The Morenci Advocate — June 2025

MORENCI, MICHIGAN

A new chapter for the Class of ’25

44 seniors graduate from Morenci High School in May 18 commencement

By Katherine Simpkins

The Morenci Advocate

MORENCI — Under sunny skies on May 18, the Morenci High School class of 2025 celebrated their graduation at Henry Geisler Field, marking the 189th commencement in the school’s history. The event was filled with reflections, gratitude, and a touch of humor as 44 graduates bid farewell to their high school years.

Salutatorian Emily Zuvers opened the ceremony, emphasizing the enduring impact of the students’ shared experiences: “Today marks the end of our chapter here, but our story still continues,” she said. “The lessons we’ve learned, the friendships we’ve made, and the experiences we’ve shared here will help shape us for the rest of our lives.”

Co-valedictorian Makayla Nieman followed, expressing appreciation for the support of family, friends, and faculty.

She acknowledged the bittersweet nature of moving on: “It’s never easy to leave a place that feels like a part of you, no matter how ready you think you are.”

Nieman encouraged her classmates to embrace the future with courage and to cherish life’s meaningful moments. Following her words, Nieman introduced her fellow co-valedictorian Beau Shaffer.

Shaffer shared similar sentiments, urging graduates to remain authentic in

a world often dominated by comparisons. “Be proud of who you are and what makes you unique,” he advised. “Wherever life takes you next, get some weird looks introducing yourself. Be unapologetically yourself.”

Shaffer concluded with a rallying call: “Write boldly, live honestly, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.”

See GRADUATION, page A14

Morenci High School’s Class of 2025 graduates throw their caps in the air after moving their tassels from the right to the left at the close of commencement exercises on May 18. KATHERINE SIMPKINS/MORENCI ADVOCATE

Ribbon cutting for Stephenson Park set for June 26

Upgrades were funded by a DNR grant

MORENCI — The city of Morenci will celebrate the completion of Stephenson Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 26, at 5 p.m. The event will take place at the park, located at 125 E. Stephenson St., and is open to the public.

In February 2023, the city of Morenci was awarded an $863,500 Spark Grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to fund the reactivation of Stephenson Park. Chosen from among 462 applications statewide, Morenci’s project was one of only 21 selected for funding in round one of the program.

The park’s transformation includes new and accessible playground installations, a paved walking path running one-fifth of a mile around the park’s perimeter, a full-size basketball court and a pickleball court, two pavilions, seating areas, lighting, and accessible parking.

Originally gifted to the city in the 1860s, Stephenson Park was once a vital public space, holding many memories for long-term residents. After years of deterioration, this project restores the park’s role as a community hub for play, fitness, and connection.

“The Spark Grant has had such a positive impact in Morenci,” said Heather Sarnac, director of community and economic development. “Stephenson Park is on the verge of becoming a safe and vibrant space once again. This project is about more than recreation; it’s about restoring connection, pride, and opportunity in a neighborhood that has gone without an updated park for years. We are grateful to be among the communities selected and proud of what this investment is making possible for our community.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will include brief remarks, recognition of project partners, and a variety of family-friendly activities. Community members are invited to come see the improvements firsthand and watch the park come to life with pop-up games, opportunities for play, a hot dog roast, and the chance to explore all the new amenities. Representatives from the DNR will also be in attendance.

The city collaborated with Lisa DuRussel, a landscape architect and professor at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability, who developed the site plan and served as the project’s Prime Professional. Midwest Contracting, Inc. was the sole bidder for the construction project and successfully completed the general contracting work.

LOCAL NEWS

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Free alarms available through Morenci Fire Department

By Julie C. Clemes

The Morenci Advocate

MORENCI — Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are available for free from the Morenci Fire Department for those residents of Lenawee County that are serviced by “The Fighting 84.”

The alarms can be picked up at Morenci City Hall or at events sponsored by the department such as their pancake and sausage breakfasts, said city treasurer Julie Lonis, who is the contact person for the fire alarm program.

Her husband, Brad, is Morenci’s fire chief. He said that some individuals may be able to get the alarms installed in their home by a member of the fire department if they aren’t able to do it themselves.

“We do offer installs,” he said. “We try to limit it to senior citizens or people who do not have the capability to do it themselves.”

“Generally, people contact us and come pick them up,” the chief continued. “I recommend the number of smoke detectors they need for the particular size house they have, as long as that information is provided.”

Lonis said that the department tries to keep the number supply stocked up because they give away so many of them through the program.

“In the last email I got from Michigan Fire Prevention, he mentioned that we were leading the state in the number of smoke detectors that were being issued through the program,” Lonis said.

The smoke and carbon monoxide

Fire chief Brad Lonis shows some of the alarms available for residents served by the Morenci Fire Department.

alarms run on lithium-ion batteries, which last for 10 years. These long-lasting batteries eliminate the need to change the batteries every spring and fall, which was a problem if people forgot to do it.

Chief Lonis said the biggest recommendation he has for the alarms is to keep them clean and dust-free, because the sensors inside are very prone

to getting corrupted if they get dust or dirt on them. Dusting or vacuuming the alarms is the best way to keep them clean, he added, and to make it part of a regular household cleaning schedule.

The Morenci Fire Department has 33 paid, on-call firefighters. It services an area of 100 square miles and provides service to over 5,000 residents.

Residents interested in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can email julie.lonis@cityofmorenci.org, call 517458-6828, or message the Morenci Fire Department through their Facebook page. Alarms can be picked up at City Hall, 118 Orchard St. Business hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

School bond issue passes by better than 2-1 margin

MORENCI — Voters in the Morenci school district approved a 30-year, $17.4 million bond issue in a May 6 special election.

The vote was 259-121, according to unofficial returns from the Lenawee County Clerk’s Office.

The bond will pay for upgrades at both the elementary and middle/high school buildings, including safety and security measures, new roofs on both schools, heating and cooling systems, and

technology upgrades. Planned purchases also include parking lot lighting and two new school buses.

“I want to express my gratitude to the Morenci community for their overwhelming support in passing the bond proposal,” Morenci Area Schools Superintendent Jennifer Ellis said. “This investment in our schools represents the shared commitment to providing safe and inspiring learning environments for our students. The

collaboratively developed project list will have a positive impact on students. Additionally, these funds will allow us to focus our general fund resources on supporting our students and staff, including things such as updating curriculum and instructional tools, developing new course offerings, and providing enriching educational experiences.”

Most of the work is scheduled to happen over the summer of 2026.

Outdoor gathering space planned

MORENCI — The grassy area next to the Observer office will soon become a location for outdoor games and seating.

The Morenci Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is moving forward with a new project called Downtown Commons. The outdoor gathering space is located at 116 North St., just south of the Observer building, and will feature interactive games and seating designed to bring people together.

In 2023, the DDA identified placemaking and temporary pop-up installations in underused downtown spaces as top goals. The grassy lot on North Street quickly became a focus, and in July 2024, the opportunity arose to purchase the property. The city council approved the transaction that August.

Placemaking is defined as the use of public spaces to improve the vitality of a community by bringing people together to promote health, happiness and wellbeing.

The DDA’s Placemaking Committee — made up of Brad Frederick, Mary Margaret Gallup, Tony Muzzi and Chelsea Craig — began meeting to plan how the space could be used. The first installations, scheduled to be in place for the June 7 Summer Saturday event, include oversized Jenga and Connect Four, horseshoes, and bistro tables with painted chess and checker boards. Cornhole will also be available at times, courtesy of the North Street Pub.

“Our goal is to see how people interact with the space and use that input to guide future enhancements,” said Brad Frederick, DDA chair. “It is about building a space that belongs to the community and evolves with it.”

The Downtown Commons is part of Morenci’s expanded Social District. The DDA is funding the project, and the Department of Public Works will handle maintenance. Installations will rotate seasonally based on public feedback.

The green space has existed since the demolition of a building in 2011 and the creation of a parking lot.

A building was constructed on the site in 1939 to house an automotive dealership. The building butted up against the Observer building and left only an alley on the south side.

The building later became the home of George’s Auto Parts, but after that business moved in 1987, Duane Dunbar purchased the building for automotive servicing and an extension of his furniture store. It was later known as Dunbar Auction House and was demolished in 2011.

City council members then approved construction of parking spaces on the property, leaving the green space to the north.

Community members are encouraged to share ideas with any member of the Placemaking Committee as the space continues to take shape.

Kiwanis Club aims to start Christmas tree tradition

MORENCI — The Kiwanis Club of Morenci is working on a new project called Yuletide Lights and Legacy Lane. The goal is to fill Wakefield Park this December with decorated trees to honor loved ones, spotlight local businesses, and spread holiday cheer.

Individuals, businesses and organizations can reserve a tree for $100, which includes a live tree, signage, and power hookup. The person or group reserving the tree will provide lights and decorations. Registration will run through June 14 or when all trees are spoken for.

A reservation form is available at 5il.co/3hmje. For more information, call Kori Christle at 517-401-0346 or Brad Frederick at 517-605-1020.

Health

department begins water quality checks at local beaches

ADRIAN — The Lenawee County Health Department has announced the return of its seasonal beach water sampling program.

Beginning with the final week in May, environmental health staff are collecting weekly water samples from two public beaches in Lenawee County: Hayes State Park and Lake Hudson Recreation Area.

The locations were chosen because of the popularity of these two beaches as recreational spots within the county. Because they are popular destinations, the health department stated, providing regular updates on water quality remains important. To protect public health and to prevent the spread of disease, the samples will be analyzed for E. coli bacteria levels. The Michigan Public Health Code sets limits for levels of bacteria in all bodies of water, including bathing beaches open to the public. If the levels detected during monitoring exceed these limits, the risk of illness increases. If water quality does not meet state safety standards, a health advisory will be issued. Signage will be displayed at the beach, and advisory information will be posted online at lenawee.mi.us/beach.

Summer recreation program starts July 8

MORENCI — The city of Morenci’s Summer Recreation Program will return this year for another season of activities for children ages 5 to 11.

This year’s program will run 1 to 4 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday, from July 8 through Aug. 14, rain or shine.

