GIG February 2019

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February 9 - March 8, 2019

By Paula Newman

Safe at home

O

nce again, the island has been named the safest city in the state.

The rating comes from the National Council for Home Safety and Security, which bases its findings on the most recent FBI Uniform Crime Report statistics, along with its own data and research.

Township Supervisor Brian Loftus credits the police department and Grosse Ile residents, as well, for the island’s top safety rating.

“We can attribute it to a community-oriented police force and residents who just are not tolerant of crime in their neighborhoods,” he said.

Different organizations compile community safety ratings, and their findings — almost always at least partially based on the FBI report — are pretty much the same. The

Grosse Ile named safest city in Michigan

SEE SAFE, Page 9

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

GROSSE ILE GRAND

February 9 - March 8, 2019 • Page 3

Natural Connection

Downriver linked greenways celebrates, looks to the future

By Bill Stevenson The quality of life Downriver just got better. At least that’s what people were saying as they attended the Downriver Linked Greenways’, “Trail Triumphs” presentation at the Flat Rock Community Center on Jan. 22. And it was more than just sayin’.

They were showing.

The Greenways event brought together civic and business leaders, environmentalists, outdoor enthusiasts, and members of the Beaumont Health Care system in a mini-expo program to celebrate the progress made in the growing network of land and water trails Downriver since 1998, and to announce future recreational enhancements to the more than 100 miles of blueways and greenways in our corner of southeastern Michigan.

The Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative began in 1998 at a meeting of mayors and government officials called by the late State Representative George Mans. Rockwood mayor Dan Guzzi was in attendance and recalls, “It was an initial visioning meeting where plans from other states with extensive outdoor networking plans were presented. It was like building Disneyland, except the question was ‘how are we going to pay for this?’”

The following year, a Downriver Summit, hosted by Congressman John D. Dingell helped to formulate the community-driven regional effort to coordinate non-motorized transportation like biking, walking, hiking, and kayaking in the Downriver area. Eventually, the state of Michigan approved a five percent allocation for non-motorized multiuse trails from the Department of Transportation funds given to counties and municipalities.

Anita Twardesky, President of the Downriver Linked Greenways said,” We have a great community Downriver and are very fortunate to have so many parks, hiking and biking trails, rivers, and other waterways.

This gathering today acknowledges what an asset we have and furthers the vision to make Downriver a statewide tourist destination.

“The communities, nonprofits, businesses, and health care

It was like building Disneyland, except the question was ‘how are we going to pay for this?’”

community understand the importance of connectivity and partnership moving ahead.”

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-U.S. 12th District), supported the collaborative vision in saying, “Every day, John (former U.S. Congressman John D. Dingell) asks me ‘what have you done for the Wildlife Refuge

today?’ “The water connects us.

“I grew up in St. Clair, Michigan and fished in the river, swam in the river. The water connects us. And the trails connect us to the water. By working together, we can attract new businesses, celebrate our Downriver heritage, and improve the quality of life for all our citizens.”

“Yes, by working together, you can get something done.”

At the confab, Twardesky also announced a partnership with the Friends of the Detroit River, represented by David Howell, Chairman of FDR, and owner of Total Runner to further advance opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Additional partners in the trail network include the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Iron Belle Trail, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Ralph C. Wilson Jr Design and Access Funds, Riverside Kayak Connection, Michigan Sea Grant, Wayne County Parks, Downriver municipalities, and Beaumont Health.

The highlight of the meeting was the unveiling of eleven Downriver Linked Greenways kiosks, road decals, and signage markers that will be placed along the trails from Rockwood to Riverview to River Rouge, and parts in between. Many of the signs will not only provide direction, but also create places that reflect the heritage and unique culture of Downriver.

The expansion of the Downriver Linked Greenways includes linkage to the Iron Belle Trail. While the Iron Belle may conjure images of Rosie the Riveter or your favorite WWF wrestler, the origin of the name is less prosaic. It’s the longest state designated trail in the United States, stretching from Belle Isle to Ironwood, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula.

More than 1,273 miles of multi-use See greenways, Page 4

Page 4 • February 9 - March 8, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

GREENWAYS Continued from page 3 trails along the eastern side of the state, traversing the northern shore of Lake Michigan along the Wisconsin border make up the bicycle route, with 791 miles of hiking trails cutting across the Lower Peninsula and traversing the Lake Superior shoreline.

Also at the program, Beaumont Health produced a video promoting the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of an active lifestyle and healthy eating. Besides telling the story of 86 -year –old Trenton resident, Norma Baker who had quadruple bypass open heart surgery on her 80th birthday, the film showcases the Downriver Linked Greenways.

And to further spark motivation and wanderlust, SEMCOG announced a new virtual Southeast Michigan Trail Explorer where you can check out your route and points along both biking and hiking trails Downriver, using Terrain 360.

But just don’t take anyone’s word for it.

Get out there, go see for yourself. Your quality of life just got better.

If you would like to see Beaumont’s video on their Get Walking/Downriver Greenways, go to youtube.com/watch?v=n5uhdBzSOO4 To view SEMCOG’s site, go to semcog.org “Southeast Michigan Trail Explorer.”

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

Township officials look forward to good things in 2019

By Paula Neuman Grosse Ile Township, rated as the safest city in Michigan in 2018, has a lot of other things to boast about that took place last year. And community officials are looking forward to good things in 2019.

For one thing, Grosse Ile property values continued to rise in 2018, and new homes are being built.

Island home values have gone up 10.3 percent over the past year, and real estate website Zillow predicts they will rise another 8.8 percent within the next year. Zillow rated the island’s “market temperature” as “very hot.”

The township progressed in other ways last year, including infrastructure improvements that will continue in 2019.

“We replaced a major water main under West River Road and partnered with Wayne County to repair and repave that portion of the road,” Supervisor Brian Loftus said. “Wayne County paved a portion of East River Road.”

In 2019, repairs are scheduled to begin on the Grosse Ile Parkway bridge (the “free bridge”) and the Meso Island Bridge, he added. Bridges are key when a township of 10,600 residents is sited on more than a dozen islands, including Elba, Hickory and Swan, and of course, the main island, which is the largest one in the Detroit River.

“We learned that several of our bridges were in a

We replaced a major water main under West River Road and partnered with Wayne County to repair and repave that portion of the road. Wayne County paved a portion of East River Road. poor structural condition,” Loftus said. “New weight limits were imposed, and one was closed.”

Township personnel saw changes in 2018, including the retirement of long-time Police Chief Joseph Porcarelli, who was replaced by Mark Warnick, a member of the island Police Department since 1989; the hiring of the community’s first female police officer, Grosse Ile resident Susan Dalpiaz; and the promotion of Downriver’s only female Public Services director, Lorinda Beneteau.

Grosse Ile’s volunteer Fire Department celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2018, Loftus said. The department is led by long-time chief Duncan Murdock.

The township’s vibrant Recreation Department, headed by Director Kim O’Farrell, provides hundreds of recreation programs and events, and also oversees the operations of the Water’s Edge Recreation Complex, which includes a marina, pool, golf course and driving range. The department also oversees the Centennial Farm and the Airport Recreation Park.

In 2018, IslandFest, one of the Recreation Department’s most ambitious and popular undertakings, had the highest attendance in its long

history, Loftus said.

Created in 1984, IslandFest has become of the area’s leading festivals. The annual three-day event includes a parade on Macomb Street, an arts and crafts show, a carnival and a fireworks display.

Chad Novak is chairman of the Grosse Ile Festival Commission. Sponsors and volunteers to help make the 2019 IslandFest an even bigger success are welcome.

Also on tap for 2019 is the purchase of a new van for senior transportation, Loftus said. The van service, also under the aegis of the Recreation Department, is available to senior citizens, lowincome residents and disabled individuals who are either unable to drive or do not own a vehicle. The island offers many program for seniors, as well.

A few commercial business changes are in the works for the township for 2019.

The island’s PNC Bank branch will close this year, Loftus said, but Public Service Credit Union will soon open a Grosse Ile Branch on Macomb Street. And island residents will get to indulge their craving for soft-serve ice cream when a Tastee Freez franchise opens in the near future.

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Page 8 • February 9 - March 8, 2019

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February 9 - March 8, 2019 • Page 9

GIGCC Prepares for the next century Now that some of the coldest temperatures that have hit this area in many years is behind us, contractors from NA Mans are finalizing a major renovation at Grosse Ile Country Club.

It is an exciting time at Grosse Ile as the club enters the year of its 100th anniversary. When the club reopens on Valentine’s Day members will see the beginning of exciting new renovations to their Mixed Grille bar, ballroom and formal dining room. The state-of-theart illuminated quartz bar is the first step in improving the clubhouse.

