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July 11 - August 9, 2019 • GrosseIleGrand.com

8146 Macomb St. Grosse Ile, MI 48138-1574 Bus: 734-675-6870 Fax: 734-675-0492 rita@ritacole.com

Wishes do come true

Make-A-Wish gives dream trip to young cancer patient and her family

L

ast summer was a nightmare for Lindsay Labadie of Grosse Ile, who just turned 16. But things have changed.

In May 2018, after a year of increasingly bad headaches, she was diagnosed with a very rare and very large brain tumor — anaplastic central neurocytoma. Lindsay underwent a 14-hour emergency surgery at Mott’s Children’s Hospital that month. Sixtyfive percent of the tumor was removed.

Then there was chemotherapy, more surgeries to relieve pressure on her brain, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and all of

By Paula Neuman the blood work and testing and other procedures required.

In June 2018, the community held a fundraiser to help Lindsay’s family meet some of the medical expenses involved.

The girl’s scans and bloodwork have been favorable over the last six months, and Lindsay,

ALL THAT REALLY MATTERED WAS THAT WE WERE ALL THERE — ALL SIX OF US. I’M REALLY HAVING A GREAT SUMMER! who shoots trap for the Grosse Ile High School team, has been enjoying this summer immensely.

“It’s totally polar opposite from what happened to me last summer,” she said.

To make her summer even more memorable, Make-A-Wish Michigan sent Lindsay and her family — parents William and Kelli, older siblings William and Bridget, and younger brother Patrick — on a six-day trip to the CMA Music Festival in Nashville. They came home June 11.

Susan Katon of Hell, Mi., is one of the Make-AWish coordinators assigned to Lindsay’s wish.

“It was Lindsay’s sister who convinced her and her family to apply to Make-A-Wish,” Katon said.

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IN 2019, Leo Stevenson has been recognized by: Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” list Forbes “America’s Top 250 Wealth Advisors” list “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” *Source: Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list, February 2019. The ranking for this list by SHOOK Research is based on due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Forbes is a trademark of Forbes Media LLC. All rights reserved. Rankings and recognition from Forbes/SHOOK Research are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor.

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July 11 - August 9, 2019 • Page 3

WISHES

Continued from page 1

experiences to children with critical illnesses and their family members. Make-AWish confirms a nominated child’s diagnosis of a lifethreatening condition, and then gets to work.

“Two volunteers sign up to meet with Lindsay and family to complete paperwork stating her wish,” Katon said.

The volunteers for the Grosse Ile family were Katon and Rhonda Hall of Milan. Once they knew Lindsay’s wish, they talked to wish coordinator Victoria Rombach of Grand Rapids, who got busy arranging the experience. Before the trip, Katon and Hall stayed in touch with Lindsay, sending her small gifts and cards for a few months.

As the countdown toward to the music festival advanced, “we gave Lindsay a back sack filled with a gift to open each day,” Katon said.

The purpose of the daily gifts is to get the wish recipient exited. But as the trip grew near, Lindsay began to worry that it wouldn’t be as much fun as she had originally thought.

“I talked myself down so I wouldn’t be disappointed,” she said.

As it turns out, that wasn’t an issue at all.

On June 5 very early in the morning, a limousine arrived at the Labadies’ island home to whisk them to the airport.

“We were all wearing Make-A-Wish shirts,” Lindsay said. “We explained it to the flight attendants, and one of the ladies had just gotten over cancer. She gave me a big hug.”

The fight officials made an announcement as the plane started to land in Nashville about Lindsay being a special, honored passenger.

“That all really boosted my mood so much,” Lindsay said.

The family spend the rest

Lindsay Labadie and family attended a concert in Nashville and then celebrated with an ice cream party at Tasty Freeze

of the day exploring the luxury hotel accommodations Make-A-Wish had arranged at the Gaylord Opryland Resort.

“It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever been in,” Lindsay said. “It’s huge and amazing. It even has its own private river.”

The next day, the teen and her family were guests at a Make-A-Wish Foundation luncheon, along with two

other Make-A-Wish recipients who also had chosen the music festival as their wish experience.

Country star Easton Corbin was there to perform for the honored guests.

“He gave us a little mini concert, and then he gave a beautiful, signed guitar to each of the Make-A-Wish recipients,” Lindsay said.

And then it was on the

famous five-day concert, which offers acts by hundreds of country artists performing on 11 stages. The Labadies had a Make-A-Wishprovided credit card for all the souvenirs and food they wanted.