Led by program director Laurie Schisler, the six-week program offers a variety of games, crafts, and field trips designed to keep kids active, social, and entertained throughout the summer.

available at City Hall or online at www. CityofMorenci.org.

A one-time registration fee of $30 per child is required to participate. This fee will help cover park activities and field trip expenses. Registration forms are

Completed forms and payment must be submitted to City Hall no later than Monday, June 23. Financial assistance is available. For more information, call Morenci City Hall at 517-458-6828 or email jeff.bell@cityofmorenci.org.

Brad Frederick, Morenci DDA chair, shows the site of the future Downtown Commons outdoor gathering space on North Street.

Lenawee County administrator gets positive evaluation in annual review

ADRIAN — Lenawee County commissioners gave county administrator Kimberly Murphy a rating of “Exceeds Expectations/ Outstanding” during her annual review in May.

The review process included written evaluations submitted by each commissioner and a formal interview by the full commission.

Kimberly Murphy

Along with their annual evaluation, commissioners set five goals for the administrator in the coming year. Those goals are:

n Create opportunities to engage and collaborate with local government leaders.

n Attend and connect with local service groups and organizations.

n Work with departments to establish goals and objectives to improve operational efficiencies.

n Identify the next steps on the Rex B Martin Judicial Building project.

n Assist and direct commissioners with a strategic plan.

Murphy has been the county administrator since April 2022.

Earlier parole possible for Morenci man who killed two sex offenders

ADRIAN — An earlier parole is possible for a 38-year-old Morenci man after he was re-sentenced Thursday on two counts of seconddegree murder for the January 2021 shooting deaths of two registered sex offenders in Adrian, according to Morenci Advocate news partner Local Buzz Radio.

Christopher Carden is serving a sentence for killing Samuel Compton, 82, and Robert Braman Sr., 67, in Adrian. According to police, the shooting was motivated by Compton having been charged with sexually assaulting an underage relative of Carden’s.

The opportunity for earlier parole comes after assistant prosecutor Doug Hartung told Judge Michael Olsaver that during the past year Carden had completed tasks he had promised to do for law enforcement and the court in general, actions which Hartung believed warranted giving him the opportunity to be paroled earlier than he otherwise would have been eligible for.

At the time of the original sentence, Carden’s attorney, Jim Daly, had said while Carden should not have done what he did, it happened because he felt he had no other way to protect his children.

Olsaver said Thursday, as he did at the original sentencing a year ago, that the court cannot tolerate people carrying out their own version of justice. However, he agreed that re-sentencing in this instance was appropriate.

‘He always showed up’

Dick Germond, Lenawee County’s longest-serving sheriff, is remembered for a lifetime of serving wherever he was needed

By Renee Lapham Collins The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — There’s a saying attributed to the Chinese philosopher Confucius: “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.”

It’s a fitting way to describe the life of Richard Leo Germond, who died on April 30 at the age of 90. He put his heart into everything he did, according to his colleagues and friends.

Germond is perhaps best known in the community as “Sheriff Germond,” a role he held with pride for more than three decades. He wrapped up his law enforcement career in 2001 after 44 years of service, 36 of them as sheriff of Lenawee County.

Born and raised in Adrian, Germond earned a bachelor’s degree in police administration and criminal justice from Michigan State University in 1958 — by then, he had already been working at the sheriff’s ofice for two years.

In 1964, he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of his predecessor, Charles Stites. That same year, at just 29 years old, Germond was elected sheriff and went on to serve 36 years in the role, the longest of any sheriff in the county and the state.

During his long tenure, he served as president of both the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association and the National Sheriffs’ Association. He was also a life member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Lenawee County Fire Chiefs Association, and several other law enforcement organizations.

Morenci police chief Mike Creswell, who retired from the sheriff’s office in 2014 after 32 years of service, described Germond as “a true professional.”

“He had a lot of integrity,” Creswell said. “He was great to work for.”

Creswell, whose law enforcement career began when Germond hired him in 1981, said Germond was a great mentor and role model from day one.

“I truly admired him,” Creswell said.

He added that there were very few people who didn’t enjoy working for Germond.

“He was just a super person, a great role model who commanded professionalism throughout the sheriff’s department,” he said.

Jack Welsh, Lenawee County sheriff from 2008 to 2019, started his career when Germond hired him as a 21-year-old deputy in 1973.

“It was the start of a very long history,” Welsh said. “He supported me when I ran for sheriff, and the night I won the election in 2008, he stood beside me — supporting me and proud of me.”

Germond was responsible for establishing the county’s 911 central dispatch system, as well as overseeing major improvements to the sheriff’s department facilities.

“He was always involved in some aspect of the community,” Welsh said. “He was an icon even after he retired.”

Germond was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he directed the ushers for more than 50 years and sang in the choir alongside his wife, Carol. High school sweethearts, the couple married in 1957 and raised five daughters.

Germond grew up in St. Mary of Good Counsel parish and moved to St. Joe’s after his marriage. The two parishes were merged to form Holy Family Parish in 2018 and the Rev. Michael Newman, OSFS, arrived in 2019 as pastor. Newman praised Germond’s devotion to his Catholic faith and his family as well as his willingness to step up whenever there was a need. Newman observed that for Germond, public service was a vocation.

“He didn’t just do public service — he lived it,” Newman said. “Just like his calling and vocation to be a husband to Carol, a father to his girls, grandfather and great-grandfather to many and, as sheriff, public servant to all of us here in

Lenawee County. He truly modeled the commandment of Jesus who said, ‘I have not come to be served, but to serve.’ He was a kind, loving man, with a heart for service and he will be missed.”

Jim Philp, retired superintendent of the Lenawee Intermediate School District, called Germond “a person of impeccable character” with “a great sense of humor.”

“I have the utmost respect for him,” Philp said.

Philp worked with Germond at the sheriff’s office for a few summers as a marine officer. Later, in 2000, Germond was elected to the LISD Board of Education and remained an active trustee until his passing.

“When we were building the Center for a Sustainable Future in 2013, Dick was willing to listen and learn about it and the systems we were putting in place,” Philp said. “He was very supportive.”

In addition to his work with the LISD, Germond was a member of the Adrian Kiwanis Club for 56 years, serving as a past president and lieutenant governor for the Michigan District. He also served on the boards of ProMedica Bixby and Herrick hospitals for 30 years, as well as the Salvation Army board.

“He definitely was a pillar of the community, a servant of the community,” Philp said. “He had that kind of integrity. We are very fortunate to have had him as a resident of our county.”

Bronna Kahle, president and CEO of the Lenawee Community Foundation and a former state legislator, echoed that sentiment. “To know Dick was to respect and love him,” she said.

“As a former state legislator and now as president of the Lenawee Community Foundation, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand how deeply Sheriff Dick Germond cared about this community,” Kahle said. “He always showed up — whether in uniform or simply as someone who wanted to help. For decades, Dick’s steady presence and quiet leadership made Lenawee a better place.”

Germond’s legacy continues through the Germond Scholarship Fund at the Lenawee Community Foundation. The fund supports Lenawee County students pursuing careers in health care — a field he deeply valued, Kahle said. The endowed scholarship has already awarded nearly $8,000 to local students and will continue to provide support in perpetuity.

“Sheriff Dick Germond served with heart,” Kahle said, “and we’re all better for it.”

Morenci City Council encourages county to restore funding for Lenawee Now

ADRIAN — The Morenci City Council is urging Lenawee County commissioners to restore the county government’s financial support of Lenawee Now, a nonprofit economic development agency.

A letter signed by Mayor Tracy Schell was read into the record at a May county commission meeting by county clerk Roxann Holloway.

The letter stated, “Lenawee Now has been a vital partner in driving economic development across our county. In communities like Morenci, where resources are limited and capacity is stretched thin, the expertise and support provided by Lenawee Now has been invaluable. Their assistance has ranged

from business retention and recruitment efforts to grant support, workforce development, and strategic planning, all essential components of building a resilient and growing local economy.

“The absence of consistent county funding limits Lenawee Now’s ability to maintain and expand services that are so critical to communities of all sizes across Lenawee County. In recent years, Morenci has benefited directly from their guidance, and we are confident that continued investment in Lenawee Now is an investment in the long term success of our entire region.

“It is our belief that a united, countywide approach to economic development is the most effective way to

ensure shared growth and opportunity for all.”

In March, the county commission formed a committee to look into the possibility of resuming its financial support of Lenawee Now. That funding was pulled about three years ago.

At that time, commissioners who voted to pull the funding said they made the move because they didn’t believe the organization was transparent enough about its finances.

Other commissioners said they believed it was an act of retaliation for Lenawee Now not backing the Project Phoenix proposal, which aimed to build a sports complex on the former Tecumseh Products site in Tecumseh.

Retired Lenawee County Sheriff Richard Germond died on April 30 at the age of 90.

New artwork in place at Alley 221 downtown

MORENCI — Alley 221 in downtown Morenci has a fresh new look this spring as the Revitalize Morenci Initiative unveiled its latest rotation of public art on May 17.

The outdoor gallery now features original paintings by Morenci High School students, part of Revitalize Morenci’s ongoing effort to celebrate local creativity and enhance the downtown experience.

This season’s installation showcases the work of student artists Gracie Snead, Rebecca Cox, and Lilly Harsh. Their paintings were created under the direction of Morenci art teacher Phil Grime and donated to the initiative as a contribution to the city’s beautification efforts. The new artwork will remain on display through this year’s Fall Fest, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 4.

The outgoing paintings, which were created by community members and have been on display since Fall Fest 2024, will be available for purchase in an upcoming online silent auction. Each piece was designed for outdoor exhibition, measuring 43.5 inches square and sealed to withstand the elements.

The auction will take place June 9-12, with one painting featured each night:

n June 9 — “Country Morning” by

n June 10 — “Double Aster Quilt Block” by Deborah Stover Beck.

n June 11 — “Van Gogh’s Starry Night” by Shawne Sarnac.

n June 12 — “Mr. Morrie N. Scee” by Susan Miller.

