterans die by suicide each day. The ruck/walk route travels from the American Legion Helicopter, through downtown Adrian, to Comstock Park, and back to the starting point. Volunteers will be stationed along the route to assist and guide participants. Register at eventbrite.com/e/ruck-to-remember-2025tickets-1417210818709.

904 N. Main St., Adrian 517-263-4520

Artalicious Fine Arts Fair

Downtown Adrian, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Downtown Adrian’s annual festival of fine art, food, and entertainment. Continues Sunday. artalicious.org

Kiwanis Club Duck Race

Comstock Park, 2 p.m.

The second annual Kiwanis Club of Adrian Duck Race. First place $2,500, second place $1,000, third place $500. Tickets may be purchased from any Kiwanis Club member. $30 per ticket.

263 W. Maumee St., Adrian

‘Parade’

Croswell Opera House, 2:30 p.m.

Final performance. Adults $46/$36/$26, students $26/$22/$16.

129 E. Maumee St, Adrian 517-264-7469 or croswell.org

Autumn Equinox Weber Center, 3:30 p.m.

The harvest is near and we gather the riches of the Earth with great gratitude. We celebrate the abundance and come together in word, song and dance to welcome autumn. Free and open to all. Registration not required.

1257 E. Siena Heights Drive, Adrian webercenter.org or 517-266-4000

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Brooklyn Big Boy Car Show Big Boy, 5-8 p.m. Fun, food, and music every Wednesday in September.

329 S. Main St., Brooklyn

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Art in the Park Weatherwax Park, 5-9 p.m.

Hosted by the Village of Brooklyn and featuring art, food trucks, a farmers market, live music, and more. 115 Water St., Brooklyn

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

Wheels & Wine Car Show

Cherry Creek Cellars, 1-4 p.m.

Enjoy sleek rides and vintage charm at this car show. Following the event, the winery will host live music with Jon Torrence from 5-8 p.m. ($5 cover for evening music). Register online or call the winery.

11500 Silver Lake Hwy., Brooklyn cherrycreekwine.com 517-592-4663

After Hours Music Festival

Clinton Inn, 7-11 p.m.

This family-friendly outdoor event features live music by Wishing Well, food trucks, cash bar, magic, balloon animals, outdoor games, and a 50/50 raffle. Hosted by BraylonStrong, a nonprofit pediatric brain tumor foundation. Proceeds support local families navigating medical hardship. Bring your own chairs. 104 W. Michigan Ave., Clinton braylonstrong.org/donate

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

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

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

October semester classes will meet for 4 weeks on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning October 7. A local tour will be held on Friday, October 17.

Classes:

Trees, Forests and People; Serving Lenawee; School Sports Officiating; 4-H and FFA Explained; Anne Frank: Life Before and After the Annex; The Protestant Reformation; Poetry; Supreme Court Decisions; Perception; A Brief Overview of Latinos in Lenawee County, Continued.

Tour: Girls Training School.

FALL SEMESTER CLASSES WILL MEET ON FOUR TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS IN OCTOBER AT WEBER CENTER.

Clinton Fall Festival Downtown Clinton Multiple streets of vendors, crafters, food booths, live music, entertainment, carnival rides and more. Continues Saturday and Sunday. clintonfallfestival@yahoo.com 517-456-7396

Community Learning Connections of the Tecumseh Area Golf Outing Tecumseh Golf Club, 10 a.m.

$360 per team or $90 per player; dinner at 4 p.m. Boxed lunches on the cart provided by Tuckey’s Big Boy. 5200 Milwaukee Road, Tecumseh tecumsehgolfclub.com 517-423-2070

Morenci Car Cruise Crossroads Lot (across from Wakefield Park), 5-7 p.m.

This monthly car show includes food, music, and door prizes. For more information, call Denise Walsh at 517-490-6068. West Main Street, Morenci

Fourth Friday Comedy Night Farver’s at the Croswell, 7:30 p.m.

Clinton Fall Festival

Downtown Clinton Multiple streets of vendors, crafters, food booths, live music, entertainment, carnival rides and more. clintonfallfestival@yahoo.com 517-456-7396

Free Community Carnival

St. John’s Lutheran Church, 4-6 p.m. Vendors, games, prizes, inflatables, magician, live music, facepainting, photo opportunities, car seat safety checks, and more. Contact Karmen Wilharms, outreach director, at outreach@stjohnsadrian.org for more information.

1084 Loren Ave., Adrian stjohnsadrian.org 517-265-6998

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

1:30-3:30 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m. A free family movie at the library with popcorn lenawee.lib.mi.us or 517-263-1011

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3

Downtown’s monthly First Fridays event

Lenawee County Fairgrounds, 5-8 p.m. The final show of the season. The theme for this month’s car show is Hearses and Rat Rods, and the entertainment will be provided by

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4

Downtown Morenci, 4-11 p.m.