“Over the past three years our club has grown in all areas. An influx of next generation golf and social members has allowed the board to

make improvements without any assessment or dues increase. We are really stepping up our game” said John Paul, General Manager of the club.

The improvements don’t stop at the clubhouse as new tees have been placed in the renowned Donald Ross to make the course more playable for all levels of handicaps. These improvements as well as staff upgrades are setting Grosse Ile up for it 100th anniversary and beyond.

The 100th anniversary has many great parties planned for the upcoming year.

It all started on New Year’s Eve. Many club members and guests would attest that this past NYE party

was the best they’ve ever attended.

This spectacular evening started with champagne and hors d’oeuvres served upon arrival, followed by a five-course gourmet dinner paired with wine.

The dance floor was filled all night with guests dancing to the Jerry Ross Band and just after midnight Dr. Ron Morris lite up the sky with a fabulous fireworks display. As the evening wound down around 1 a.m. everyone had a special goodie bag to take home.

Many more events are planned to celebrate the club’s centennial anniversary. The celebration continues in May with our Back-To-Club-Night, featuring the band 50 Amp Fuse.

In July, Frank Sinatra will appear

for a special summer “dining under the stars” evening and then on Saturday, Sept. 14 committee members Stacee Laske, Karen Buhl, Cathy Hancock, Dolores Pfeffer and Margaret Nykiel are planning the 100th Anniversary Gala that promises to be very special.

There is plenty to look forward to at GIGCC in 2019. If you are not a current member watch for details on the club’s spring membership caampaign. Call 734-676-1166 and General Manager John Paul or Membership Director Elisabeth Maurer will give you all the details on membership options to join the GIGCC family.

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SAFE Continued from page 1 National Council for Home Safety and Security is a trade association that includes licensed alarm installers, contractors and other relevant groups.

“We’ve been in the top 10 for as long as I can remember,” Loftus said. “It’s good news.”

The Grosse Ile Police Department right now has 16 sworn officers and five dispatchers.

“Our total force stands at 24, including secretary, command officers and on-road patrol,” Loftus said.

“We’re looking at hiring another officer.”

According to the council’s report, Grosse Ile had 29 total crimes in 2018, all of which were “property

crimes.”

The FBI defines property crimes as burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft and arson.

Grosse Ile has been named by the council as the No. 1 safe community in the state based on its population for at least the last five years.

Page 10 • February 9 - March 8, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

A grandparent can be a teacher, too Gail Albin About 10 years ago, my daughter, son in law, and six-year-old granddaughter moved back to Grosse Ile after living for a few years in a home they had built off the island.

The parents decided to homeschool their only child.

I had always thought highly of public schools and had adored / worshipped my school teachers. I made a point of making good grades to please them.

I didn’t want to tell the parents how to raise their child, but since we lived very near one another, I thought maybe I could help teach her is some way. The parents thought that would work.

What would I teach? I decided to teach her about the world around us. Did I know all about that? No, not even close, but I could learn along with her.

Early on, we would meet midway between our houses and walk back to my place together. At first, we studied one country at a time, each from a different continent.

I had a globe that had sat on a shelf long enough.

We put characters in our stories. I had always liked to write. We dressed like they might dress. We tried to cook what they might eat. We listened to their music, studied their climate and learned about well know citizens from each country we studied. We learned that some countries have kings, some prime ministers and some had evil leaders.

My daughter had a picture book made of photos taken during lessons. It is my favorite possession.

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Thanks, Grandma, you taught me a lot Christina Fijal My name is Christina and I’m the granddaughter in this story. I studied many countries and cultures with my grandma, she taught me a lot that I would otherwise have not learned/known about I have such fond memories of the skits and meals we had together, sometimes we even included my parents and friends!

One of my favorite times was when we were studying Italy and we did a skit about the stray cats that live in the Roman Colosseum. We dressed up in all black, made cat ears for ourselves, and drew on whiskers with my grandmother’s makeup.

I’m so thankful to have a grandparent who lives so close to me that’s willing to spend so much time teaching and taking care of me.

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February 9 - March 8, 2019 • Page 11

FROM THE SUPERVISOR

Explaining how we try to fix our roads A number of recent events have compelled me to write a somewhat focused article on road funding, particularly the mailpiece many of us received regarding the roads millage on the November election. The mailpiece (an elections legal term) was worded to mislead and

By Brian Loftus obfuscate, possibly affecting how some of you voted on the issue.

I’ll begin with the assertion that you pay enough taxes to Wayne County for roads. Fact is, you pay NOTHING to Wayne County for roads. Take a moment to review your 2018 winter tax bill. In the ‘tax detail’ section on the right side, all your winter property taxes are listed, and the first eight go to Wayne County. Roads are not listed anywhere. By the way, these taxes are due no later than 14 February.

The person or persons who produced that mailpiece knew this was inaccurate, and ensured that they remained anonymous. Through the rest of this article I will do my best to inform you of the whys and hows of road funding in Michigan.

First, the legislation - the McNitt Act, Public Act 130 of 1931, assigned the funding of township roads to the counties. The objective was to reduce road jurisdictions from the 1269 townships (at the time) down to the 83 counties. This legislation has been amended several times, the latest being an amended Public Act 51 of 1951, which codified the administration of roads to the state, municipalities (cities and villages) and counties and established a formula for funding these three entities. When we use the term ‘Act 51,’ this is the legislation referenced.

So where does the money come from, if not property taxes? At the federal level, the Highway Trust Fund receives 18.4 cents per gallon of gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon of diesel fuel. These dollars are available for federal aid eligible highways, primarily the Interstates and US highways, and provide an 80 percent match of local or state funding. Closer to home, we have

the Michigan Transportation Fund, which originated in Act 51. This fund is sourced through a 26.3 cents per gallon tax on gasoline and diesel, along with the registration fees you pay for each vehicle every year. I don’t have enough column space left to cover the rubric of how registration fees are assessed, but I’m sure we all remember that they were recently raised significantly. Be advised that the 6 percent sales tax is handled like all sales taxes, funding schools and revenue sharing.

So how is the money distributed?

Of the 2.3 billion dollars collected in the 2017 Michigan Transportation Fund (after some administration and related expenses are covered), 39.1 percent went to Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for the state trunkline fund (think ‘M’ roads), 21.8 percent went to municipalities, and 39.1 percent went to county road commissions (with control of all township roads). The formulae for distribution to municipalities and counties are only somewhat convoluted, but how a county distributes dollars for roads within townships is not defined. County Road Commissions are expected to get the most value, i.e. best roads for the greatest number of users.

I wish Governor Whitmer every success in fulfilling her promise to fix the roads. Obviously, we do not get enough funding for Grosse Ile’s roads, but nobody does – that’s why some cities and townships have passed local road millages. Legislation has been introduced to allow certain townships to become road funding authorities, similar to a city. Should this pass, we will have a decision to make because we would inherit all the internal bridges in their varying conditions.

Bridges are extremely expensive, and we could run out of money very quickly. Additionally, the $1.3 million we received from Wayne County in 2018 greatly exceeded any municipal formula for roads.

Much of this information was extracted from a Mackinac Center report, “Roads in Michigan,” authored

by Mr. Chris Douglas. I realize this is not an exciting topic for most of See ROads, Page 21

Page 12 • February 9 - March 8, 2019

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

Culinary Capers Melva Bonis of Grosse Ile returns to Culinary Capers with her mother’s deliciously simple recipe for New England Corn Chowder, a perfect bowl for a frigid day. Melva’s mom was from Boston, which is famous for another chowder, of course — with clams.

But instead of using canned corn in her mother’s

By Evelyn Cairns recipe, Melva buys fresh ears at a farmer’s market every summer, cuts off the kernels and freezes them to make the chowder year-round.

NEW ENGLAND CORN CHOWDER 2 cups red or yellow potatoes (about 3 or 4 medium), peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes 6 strips bacon 2 medium-sized onions, sliced thinly, then chopped roughly (about 1 cup) 1 tablespoon butter 1½ tablespoons bacon drippings 14.5-ounce can cream-style corn 15.25-ounce can whole kernel corn, undrained 12-ounce can evaporated milk 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste ¼ teaspoon pepper, or to taste Cook potatoes in salted water just to cover, until tender but not too soft.

Meanwhile, cook bacon and remove from pan, reserving drippings. Sauté onions in butter and 1½ tablespoons of drippings until light golden in color.

Add potatoes and water in which they were cooked to onions. Add cream-style and whole-kernel corn.

Stir in evaporated milk. Add salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls. Crumble bacon and sprinkle over soup. Serve with crusty bread.