Bidding opens at 6 p.m. and closes at 9 p.m. each evening via Facebook Messenger. Follow Revitalize Morenci Initiative at facebook.com/ revitalizemorenciinitiative for updates. Those without Facebook may contact Chelsea Craig at 517-401-0330 to make alternative arrangements.

“Morenci is fortunate to have such a rich pool of artistic talent across all age groups,” said Chelsea Craig of Revitalize Morenci. “We are incredibly proud to feature the talents of our student artists and equally grateful to the community members whose work has been on display these past months. Their contributions have helped transform Alley 221 into a space that reflects Morenci’s creative spirit and pride.”

Funds raised from the auction will support future beautification projects, including a mural planned for downtown.

Students of the Year named

MORENCI — At the May 8 middle school and high school awards ceremony, one student in each grade was named Student of the Year by their teachers. This recognition is based on a combination of excellence in academics, work habits, participation, attitude, and attendance. This year’s Students of the Year are: Maddox Joughin (sixth grade), Maryn Shaffer (seventh grade), Emma Overmyer (eighth grade), Drew Joughin (ninth grade), Colbie Ekins (10th grade), Addyson Valentine (11th grade), and Makayla Nieman (12th grade).

Maddox Joughin 6th grade

Maryn Shaffer 7th grade

Emma Overmyer 8th grade

Drew Joughin 9th grade

Luci Stretch.

New artwork was installed in May at Alley 221 on West Main Street in downtown Morenci. PHOTO COURTESY OF REVITALIZE MORENCI

MORENCI HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2025

Elise Christle

Ava Alcock

Abigail Marleau

Lyric Butler

Elizabeth McFadden

Caleb Baird

Zachary Martinez

Briana Casey

Johnathan Minturn

Wyatt Berger

Zoey Martinez

Paige Cousino

Ishmam Choudhury

Makayla Nieman

Anil Guler

Emmett Jarrell

Ryan Gill

Noah Helppie

Van Ekins

Connor Johns

Celeste Glass

Hannah Hilton

Alyssa Gibbs

Kevin Kaufman

Gabriel Easler

Danilo Goranovic

Abby Pierce

Jaloladdin Rahimov Chelsea Pierce Brady Pummell

MORENCI HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2025

Emersyn Thompson

Caidence Williams Bryson Tipton

Ronald Wright

Aiden Williams

Emily Zuvers

Beau Shaffer Wyatt Stevens Isaac Shoemaker

Zachary Stevens

Atom Smith

Warren Stuck

William Riley Michael Rising

Students host third annual market at Wakefield Park

MORENCI — A windy Saturday morning in Wakefield Park was the setting for Morenci Area Schools’ third annual student-run farmers market on May 17.

The students were part of a class originated by science teacher Grace Gierucki, who wanted a way to give students hands-on experience in business and entrepreneurship, while also filling a need in the community.

The yearlong class had two parts. In the fall, students learned about business and entrepreneurship by developing ideas for hypothetical food trucks and then drafting business plans for them. The lessons included product development, marketing, and overall business strategy.

Then in the second semester, the focus turned to planning the market, a process that included inviting vendors, pricing products, and advertising.

The students sold plants, and in addition to other school groups, 10 other vendors took part.

The class was previously offered for both middle school and high school, but this year, due to scheduling, it ended up being only for high school students.

Scholarships awarded to Morenci graduates

MORENCI — Several communitybased scholarships were awarded this spring to Morenci seniors and recent graduates who are pursuing higher education.

Rex Riley Scholarships: Caidence Williams, Abby Pierce, Chelsea Pierce, Wyatt Stevens, Wyatt Berger, Makayla Nieman.

Adam Johnson Community Service Scholarship: Caidence Williams. Morenci Sportsman Club Scholarships: Makayla Nieman, Wyatt Stevens.

Vicky and John Hanawalt Scholarship: Emily Zuvers.

V.C. Tom Valentine Memorial Scholarship: Abby Pierce.

Jim Mynhier Scholarship: Wyatt Stevens.

Dorothy H. Onweller Trust Scholarship: Carolyn Gould. Neal V. Singles Scholarship: Emily Zuvers.

Former Morenci Teachers Scholarship: Makayla Nieman.

Vicki M. and Kiel Plummer Memorial Scholarship: Wyatt Stevens. Morenci Education Foundation Scholarships: Elise Christle, Zoey Martinez, Abby Pierce, Chelsea Pierce, Elizabeth Ferris, Brea Baumgartner.

Morenci Athletic Boosters Scholarships: Wyatt Stevens, Emily Zuvers.

Clayton School reunion scheduled for June 21

CLAYTON — A Clayton School reunion will take place on June 21 at Clayton Town Hall. There will be a meal at 12:30 p.m. followed by social time at 1:30 p.m. To RSVP for the meal, please call 517-797-9649 by June 6.

Hudson-area breast cancer support group meetings

HUDSON — The Greater Hudson Area Breast Cancer Support Group meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. at Main Street Perk, 21 Main St., Hudson. For more information, contact Carolyn Booker at 517-812-8855.

it to become

Plans for next year’s class include having more varieties for sale and also putting out a public invitation in January for people to tell them what they’d be interested in seeing at the market in its fourth year, Gierucki said.

Student Graysen Perez and teacher Grace Gierucki carry flats of plants at the Morenci Area Schools student-run market at Wakefield Park.

Students Allison Jimenez-Cruz and Cassidy Stuck help a customer with her order at the Wakefield Park market on May 17.

Gierucki said plans are for

a middle school and high school class again next year.

Morenci High School’s National Honor Society induction took place on May 8. Eligibility is based on the four pillars of NHS, which are scholarship, character, leadership and service.

Sophomores who were inducted into the honor society were, in the back row, Jayla McCowan, Aly Curtis, Tessa Zuvers, Landon Wilkins, Mariana Guillen, and Emilee Stretch; and in the front row, Lilly Roger, Colbie Ekins, Hailey Cleveland, Rylee Frederick, Callie VanBrandt, Emma Williams, and Jaelyn Thompson.

Mehan retires as Lenawee County maintenance superintendent; VanNieuwenhze promoted

ADRIAN — At a meeting in May, Lenawee County commissioners honored Tim Mehan, maintenance superintendent for the county, on the occasion of his retirement.

Commission vice chair Dustin Krasny (R-Onsted) said that Mehan has spent 39 years with the county, having been hired as a part-time general laborer in April 1986. He was promoted several times, eventually becoming deputy maintenance superintendent in 2005 and superintendent in 2010.

A resolution honoring Mehan for his service stated that he “has demonstrated exceptional knowledge, skill, and dedication in overseeing the care, safety, and operational excellence of Lenawee County’s buildings and grounds, playing an instrumental role in countless projects and improvements that have benefited employees and the public alike.”

Deputy maintenance superintendent Robert VanNieuwenhze has been named to take Mehan’s place as superintendent.

PALM ride to pass through area on June 26

ADRIAN — The Pedal Across Lower Michigan bike tour will come through Lenawee County on Thursday, June 26. Organizers are expecting about 400 riders and about 100 staff and non-riding participants to take part in this year’s PALM ride.

PALM riders will start in Addison that morning and ride to Adrian, and then on to Dundee for the night. The route includes Rome Road and Deerfield Road.

People driving in Lenawee County that day are asked to be careful and conscious of sharing the road.

A PRINTER’S LIFE

By David Green The Morenci Advocate

Sometimes a person’s life takes an unforeseen turn and ends up entirely different than expected.

That’s certainly the case for letterpress printer Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. The mathematics major was living in Chicago and working in a corporate office of AT&T when he got blindsided by his calling in life.

Kennedy spoke May 6 to a crowd at Stair District Library as part of the 2025 Michigan Notable Books program. The book “Citizen Printer” is about his work.

Kennedy wasn’t even aware of letterpress printing until he visited Colonial Williamsburg while on vacation with his sons in the late 1980s. He stepped into the village print shop — saw the moveable type that created inked images on paper — and his life changed.

“I was fascinated by it,” he said, and when he returned home to Chicago, he couldn’t stop thinking about the process.

He found an organization that taught an adult enrichment course in letterpress printing and he enrolled. Then he took a second course.

“And then lo and behold I got a printing press,” he said. “Somehow this one thousand pound printing press followed me home and I put it in my basement.”

The timing was good because his wife was out of town and there was no argument about bringing the thing into the house.

“I would print at night. It was a fun thing to do,” Kennedy said. “I rode the L to work in Chicago and I would just hand out what I printed. Normally it was a proverb or a poem. Some people were reluctant to take it because people hand out all sorts of stuff, but

PEOPLE

TAKE existing technology and hobble it together to get something new, said Kennedy in explaining the art of letterpress printing. That was the case with German craftsman and inventor Johannes Gutenberg, who developed the printing press around 1440.

“He was a fascinating individual,” Kennedy said.

Metalsmiths knew how to cast metal for jewelry, so Gutenberg learned the skill to advance his new idea.

“He realized he could use a wine press to apply pressure and release ink. Gradually he put all of these things together to make what we consider the first printing press in Europe.”

It wasn’t just a new machine. It led to an astounding revolution in human communication. Before Gutenberg’s invention, books and other documents were all written by hand. Scribes would spend hours in a scriptorium or in a library tediously copying every word to create a copy of a book.

DAVID GREEN

then when they saw it and saw the way it was printed, a lot of people came back and asked for a second one because they enjoyed it.”

After a few years he made a break from the security of his job and went

The printing press relieved a portion of the tedium — now a worker had to collect each letter of a word and arrange it backward so the printing could be read correctly — but once that job was done, multiple copies of the book could be made and distributed. This sparked the growth of universities around the world.

However, that wasn’t the first use of the press. The medieval Catholic Church realized it could sell many more indulgence cards — a practice in which individuals could buy an indulgence to reduce their time in purgatory.

Investors made a lot of money off the production of the printing press; Gutenberg lost the rights to the invention and never did prosper from it.

back to school to study printing and earn a Masters of Fine Arts degree.

“I tried for three and a half years to work within academia, but I found that it was not worth the effort to try to shape that institution in my mold and I struck out on my own.”

“It’s been a tradition in printing since then that you can easily go broke becoming a printer,” Kennedy said.