Explore local food, vendors, a photo booth, facepainting, petting farm, archery, caricature artist, hayrides and more at Morenci’s fourth annual Fall Fest along Main and North streets.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5

Adrian Symphony Orchestra: ‘Epic Dawson Auditorium, Adrian College A pops concert featuring movie music kicks off

LIVE MUSIC AT BARS AND NIGHT SPOTS

Information in this listing is taken from a mixture of submissions and information published by the venues. We recommend verifying that information is up to date before making plans. To submit listings, email lcline@lenaweevoice.com before the 15th of the preceding month.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

Brad Skinner Jazz Trio, 6-8 p.m., Croswell Opera House alleyway, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

Dan Cookies, 6-9 p.m., Eagle’s Nest Bar & Grill, 1200 Eagle Point Road, Clarklake. Frog & the Beeftones, 6-10 p.m., Artesian Wells Sports Tavern, 18711 U.S. 12, Cement City.

AP String Duo, 8-11 p.m., Chaloner’s Cigar House, 108 W. Maumee St., Adrian.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

Open mic night, 6 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

Medusa, 7-10 p.m., Shady’s Taproom, 110 N. Main St., Brooklyn.

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; order at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6

Make & Houser Rockin’ Acoustics, 7-10 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy., Brooklyn. $5 cover. Bad Company Tribute by Band Company, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Tickets at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com. Comedy Night, 8-11 p.m., Flamingo Beach Grille & Bar, 4321 Michigan Ave., Tipton.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

Mike Lee, 1-4 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy., Brooklyn. $5 cover. Mark Arshak Band, 2-6 p.m., Artesian Wells Sports Tavern, 18711 U.S. 12, Cement City.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

Jonathan Crayne, 6-8 p.m., Croswell Opera House alleyway, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

Bret Maynard, 6-9 p.m., Eagle’s Nest Bar & Grill, 1200 Eagle Point Road, Clarklake. Medusa, 6-10 p.m.. Artesian Wells Sports Tavern, 18711 US 12, Cement City. Brittani Joy, 7-10 p.m., Chaloner’s Cigar House, 108 W. Maumee St., Adrian.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

T & Rich Dueling Pianos, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Tickets at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

Irish Hills Music Festival featuring Jaded Soul and more, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., 333 Conner St., Onsted. More information at irishhillsmusicfestival.com.

Van Halen tribute, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Tickets at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com. Al Jacquez, 8-11 p.m., Chaloner’s Cigar House, 108 W. Maumee St., Adrian. On the Rocks, 8 p.m. to midnight, Adrian Eagles, 2570 W. Beecher, Adrian. $5 cover for non-members.

Act III, 6-9 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy., Brooklyn. $5 cover.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Aaron Zriak, 1-4 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy., Brooklyn. $5 cover. Nasty Nation, 2-6 p.m., Artesian Wells Sports Tavern, 18711 U.S. 12, Cement City.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

Tad & the Fat Katz, 6-10 p.m., Artesian Wells Sports Tavern, 18711 US 12, Cement City. Bret Maynard, 8-11 p.m., Chaloner’s Cigar House, 108 W. Maumee St., Adrian.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Luke Woltanski, 7-9 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

Charlie J., Mammoth Distilling, 7:30 p.m., 108 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute by Mister Breeze Band, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Tickets at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Ian Stewart, 5-8 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy., Brooklyn. $5 cover.

Leadfoot, 7-9 p.m., Brooklyn Legion, 211 Chicago St., Brooklyn.

Fleetwood Mac Tribute by Seven Wonders, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Tickets at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com

The Native Heart, 8-11 p.m., Chaloner’s Cigar House, 108 W. Maumee St., Adrian. Jaded Soul, 8 p.m. to midnight, Adrian Eagles, 2570 W. Beecher St., Adrian. $5 cover for non-members.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

The Metros, 2-6 p.m., Artesian Wells Sports Tavern, 18711 US 12, Cement City.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Jon Torrence, 6-8 p.m., Croswell Opera House alleyway, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Dude & the Flanman, 6-9 p.m., Eagle’s Nest Bar & Grill, 1200 Eagle Point Road, Clarklake.

Big Nasty, 6-10 p.m., Artesian Wells Sports Tavern, 18711 U.S. 12, Cement City. Cabaret with cast members from “Parade,” Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., 7 p.m.

Mark Poseler, 8-11 p.m., Chaloner’s Cigar House, 108 W. Maumee St., Adrian.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

Woodstock Era Tribute by Magic Bus, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Tickets at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

Jon Torrence, 5-8 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy., Brooklyn. $5 cover.

Neal Carlson & Friends, 7-9 p.m., Farver’s at the Croswell, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian. Elton John Tribute by Fantastic Detroit, 8 p.m., Chateau Aeronautique Winery, 12000 Pentecost Hwy., Onsted. Tickets at chateauaeronautiquewinery.com.

Storm Bandits, 8 p.m. to midnight, Adrian Eagles, 2570 W. Beecher St,, Adrian. $5 cover for non-members.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

Back Porch, 1-4 p.m., Cherry Creek Winery, 11500 Silver Lake Hwy., Brooklyn. $5 cover.

Root Station, 2-6 p.m., Artesian Wells Sports Tavern, 18711 U.S. 12, Cement City.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30

The Jim Rice Group, 8-11 p.m., Chaloner’s Cigar House, 108 W. Maumee St., Adrian.