••• One of my long-time favorite bowls is a slow-cooker stew I’ve been making since 1995, using a recipe included in the cookbook that came with my second Crock-Pot. While the stew stews, I like to bake corn muffins using an awesome recipe I found on Jennifer Segal’s Once Upon a Chef website.

However, being very cholesterolconscious, when I bake the muffins, I substitute 1/3 cup cooking oil for the butter, using a substitution chart.

(If you would like a copy of the chart,

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February 9 - March 8, 2019 • Page 15

GAIL ALBIN ASKS THE RESIDENTS

Winter is a good time to read, what do you like to read?

Pat Coakley

Tom Saunders

James Bittinger

I like to write, and I like to read, but I don’t like novels. I have an interest in archeology and I like to read archeology journals. I also love to read about stamps.

I don’t read a lot. I have never been a reader. My favorite reading is the large print Reader’s Digest.

I read when I’m motivated. I like the book A Dog’s Purpose, it’s a best seller that got turned into a movie.

Barry Van Engelen

Joan Kopke

Donna Lambert

I like to read about music. I enjoyed reading The Long Haul. It is about a man who drives an eighteen-wheeler around the country. I like to stay behind a song.

I like reading mysteries. I have several authors I enjoy, James Patterson, Pat Cornwell and John Grisham.

Likes fiction murder mysteries.

O’Connell’s Oracle is about a fictional detective.

Ron Bonis

Tony Krukowski

Gail Albin

I like to read books. I like magazines about autos and photography. I am reading about British History. My wife has been a teacher and likes history.

I like to read mysteries. I like author P.D. James. There is nothing like reading by the fire with a warm drink nearby.

I like to read but I don’t read a lot. I enjoy magazines and turning pages to look at beautiful rooms.

Vincent Mc Shane

Donna Plegue

Martha Butler

I like to read everything. I especially like to read Reader’s Digest condensed books.

I don’t really read that much. I do daily scriptures and read to prep for the catechism classes I teach.

I like to read Danielle Steel, nonfiction, and Mitch Albom. When I read, I stick to it and finish what I started!

Winter fun The second annual Grosse Ile Winterfest was hosted by Water’s Edge Golf Club, because, well, sometimes in the Winter you have to get out and make your own fun The Chili cook-out was, as always, a big hit as were the other activities. That’s resident Brandon Antosh teeing off during the closest-to-the-pin contest.

There was also a live DJ, ice skating, a bouncy house, snowman contest and a Christmas tree throwing contest.

Page 16 • February 9 - March 8, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

TELESCOPING THE TOWNSHIP

Proposal for waterfront park gets mixed reviews Reaction to the featured article in the January issue of the Grosse Ile Grand “Here’s a chance to make Grosse Ile a more premier place to live” had a mix of responses.

There were those who liked the idea of a waterfront park near the toll bridge where residents who live inland could drive in, park, have a picnic, enjoy a water view and especially the sunsets facing

By Pamela A. Frucci west.

Those opposing the idea felt that if paying for the park meant selling any buildable lots in open space would not be feasible.

At the Feb. 5 Open Space Committee meeting, a member, who lives right next to the open space property being suggested for sale on Horsemill, was opposed since he and his wife were assured it would always be open space.

Trustee Carl Bloetscher, who is the township liaison to the committee, again reassured the property owner that open space couldn’t be sold unless it came to a vote and was passed by a majority of the residents, which would be unlikely.

Chair Cliff St. Pierre reinforced his comment saying that citizens who raised the millage to purchase open space would be opposed to selling any of the property.

The Grand got several responses.

At this point in time a waterfront park along the north end Meridian is just an idea waiting for a green light and especially funding.

Island men help clean up polluted Detroit River According to my source, Bill Dickens, who grew up on Grosse Ile, Ernie Gronda, sr., and other duck hunters from the Downriver area took part in a plan formulated by the Michigan United Conservation Club.

Due to the extremely harmful practice of factories and ships dumping oil directly into the Detroit River, wildlife was succumbing to the pollution. It became so extreme that MUCC alerted hunters to load those ducks that had perished into

pickup trucks, drive them to Lansing, and dump them on the grounds of the capitol building.

This was in 1948. Bill Dickens said when he was a kid and visiting the Gronda family at their waterfront home (where Sunrise Park is located now) Ernie Gronda told him that he was one of those hunters who dumped dead ducks on the grounds.

This alerted the governor and the legislature that the Detroit River was seriously in need of regulating the indiscriminate dumping of waste into the river.

Back in 1975, I took a course at the Rackham School in Detroit from Gerald Remus, former head of the Detroit Sewage and Water Department. The course was called “Sewers I Have Known” and I wanted to know more about the quality of the water flowing past us on Grosse Ile. I have a note from one of his statements that when his department stopped dumping 50,000 gallons of oil and 900 tons of sludge from their plant into the river, the Detroit River started to clean up faster than he thought it would.

Now the Detroit River isn’t as pristine as when Cadillac founded Fort Ponchatrain (Detroit) in 1701, but Lake Erie is no longer dying and the river is again teeming with fish and other wildlife.

More information about paying for tire damage from potholes Island resident Joyce Mlott told me about Wayne County paying drivers for a tire damaged by hitting a pothole. She reports that this is anywhere in Wayne County. You need to take a photo of the tire and pothole and give the location. Call the county for the form: 313-224-6076.

She credits the county for an instant response - no music or putting you on hold.

Little known fact about James Swan, whose son owned Wonder Well An Island resident and the father of Don Swan who owned the Wonder Well, the artisan well that flowed with mineral water at the foot of South SEE TELESCOPING, Page 17

Your thoughts about a possible Sunset Park In last month’s edition of the Grosse Ile Grand, columnist and longtime Grosse Ile resident Pam Frucci floated the idea of purchasing land on West River Rd. and turning it into waterfront park for residents to enjoy.

Frucci proposed three ways of funding the project: A .3 percent millage, just like library funding, selling some open space on the Island or selling shares of the park to residents.

As you might imagine, responses to the idea varied widely. Here are some of your views: What a great idea and very needed for this city. As a father of two kids I have found out it is hard for the kids and families in this area to do any of the things we would normally do at a park on this island.

All the current parks we have are so restricted with “cant-dos” that there is hardly anything you can do in them. With some good planing we could have a safe place for our kids to swim, fish, picnic and play.

All the things that cause them to go swimming at the kayak launch, jump off or bridges and fish where the no fishing signs are placed.

I don’t think how we pay for it is the issue for most of us, it’s how soon can we open it and can we bike, walk and drive to it.

Frank Pullen This is a bad idea. Someone owns waterfront property on the west side of the island. For years they have been unable to sell it. Overpriced?

Maybe. More likely the view and the questions regarding the steel mill site and its future were the problems. Now that the property has been purchased by Manny Maroun and will most likely become an intermodal transportation site the value has declined further.

Now, someone has come up with the idea that the Township should purchase this property for a residents waterfront park, taking the current

owners off the hook. I, for one, do not relish the idea of disposing of any currently held open space property or paying any more taxes, in any shape or form, to create Sunset Park.

This would create a maintenance burden forever, as well take the property off of the tax roles. I have no idea what the taxes are but being waterfront property I imagine they are substantial.

Another question is that since this site is just downstream of Hennipen Point there could be water quality issues. And in the end, what exactly would the residents have? A spot along the water to go and watch the sun set behind Manny Maroun’s stacks of containers.

Also, I couldn’t help but notice that the photo of the area was cropped so the other side of the river and its occupancy was not shown. I can’t believe that any island resident is not aware of what currently exists there but I do think it should have been illustrated.

I grew up running around Grosse Ile in the late 50s and early 60s. I moved here in 1994. While Grosse Ile is not perfect, I think it as close as any community can get.

It does not need great change or improvement.

When I hear of ideas such as this, I am reminded of the fable of the Dog With Two Bones. If you are too greedy, you can lose what you have.

Grosse Ile is simply too much of a treasure, as it is, to risk any changes to it unique characteristics as a community.

Bob Hill Regarding the proposed purchase of property near the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge: This area is wetlands. Even if approval could be obtained to fill it in for parking, picnic space, walkways, etc., it is too marshy for practical use. Paving would SEE THOUGHTS, Page 17

GROSSE ILE GRAND

February 9 - March 8, 2019 • Page 17

TELESCOPING Continued from page 16 Pointe for 100 years, was an attorney and a collector of Egyptian scarabs which symbolize the resurrection of life.

The Scarab Club was founded in 1907 by a group of artists and art lovers. In 1913 its current name, Scarab Club, was adopted since its then-president James Swan donated his collection to the club.

Grosse Ile’s Musicale a ‘wellkept secret,’ according to new member The Grosse Ile Musicale, founded in 1932 as the Friday Musicale, has been bringing good music to the Island for going on 87 years.