Four hundred years after Gutenberg came the second revolution.

“While many of us think we live in an amazing time with the development of the computer and digital technology, it pales in comparison to what letterpress printing did,” Kennedy explained. “It really revolutionized the world, and that revolution didn’t really take place until late in the 19th century.”

Efforts were underway to speed up the type composition process and German immigrant Ottmar Mergenthaler came through with a solution. Rather than picking out each individual letter, the operator of the new linotype machine could set an entire line of type using melted lead, operated by an individual seated at a keyboard.

The time needed to compose a book or create a newspaper was trimmed by a huge factor.

He packed his equipment into an 18-wheel semi and moved to a small town in Alabama, taking the next 10 years to hone his craft.

Kennedy began making posters similar to the large advertisements for festivals and musical events. Someone came into the shop one day and bought a poster simply because the date of an event marked the day of the couple’s engagement.

“Then I realized I could sell these as something else. So I started making these things that I call oversize greeting cards,” he said.

Proverbs, aphorisms, axioms, sayings — these began filling his cards rather than advertisements. And he developed a style characterized by multiple layers of ink.

“This one probably went through the press five times,” he told the audience as he held up a sample of his work.

Kennedy often changes the routine in the middle of a press run and mixes up the order of the color layers. The result is a distinctive finished product.

“Each card is unique as each of us is unique,” he said, “but we have this underlying thing in common.”

He never sees a mistake as a problem.

“Perfection to me is imperfection. I believe in random. Chaos is the natural state of things. I believe that order is only chaos we understand.”

A friend of his once said that he was a bad printer and Kennedy readily accepted the title Amos Kennedy’s School of Bad Printing.

Kennedy now has thousands of cards in his Detroit shop — stacks and stacks of them.

“You would think I would stop, but I can’t. Anyone else would think I have a problem, but I do it and I continue to do it. Of all the things I’ve tried in my life, it’s the best thing that I do.”

Once again, that revolution was overshadowed in the 1960s and 70s when offset printing took over, eliminating the need for wooden and metal type completely.

“When a printing process is no longer commercially viable,” Kennedy says, “it becomes an art form.”

But be careful with the word “artist,” he’ll add, because that’s not a word he uses to describe himself.

Kennedy remembers speaking with an artist friend about her impressive exhibit in a gallery.

“She said to me, ‘Amos, I can’t afford my own work.’ ”

Kennedy understands there are costs to create items and that artists need to make a living, but he doesn’t want to create art that people can’t afford.

“I consider myself more as a craftsperson,” he said.

“Artists’ work has all these deep meanings. My work is ‘Have fun, be happy.’ Although I do have some work in esteemed locations, more importantly I have my work in more than 5,000 homes in America.”

Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr., talks at Morenci’s Stair District Library about one of his favorite posters with a quote from the late Alabama architect Sam “Sambo” Mockbee. PHOTO BY

Celebrating two centennials and one lifelong friendship

By Erik Gable

The Lenawee Voice

ONSTED — Some friendships come and go.

Not so for Marcella Barricklow and Doris Morningstar-Bayes, who both recently celebrated their 100th birthdays, and who have been friends for 85 years.

Though they were born just eight days apart, the two didn’t actually meet until they were teenagers. Barricklow (the former Marcella Onsted) and Morningstar-Bayes (the former Doris Dentel) attended different elementary schools, but then became friends during their freshman year at Onsted High School.

From then on, their lives paralleled each other in many ways. They doubledated with their future husbands. They graduated from high school together in 1943. And after their husbands returned from World War II, they ended up as neighbors on Shepherd Road.

Their children grew up together, too, and Barricklow’s youngest daughter, Carla, recalls that Morningstar-Bayes

was her bus driver when she was in school.

Barricklow — who worked as a bookkeeper at Onsted schools, then later went back to school at Siena Heights and taught business at what was then the Vo-Tech Center — still lives at the family farm on Shepherd Road that she and her husband bought in 1948. MorningstarBayes now lives with her daughter in Muskegon.

Barricklow turned 100 on May 11, and Morningstar-Bayes turned 100 on May 19. They celebrated together with dozens of friends and family members on May 17 at Durkee-Seager American Legion Post 550 in Onsted.

“We just had a lot of fun,” Barricklow said, thinking back over the many years that the two women have been friends. “Our kids had a lot of fun. We’ve lived a good life.”

As for favorite memories of their youth, some things will remain unwritten.

“We’ve got lots of stories,” Barricklow said with a smile. “But we’re not going to tell you.”

Marcella Barricklow, left, and Doris Morningstar-Bayes are pictured at a May 17 party to mark their 100th birthdays at Durkee-Seager American Legion Post 550 in Onsted. Barricklow turned 100 on May 11, and Morningstar-Bayes’ birthday was eight days later.

Lost World War II veteran laid to rest in Adrian’s Oakwood Cemetery

By Erik Gable The Lenawee Voice

ADRIAN — More than 80 years after his airplane was shot down over Germany, a hero of World War II was laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery next to the son he never knew. A graveside service with military honors was held on May 19 to remember Staff Sgt. Ralph L. Mourer.

Mourer was a radio operator in the 732nd Bombardment Squadron of the United States Army Air Forces. He was on a bombing mission when his airplane was attacked on April 8, 1944. He and nine others were lost.

He was 23 years old, and his wife, Betty, was expecting their first child.

Over the years, numerous efforts were made to locate the wreckage of the

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

SATURDAY, JUNE 7

Plant Exchange

Wakefield Park (East shelter), 527 W. Main St., Morenci, 9 a.m.

Morenci Garden Club’s perennial plant exchange: bring five plants, trade for five. It’s a good idea to label your perennials with their common names and any specific care instructions to assist other gardeners. All are welcome at this event. It’s a great time to diversify your garden, make new friends, and foster a sense of community among fellow gardening enthusiasts. Free.

Fairy Garden Workshop

Wakefield Park (shelter closest to restrooms), 527 W. Main St., Morenci, 10 a.m.

Morenci Garden Club’s workshop for children who will be in grades 3-5 in the fall of 2025 (class size limited to the first 20 who sign up). Free. To register, contact Ivy Hutchison at 517-306-3879 or Jean Woznicki at 517-458-0722.

Summer Saturdays: Horsin’ Around Downtown Morenci

The Morenci DDA is launching a new monthly event series to bring the community together, support local businesses, and add more excitement to the summer weekends. Each Summer Saturday will feature a unique theme, fun activities, and live entertainment. The June theme is “Horsin’ Around” for the Belmont Stakes. Also don’t miss the Run for the Roses 5K to support the cross country program.

Mr. Denton on Doomsday with special guests Renegade Train & Restoring Ruby

The Rex Theater, 235 W Main St., Morenci, 8 p.m. $10 presale, $15 at the door.

MONDAY, JUNE 9

Taco Night

Morenci Eagles 1297, 239 W. Main St., Morenci, 5-7 p.m. Tacos, chalupas, taco salad, and nachos. $8.

TUESDAY, JUNE 10

plane. The site was finally identified with the help of an independent research group. Mourer’s remains were eventually confirmed in June 2024.

Learning of the discovery was bittersweet for Mourer’s family members, in part because neither Betty nor their son, Victor, lived to see it.

JoAnne Maurer of Adrian, who married Victor after meeting him at

Honoring D-Day: Echoes of Valor & Victory

Stair District Library, 228 W Main St., 1-2 p.m.

A free one-hour lecture and Q&A from Road Scholar about D-Day, the beginning of the end for Nazi oppression in Europe. More info: stairlib.org or 517-458-6510.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11

Summer Reading with T-22 Farms

Normal Memorial Library, 301 N. Eagle St., Fayette, 11 a.m.

A Summer Reading kickoff with T-22 Farms. Visit various stations featuring ducks, chickens, goats, pigs, rabbits, and ponies, and learn from Fulton County Soil & Water Conservation. Register at fayette-nml.org. More info: 419-237-2115

THURSDAY, JUNE 12

Smashburger & Fries dinner

Morenci Eagles 1297, 239 W. Main St., Morenci, 5-7 p.m. $8.

FRIDAY, JUNE 13

Tween Craft Night

Normal Memorial Library, 301 N. Eagle St., Fayette, 6-7 p.m.

Tweens are invited to join in an evening of crafts, games, and fun. For students in fifth through eighth grades! Register at fayette-nml.org. More info: 419-237-2115

Outdoor Concert Series: Lincoln Street Therapy North Street Pub, 113 North St., Morenci, 8-11 p.m.

Enjoy live music all summer at North Street Pub’s new outdoor concert series, on the second Friday of every month.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18

Pottery with Andrew Steingass

Normal Memorial Library, 301 N. Eagle St., Fayette, 11 a.m. to noon.

Summer Reading continues with special guest potter Andrew Steingass. Each participant will make a pottery project to take home. Register online at fayette-nml.org. More info: 419-237-2115.

Adrian College, said he would have been glad to see his father brought home. “He would have been exceedingly pleased and happy,” she said. Victor died in 2006, and his wife recalled that when he was close to dying, they sometimes talked about his father. “You’re going to finally talk to your dad,” she told him. “Why don’t you think about some questions you want to ask him?”

SATURDAY, JUNE 21

Tractors, Tractors, Tractors!

Sauder Village, 22611 State Route 2, Archbold, Ohio, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Get ready for the grand finale of Farm Week at Sauder Village: Tractors, Tractors, Tractors! This is an event where visitors of all ages can explore dozens of antique tractors throughout the Historic Village. The highlight of the day will be the annual tractor parade at 4 p.m. Info: saudervillage.org or 800-590-9755.

MONDAY, JUNE 23

Taco Night

Morenci Eagles 1297, 239 W. Main St., Morenci, 5-7 p.m. Tacos, chalupas, taco salad, and nachos. $8.

Smashburger & Fries dinner

Morenci Eagles 1297, 239 W. Main St., Morenci, 5-7 p.m. $8.

Stephenson Park Ribbon Cutting

Stephenson Park, 125 E Stephenson St., Morenci, 5 p.m. The City of Morenci incvites the community to a ribbon-cutting celebration for the revitalization of Stephenson Park. Open to the public.