“Going through all the concerts! It was so cool! I had so much fun!” Lindsay said. “I cried the minute I saw Thomas Rhett. I love his

music. Country music really got me though everything that happened to me. This was my first concert. It was more than I ever imagined it would be. It was like a whole dream come true. I was so sad the day we left. I didn’t want to go back to reality.”

Reality turned out to be not so bad after all when Lindsay got home and got the results of her latest three-month scan and bloodwork.

“They came back clean,” she said. “So that’s six months that we’re still doing well. And Make-A-Wish did such an amazing job.

It’s an amazing program. It was the best family vacation I’ve ever been on. All that really mattered was that we were all there — all six of us. I’m really having a great summer!”

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Let me open with heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2019 on their graduation. One more milestone behind you as your futures become closer while still more distant.

As I am writing this, we are just beginning to enjoy summer weather and June is already drawing to a close.

Normally, if there is

By Brian Loftus such a condition as normalcy in municipal government, Township Hall is normally pretty quiet after school is out and people are enjoying summer vacations - or just being here. So far I have not been so lucky with a few big things going on and dozens of little things.

The best ‘big thing,’ at least in my world, is our new Department of Public Services Director, Mr. Derek Thiel. Many of you will recall that he once served as our Airport Manager and more recently as the City Administrator for Gibraltar.

Gibraltar Mayor Jim Gorris and I are good friends, he made me promise not to work Derek too hard, I wished him luck in finding a replacement.

The other big things, of course, are our bridges. The replacement of the East River Road bridge (connecting Meso Island) has been delayed until October (hopefully no later) but nothing is guaranteed.

In order to prolong the safe operation of that bridge, we had asked drivers to slow down when crossing the span and added advisory signs as a reminder. Unfortunately, our observations indicated that this advice was almost universally ignored so we added some additional not-so-subtle reminders that we are serious – and you should be too – that the bridge is important and we all have an interest in its longevity. Thank you for slowing down!

Other than the delay on the phase 1 repairs (the support piers) to the Grosse Ile Parkway bridge I have no new developments. The potential contractors are finishing their inspections, gathering data

and preparing their ‘design-build’ proposals for submission to Wayne County; we should have results to share toward the end of July. We will meet again with the County Engineering Director – I just hope we are not facing more delays. Again, no long term closures are expected during 2019.

Better news among the ‘little things’ - we just signed two InterGovernmental Agreements (IGAs) with Wayne County, making available approximately a half million dollars for road repair (bridges funded separately).

The water main project on Parke Lane is proceeding a bit behind schedule due to weather but we hope to finish on time.

Dust control, also a bit late due to the rains, should be complete by the time you read this. We also will be repairing some bike path bridges and rebuilding the overlook at the east end of Macomb Street, so lots of ‘little things’ that will keep Derek very busy.

IslandFest was educational this year, starting with the parade. As Ann and I were at the front of the parade, I was unaware of the Trump float bringing up the rear. I heard plenty about it later, but most of the complaints devolved to partisan concerns – I doubt the 58 percent of Island voters who supported then candidate Trump in 2016 were all too upset.

We will be considering some additional parade constraints, but don’t expect elected officials or candidates to be excluded as some of you have demanded.

Other lessons learned were to keep fireworks on Friday night and the carnival operates best on pavement.

The weekend after Memorial weekend will be IslandFest for the foreseeable future so no it has not been cancelled for 2020 – another rumor to be quashed.

On a calmer subject, Westcroft Gardens, Michigan’s oldest family owned farm, will be hosting the SEE TALKING, Page 38

Page 6 • July 11 - August 9, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

We’re from Grosse Ile and no one could be prouder And if you can’t hear us, we’ll yell a little louder ...

Looking back at the 20182019 school year in athletics and extracurricular activities, we have much to shout about. There are many reasons to show your Red Devil pride. So much so, the recap of another successful year

By Bill Stevenson turns out to be voluminous. And while earlier stories focused on the elementary and middle school accomplishments, we mainly turn to the high school to highlight the extension of learning outside the classroom. We begin with clubs and organizations that readers may not be familiar with.

Link Crew is a group of juniors and seniors who help incoming freshman transition to high school.

They get trained over the summer and then run the Freshman Orientation at the end of August. Last summer there was a power outage on the day they were supposed to be trained. We could not find another date to schedule the training, so these 32 students did a GREAT job (as all our GIHS students do) at learning the material and put on a very successful orientation this year. They continue mentoring the freshman into the school year.

We have another 32 students set up to do it all over again this fall (as we have for the past 8 years) The Education Occupation (DCTC) students were involved in a few different activities during the 18-19 school year. The students completed competition projects, even though they were not able to attend the national conference due to financial restraints. They did however attend the MiAEYC (Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children) Conference in Grand Rapids to learn new and exciting things in regards to young children.