In the old days, it was exclusively a women’s group, but in recent years, the Musicale has opened up to offIslanders and to men. The current president is Greg Genter.

A new member from Trenton, Veronica Pinto, exclaimed that the Musicale is “The best kept secret Downriver.”

So far the group has had Doug Scott

THOUGHTS and his fabulous jazz group, Christa Grix, one of the finest harpists in the country and her student Musicale member Joyce Lamon, and most recently Brandon LePage, flutist, who plays with the Detroit Symphony, the Michigan Opera Theatre, and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra.

On March 8 will be popular vocalist Stacey Mason. Membership is only $40 and guests pay $10. Every May, a scholarship is awarded talented high school seniors, with money paid into a special fund by the members.

For more information, contact membership chair David Dyer at 6921508.

Not too many American homes have a piano any more Entertainment has changed drastically in the last century.

In the old days, families had a piano for sing-a-longs and entertainment. In fact, according to Marilyn vos Savant, in 1909 there was a piano in every 99 homes, the height of piano popularity.

By 2015, only one in every 3,788 families owned a piano.

Continued from page 16 be extremely expensive, and environmentally unsound due to the high water table.

This is an expensive, poorly thought-out idea. The 0.3 mill is just to buy the land, making it usable would take much more tax money.

Jason O’Neill I think it would be great to acquire it as open space if the open space fund could do so, or for use as a waterfront park paid by tax mileage. It is important to try to provide waterfront access to residents who do not live on the water. Thanks for bringing this to the attention of the community.

Patricia Bennett In response to Frucci’s ideas about an waterfront park. 1. start Go Fund me for it. 2. Frucci and her friends donate themselves. Wasn’t the whole idea of open space to keep our island a premium place to live? No more millages, we are about to be taxed off this Island.

Randy Vandierondonck

I read the article about the addition of a waterfront park. I have recently moved to Grosse Ile and my wife grew up here. Part of the attraction is definitely the open space, no street light, wildlife and water surroundings.

I certainly would be in favor of a park for residential use. I am not completely familiar with open space which could be sold for residency. In fact, I would likely not support unless I more understood since it is nice to have so much land.

Most people probably will not support a tax increase. Likely some would not use it and thus might not see the value.

Primarily I would support the last idea of people buying shares in the park. This would help to control the use of space and also those most interested would own a piece of it.

I welcome more discussion and am also seeking to learn more as I see there are several committees and boards on the island.

Mike Briscoe

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February 9 - March 8, 2019 • Page 21

Millennials are killing chain restaurants My “millennial” daughter recently announced sardonically that Millennials are killing Applebee’s.

You can’t say stuff like that around me without it eliciting a lot of interest and demands for more information. The conversation that followed was very interesting. It made me feel optimistic.

I’ve repeatedly expressed disdain, here, for all the national chains that have been foisted on our landscape since the early 80s. The embarrassingly flawed

By Peter Rose model is based on formulating a good thing, whether it be a popular clothing store or restaurant, or anything, that can be duplicated so as to proliferate nationwide.

It flies in the face of everything I find cool and compelling, yet the list of the invasive species is long and varied, and it continually troubles me to think that I am in the minority.

But my daughter (29) is unapologetic about wanting little to do with chain restaurants, and it’s not just her; at least a sector of her generation is turned off by the plastic fakeness and brazenly mercenary approach that is the hallmark of publicly traded companies that create a concept, market it like crazy, and endeavor to sell it as “cool.” She lit up something that I knew, but hadn’t really focused on, insofar as who’s responsible: It was MY generation that spawned all that parasitic idiocy. Thankfully, there is now an opposite reaction to what was created.

It nauseates these younger people.

The encouragement for Mr. Local, here, cannot be undersold.

The insanity of the business concentration out there

it’s oh-so hip to disparage the Millennials. is what’s behind a lot of our societal ills.

In the restaurant business, at least, a push-back of noteworthy proportions is taking place. I don’t want to overstate it, but I started thinking about all the good, solid local spots that have been here a while, and of so many newcomers that have joined the ranks of independent options for folks to eat at…and it’s impressive.

There are so many great local operations strewn all around our Downriver, and therefore, of course…. cookie cutter chains are losing market share. Good Fail, already! Give us back our economy!

Most of the people I know also avoid chains, but not all. Nor is it true that ALL so-called millennials are part of this new trend. We are not home free, by any stretch. But it’s refreshing to know that damage done to local economies can be fixed.

Remember that behind every column I write, every argument against nationals…is my knowledge that every purchase each of us makes has leverage that we squander when we direct our money to establishments that immediately siphon most of it away to their headquarters. Three and a half times more money stays local with a purchase at an independent and locally owned business, compared to a national option. I am completely steeped in this awareness, so that my choices always include the evaluation process of local or national.

I have a certain amount of power to affect my local economy. The choices I make result in money being spent locally, over and over…or not. Internet purchases take all of my power away. National chains of any sort take most of my money away.

Only local and independent options retain as much circulating capital that benefits me. My purchases benefit me, or not.

This powerful idea is called “collective selfishness,” combining self interest with civic mindedness. Once you really grasp this idea, it starts to have a controlling impact on the choices you make.

The potential that arises from shifting your shopping across all lines is staggering. The multiplier effect is captivating. It’s so important to stress that this effect is not abstract, but viscerally real. More money - your money - being leveraged to benefit you, first and foremost. Everyone else gets to piggyback off your benefit, and hopefully, they follow your lead.

Especially if you suggest it to them.

It’s oh-so hip to disparage the Millennials. Even naming a generational range seems moronic to me, but to blast them for eschewing the ridiculous overbuilding and overindulgence of prior generations is hypocrisy defined. The coolness factor is the key, and you just can’t mass-produce it.

Younger generations seem to get this far more than us Baby Boomers, at least in this application.

Authenticity is what’s important to me, and to my great relief, apparently many in this new generation.

The challenge for every independent retail operation in 2019 is to study the successes of independent and locally owned food and drink operations, and to emulate those elements that are applicable to what we do. I admire excellence and coolness that only indies can provide, and my job is all about finding the right paths to those ends. No rest, my friends. No rest.

ROADS Continued from page 11

you, but you need to know that your Township Department of Public Services is definitely getting as much

value as possible for the dollars available. We have been successful in the recent past at getting funding from Wayne County and will continue to pursue all available resources. We have

meetings scheduled with the County soon and I will advise you of any developments.

In closing, ignore rumors of extended bridge closures unless you

hear it from an official source, such as me. Stay warm and continue to check with your Recreation Department for fun things to do here on Grosse Ile. Best wishes!

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The highest honor January 26 was an emotional day for Grosse Ile’s Richard Dalley and his family as the former Olympic figure skater was inducted into the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame. Dalley was presented with the award by Larry Mondschine, head of the Hall of Fame and later celebrated and posed with family and friends. Joining Dalley were (from left) his daughter Sarah Dalley, his wife Shelley Dalley, Olympic champion Charlie White, Scott Hamilton and Dalley’s son, Walter Dalley. The induction ceremony took place in Detroit before the U.S. Figure Skating Nationals, which were hosted this year by Little Caesars Arena.

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A couple of columns ago I mentioned our daughter had bought a home on East River Road as an investment. It’s 19 houses down from the home I wrote about in the Dec. 7-Jan.16 Grosse Ile Grand that our landlady had built in 1941 as a kit house from a Sears and Roebuck catalog.

We had paid $80 a month rent for the

By Pamela A. Frucci upstairs apartment from 1962 to 1972. Then we bought a house on Hickory Circle and have lived here ever since. The new wrinkle in our lives is we’re moving back to East River and renting from our daughter for a heck of a lot more than $80 a month!

First new car in 60 years Another new wrinkle in my life is that I’m driving a new Chevy Trax, which is the first new car I’ve owned in 60 years.

I used to always drive the hand-medown cars my husband Jack drove until he bought new.

Back in December when my 20-yearold Lincoln broke down for the second time, Jack decided I needed a newer more dependable car.

We both ended up leasing Chevys in an Asian red color. You can’t miss us. They’re not fire engine red but a deep red and I’m enjoying all the new technology that my Lincoln with its 178,000 miles didn’t have on board.

We follow an example set for us by a former neighbor When Jack and I were first married, we rented a log cabin on the north end of the Island owned by Pat and Louie Lafayette. (Pat was my former neighbor and fellow editor of the 1945 Ile Camera when we were teens).

Mrs. Hensley, our neighbor across the street, made me a colorful afghan which I have held on to for sentimental reasons for almost 60 years.

Now that we’re moving, I wanted to repeat Mrs. Hensley’s neighborly gesture.