FRIDAY, JUNE 27

Morenci Car Cruise

Crossroads Lot (across from Wakefield Park), 5-7 p.m. Monthly car show on the fourth Friday of every month, May through September. Includes food, door prizes, and a local DJ. More info: Denise Walsh, 517-490-6068.

2nd Annual Summer Fest

211 N. Eagle St., Fayette, 6 p.m to midnight

Music by DJ Loco Sounds and dood provided by Maria’s Sunnyside Cafe and Outlaw BBQ. Popcorn provided by The Bull Thistle Committee. Beer trailer for guests 21 and up. Located at the lower shelter house during and after the softball games.

To submit items for inclusion in this calendar, please email Linda Cline at lcline@lenaweevoice.com.

LOOKING BACK

25 YEARS AGO

Three new teachers were approved by the Morenci school board: Nate Parker for Spanish, Brett Pickell for social studies, and Brad Brown for math. Diplomas were awarded to 66 Morenci High School seniors. The valedictorian was Lynette VanBrandt, who was also class president. The salutatorian was Ashley Phebus.

50 YEARS AGO

Plans were moving ahead for the construction of Medina Park, Lenawee County’s second county park. Kim Buechner of Morenci was crowned queen of the Kiwanis Festival by outgoing queen Connie Simpkins. Superintendent James Laidler stepped down to accept a position in the Lamphere school district near Detroit.

75 YEARS AGO

The Morenci school board approved preliminary plans for a school addition consisting of four new elementary classrooms. Plans were progressing for the Morenci Harvest Festival in August. The festival chairs were Rex Tuttle and Herbert Knoblauch.

Rep. Earl C. Michener of Adrian announced his retirement from Congress.

100 YEARS AGO

Arby Disbrow suffered a painful injury while attempting to start the gas engine at the Home Bakery. The home of R.C. Keller of North Morenci was destroyed by a fire on June 23. Not having a telephone in the home, it was some time before help could be summoned. — from the Observer archives

Nominations being sought for Veteran of the Year

ADRIAN — Nominations are being sought for a veteran to be honored as Veteran of the Year at the Lenawee County Fair. Anyone who would like to nominate a veteran to be honored for their community service activities can pick up a nomination form at the Veterans Affairs office in the Lenawee County Human Services Building, 1040 S. Winter St., Adrian. Nominations are due by June 28. For more information, contact Dave Loop, commander of the United Veterans Council of Lenawee County, at 517-260-1858.

Budget hearing set

MORENCI — The Morenci Area Schools Board of Education will hold a public hearing on the district’s proposed 2025-26 budget on Monday, June 23, at 5 p.m. in the middle school library. The hearing will be followed by a regular meeting, at which adoption of the budget will be voted on.

Eagles plan raffle

MORENCI — The Morenci Eagles 1297 are planning a cash raffle fundraiser throughout September. Tickets will be $20 each. There will be daily drawings for $200 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and drawings for $200 on Wednesday and Sunday. The license number is X13219.

CORRECTION

We had a math failure ... An observant reader pointed out that our “Looking Back” photo for May was described as being from 50 years ago, when in fact it was from 1955. This, of course, was 70 years ago, not 50.

Farm museum to lease former Hathaway House in Blissfield

BLISSFIELD — The recent sale of the Hathaway House property in Blissfield promises to both revive a beloved historical landmark and bring a longtime dream to fruition.

The American Farm Museum and Education Center, a local nonprofit, announced in May that it has reached an agreement to lease the property from its new owner, and that the Hathaway House will be the new home of the Charles and Barbara Burkholder Farm Toy Collection.

Charles and Barbara Burkholder, who farmed near Onsted, had spent 40 years amassing a collection of about 13,000 farm toys and 350 pedal tractors. Near the end of their lives, they decided they wanted their collection to serve a larger purpose.

“It was their dream that the collection be housed in a museum, and a museum that told the story of agriculture,” said Melissa Tsuji, president of the AFMEC board.

The dream has been a long time in the making. The museum officially accepted ownership of the Burkholder collection in 2012, but had nowhere to put it. In 2017, an opportunity arose to buy the former Home Canning

Company property at 400 E. Jefferson St., which by then had been cleared of all buildings from the former cannery.

The museum board bought those 35 acres from the village of Blissfield, plus an adjacent 20 acres from a local family.

That property is already fulfilling the museum’s educational purpose by serving as a land lab for the Blissfield school district’s FFA program. The FFA

program pays the cost of planting and also maintains the crop, and then the FFA and the museum share the income from the harvest, with FFA taking 65% and the museum taking 35%.

There is also a historic 1860s barn on the property that was donated by a family in Berkey, Ohio. The museum had the barn professionally dismantled and moved to the site.

But still the Burkholder farm toy collection didn’t have a home where it could be seen and enjoyed by the public. The recent sale of the Hathaway House changed that.

The Hathaway House closed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and never reopened. The Main Street Stable, a more casual restaurant in what was once the mansion’s carriage house, closed a few years later.

The museum board hopes to be up and running in the Hathaway House sometime in the late fall.

Not all of the 13,000-piece collection will be displayed at any one time — exhibits will be rotated in and out to keep things fresh.

Board members plan to continue using the Jefferson Street property as an education center. In addition, although these plans are still in the early stages, they hope that the Main Street Stable building will become a restaurant again.

The American Farm Museum and Education Center, BBQ at the Barn, is coming up on Aug. 1. It will take place at the Jefferson Street property and tickets will be $75 apiece.

For more information, go to afmecblissfield.org.

These were the members of the Morenci High School student council in 1950, along with their advisor. Standing: Joyce Williamson, Leroy Sevitts, Max Hallett, principal Ross Cox, Mary Jane Miller, and Neil Fletcher. Seated: Betty Lou Bancroft, Jacquelin Lloyd, Wanda Dilworth, Janet Hollstein, and Howard Crout.

Pictured in front of the Hathaway House in Blissfield are American Farm Museum and Education Center board members Londa Pickles, Randy Brenke, Melissa Tsuji, Ted Mason, and Pete Durbin.

A1

Principal Jonathan Miller and Director of PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Jediah Hall presented awards to outstanding students, recognizing their achievements and contributions.

Superintendent Jennifer Ellis addressed the graduates before the presentation of diplomas, offering words of encouragement: “Give yourself grace, laugh often and laugh loudly, but most importantly, be present in the moment and have fun; life goes by quickly.” She concluded with a reminder: “You did it. You have more strength and potential than you know. Now go out there, be bold, and make your mark on this world.”

As each graduate crossed the stage, they received a diploma from Miller and school board president Heather Sarnac. Afterward, they were given a white rose, a pair of sunglasses, and had their photo taken in front of the football stadium scoreboard adorned with “2025.”

Wyatt Berger delivered the farewell speech, blending humor and inspiration. Quoting St. Theresa, he reminded his peers: “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Berger concluded with a call to action: “Congratulations, Class of 2025. Let’s go out and create some big waves.”

As family and friends joined the graduates on the field, “Even Flow” by Pearl Jam played through the stadium,

adding a celebratory soundtrack to the joyful embraces and photo opportunities.

The Class of 2025’s motto, a nod to humor and camaraderie, encapsulated the

spirit of the day: “You know what’s funnier than 24? 25!”— SpongeBob SquarePants.

The ceremony not only marked the end of an era for these students but also

PRESCHOOLERS AND FAMILIES PLANT FLOWERS AT SCHOOL

Preschoolers in the Great Start Readiness Program and their families took part in an after-school beautification project on May 16, planting flowers at Morenci Elementary School. Pictured here is Dante Crawford with his mom, Shianne Terry

and teacher Raquel

the beginning of new adventures, with the community’s motto propelling them forward: “We will always be one team, one town, one family.”

Elise Christle accepts her diploma from school board president Heather Sarnac at Morenci High School’s graduation. KATHERINE SIMPKINS/MORENCI ADVOCATE

Graduate Chelsea Pierce hugs Jennifer Gibbs as Molly McDowell looks on. Gibbs and McDowell were the class of 2025 advisors.

Beau Shaffer poses for pictures with family after graduation.

(left),

Ybarra.

PHOTOS BY ANDREA MARKEN/MORENCI AREA SCHOOLS

Elliot Harper and first-grader Nikolai Clore team up to carry the watering can as they water flowers around the Morenci Elementary School sign.

Brynnlee Franklin digs a hole for flowers during the preschool family planting project at Morenci Elementary School.

OBITUARIES

Michael Anthony Crillo

Michael Anthony Crillo, 62, of Morenci died on April 25.

He was born on Sept. 25, 1962, in Detroit, to Thomas and Marcia (Mann) Crillo. On July 18, 1986, he married Jean A. DiMaggio, and she survives.

He dedicated over 40 years to the automotive manufacturing industry, working primarily with United Technology and AM General. He served the Morenci community as a firefighter and EMT.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Keith Crillo; mother, Marcy Crillo; six siblings, Mary Sue (Greg) Weber, Tom (Debbie) Crillo, Darryl (Stacy) Crillo, Bill Crillo, Linda Crillo, and Katrina Ellegood; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Crillo. — andersonfuneralservices.com

Elida Molina

Elida Hernandez Molina, 87, of Fayette died on May 16 at Fairlawn Haven in Archbold.

Elida Molina

She was born on Aug. 30, 1937, in Weslaco, Texas, the daughter of Amador and Sebastiana (Vasquez) Hernandez. She married Marcos David Molina in 1956 in Arkansas, and he preceded her in death. She and her husband settled in Fayette in 1963. She worked for over 23 years at the former Fayette Tubular Products, alongside her husband. She taught herself how to write and read both Spanish and English, and she was a faithful member of Templo La Hermosa in Bryan, Ohio.