The favorite was the Music Lady’s presentation. The students also went to Oakland University for a student conference and was able to learn about what it would take to be a teacher.

Student council had a great year, starting off with a trip to Leadership Training Institute and the State

Conference, where students gained further leadership skills. They had their biggest Charity Week to date, exceeding their $10,000 goal by raising $13,978.80 for the Rock CF and Fleece and Thank You charities.

HOSA or Health Occupations Society of America (DCTC) is a student-led organization for students in the health science programs through the Downriver Career and Technical Consortium (DCTC).

This year, students participated in community service by hosting a “junior/senior” prom for residents at the Atria Kinghaven Assisted Living Center in Riverview. Several students medaled at the Regional Conference, in which they show their proficiencies in specific healthcare skills. At the state conference, Tiffany Collins took fourth, Samantha Toth took silver, and Rocky Morabito took gold. They are competing at the International Conference this summer.

The Environmental Awareness Club is made up of dedicated students who truly care about diverting as much paper and plastic away from landfills as possible. They are currently recycling used beauty product containers as well as used markers, pens and mechanical pencils.

They have set their sights on trying to make our cafeteria more recyclefriendly as well.

The Grosse Ile High School Drama Club, or more correctly, Thespian Troupe 2860, under the direction of Theatre teacher, Anthony Semifero and advisor Krista Shafer-Ewbank, carried on the tradition of live theatre by performing the drama Wiley and the Hairy Man by Suzan Zeder for their fall play, held November 16-17, 2018.

Many student performers also took part in Grosse Ile’s Boar’s Head festival in December. The spring production, Jekyll’s Hydes: A Totally Teen Comedy by Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus involved a large cast in a comedy spoof of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson story.

Not to be outdone, the Music program continued its critical role in the lives of student performers, with more than 25 percent of the student body participating in some extension of music, either vocal or instrumental.

The Marching Band began their pre-

camp experience in late July, with a full week of band camp in August.

In addition to performing at home football halftimes, with the Homecoming parade and gala production, the band competed at the Trenton Invitational where they were awarded second place for best marching, best music, best drumline, and best color guard. They also took second place and best percussion at the Downriver Fanfare Competition in Wyandotte. The middle school and high school bands performed at the Downriver All Star Band program held at Flat Rock High School in April.

The Grosse Ile High School vocal music program had concerts in the fall and spring, complementing the elementary and middle school choral programs that drew capacity crowds for each performance. The GIHS Madrigals performed medieval Christmas carols at the Grosse Ile Historical Society Holiday boutique as well as other venues throughout the Island.

Instrumental music students performed at the Solo and Ensemble Festival, held at Livonia Franklin, under the auspices of the prestigious Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association.

Emily Bailey, Jordan Aguilera, and Jess Roekle won awards for their outstanding performances.

The Grosse Ile Music Boosters, soon to be celebrating their 50th year has continually supported the music program at all the Grosse Ile Schools.

Partnering with the Grosse Ile Educational Foundation, they held a hugely successful “Derby Day—Race for Music Fundraiser to support music education, K-12.

In May, the Music Boosters awarded their Betty and Leo Blazok memorial scholarship for vocals to Jade Garza. Noah Lopez won the John Bishop memorial scholarship for instrumentals.

And turning to athletics at Grosse Ile High School. Looking back at the 2018-2109 school year showed continued excellence. Most people don’t realize that Grosse Ile provides more athletic opportunities per student than any other high school in the State of Michigan.

There are 28 varsity teams and 40

sub-varsity teams, including those at the Middle School. The current high school student population is 580. The middle school pupil count is 420.

More than 75 percent of students enrolled in the high school or middle school are involved in schoolsponsored sports. Additionally, Grosse Ile students lead the way in All Academic honors with the highest combined grade point averages in either the Huron or Downriver leagues.

Every year the Grosse Ile Athletic Boosters provide support and funding for awards banquets, varsity letters, certificates and plaques, event programs and concessions. Four Athletic Booster scholarships were awarded in 2019 to graduating seniors.

The Ron Solack Memorial scholarships were awarded to James Gedris and Alisa Erickson. The Jay Tissot scholarships were awarded to Marisa Swick and Matt Graver.

In addition, Lindsey Jurecki was named a finalist for the MHSAA Scholar-Athlete award throughout the State of Michigan. Wisdom WoodsAmes won the Positive Athlete award for the state of Michigan by the organization of the same name, for her good sportsmanship, attitude, and character.