When our neighbors, the Graves across the street, paid a visit at Christmas time, I gave them the afghan.

Since they have four young daughters, I figured the girls could cuddle up under the afghan.

Quotes from June Crosson, a 1971 Detroit News columnist Way back in a Sept. 1, 1971 Detroit News columnist June Crosson (“Our inquiring reporter on Grosse Ile”) quoted several Island women in a piece headlined “Women voice views on island living.”

Some of them have a familiar ring even though it was written 48 years ago!

Mrs. Judy Carbone.: “Everyone isn’t sitting on top of each other out here, lots of room. I used to live in a subdivision and it’s not for me. I wouldn’t even like an island subdivision. The roads aren’t so good.”

Mrs. Kay Power: “I was born and raised here. I like the casual living.

The island’s really like a summer resort. The people are great. The roads aren’t the best, but then you can’t have everything.”

Mrs. Sue Zammit: “We don’t really think of our community as an island.

It is a lovely place to live. We have a small-town atmosphere and a healthy variety of social classes. We have poor people and very wealthy people and all are friendly. There is a minimum of the keeping–up-with-the Jones attitude, too.

The educational system is very good.

We just love it here. The shopping could be better.”

Ages ago George Kerchival was looking for intrigue Past resident and good friend Bill Dickens contacted me about a relative of his who wrote a piece for the Sept.

4 1892 Detroit Free Press: “Thracia’s Iron Ring…A Story of Grosse Ile.” According to Bill, George Kerchival’s assignment was to live on Grosse Ile and find something “intriguing” to write about.

His story was about an attractive Indian girl who fell in love with the engineer of the train that serviced Grosse Ile. I read the article and it was indeed intriguing, but it had a sad ending!

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Grosse Ile student among MHSAA scholarship finalists From the MHSAA The 120 finalists for the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Scholar-Athlete Awards for the 2018-19 school year, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance, have been announced and Grosse Ile’s Lindsey Jurecki is among them.

Jurecki, a senior, plays basketball and soccer for Grosse Ile. The program, in its 30th year, has recognized student-athletes since the 1989-90 school year and again this winter will honor 32 individuals from MHSAA member schools who participate in at least one sport in which the Association sponsors a postseason tournament.

Farm Bureau Insurance underwrites the ScholarAthlete Awards and will present a $1,000 scholarship to each recipient. Since the beginning of the program, 768 scholarships have been awarded.

Scholarships will be presented proportionately by school classification, with 12 scholarships to be awarded to Class A student-athletes, six female and six male; eight scholarships will be awarded to Class B student-athletes, four female and four male; six scholarships will be awarded to Class C student-athletes, three female and three male; and four scholarships will be awarded to Class D studentathletes, two female and two male. In addition, two scholarships will be awarded at-large to minority recipients, regardless of school size.

Every MHSAA member high school could submit as many applications as there are scholarships available in its classification, and could have more than one finalist. Detroit Catholic Central has four finalists this year while Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart, Northville and St. Joseph each have three. Twelve schools each have two finalists: Ann Arbor Pioneer, Big Rapids, Davison, Fenton, Grand Rapids West Catholic, Grosse Pointe South, Marlette, Novi, Okemos, Saranac, Traverse City Central and White Lake Lakeland.

Multiple-sport participation remains the norm among applicants. The average sport participation rate of the finalists is 2.4. There are 77 three-plus sport participants in the finalists field, and all but two of the 28 sports in which the MHSAA sponsors postseason tournaments are represented.

Of 418 schools which submitted applicants, 30 submitted the maximum allowed. This year, 1,645 applications were received. All applicants will be presented with certificates commemorating their achievement.

The applications were judged by a 65-member committee of school coaches, counselors, faculty members, administrators and board members from MHSAA member schools. Selection of the 32 scholarship recipients will take place in early February. Scholarship winners will be announced later this month.

Teacher wins honor

Lindsey Jurecki

To honor the 32 Scholar-Athlete Award recipients, a ceremony will take place during halftime of the Class C Boys Basketball Final, March 16, at the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing.

To be eligible for the award, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale) and previously have won a varsity letter in at least one sport in which the MHSAA sponsors a postseason tournament. Students also were asked to respond to a series of short essay questions, submit two letters of recommendation and a 500-word essay on the importance of sportsmanship in educational athletics.

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February 9 - March 8, 2019 • Page 25

Keep you and your family safe with winter fire safety tips Cold weather months are a prime time for house fires.

According to the American Red Cross, roughly 47,000 fires take place during winter holidays, resulting in over 500 fatalities, 2,200 injuries, and $554 million in property damage. In the winter holiday season, candle fire and Christmas tree fire risk is on the rise. One out of every 40 Christmas tree house fires will result in death.

Understanding primary fire risk factors and peak seasons - can help to keep your family safe. Let’s break down critical house fire risk factors.

Thousands of people die in house fires each year, and many more are injured as a result.

Even if you and your family escape a house fire unscathed or aren’t home at the time of the accident, it could still result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage. Many families are unfortunate enough to lose all of their valuables in a house fire that ignites in seconds.

What is even more chilling is that most house fires occur at night when families are asleep. Waking up in the midst of a roaring fire can be overwhelming and leave very little time to react. Room temperatures may rise as high as 100° at floor level and 600° at eye level.

A house fire may begin burning bright, but after a room fills with black smoke, all visibility is lost.

This smoke also brings with it toxic gas that is more likely to cause death than flames from a fire. In some of the saddest cases, a room fills with odorless fumes produced by a fire that lull the occupants of a house into a deep sleep so that they don’t wake in time to escape.

In the average family home, there is a risk of fire day in and day out - every time a family cooks a meal.

Yes, cooking is responsible for 42 percent of house fires that could easily be prevented. Other top house fire risks relate to electrical issues, arson, and heating components.

High Risk Groups Half of the people killed in house fires each year are preschool aged children or adults 65 and older. Other at-risk groups include people with emotional, mental, or physical handicaps that may not be prepared to respond quickly in a home fire. Children are likely to be involved in home fires caused by carelessness or negligence - children left alone may play with matches or lighters and cause a highly dangerous, rapidly spreading house fire to ignite. For this reason, a child caught setting a fire must be taken quite seriously. Counseling through a local fire department is recommended by FEMA to prevent a young child from setting a potentially fatal fire again.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Fire safety wouldn’t be complete without understanding the basics of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal. It has resulted in 480 deaths and 15,200 related hospital

visits a year.

Each year, more than 200 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by fuel-burning appliances in the home. These include ranges, furnaces, water heaters, and room heaters.

Most families associate smoke and flames with house fires and the damage they cause, but carbon monoxide can be equally dangerous related to a home fire. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, invisible gas created when fuels like wood, coal, gasoline, and propane burn incompletely.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur suddenly with a large amount of CO released into the air in a short amount of time. It can also occur gradually with a small amount of CO poisoning released over a long period of time.

For many people, the subtle effects of carbon monoxide poisoning may be difficult to recognize.

Depending on the concentration, carbon monoxide poisoning may affect one person differently than another. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may also depend on an individual’s health and medical history.

Carbon monoxide may be released in a house fire or from another in-home heating device. Carbon monoxide detectors are just as important as smoke alarms in a home to detect serious dangers as early as possible. Though it may be tempting to install a carbon monoxide detector instead of a smoke alarm, or vice versa, it’s important to have both. CO alarms and smoke alarms each have a unique purpose. Both detectors work hand-in-hand to protect a family from invisible dangers in seconds.

How to Make Your Home Fire Safe As we’ve already described in great detail, a house fire can be sudden and overwhelming. You may find yourself in need of a quick escape if you’ve been woken by smoke detectors in the middle of the night. What’s more, you may be terrified that family members in other rooms of the house may also be in danger.

You can work with your family in advance to create and practice an easy fire escape plan to use in case of an emergency. Not only will developing a fire escape plan set your mind at ease, but it will ensure that you get from point A to point B as quickly as possible in a home fire - so that all family members make it out of the house safe and sound.

A fire escape plan is straightforward and based on the principle that every second counts. Ready.gov provides the following family fire escape guidelines: 1. Identify two ways out of each room in the house.

A backup exit from a room can be used if the primary exit is blocked by smoke or fire.

2. Check for stuck windows regularly; make sure screens can be popped out quickly and that security bars are easy to open.

3. Practice feeling and exiting the house with eyes

closed or in the dark as a family.

4. Practice opening and closing windows and doors in different rooms in the house.

5. Teach children how to call out to firefighters and to never hide in a fire.

In the event of a fire, family members should be taught to: Crawl low under any smoke to predetermined exits.

Start to exit immediately as soon as smoke alarms sound.

If a primary room exit is blocked by smoke or fire, use the secondary room exit.