She is survived by six sons, Marcos David (Lydia) Molina Jr. of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Amador (Gloria) Molina of Columbus, Reynaldo (Michelle) Molina of Nettle Lake, Victor Molina of Fayette, Fabion (Marisol) Molina of Fayette, and Mitch Molina of Fayette; daughterin-law, Anna Molina of Wauseon; siblings, Miguel (Beatrice) Hernandez of Defiance, Ebidio Hernandez of Fostoria, Lydia Hernandez of Defiance, Asencion Hernandez of Fostoria, and Dominga Gonzalez of Georgia; 17 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and three greatgreat grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Jose Hernandez; son, Joseph H. Molina; and a grandson-in-law, Joe Bohner. — andersonfuneralservices.com

Robert Lee Craig

Robert “Bob” Lee Craig, 78, of Sand Creek died on May 23.

He was born on Jan. 3, 1947, in Morenci, the son of LaVern and Molly Lorraine (Davis) Craig. He married Linda “Sue” Frederick on Sept. 19, 1970, at Sand Creek Community Church. and she survives.

He graduated from Morenci High School with the Class of 1965 and served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. Bob worked at Harvey Aluminum, which later became Martin Marietta, and eventually retired from Merillat Industries as a cabinet fabricator after 30 years of employment. He was a member of Sand Creek Community Church and served as president of the Sand Creek Little League baseball and softball programs for 10 years.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Brian (Pam) Craig and Philip Craig; siblings, Teresa Priley, Orville Metcalf, Valerie Wells and Michelle Ely; four grandchildren; and one greatgrandchild, Kaydin. He was preceded in death by his sister, Penny Sallows. — wagleyfuneralhomes.com

Vera Lucile Hopkins

Vera Lucile (Parsell) Hopkins, 91, of Fayette died at home on May 9 after a long battle with cancer.

She was born on June 11, 1933, in Jackson Township, Wyandot County, Ohio, to Marion and Mildred (Quail) Parsell. She married Earl Hopkins Jr. on March 20, 1954, and he preceded her in death.

She attended Fort Wayne Bible College. She and her husband served as missionaries for three years in Venezuela as part of New Tribes Mission. When her children were older, she worked as a bank teller in Fayette. In retirement, she played the accordion for the Sunshine Class at Pettisville Missionary Church.

She is survived by her children, Timothy (Beth) of Fayette, Mark (Carla) of Lakeview, Arkansas, Sara (John) Wright of Nixa, Missouri, Marinel Hopkins of Springfield, Missouri, Ronnalee (Norman) Riley of Tecumseh, and Dina (Aaron) Gladieux of Fayette; 17 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Wanda Stout and Estell Bowers; and sisters-in-law, Helen Dunshee, Pauline Sonius, Pat (Ken) McKenzie, Ann (Bill) Keucher, and Virginia (Larry) Schneider. Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by seven brothers, two sisters, and their spouses.

— andersonfuneralservices.com

OBITUARIES IN THE MORENCI ADVOCATE

Lenawee Independent Media considers obituaries to be part of our local news coverage. Because of this, there is no charge to publish an obituary in the Morenci Advocate, but obituaries will be edited for length and style. We generally prioritize details that will help readers determine if they knew the deceased. Whenever possible, we will provide a link to a funeral home’s website where more information may be available.

Priority will be given to current and former residents of the Morenci, Fayette and Lyons areas. We make every effort to locate obituaries on our own, but if you would like to submit an obituary that you think we might miss, please email news@lenaweevoice.com

David Blair

David J. Blair, 86, of Medina Township died on May 5 at the home of his youngest daughter.

He was born in Morenci on June 5, 1938, to Charles and Viola (Snyder) Blair–Little. He married Ruth Ann Loveland on Aug 16, 1958, at Fairfield Baptist Church, and she preceded him in death.

He was a member of Medina Federated Church. He raised champion Ameraucana chickens and was a member of the Ameraucana Alliance, regularly attending national meets. He also had a fondness for collecting Coca-Cola memorabilia. He worked at American Chain and Cable until his retirement in 1986. He also opened the Fayette Western Skating Rink in Fayette, Ohio, in 1983.

He is survived by his daughters, Janice M. (Bob) Hegert of Adrian, and Pamela S. (Jeff) Elarton of Medina; nephew/ son Russ (Nicole) Blair of Jasper; eight grandchildren; and 12 greatgrandchildren.

— andersonfuneralservices.com

Michael Joe Thompson

Michael Joe Thompson, 65, died on May 22 in Hamilton, Indiana. He was born on Jan. 20, 1960, in Columbus, Ohio, to Vernon and Almeda (Williams) Thompson. He married Nancy Pontious on Dec. 28, 1978, and she survives. He was known as Mike to some, and Zeke to most. He graduated from Morenci High School in 1978. He worked at M&S Manufacturing, starting out in the Morenci plant then transferring to Hudson. He later moved to General Broach, followed by WilburEllis. His most recent job had him driving and delivering parts for Roth Fabricating.

Ronald Lee Wright

Ronald Lee Wright, 72, of Morenci died on May 21 at the Hospice of Lenawee home.

He was born on July 5, 1952, in Bristol, Tennessee, the son of Joseph & Helen (Pittman) Wright. On Aug. 29, 1970, he married Freda Childers, and she survives.

He retired from Adrian Steel after 35 years of service. In his younger years, he would build hot rods with Dodge and Chrysler cars. He loved being outdoors, especially cutting wood.

He loved playing softball and coaching Little League. As his kids got older, he would become their coach on the diamond with men’s softball and a co-ed team.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Kristie Thompson (Brian Hobbs), Jason (Angela) Thompson, Amy (Eric) Dunn, all of Morenci, and Angela (James) Fipps of Auburndale, Florida; nine grandchildren; and a brother, David (Brenda) Thompson.

— andersonfuneralservices.com

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Gary (Rossanna) Wright, Sandra (Salvatore) Grippi, April (Darrel) Shaffer, Stacey (Kent) Emerson, and Marybeth (Brian) Johnson; 14 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren with another arriving soon; and siblings, Patricia Pence and Daniel Wayne Wright.

He was preceded in death by a son, Ronald Lee Wright, and five brothers. — pursefuneralhome.com Ronald Wright

Joanna Marie Hills

Joanna Marie Hills, age 79, of Waldron died on May 30.

She was born on July 6, 1945, in Hudson, to Clifton and Iris (Robison) Hills.

She graduated from Waldron High School in 1963, and later from Riggs Beauty School in Hillsdale.

After working briefly in a salon, she began a career at Pioneer Transformer, where she remained until her retirement in 2000.

Joanna Hills

She was a lifelong member of the Waldron First Church of Christ.

She is survived by her sister, Janet Hills of Muskegon.

— andersonfuneralservices.com

Michael Crillo

Robert Craig

Vera Hopkins

David Blair

Michael Thompson

Morenci softball team wins district title

By Ryan McDowell

The Morenci Advocate

MORENCI — It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. The Morenci varsity softball team understood that from the jump and overcame a slow start to the season en route to a district championship.

The Lady Bulldogs were 6-11 heading into May and could’ve easily tucked their proverbial tails between their legs and limped into the district tournament.

Instead, they went 13-3 over their final 16 contests, including a four-game stretch against Waldron and Britton Deerfield where they outscored their opponents by a combined 62-0 run total.

Morenci entered the state tournament on a three-game winning streak. They defeated Pittsford 8-1 in their first game before claiming the district crown with a 10-0 victory over Waldron.

Head coach Kay Johnson knew the toughest part of the season would be the first half. Basketball players had to start the season with only a handful of practices under their belts, multiple players were splitting time between two sports, and senior leader Alyssa Gibbs missed almost all of last season with an injury.

After a couple of close losses to Adrian and Sand Creek early in the season, the girls did battle with league power Whiteford. Even though the Bobcats won both contests 11-0, it felt much closer and Morenci went on to win 15 of 22 after that series.

See SOFTBALL, page B6

Boys track and field team finishes season strong

By Ryan McDowell

The Morenci Advocate

MORENCI — The Morenci varsity boys track and field team crowned four regional champs, sent six athletes to the MHSAA State Finals meet, and broke a school record this year.

“Regionals is always a good meet; we always run well at regionals,” head coach Jon Boesger said. “I think the regional meet this year was exceptionally good because we broke a school record, and the hope is always to state-qualify.”

Sophomore Kylan Lester set the new Morenci High School 100-meter dash record when he ran 11.05 seconds in the prelims at regionals. He would later take first place in the finals with a time of 11.11s.

Lester was joined by senior teammates Van Ekins, Kevin Kaufman and Wyatt Berger for the 4x100m relay. They won the relay in a time of 45.49s, edging out Britton Deerfield by one hundredth of a second.

Seniors Michael Rising, Zach Martinez, Kaufman and Ekins placed third in the 4x200m relay with a statequalifying time of 1:35.48s.

Kaufman also qualified for the state finals in the 300m intermediate hurdles finishing second with a time of 42.88s and pole vault with a qualifying vault of 11’ 0’.

off an excellent season on May 31 by tying for sixth at the state finals with a vault of 12’ 0’’.

the

just four days earlier

Wyatt Berger, left, takes the baton from Kevin Kaufman in the 4x1 relay during the April 29 home meet against Whiteford. LILLY ROGER/MORENCI YEARBOOK

Morenci softball players celebrate after defeating Waldron 10-0 to win the district title on May 30. ASHLEY JOUGHIN

He capped

Kaufman placed third at

Lenawee County Championships

with a personal record vault of 12’ 6’’. He took second in that same meet in the 300m intermediate hurdles with a PR of 42.24s.

Van Ekins competes in the 110m hurdles on April 29. DAVID GREEN

Strong performances highlight girls track and field season

By Ryan McDowell

The Morenci Advocate

MORENCI — The Morenci varsity girls track and field team had two athletes compete in MHSAA State Finals meet and crowned a regional champion this year.

Senior thrower Zoey Martinez finished off her Morenci track and field career in stellar fashion, winning the regional title in discus with a throw of 108’ 10’’. She placed second in shot put with a personal record throw of 31’ 9.5’’.

Martinez threw the discus 108’ 3’’ at the state finals and took home a fifthplace medal.

Earlier in the season Martinez placed first in discus at the TCC League Meet and the Lenawee County Championships with throws of 104’ 3’’ and 114’ 6’’ respectively. She placed third in the shot put at the TCC League Meet with a toss of 29’ 7’’.