When originally proposing to do a story recapping athletics or extracurricular activities in the Grosse Ile Schools, the idea was easier said than done. Wow! There are so many good and great things going on, which to chronicle would be daunting.

The other concern, of course, is to omit successes would be viewed as a slight, which is not the intention. Of course, we all know the old aphorism about the road to hell is paved with good intentions. . . I tried, as time and space permitted.

To find out more about any or all of Grosse Ile High School sports, their records, awards, and honors visit www.gischools.org under Athletics, high school sports. Click on Fall, Winter, or Spring “Awards Program” for more complete coverage and details.

And, the great thing, it starts all over ... soon. Way to show our Red Devil Pride!

GROSSE ILE GRAND

July 11 - August 9, 2019 • Page 7

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Page 8 • July 11 - August 9, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

TELESCOPING THE TOWNSHIP

Early morning vision: A legacy library on Middle School grounds I have lived on Grosse Ile for 87 years - I grew up on the Island, graduated from the 1911 building in 1950 and taught at Grosse Ile High School from 1958-61.

My parents Art and Bernie Marsh rented an apartment in 1932 next to the airport (torn down in 2017 as a hazardous building) and brought my

By Pamela A. Frucci twin brother Pat and me to live there when we were sixweeks-old. We later moved to a rental home on South Pointe and then built a home in 1937.

My husband Jack taught on the Island in 1960-61. We enjoyed the water view from the 1911 building and the old high school. Both have been demolished and replaced by the middle school, which was built with no windows on the water - so “not distract the kids from learning,” so I have heard.

I woke up with one December morning at 5 a.m. with a vision of a reading library on the waterfront where the 1911 building once stood. It would be called the Legacy Library and have the date edged on the front of the building when the treaty was signed by the Macomb Brothers and the Potawatomi Indians on July 6, 1776.

I would donate my art collection of Grosse Ile artists I’ve been collecting for 50 years to be on display in the library. It would have easy chairs for young and old to read and enjoy the view.

Even though a millage to build and maintain a library on the Island has been twice voted down by those who feel that we have a perfectly good library in Trenton and Wyandotte, the Legacy Library has a different spin.

I would handle the fundraising to build the library and in 2022 there’s going to be a millage to renew to use the Wyandotte and Trenton libraries.

By adding a reasonable amount to the millage, it would handle the operation and staff of the Legacy Library.

I’m working with Kyle deBeausset, the eighth generation of the Macomb brothers, to release the original treaty from the Burton Historical Society in Detroit where it’s been stored away

Five who were inducted into the Eagle Scout Court of Honor

from view. It would have a permanent home in the Legacy Library.

To sound out the parties who would make the Legacy Library a reality, I’ve met with the Grosse Ile Township.

Schools’ superintendent and the finance committee of the school board as well as the finance director, supervisor and township manager to sound them out.

I’ve also met with Emmanuel Kollias of Sidock Group in Wyandotte to design the Legacy Library (they’re the firm which converted the derelict hangar left behind from the Navy days into the state-of-the-art township hall)/ Their design will be forthcoming for the August Grand. (I’m told it’s going to be like a Frank Lloyd Wright design but not too modern!).

Right now the Legacy Library is merely “a vision”. I’m hoping there are Island residents who share my desire for a reading library on the waterfront.

Call or email me if you’d like to be part of a Legacy Library Planning Committee. I plan to have a fundraiser in September with a model of the library as a focal point. Supporters would be able to drop contributions into the model from $20 to $20,000.

The Fruccis are starting the collection with $25,000. I’m hoping residents of Grosse Ile will want to be part of building a Legacy Library.

To quote Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that small groups of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

FIVE EAGLE SCOUTS HONORED AT COURT OF HONOR ON JUNE 10 I was privileged to be in the audience at the Sacred Heart auditorium on Mon., June 10 while five young men were welcomed into the Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

The Eagle is the highest honor a scout can achieve and an auditorium of parents, family, friends, and fellow scouts witnessed the ceremony. The honorees were each recognized for their project that earned them the Eagle pin.

Those recognized were Chad Donahue, who helped build a four-foot wide trail and three walk-over bridges, which extended from the parking lot of the Grosse Ile Nature Preserve all the way to the waterside. Chad worked with fellow scouts and the Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy on the project.

Mathew Graver built a rain garden on the southeast end of the high school track to naturally filter rainwater before it enters the township drainage system.

Financial help for the project came from the GINLC and the VFW.

Nicholas Quinlan constructed a 900 square foot wild flower garden at Grosse Ile High School. Again the GINLC gave him a grant to buy plants for the garden and the VFW gave a generous donation.