If escaping through smoke is the only option, stay low and move fast since smoke is toxic.

Feel doorknobs before opening doors; if a doorknob is hot, use a secondary exit out of a room.

Here’s a helpful home fire safety checklist that you can use to reduce the risk of a house fire in winter months: Check that enough smoke alarms are installed in the house and set a personal alarm to test them regularly.

Create and practice a written fire escape plan that all family members can understand.

Never leave cooking on a stove top unattended.

Clean a chimney before the first fire of the season.

Top 10 Home Fire Safety Tips Practicing home fire safety is the only way you can rest easy at night.

Take these top 10 tips to heart to prevent a senseless house fire and keep your family from becoming a statistic: 1. Make sure your home has smoke detectors installed at every level, especially near sleeping areas.

2. Test smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries twice a year. (Daylight Saving Time is a helpful biannual reminder.)

3. Consider installing home safety sprinklers to work with smoke alarms to increase the chance of fire survival; home sprinklers will also lower homeowner’s insurance rates.

4. Train all family members in how to use an allpurpose fire extinguisher located in the kitchen.

5. Keep all flammable items and matches locked away from children.

6. Make it a practice not to smoke inside a home, and especially not in bed.

7. Take special care to water evergreen Christmas trees regularly so they don’t dry out; only use flame retardant artificial Christmas trees.

8. Never use appliances or heaters with frayed wires or cords.

9. Never overuse extension cords or overload electrical circuits.

10. Inspect and service heating components in the fall before winter use.

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February 9 - March 8, 2019 • Page 27

I’ll begin by stating I am in no way attempting to give any kind of medical advice to anyone. I am simply telling my story.

I was a career soldier. Two of my 21 years of service were in an evacuation hospital in Pleiku, South Vietnam. While there my primary duties were related to the admission

By David L. Dyer and disposition of patients. I witnessed death and destruction on practically a daily basis, this included the maimed bodies of young children.

So, what is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, otherwise known as PTSD? It is a delayed reaction to severe stress.

This condition affects many, many veterans of all foreign wars but again I am only telling my story.

We had to suppress our feelings; there was no other way since there was always another patient. The problem, the suppression would not last forever.

Someday and quite possibly several years later they would come out in a variety of physical and/or emotional ways.

I have had PTSD ever since I returned from Vietnam in 1971.

Something happened recently that reminded me that yes I still do have PTSD. For close to forty years I pretty much found solace in what I considered my best friend, that being my daily six pack. But God reached out to me. He who knows all wasn’t about to let me die with my music still in me.

I traded my best friend for sobriety

Equestrian team members finish up a big season

at the Vietnam Memorial in honor of all those who lost their lives in Vietnam. I then began writing about them and when I discovered that many people enjoyed reading what I had to say, again I found solace.

My office was cluttered with copies of stories, articles and Emails I had written or received, and I decided to clean house. As I was going through the Emails I came across one that reminded me that yes I still have PTSD. That Email also prompted this story.

I was halfway through reading the beautiful story in the Email when I lost it. I broke down and cried for a solid hour and that is no exaggeration.

I cannot vouch for the authenticity since there was no author quoted but it is a wonderful story.

“One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down. It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.

That Saturday the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper and listed what everyone else had said about that individual. On Monday she gave each student his or her list. The entire class was smiling.

“Really” she heard whispered.

“I never knew I meant anything to anyone” and “I didn’t know others liked me so much,” were most of the comments.

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn’t matter.

The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.

Several years later one of the students was killed in Vietnam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student.

She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature.The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin. As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her, “Were you Mark’s math teacher?” he asked. She nodded. Then he said, “Mark talked about you a lot.”

After the funeral most of Mark’s former classmates went together for a luncheon. Mark’s mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with the teacher. “We want to show you something,” his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. “They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.”

Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark’s classmates had said about him.

“Thank you so much for doing that,” Mark’s mother said. “As you can see, Mark treasured it.”

The Grosse Ile High School equestrian team finished up the season with multiple titles.

The girls were district champions as well as regional reserve champions.

This years team included first year Ava Toporek and third year Julia Winter, as well as volunteer varsity coach, Ricki Luton.

At the state championship event, the girls took on different categories.

Winter placed first in the saddle seat, equitation, saddle seat pattern and saddle seat bareback. Her teammate, Toporek, placed second in the saddle seat pattern.

Overall, the Grosse Ile team took fifth place at the state championship.

Julia Winter was awarded the Huron League Scholar Athlete award.

All of Mark’s former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said “I still have my list. It’s in the top drawer of my desk at home.” Chuck’s wife said, “Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album.” “I have mine too.”

Marilyn said. “It’s in my diary.”

Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. “I carry this with me at all times,” Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: “I think we all saved our lists.”

That’s when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends that would never see him again.

The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don’t know when that one day will be.

So please, tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late.

Now back to my story.

In the above story the teacher said, “she had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin. He looked so handsome, so mature.”

I saw may have seen that young man and many others within an hour after they were killed.

When a person dies their body freezes and their facial expression remains until changed by human hands.

I saw many of those mutilated bodies and those faces of fear. I suppressed those feelings but every so often they come back.

That’s PTSD.

READ AND SAVE AT WWW.GI-GRANDNEWS.COM

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Page 28 • February 9 - March 8, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Author Joel Stone to speak Joel Stone, senior curator for the Detroit Historical Society, will address members of the Book Club of Grosse Ile at their annual dinner. The event will be held at the Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club on Friday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m.

The evening will begin with cocktails followed by dinner at 7 and Stone’s presentation at 8. He will speak about his publication Floating Palaces of the Great Lakes and entertain questions about his book afterwards.

This writing revisits the important era of steampowered ships, which provided one of the most reliable, comfortable and elegant transportation options on the Great Lakes at that time. His books will be available for purchase after his discussion.

As senior curator, Mr. Stone oversees the artifacts in the Detroit Historical Museum, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, and a quarter million artifacts in the city of Detroit’s collection. Raised in the Detroit area, he has studied here and abroad, and is a board member of the Association for Great Lakes Maritime History.

The public is invited to attend; book club membership is not a prerequisite. If you would like to make reservations for the dinner, please contact Ilona Macek at jimacek@aol.com by Feb.8

Come Paint The Grosse Ile Alliance for the Arts has provided “wannabe” artists an opportunity in the past to work with a professional artist and paint a take-home canvas.

The next painting party, dubbed Canvas, Cupcakes, & Coffee, is scheduled for Sat., Feb. 16 at Centennial Farm from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. GIAA members pay only $30 to take part. The cost for non-members is $35. All supplies will be provided as well as a free lunch.

Lending her talent as a professional artist is Erica Chappuis, who will instruct the participants. An added feature at the Saturday session is an opportunity for wannabe artists to bring an example of a past painting.

After the group workshop, Mrs. Chappuis will stay and critique individual art work and offer suggestions on how to improve their work. There is no fee for her critique.

To make a reservation, call (734) 676-9768 or mail your payment to GIAA, P.O. Box 63, Grosse Ile, MI 48138.

workers at summer events like Safety Town and youth camps.

And, as always, volunteers are needed to help plan, set up and clean up Island Fest.

To become involved call 734-675-2364.

Volunteers The Township is always on the lookout for volunteers.

Helpers are need for community events like the Fall Festival, Halloween Parade, Island Winterfest, Winter Olympics and the Easter event.

Volunteers are also need as golf course rangers and

Come Knit The Knitting Club of Grosse Ile meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Riverview Veterans Memorial Library. Come from some great fun, conversation and, of course, knitting Call 734283-1250 or go to Riverviewpuliclibrary.com.

Library teen volunteers Interested in volunteering at the library? If you’re 14-17 yrs old, take a look through our volunteering information and fill out our application. Follow this link to the Teen Volunteer Application, fill it in and drop it off at the library’s circulation desk or email it to Amalia Ash: ataash@trenton.lib.mi.us.

Once the completed application and work permit is given to library staff, you will be contacted within five days for a volunteering opportunity. Please note that as we have a limited number of volunteer opportunities and changing library needs, we cannot guarantee a certain number of volunteer hours or immediate placement.

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February 9 - March 8, 2019 • Page 29

Gedris on record pace, then off to U of M

By Bill Stevenson

“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

But, maybe, a polar vortex could. . .

While mostly considered a tribute to the United States Postal System, the words above are actually from the ancient historian, Herodotus, describing the Greek network of communication in the Persian Wars, (500-449 B.C.) But on a blustery, snowdriven January afternoon, travelers could witness another type of delivering a message in history.

James Gedris was running along the bike path, training for the upcoming spring track season, at a pace worthy of ancient accolades. So, what’s the big deal watching a lonely distance runner challenge himself in the dead of winter? Well, James is not just any runner among a long red line of distance greats who have run at Grosse Ile High School.