Sophomore sprinter Emma Williams had herself a day at the regional meet. Williams set a personal record in the 100m dash and finished in third place with a qualifying time of 12.86s. She also took second place in both the 200m (27.57s) and 400m (105.00s).

She ran a PR of 27.55s in the 200m at the state meet. Williams also had a thirdplace finish in the 200m and a fourthplace at the County Championships just prior to the state finals.

She placed third in the 100m at the TCC League Meet and fourth in the 400m.

Head coach Jon Boesger knew going into the season with a shorthanded team it would be tough to compete in scoring, especially with a majority of the athletes being throwers.

The strongest team showing was a second-place finish at the Clinton Redwolves Throwers Only Invitational, being outscored only by Monroe. The Lady Bulldogs had won the invitational the previous year.

Senior Makayla Nieman came up just short of a state qualifying discus toss at the regional meet. She threw 95’ 1’’ to place fourth. Her PR of 97’ 2’’ was just eight inches shy of qualifying standard. Nieman placed fourth at the league meet in discus.

The Bulldogs will also lose senior throwers Paige Cousino and Emily Zuvers to graduation. Zuvers also competed in sprints and relays.

Junior thrower Rebecca Cox threw a PR of 94’ 4’’ at the County Championships in discus and will look to build upon that going into her senior season.

Sophomore athletes Hailey Cleveland and Tessa Zuvers both hit PRs in the long jump at the regional meet with leaps of 14’

LILLY ROGER/MORENCI YEARBOOK

6.5’’ and 13’ 10’’ respectively. Cleveland and Zuvers ran a variety of sprints, hurdles and relays throughout the year and their versatility was much needed.

Junior sprinter Rachel Meadows ran her fastest 100m time of the season at regionals and will return next year as one of the senior leaders.

Sophomore Jayla McCowan and freshman Lillian Harsh will both return

as throwers next year. Harsh had a late season PR of 70’ 7’’ in the discus and McCowan has a PR of 64’ 11’’ she set earlier this year.

Freshman Tavin Kruse split time with softball and didn’t compete in many races. But she did put a mark of 13’ 10.25’’ out there in the long jump.

Coach Boesger was very pleased with how the girls competed this

year and how they showed up at the regional meet. Despite the low numbers, he sees some light on the horizon between a few talented eighthgraders moving up and the potential return of previous runners.

“I’m hoping that we get a couple back that we lost this year,” he said referring to athletes who may be on the fence about running next year. “I’m always hopeful.”

Emma Williams, who went on to qualify for state, runs in the 400m dash in an April 29 meet against Whiteford.

Above: Senior Zoey Martinez, pictured at the state meet, had a strong conclusion to her high school track and field career this season. ANDI RORICK

Right: Hailey Cleveland competes in the long jump on April 29. LILLY ROGER/MORENCI YEARBOOK

Good teamwork leads to improved season for Bulldog baseball

By Ryan McDowell

The Morenci Advocate

MORENCI — The Morenci varsity baseball team entered the 2025 season with excitement and high expectations after a one-win season just a year ago.

The Bulldogs finished with a 10-win improvement at 11-13 in the regular season — “1,000 percent better than last year,” first-year head coach Matt Enders said. “Even with the 11-13 record, we had five games we lost in walkoff fashion, one-run games.”

They also dealt with multiple winnable games being canceled, and sometimes that created long layoffs between other matchups.

Enders credited much of the turnaround to a team identity focused on “family and togetherness no matter what we faced.”

“We got on each other appropriately but we didn’t pull ourselves out of any games mentally,” he said. “Compared to last year, we competed in every game. It was a night-and-day difference from last year.”

Sand Creek and LCS were key games for the Bulldogs this year. They went 1-3 (0-2 vs SC, 1-1 vs LCS) in those four games with the three losses all coming by a single run and one of those being an extra-innings loss to LCS.

Senior Wyatt Stevens (.452/.551/.507) and junior Talan Kruse (.452/.573/.677) led the team in batting average. Junior Blake Moran (.382/.460/.500), sophomore Jonas Castillo (.382/.470/.485) and senior Zachary Stevens (.368/.506/.439) rounded out the top five.

Kruse finished with 21 RBI and 29 runs scored to lead the team in both categories. He also added 14 stolen bases.

Wyatt Stevens had 18 RBI to go along with 25 runs and 14 steals. Castillo chipped in 17 RBI and 25 runs.

Moran had a team high 23 thefts as well as 22 runs scored and 16 RBI. Sophomore Skylar Trent was fourth on the team with 24 runs and his 20 stolen bases were good for secondmost.

Castillo (4-5) fired the most innings pitched with 42.1 and finished with 61 strikeouts. Moran (3-3) threw 33.2 innings with 47 strikeouts. Wyatt Stevens (0-3) contributed 21.2 innings and 21 strikeouts.

“Watch out for Drew,” Enders said, referring to freshman Drew Joughin (.345/.493/.345) who added 15 RBI, 20 runs scored and 9 steals while only striking out 9 times at the plate all year. He also pitched 19 innings with 23 strikeouts and had a 2-1 record in those games.

“We laid the foundation this year and I can’t wait to see where this leads us,” Enders reflected. “This is exactly what I was hoping would happen. They came out in a different mental state and saw that they could win.”

Enders is extremely grateful for the senior leadership displayed by the Stevens brothers and Aiden Williams.

“I’m beyond proud of how this group never gave up. ... It wasn’t just about turning around a record. It was about building something lasting.”

— Matt Enders

“Zach was a captain, which tells you a lot. Everyone looks up to him for leadership,” Enders said.

“Wyatt is an extremely hard worker and reliable,” he said. “He was leading us all year in average, and even on the mound, just came in and got the outs when we needed it.”

“Aiden is just resilient, he’s a quiet fighter,” Enders said. “He’ll go anywhere we ask him to play.”

“We’re going to miss them,” Enders said of his seniors.

The Bulldogs season came to an end last Friday with a 13-2 loss to Britton Deerfield in the district tournament.

“I’m beyond proud of how this group never gave up. Every single game we competed this season. It wasn’t just about turning around a record. It was about building something lasting,” Enders said.

Coach Enders thanked his assistant coach Brad Moran for his support and leadership as well as all of the parent volunteers.

“Your support meant everything,” he said. “This team is only getting started and the future is bright.”

Senior Wyatt Stevens, pictured during an April 30 game against Lenawee Christian, led the team in batting average along with junior Talan Kruse, and also had 18 runs batted in. JAYLA MCCOWAN/MORENCI YEARBOOK

Drew Joughin goes up to bat during the April 11 home game against Fayette. JAYLA MCCOWAN/MORENCI YEARBOOK

Morenci school board recognizes Bernath brothers for dedication to athletic program

MORENCI — At the April 28 meeting of the Morenci Area Schools Board of Education, Ronald and Kenneth Bernath were formally recognized for their dedication to the district’s athletic programs.

Though neither currently has children enrolled in the district, both brothers have become fixtures at home and away games, often traveling great distances to cheer on student-athletes.

The school board presented a proclamation that commended them

for setting “an inspiring example of what it means to be a true champion of youth, dedication, and community spirit.” It further noted that their visible and consistent support reminds us that a school district’s success is measured not only by academics and athletics but also by the strength and unity of its supporters. The board officially recognized Ronald and Kenneth Bernath as symbols of Bulldog pride and expressed deep gratitude for their enduring enthusiasm and love for the Morenci community.

From left to right: School board members Art Erbskorn, Rebecca Berger, and Brandon Stover; Kenneth and Ronald Bernath; and school board members Perry Cox, Heather Sarnac, and Jodi Kruse. MORENCI AREA SCHOOLS

Family fun at the track

Palmyra Speedway is a thriving spot for family-friendly recreation and competition

By Arlene Bachanov The Lenawee Voice

PALMYRA TWP. — Right after John Bailey signed the lease on the go-kart track that was then known as Hilltop Speedway, his wife, Renee, said, “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

It didn’t help that it started raining right about then, and Bailey hoped that wasn’t a bad sign. But then the rain stopped and a huge rainbow appeared right over the property, and since that day in 2016, Bailey’s dreams for what’s now known as Palmyra Speedway at 3449 East U.S. 223 have grown steadily.

Bailey, who did dirt-car racing in Wauseon for some 20 years, had known about the speedway since he was a boy in the 1960s, and in fact wanted to buy it in the ’90s but that deal never happened.

Then his grandson Chase wanted to race go-karts and Bailey brought him to the track, where he discovered that the couple who ran it at the time weren’t going to renew their lease.

“And I thought, I might like to do this,” he said.

After a whole series of twists and turns, that rainy day came when Bailey signed the lease. And at first, he might have wondered about that good-omen rainbow because business wasn’t great at the asphalt-paved track.

But that all changed in 2017 when he added a dirt track. “For some reason, gokart racing on dirt is more popular than racing on asphalt,” he said. Since then, “it’s been growing every year.”

Success has allowed Bailey, who bought the speedway outright in 2019, to carry out a whole series of improvements to the track itself and to the property overall.

“I’m doing this like the restoration of an old car,” he said. “I’ve done the bodywork and now I’m doing the fine details.”

The speedway is definitely a family affair. John handles just about everything related to the racing itself, from holding the drivers’ meetings to watering down the track surface as needed. Renee runs the check-in and carries out a wide range of other duties. A daughter and granddaughter operate the food concession. The couple’s oldest daughter will become the track nurse when she finishes nursing school soon.

And as much as it’s a family-run business, Palmyra Speedway is also family-oriented when it comes to the racers from all over the region who bring their go-karts there on Friday nights.

Those competitors include Chad Miller and his dad, John, who make up Miller Racing of Temperance. Chad’s the racer now, but he caught the bug from John, who in his day ran things like late models and dragsters.

Open-class go-karts like Chad’s run on alcohol, not gasoline, and are “very loud and very fast,” he said.

How fast? “Last year another guy and I got clocked at 75 miles an hour on the back stretch.”

Whereas Chad and his father are on the same team, when it comes to racing that’s not always the case.