Wayne Sawka was recognized for his effort to take a large section of a 152-year-old oak tree, preserve it, and mark with an arrowhead significant historic dates on the rings of the tree.

It’s on display in the township lobby.

The fifth Eagle Scout honored was Dakota Thompson, an artist, who designed, built, and installed a colorful sign with a bike rack at the Grosse Ile High School Nature Study Area on Grays Drive with help from the GINLC. Taking part in the ceremony was Dan Cowan. On the plaque at the township hall where all Eagle Scouts are listed, Dan and his four brothers are listed as earning the highest rank in scouting.

CONCERTS ON THE COMMONS HAS FEEL OF A TOWN SQUARE, PROVIDING MUSIC AND FOOD The first of 10 Sundays of Concerts on the Commons kicked off June 23 with over 100 enjoying the Ella Fitzgerald-like entertainer Sheila SEE TELESCOPING, Page 16

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

Dress Up, Wine Down offers a gala ‘evening out’ to benefit rehabilitation patients More than a dozen years ago, Janelle and Peter Rose, owners of clothing stores Willow Tree and Chelsea Menswear & Tuxedos in Wyandotte, came up with an idea to benefit the Downriver community and also jazz up their fashion shows.

“Peter and I used to do fashion shows, and they were so boring,” Janelle Rose said. “They didn’t have music and other accompaniments. On our buying trips, we’d go to fashion shows in New York and Montreal and Vegas and Chicago that were exciting.

We wanted to do that. And then we thought — you can’t just do a fashion show.”

After input from customers and friends, the Roses came up with Dress Up, Wine Down, a gala “evening out” at Crystal Gardens in Southgate to benefit rehabilitation patients.

The event includes a champagne reception, a wine tasting and strolling dinner, a professional runway fashion show featuring local celebrities and community leaders, and then a highenergy dance party complete with lighting and special effects. A silent auction is also part of the fund-raising fun.

The gala has been going strong ever since it debuted, and this year was no exception. One hundred percent of the proceeds goes to support patients who need help affording medical equipment and other rehabilitation services.

“Some are underinsured and some have no insurance,” Rose said.

Chairing the event is Dr. Anne Abrahamson, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist in Wyandotte and a long-time Willow Tree customer.

She has a practice at Great Lakes Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and also serves as medical director and chairwoman of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital.

Abrahamson and her husband, Nick, are among the models in the event’s fashion show. Proceeds of the gala fundraiser are dispersed to patients through the Downriver Rehabilitation Fund, a philanthropic effort of the hospital.

“We partner with a lot of different

Dr. Anne Abrahamson presents Janelle Thorsrud and her husband with a check for $10,000 to help with her rehabilitation costs.

organizations throughout the Downriver area,” Rose said.

One of those organizations is Team Rehabilitation, a network of therapistowned, inpatient physical therapy clinics with locations that include Allen Park, Southgate, Taylor and Woodhaven.

The underlying purpose of Dress Up, Wine Down became very personal for this year’s partygoers when Team Rehabilitation physical therapist Janelle Thorsrud, 36, of Grosse Ile was presented with a check for $10,000.

Thorsrud was there, in a wheelchair and struggling for words to express

her surprise and gratitude. She and her husband had a baby in 2016, and a few months later, the new mother had a massive stroke causing severe brain injury. She’s been in rehabilitation ever since.

“She knew she was going to recognized as someone that shows why we do what we do,” Rose said, “but she didn’t know she’d be a recipient. It was such a moving, good thing to watch that happen right there. She is in her third year of recovery and the road has been difficult. She is why we do what we do.”

Team Rehabilitation executive Scott Delcomyn, director of the Southgate clinic where Thorsrud worked, was a model on the gala’s runway. So were WXYZ TV reporter Jenner Ann Wilson, and Judges Elizabeth DiSanto (27th District Court, Wyandotte), Jennifer Coleman Hesson (33th District Court, Woodhaven) and James Plakas (35th District Court, Plymouth), plus a host of other community leaders.

Days after the gala, Rose was still elated about its success. The event is billed as “An Enchanted Evening,” and it truly was that, she said.

“It was so great,” she said. “It was spectacular. The vibe was so amazing!”

Under Abrahamson’s leadership on the event committee are Lori McMillan, Cynthia Marion, Michelle Hotea and the Roses. And many other people help out, Rose said.

“It takes a lot of people to do an event like that,” she said.

Besides Chelsea Menswear and Willow Tree, main partners in the event are Team Rehabilitation, Great Lakes Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital.