James is striding to be the best distance runner in Grosse Ile history. And he’s been chasing down the legendary Jack Sinclair, who set the all-time distance records in both cross country and track at Grosse Ile High School in the mid-1970’s.

Downriver running guru, Ray Geist, former coach still affiliated with the Grosse Ile program, ran on the same team as Sinclair, said,”I’m not fond of making comparisons between different generations as they usually don’t have the same baseline.”

“For instance, Jack ran when 9th graders were still in the junior high. Cross Country was three miles, not 3.1. And the state finals were run in two separate races. In track, most of the tracks were cinders, distances were in yards, and if you ran the two mile, that was the only race allowed that day.”

“James runs the 5K (3.1 miles). The state final is one combined race, and in track, he can run any four events. The criteria for All State has also changed.

“If you must compare, Jack Sinclair won two state championships in cross country, and two state titles in track. He set school records in the 800 yard run, the mile and the two mile. His two mile time was a state meet record at the time. Jack only lost one cross country race in his final two seasons. His only loss was to the eventual Class A state champ.”

“James did break Jack’s two mile record (converted to metric equivalency) this past spring, and he has his sights on the 800 and the mile.”

“There is no doubt they are the best two distance runners ever to come through Grosse Ile by a long shot.”

James Gedris began running in fourth grade when he joined the Meridian Milers running club, coached

by Kara O’Reilly. With early successes running,

he was motivated to get better. By the end of eighth grade, he was leading the pack.

His Grosse Ile High School cross country and track coach, Larry Swick said, “We knew James was a special runner in elementary school. He has become one of the top ranked runners in the state.

He is dedicated, motivated, determined. But most importantly, he is humble. He encourages and motivates his teammates during every meet. He works harder and runs more miles than anyone I have ever coached. He does the extra when no one is watching. He is really every coach’s dream.”

And has he ever delivered the goods. In the 2018 high school cross country season alone, he was champion of the Huron League, all area champion, Wayne County champion, regional champion, as well as the No. 1 finisher in almost every invitational the team entered. The same honors held true last spring in the distance events, culminating in a runner-up finish at the state finals in 3,200 meters.

Coach Swick attests to his impact, “By his presence and leadership, the team has grown throughout the last four years, and the boys’ team has been both the league champs and qualified for the state finals all four years.”

When asked how he got so fast, Gedris said, “Consistency. I never miss a day if I can help it. I run 360 out of 365 days. And I put on lots of miles. Over the summer I put on over 1000 miles.

Normally, I average 80 miles a week, with several 14-16 mile long runs. I do two hard workouts involving speed and distance at a 4:30 mile pace.”

“You get your body into that rhythm. I replay old races in my head. I strategize about future races.

Sometimes I just get in the zone. There are times I forgot I had homework, so I have to get home faster.”

Then race time is show time. While he doesn’t SEE GEDRIS, Page 30

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Grosse Ile basketball team on a win streak

By Dave Gorgon A three-game winning streak may have been just what Grosse Ile High School needed as the boys varsity basketball team neared the halfway point in the season.

The Red Devils earned important Huron League victories over Milan, Carlton Airport and Monroe Jefferson before cold temperatures forced the high school to close, postponing two games and a week of practices.

The highest scoring game of the three was the 77-64 win on January 18 at Monroe Jefferson. Four Grosse Ile players scored in double figures. Senior Karar Al-Rakabi led the way with 20 points. Senior Zak Thompson added 14, junior Joey Brillhart had 11 and sophomore Keegan Mott scored 10 in the

13-point victory.

Four nights later, the Red Devils earned a lower scoring 48-40 win over Airport. Al-Rakabi was the high scorer again with 14 points. Thompson added 10 points and junior John Blanzy scored eight.

Continuing the winning streak, Grosse Ile defeated Milan, 59-34, in a lopsided game.

Thompson and Mott shared top-scoring honors with 11 points each. Al-Rakabi added nine points to the cause.

The three road wins evened the Devils’ record at 4-4 in the Huron League and 6-6 overall.

“Honestly, our entire team is playing really well right now,” said Coach Mohamed Elhaj.

“Everybody is starting to contribute. Seniors are stepping up and playing the leadership roles. Karar

Al-Rakabi is leading us on both ends of the floor.

He’s doing a great job stepping up during big-time moments.”

Elhaj is especially pleased with the victories, knowing the Devils had a four-game losing streak earlier in the season.

“We started the season well and then went on a four-game losing streak, which I did not expect to happen,” he said. “We are turning things around and getting better – and that’s all I ask for.”

Elhaj also raved about the Grosse Ile junior varsity squad, which was 8-4 after 12 games.

“Our junior varsity is doing really well,” Elhaj said. “Coach (Tim) Seguin is doing a good job with the group he has. He has them playing hard and together.”

GEDRIS Continued from page 29 have any pre-race rituals, except trying to relax, rally his teammates with the “Push from the Bottom” group cheer, and keep his anticipatory heart rate in check, he carries with him a special crucifix around his neck—a gift from two cousins who are Greek monks just outside Athens.

The inscription, in Greek reads: “Our Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.”

Gedris relates, “The monks and nuns repeat it continuously in their daily lives, and it is said when practiced enough your soul begins to say it without moving your lips.”

And that kind of faith, discipline and work ethic has paid off.

But elite endurance runners, as finetuned machines, are not immune to the pressures and intensity of the highest levels of competition. Just this past fall, Gedris was the favorite to win the MHSAA Division II cross country state finals.

Braving 40 degree temperatures and sloppy conditions, for the first mile and a half, he and Otsego High School great, Alex Comerford were way ahead of the pack, battling en route to the state championship. And then he felt light-headed. His vision blurred.

He fought to race on. At the three mile mark, he was still in sixth or seventh place. And then he stumbled.

He felt disoriented. Teammate Matt Graver passed him and finished in thirteenth place, all state. He struggled

to get up. To finish the race. And finish he did. Medical personnel were there at the finish line, and rushed James to the local Jackson area hospital. After weeks of testing, the doctors determined it was a metabolic imbalance that threw his system out of whack.

But, as the great distance coach Joe Newton always said: “The greatest thing in life is not having fallen, but having the courage to rise up again.”

So, too did James Gedris. Three weeks after the state finals and his physical ordeal, he competed in the Foot Locker Midwest Regional Cross Country Championships in Kenosha, WI. And while he didn’t finish first (the winning time was a weatheraffected 16:10), he felt good. As good as you can running a 5K in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Nov. 25th.

As of late, he has been competing indoors in a number of meets leading up to the New Balance National Indoor Championships, where he holds the indoor record for the 5000 meter run at a blazing time of 14:52.

In addition to being a superior athlete, James also lives up to the Hellenic ideal of a “strong mind, in a strong body,” sporting a 3.9 GPA, and being recruited by Stanford, Yale, Georgetown, Penn, Wisconsin, and the University of Michigan. He will enter the University of Michigan this coming fall on a cross country and track scholarship.

In his spare time when he is not running, he volunteers with PB&J, a

charity his mother founded to provide bag lunches to homeless shelters and impoverished areas. At the time of this writing, he was organizing his fellow students for a trip to the Winter Special Olympics in Traverse City, a mission he has undertaken for the past several years.

So come rain or shine. Winter,

spring, summer, or fall. James and his teammates can be seen running.

Running on the road, running in the fields, running on the track. Driven by internal forces towards an evermoving finish line. His soul begins to say it with every step he takes. The race really never ends.

“Some men give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal, while others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than ever before” ~ Herodotus, The Histories

February 9 - March 8, 2019 • Page 31

Grosse Ile hockey coach knows a thing or two about the game Dave Gorgon If an island hockey player ever needs advice about their sport, they need look no further than Grosse Ile High School varsity Coach Jason Durbin.

Durbin excelled at every level he tried: ● He was a star youth player, competing in the respected Little Caesar’s program. Even as a secondyear Mite, Durbin was playing AAA hockey. ● He may be best known for his senior season at Trenton High School, when he was part of an undefeated (28-0) state championship team and earned the coveted Mr. Hockey Award as Michigan’s best high school player.

That season, 1995-96, he made the All-State Dream Team and set a high school scoring record for points in a season, 84, with 34 goals and 50 assists. ● He excelled as a member of the Danville Wings, a junior hockey program in Illinois. Durbin was named North American Hockey League player of the month in November 1998 and played in the league’s allstar game. ● He accepted a full scholarship to play hockey at Wayne State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business logistics while playing four years, leading the team in scoring three of those seasons and setting the record for career points, 131, with 55 goals and 76 assists. The Warriors won three straight league championships and earned an automatic berth in the national tournament.