Karen van Pelt of Clayton, who got interested in go-karts when she came to the speedway years ago to watch her son race and lays claim to having been the first woman to race there, now competes against her brother, Don Gehring.

RACING AT PALMYRA SPEEDWAY is a family affair, and Colton Cox of Morenci is one of the kids who knows this well.

“Bolt’n Colton,” 10, who just finished his fourth-grade year at Morenci Elementary School, has been racing since 2022, when he was 7 years old (the origin of his race number). He saw some friends at school racing karts and wanted to give it a try.

He’s now known as the “Morenci Mohawk,” after the thick purple strip of helmet hair that streams in the wind as he pilots the #7 kart in the Kids Junior Division.

Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa never miss a race

“Out there, we’re not brother and sister,” she said.

“I’m not going to let her beat me if I can help it,” Gehring countered.

Van Pelt has also competed against her kids and even had one of them hit her during a race. “I tried to go back after him,” she said.

For her, racing is all about “the rush, the adrenaline,” and the chance to show what she can do against the men and against racers who are generally quite a bit younger than she is.

“I’m 50 years old and I’m up against all these young people,” she said. And she’s been successful at it. Although it took her eight years of trying, she became track champion in her class.

Not far where van Pelt was prepping her go-kart, another set of sibling competitors, Paige and Zoe Herzig of Temperance, aged 13 and 14 respectively, were getting ready for their own laps on the track.

As is the case for many of the track’s racers, go-karts are a generational thing for the Herzig sisters. The two are following in the footsteps of their grandfather and father.

The thrill of competition is what draws both of the teens to the sport. “I just really like driving,” Zoe said.

And, like van Pelt and her brother, the Herzig sisters leave family ties behind when they’re racing. “We like banging up against each other,” Paige said.

So who wins more often? “Zoe,” Paige admitted.

Maaze Keene, 13, of Lambertville is already in his fourth season of gokarting. He got into the sport because of his interest in NASCAR — and his go-kart even sports the number and the black color of a certain motorsports racing legend: Dale Earnhardt.

What makes racing fun for him? His answer was simple: “Everything.”

As Keene talked about his racing experiences and the friends he’s made along the way, one of those friends came up to join in the conversation.

Gannon Massengill of Temperance, 9 years old and also a 2024 track champion, has already been racing for three and a half years. And, like his friend, he loves his chosen sport: “Just going out there and competing,” he said when asked to describe what he enjoys about it.

If Keene and Massengill eventually follow their racing dreams into bigger and better things, track owner Bailey couldn’t be happier to be one of the people who helped give them their start.

“One of my slogans,” he said, “is ‘I grow racecar drivers here.’ ”

and each has a responsibility in the pits. His father, Perry Cox, reports that unlike most sports where the parents are observers, kart racing at Palmyra Speedway gives everyone a chance to affect the outcome and be part of the team. This makes the on track action exciting and exhilarating for everyone involved.

Colton Cox of Morenci with his crew in Victory Lane: Danny Shafer, uncle Tyler Bergstedt, mom Amanda Cox, grandma Linda Bergstedt, dad Perry Cox, Brian (Bacon) Parkhurst, grandpa Paul Bergstedt, Nancy Rychener, and Bentley Stacey. COURTESY OF PERRY COX

Palmyra Speedway owner John Bailey, right, and his assistant, Matthew Cox, prepare the electronic scoring system on a recent Friday evening. ARLENE BACHANOV/LENAWEE VOICE

Racers round the dirt track at Palmyra Speedway. BRETT MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Softball

from page B1

Gibbs led the Bulldogs in batting (min. 50 AB) with a .412/.531/.559 slash line as well as a team-leading 44 RBIs, and contributed one of the team’s six home runs.

“It was nice to have Alyssa behind the plate after she missed 90% of the season last year,” Johnson said of her senior catcher. “She’s a natural born leader.”

Juniors Evelyn Joughin (.376/.449/.487) and Addyson Valentine (.359/.480/.583) were also major contributors at the plate. Joughin led the team in runs with 50 followed closely by Valentine’s 49. Valentine’s .583 slugging percentage was tops on the team and she added two long balls for good measure.

Powerlifting champion Gracie Snead (.333/.487/.575) blasted a team-leading three home runs while her .575 slugging percentage was the second best.

Senior slugger Zoey Martinez split time between track and softball, which led to fewer at-bats throughout the season. Despite the decreased production, Johnson said, “we’ll miss her bat no matter how she hit this year.” But with the track and field season now over, Martinez will look to help the Bulldogs continue their postseason run.

Valentine (16-10) handled a majority of the work on the mound as she tallied 142 innings pitched and 198 strikeouts. Sophomore Jaelyn Thompson (54) contributed 49.2 innings with 29 strikeouts.

“I was pleased with how we did get better and shored up our defense a little bit,” Johnson reflected on the improvement throughout the year. “And Addy is doing some fine pitching and Jaelyn had some good innings too.”

Johnson was also impressed with her young infield, including Callie VanBrandt (first base), Rylee Frederick (second base), and Gracie Snead (third base).

“We ended up with three sophomores around the infield with not a whole lot of experience, and all three of them stepped it up and improved throughout the season,” she said.

Johnson also saw a lot to like about freshman centerfielder Tavin Kruse.

Boys track & field

from page B1

Berger took second place in discus at regionals with a toss of 131’ 9’’, just shy of his 133’ 4’’ personal record. He also placed fifth at the Lenawee County Championships with a toss of 128’ 1’’.

Ekins ran his PR of 16.87s in the 110m hurdles and placed sixth at the County Championships and had a fifth-place finish in the 300m hurdles.

Senior Beau Shaffer dealt with injury all season which limited his availability. Shaffer was an extremely hard worker and when healthy was a dependable distance runner who could fill in relays as needed.

These six seniors along with foreign exchange students Anil Guler, Danilo Goranovic, Ishmam Choudhury and Jaloladdin Rahimov will be sorely missed next year.

But Boesger is optimistic about the future. He pointed out that Lester is only a sophomore. He was also impressed with freshman throwers Drew Joughin and Brennen Harsh.

“Drew and Brennen have been steady and were way more competitive than freshmen should be,” he said.

Alyssa

JAYLA

“Tavin as a freshman out in centerfield is faster than fast. She’s learning how to bunt and beat it out,” Johnson explained.

also had the team’s highest slugging percentage this season.

JAYLA MCCOWAN, MORENCI YEARBOOK

“She’s fearless on the basepaths too.” Senior sisters Abby and Chelsea Pierce continued to lead by example and

are “two of the hardest working players,” the coach said.

“Abby doesn’t really have a position. She can come in and play a little second base, we can put her in the outfield and even DH when Zoey isn’t there,” Johnson said of her utility player.

Chelsea holds down left field and “has gotten a lot better defensively in the outfield.”

The Bulldogs seem to be peaking at the right time as they will host the regional tournament and face Manchester on Saturday, June 7, at 10 a.m. Reading and Summerfield will play at noon, with the winners of each game meeting in the regional championship game at 2 p.m.

Manchester took both games during their regular-season doubleheader matchup. But that was over a month ago and now the Bulldogs are focused on one goal.

“Always been my philosophy that we don’t care if we win the first game of the season, we just want to win the last game,” Johnson said.

with baseball and still showed steady improvement hitting his discus PR in his last meet with a toss of 112’ 3’’.

threw 38’10’’ for his PR in shot put and will be a vital returning piece of the throwing team next year, as will sophomores

Pictured after the Morenci softball team’s district win against Waldron are, in the back row, coach Kay Johnson, volunteer Bekah Shoemaker, Savanna Miles, Jaelyn Thompson, Gracie Snead, Rylee Frederick, Callie VanBrandt, Addyson Valentine, Evelyn Joughin, Aly Curtis, and assistant coach Renee Schaffner; and in the front row, Baylie Miller, Alyssa Gibbs, Chelsea Pierce, Abby Pierce, and Tavin Kruse. ASHLEY JOUGHIN

Catcher

Gibbs, shown during an April 30 game against Manchester, finished out her senior year on a strong note after missing most of last season due to an injury.

MCCOWAN, MORENCI YEARBOOK

Pitcher Addyson Valentine, pictured during an April 10 game against Reading, pitched 142 innings and

Brennen threw a PR of 40’ 3.5’’ in the shot put at the Lenawee County Championships and has a PR of 114’ 7’’ in the discus. Joughin split time

Junior thrower Emmanuel DePalma

Briar Price and David Muir.

Morenci’s eight state-qualifying track and field athletes were Emma Williams, Zoey Martinez, Zachary Martinez, Kevin Kaufman, Kylan Lester, Van Ekins, and Wyatt Berger. ANDI RORICK/MORENCI AREA SCHOOLS

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

SCHOOL BASEBALL — Back row, left to right: Coach Ayden Kaiser, Zach Shields, Colsen Waltzer, Carter Scivoletto, Mason Cleveland, and coach Ethan Decker. Front row: Nolan Fowler, Brenden Hudik, Eli Thomas, Colten Thomas, and Holden Hutchinson.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL — Back row, left to right: Amelia Klinger, assistant coach Laurie Schisler, Tessa Gilpin, Emilen Mossing, Abbagail Bauer, Jordan Ekins, Makenzie Lulham, Makinley Valentine, Tenley Kruse, Layla Myers, Brynn Casey, coach Taylor Schisler, and Bailey Adams. Front row: Kylee Grieder, Jaylee Ables, Addilyn Williams, Madelyn Barnhart, Elizabeth Mapes, and Aaleah Roupe.

MIDDLE

MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK AND FIELD — Back row, left to right: Paedyn Slovacek, Jordan Ekins, Aubrie Sandusky, Aaron Brown, Noah Zuvers, Elijah Rosenbrock, Hudson Moore, Lexus Piercy, and Jenna Lambes. Middle row: Avah Guhl, Tenley Kruse, Isabella Borton, Teagan Phillips, Sylus Herman, Grayson Erskin, and Julie Guillen. Front row: Brynn Casey, Brynn Rapp, Maddox Joughin, and Nathan Sandusky.

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