Local support also is given by Discount Drinks, Symon Rental, TJ Monte Productions and Crystal Gardens.

The event’s mission statement: “We dedicate ourselves to improving the well-being of our community family through the promotion of rehabilitation services, transforming lives through health and wellness Downriver, one person at a time.”

GROSSE ILE GRAND

July 11 - August 9, 2019 • Page 11

PROCEEDS OF THE GALA FUNDRAISER ARE DISPERSED TO PATIENTS THROUGH THE DOWNRIVER REHABILITATION FUND, A PHILANTHROPIC EFFORT OF THE HOSPITAL.

Representing Henry Ford Health System: Linda Myers (left) of Trenton, Deb and Paul Szilagyi of Monroe, Karen and Kevin Rourke of Allen Park and Vonda Grant of Grosse Ile.

Front Row: Helen Panteleonitdou of ChildTime Learning and Marika Diamond of BASF Back Row: Lia Simpson of BASF and Jennifer Gould of Henry Ford Hospital in Wyandotte

Melissa Armatis (left) of Daly Merritt Wyandotte, Vonda Grant of Raymond James, retired Wyandotte Chief of Police Dan Grant and Audrea Cooks, a Southgate therapist.

Leah and Ron Hinrichs, president of the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber.

Photos by Dave Gorgon

Nick Abrhamson and Dr. Anne Abrahamson of Grosse Ile. Doctor is with Center for Rehabilitation.

Page 12 • July 11 - August 9, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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CULINARY CAPERS Kathy Levillier of Hickory Island returns to Culinary Capers with another unique salad (her Copy Cat Cucumber Blueberry Salad, published in August, 2017, is a favorite of many readers). Kathy, a member of the Grosse Ile Herb

By Evelyn Cairns Society who is known for putting her special spin on recipes, said she was inspired to create the following salad by a recipe in the Wall Street Journal.

She recently took the salad to a meeting of the Herb Society and to a neighborhood potluck gathering. (The herbs were from her own her garden, of course.) Not surprisingly, she was asked for the recipe.

When I made the salad, my only change was substituting black olives, my favorite, for the traditional Kalamata, a bit less Greek, but nevertheless delectable.

INSPIRED CHICKPEA, FETA GREEK SALAD 15-ounce can chickpeas 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil ¼ teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Drain and rinse chickpeas and pat dry with paper towels. Place the chickpeas in a medium-sized bowl, add the oil and sprinkle with the salt and pepper.

Stir, then spread evenly on a rimmed cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil. Roast for 15 minutes, then remove from oven to cool.

Meanwhile, in the same bowl, combine and stir gently: 2 cups diced tomato, or grape tomatoes, quartered 1½ cups peeled and diced cucumber ¼ cup diced red onion ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint 1 tablespoon oregano ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste Freshly ground pepper to taste 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons red wine or cider vinegar To serve, line a platter with lettuce leaves and place combined vegetables, herbs and spices in the center. Surround with: Canned beet slices

Kalamata or other olives Finally, top the salad with 1 cup of the roasted chickpeas (extra chickpeas can be served on the side) and sprinkle with: 1 cup crumbled feta cheese YASOO! SHARES FAVORITE Amira Surur of Brownstown Township (Amira’s a hairdresser at Salon Sigrid, on Grosse Ile) shares a family-favorite recipe for a simple and simply luscious blueberry dessert.

I’ve baked her pudding cake twice already and will be making it often during the U.S. fresh blueberry season, which is now through midSeptember. I served the dessert with vanilla ice cream as Amira does ... yummy! It’s my favorite kind of recipe: quick, easy and delicious!

AMIRA’S BLUEBERRY PUDDING CAKE n Preheat oven to 350 degrees. n Brush a 7- by 11-inch baking pan with cooking oil. Add 4 cups washed and patted-dry fresh blueberries to the pan and sprinkle with ¼ cup sugar and ¼ cup chocolate chips (dark chocolate chips optional). n In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together until smooth 1/3 cup cooking oil, ¼ cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 egg and ½ cup milk. Set aside. n In another medium-sized bowl, sift together 1½ cups all-purpose flour, 3 teaspoons baking powder and 1 pinch salt. n Add the contents of the dry bowl to the bowl with the liquid ingredients and stir with a spatula until thoroughly mixed. Scoop tablespoonsful of the batter onto the blueberries, spread evenly (this may not be easy) and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cut into squares and invert so the blueberries are on top.