During his days with Wayne State, Durbin made memories playing the University of Wisconsin before a hostile, sold-out crowd in Madison, playing the University of Alaska in Fairbanks and going to Boston College to play in a new arena built with money donated by former National Football League quarterback Doug Flutie.

Durbin received an offer to continue his career in Germany, but decided to enter the job market. He continues to sell property, casualty and life insurance with E.W. Smith.

SEE COACH, Page 33

Grosse Ile hockey coach Jason Durbin was Michigan’s Mr. Hockey in 1995-96 and played division 1 hockey at Wayne State

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

Page 32 • February 9 - March 8, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

First-year wrestling coach has big dreams for Grosse Ile varsity

READ AND SAVE AT WWW.GI-GRANDNEWS.COM

Dave Gorgon First-year Coach Riley Kilroy has high expectations for future varsity wrestling teams at Grosse Ile High School. There just may be some growing pains along the way.

The Red Devils opened training camp for the winter season with 16 potential wrestlers. Injuries, health issues and changes of mind about staying in the sport have reduced the roster to eight boys.

There are 14 weight divisions during a prep wrestling meet, so Grosse Ile has not been real competitive against other teams in the Huron League. Heck, only three of the eight boys were able to wrestle in the league meet, which was hosted by Grosse Ile on Feb. 2.

“We had some bad luck with injuries,” Coach Kilroy said after the league meet. “We were short today due to the flu. We had a couple quit when they decided it wasn’t for them.

“It is what it is. We’ve had a little bit of bad luck.”

The current roster includes seniors Joe McGrath (145 pounds), Alec Morin (152), Frank Gladowski (171) and Austin “Maverick” LaMothe (215), juniors Greg Howard (112) and Aidan McLaughlin (140), sophomore Xavier Linton (189) and freshman Jace Oraha (130).

Gladowski finished runner-up in the league meet. He was 4-1 vs. other wrestlers in the league and 15-10 overall heading into the one-day tournament.

Howard placed third in the league meet. He was 22-12 overall heading into the tourney. Linton also competed. Oraha, McLaughlin and McGrath were out with illness. Morin and LaMothe were out with injuries.

“Because the team is so small, I don’t look at the team standings,” Kilroy said. “We are not able to compete against a lot of teams and tournaments because of our small roster. I’ve been focusing on individual performances. Everyone has made great improvements.”

Despite knowing half of his current wrestlers will be graduating in June, Kilroy remains optimistic about the Red Devils’ future.

A new youth wrestling program provided by the Grosse Ile Youth Recreation Association for second- to

Photos by Larry Caruso

Senior Frank Gladowski was Huron League runner-up at 171 pounds

Junior Greg Howard was third at 112 pounds at the Huron League meet.

sixth-graders has 20-some children who participate on a regular basis, Kilroy said. The co-ed program, headed by Jay Vesperman, offers sessions twice a week from late November through the end of March and youth tournaments on weekends.

Kilroy said the program provides an introduction to wrestling. It also could serve as a feeder program for the school teams. The young wrestlers use the same room that the varsity

grapplers use in the high school.

In addition, physical education teacher Chris Metzger has been named coach of the middle school team and things are looking up.

“Numbers have doubled with him in the building,” Kilroy said. Tim Young is a volunteer assistant coach on the varsity.

Kilroy, 27, is a native of suburban Cleveland who moved to the area with his wife, who is a Downriver native.

He is in his second year teaching physics and chemistry at the Grosse Ile High.

In his younger days, Kilroy wrestled, starting in a youth program in second grade and staying with the sport through his junior year of high school. He was a three-time state qualifier and placed twice in the tournament. He also was a freestyle national champion in 2007.

When the position of varsity wrestling coach opened in the fall, “some of the kids talked me into it” and Kilroy applied and was appointed to the position.

Kilroy said his goals include bringing stability and consistency to the varsity and to build a program that will being Grosse Ile back into wrestling prominence.

“My goal is to build the program back to what it used to be back in the day,” he said. “I heard that in the ‘80s and ‘90s, they had a pretty solid program with full rosters that could compete with a lot of area schools.”

For more information about the Grosse Ile Youth Recreation Association wrestling program, visit the website www.gyrasports.com.

GROSSE ILE GRAND

February 9 - March 8, 2019 • Page 33

Continued from page 31 Durbin got involved in youth coaching, setting a goal of becoming a high school coach “one day.”

That day came eight seasons ago, when he was selected as an assistant to Coach Joe Maci with the Grosse Ile High School varsity program. Two years later, he was named head coach.

“Coaching is a lot of fun,” Durbin said. “I’ve been having a blast.”

Durbin’s best coaching experience came a couple years ago in 2016-17 when the Red Devils went 198-1. This year, they’re going for their third straight Huron League championship.

A 7-3 win over New Boston United on February 2 boosted Grosse Ile’s record to 10-7-1 for the current season. Senior left wing Chris Mihai – the Red Devils’ biggest offensive threat – scored a hat trick and added three assists as the locals overcame a 2-1 first-period deficit with five goals in the second.

Mihai had 57 points for the season with 31 goals and 26 assists. Senior captain Cody Keenan and junior Brennan Karn each scored a goal and had two assists.

“Chris is continuing to do exactly what has been expected: score goals,” Durbin said of his four-year varsity player and current assistant captain. “He’s one of our offensive powers. And he’s having a

$

Avg Per Hour

20

good year. He shoots the puck hard, skates fast and has good hands. There are not too many games he does not get at least one breakaway.”

Sophomore goaltender Owen Bonham stopped all but three of the opponents’ 26 shots. Durbin said New Boston United is a team made up of high school players from Huron, Airport, Flat Rock, Belleville and Summit Academy.

Mihai scored four goals in a 7-3 Devils’ win over Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, including the last three of the game. Keenan and senior Chase Havens each scored a goal and two assists in the win, which will help Grosse Ile toward its goal of capturing a Huron League title.

The coach also gave praise to senior Evan Napolitan, calling him “our shutdown defenseman.”

“It’s tough to play against him in our zone,” Durbin added. “When it comes to defensive defensemen, I don’t know too many better than him.”

The coach said the team would have more victories this year if not for so many injuries and illnesses. Plus, a couple games were postponed due to cold-weather days that caused cancellation of school. A key season-ending injury to junior forward Dylan Pattenaude came just six games into the campaign.

Rounding out the roster are senior Dante Papalia,

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juniors Joseph Kosztowny, Evan Lemerand and Carter Pattenaude, sophomores Eric Ellis, Presley Hubler, Adam Kargenian, Patrick Karn and Luke Miller and freshmen Benjamin Carter and Anthony Naso.

Grosse Ile is in two leagues. While the Huron League title is still in sight, capturing the Michigan Metro League East Division would be a stretch.

After league play is the regional round of the single-elimination state tournament. The Devils’ first game is set for 6 p.m. February 25. Wyandotte Roosevelt is the host team and the games take place at Yack Arena.

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Page 34 • February 9 - March 8, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

HAVE AN EVENT OR FUNDRAISER? LET US KNOW AT 734-282-3939

Playoffs are just around the corner Well, it’s February and that means Grosse Ile high school varsity teams are fine tuning their games in preparation for the Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs. Here ia a look at when and when and where the Red Devils will be once the postseason begins: Basketball The Red Devils will begin the state playoffs in a district tournament hosted by Romulus Summit Academy North. The Devils will face Detroit University Prep in a first-round game on Feb. 25. Host Summit and River Rouge will meet in the other first-round game and the winner will advance to regionals at Milan.

Girls Basketball Grosse Ile’s girls team will also start the postseason at Summit Academy. The Devils will open up against Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy at 7 p.m. on March 4. The winner of that game will face River Rouge and the winner of that game will meet Summit in the finals.

The district winner will advance to a regional at Adrian.

Hockey The Grosse Ile hockey team’s playoffs will begin at Wyandotte’s Yack Arena on Feb. 25. Coach Jason Durbin’s squad will face archrival Riverview in a 6 p.m. game. Prior of the Grosse IleRiverview game, Wyandotte will face Carlson at 4 p.m.. Following the Grosse Ile-Riverview game, host Gabriel Richard will face Temperance-Bedford.

Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central is the other team in the regional.

The finals will be March 1 at 7 p.m. at the Yack.

The regional winner advances to the state quarterfinal at Dearborn Ice Skating Center.

Wrestling The Red Devils began the Team Tournament Feb. 7 at Flat Rock and the Individual Tournament Feb. 9. At Richmond.

Any Red Devils finishing among the top four in their weight class at the individual district will advance to regionals Feb. 16 back at Richmond.

February 9 - March 8, 2019 • Page 35

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Page 36 • February 9 - March 8, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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