CAN YOU HELP? Larry McDermott of Grosse Ile would like a recipe for a strawberry rhubarb pie. Can you help? If have a good one to share, email it to Evycairns@aol.com. Kathy’s Cucumber Blueberry Salad recipe is also available if you’d like copy.

HAPPY COOKING!

Page 16 • July 11 - August 9, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Still cruisin’

Although it is now sponsor-less and is no longer an official, sanctioned event, Downriver classic car enthusiasts still know the last weekend in June as the date for the Downriver Cruise. So on Friday, June 28 and especially on Saturday, June 29 fans lined Fort Street and parking lots became impromptu classic car meets and classics, cruisers and hot rods made the trip up and down Downriver’s man drag to the delight of hundreds of viewers.

Photo by Larry Caruso

TELESCOPING Continued from page 8

Landis with a drummer and guitarist.

Not only was there music, but Custard Corners has returned with their ice cream cart.

New this summer is a coffee and cold drinks truck in the parking lot, and in the corner was a stand from Westcroft Gardens with freshly grown vegetables.

There’s even going to be a pre-concert entertainer at future concerts. Mike Mullen is bringing his mountain dulcimer and setting it up a various locations on the grounds before the concerts to play for those who arrive early.

Because the Downtown Development Authority contributes to the Concerts on the Commons, they requested at least one concert be appealing to the kids in a family. A special concert is coming up on July 14. The featured performer is Rufus the Dufus, a young man who entertains kids of all ages. He juggles, he unicycles, he ties balloons into animals and uses music to accompany his act.

Also at the July 14 Concert on the Commons, the sponsoring organization, the Grosse Ile Alliance for the Arts is planning an ice cream social as a fundraiser which also should appeal to kids of all ages!

ALTHOUGH FAIRLY NEW TO GROSSE ILE, JACKIE SHANNON HAS “HIT THE GROUND RUNNING!” Jackie Shannon’s talent isn’t just that she plays the

French horn professionally or reads master theses for a college in California, but she brings her writing talent to the Creative Writing Club and her marketing skills to the Grosse Ile Historical Society.

She now serves on the board of the GIHS. The society recently created clever fans that read “I’m a fan of the Grosse Ile Historical Society with all their events printed on the other side.

One of the past “prompts” for the Creative Writing Club was to write an “advertising” piece to get people to want to visit or live on Grosse Ile. Jackie came up with two pages of Burma Shave type slogans to promote the Island that I passed on to the DDA liaison Andrea Sukokus whose job is to promote the Island.

She plans on using some of Jackie’s slogans on Macomb Street for “Paint the Town Red.” WILLING VOLUNTEERS IMPROVE THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S GROUNDS AND BUILDING Marking its 60th anniversary this year as the Grosse Ile Historical Society, volunteers from the Grosse Ile Garden Club offered their help to plant shrubs and flowers on the outside of the Customs House and the Kiwanis Club is painting the inside of the building.

Even Dawn Spears, the tenant in the upstairs apartment, planted colorful flowers around the flagpole.

Also gracing the grounds at the entrance of the

Customs House is an attractive planter dedicated to three past active volunteers with the Historical Society who have either passed away or moved away: Peg Bailey, Clare Koester and Sarah Lawrence.

Any Island resident or off-Island visitors who haven’t paid a visit to the historical museum at the corner of East River and Parkway should put it on their “to do” list.

The hours are Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. There’s a knowledgeable docent on duty to show you around to see 60 years of collective Island history.

HERE’S A TIP ON HOW TO GET DROOPING PEONIES TO STRAIGHTEN UP At a recent Beautification Council of Southeast Michigan meeting at the Novi Civic Center, we had a speaker on native plants. During the Q & A session following the talk, I mentioned living on Grosse Ile, where, back in 1920, Ernie Stanton founded Westcroft Gardens where he hybridized azaleas and rhododendrons to grow in Michigan.

I asked if anyone could hybridize peonies so they wouldn’t droop when their stems couldn’t support the heavy blossoms. A lady spoke up that she got a tip from Martha Stewart: Use a tomato plant wire holder to embrace the peonies which holds them upright.

GROSSE ILE GRAND

July 11 - August 9, 2019 • Page 17

Residents are urged to participate in Senior Olympics

By Tom Tigani

Special to Grosse Ile Grand

Residents of Grosse Ile, Allen Park, Brownstown, Ecorse, Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Huron Township, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Romulus, Southgate, Taylor, Trenton, Woodhaven or Wyandotte age 50 years and older soon will get a chance to bring home the gold.

Southgate will host the 2019 Downriver Senior Olympics from July 22 through 26.

“The Senior Olympics are a fantastic way for all our seniors Downriver to have fun,” Southgate Mayor Joseph Kuspa said. “People in all the communities really enjoy it. We hadn’t hosted it since 2000, and every community has done its part over the years, so it was time for us to do it again.”

Southgate Parks and Recreation Director Julie Goddard said the city is looking forward to its third turn as host of the event, which is expected to draw nearly 500 participants from the region.

“By hosting it here, we hope to get more seniors involved so that they can become more active in programs in our own community,” she said.

“As the host city, we line up sponsors, set up registration and edit forms, among other things,” Goddard says. “We’re working with local schools for the opening ceremony and several events; we also supply equipment and banners. It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun work, and this year allows us to partner with a local business, Crystal Gardens and our own municipal golf course.”

Organizers say the annual event is a chance for seniors to get moving and socialize. And while you don’t have to be able shoot a round of golf like Tiger Woods, bake like Betty Crocker, play cards like a shark or swim like a fish to take part, be advised that some participants take their fun a little seriously.

But that’s a good thing, says Amy Thomas, Brownstown Township’s assistant director of parks and recreation and Downriver Senior Olympics board secretary.

“There are groups in a couple of communities that train year round for running,” she said, “and a group from

Tossing a bean bag in last year’s Senior Olympics is Rodney Wade, Flat Rock Parks and Recreation Director.

Kayakers get ready to put into the Huron River at HuRoc Park as part of the paddle and pedal completion in the 2018 Downriver Senior Olympics.

Southgate is walking faster and faster each year. Training for throwingrelated events is more individual, but some people will start throwing around a football or softball with their grandkids a few weeks before.

“Card games - euchre, pinochle and bridge - are much more social, but we award three medals per age bracket, and participants do want to win.”

Many card players retain the friendships they make after the event

is over.

“It’s awesome,” Thomas said, “because they talk during the games and make arrangements to play and practice for the next year.

“Some Olympics participants have told us it’s a reason to get out of bed in morning. It’s a way to be social and have fun, which is important to seniors’ mental and physical wellbeing. We also try to keep things fresh, and switch things up from year

to year as people tell us they want new events. We try to have something to do for everybody.”

Downriver’s Senior Olympics, started by officials from Lincoln Park, Southgate, Wyandotte and Trenton is now in its 34th year, and the number of events and participants have increased along with its popularity.

At last year’s games, hosted by Flat Rock, 270 gold, 210 silver and 159 bronze medals were awarded.

This year’s games start at 7 a.m.

Monday, July 22, with the Breakfast of Champions at Southgate Anderson High School and end with the Unity Awards Banquet at noon Friday, July 26, at Crystal Gardens, 16703 Fort St. in Southgate. The breakfast is free; banquet tickets are $16 per person and must be purchased in advance.

In between are events that include a baking contest; softball and football throws; euchre; tennis; billiards; darts; a car show; golf; hockey shootout; ballroom dancing; paddle and pedal; and bowling.

Team events include bridge, golf and dance; partners in those must be listed and registered individually. All other events will be a blind draw on site. For a full list of events, go to www.downriverseniorolympics.org/.

The Unity Banquet, which is open to all Olympics participants and adult guests, caps off the festivities with a fitting celebration.

“It’s phenomenal to see officials from all these communities come together, and the seniors from these communities come together,” Kuspa said. The Unity Banquet really exemplifies that we’re all just a big family Downriver.”

“It will be a full banquet meal,” Goddard said. “We’ll announce the numbers of medals that each community wins. Mayors, state reps and city officials will all be in attendance at this great event.

We also will pass on the banner to Brownstown, the 2020 host community.”

Registration forms and event payment forms must be completed and submitted to residents’ local senior center or postmarked by June 30.

Residents in communities without a senior center should call Southgate at (734) 258-3066.

Page 18 • July 11 - August 9, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

A great summer read

School-Community program to bolster literacy

By Bill Stevenson Want to spend some quality time with your children or grandchildren? You want to do your part in preventing the loss of learning which teachers notice every new school year as “summer slide?” Want to bond over a book in some of the coolest places in town?

Well, the Grosse Ile Township Schools have a

super program for you and your youngster.

This summer, Parke Lane and Meridian Elementary Schools will share their love of reading with all Islanders.

Think of it as an Island-wide Reading playdate. Families are invited to bring a book, a blanket, and their love of reading to selected venues around the Island. Just spread your blanket, plop down, cozy up, and share 20 minutes of family reading time.

The first “read in” was held June 18th at the Tasty Freeze lawn at 7:00 p.m. And for a first time event, more than forty readers trickled in and enjoyed tasty treats for body, mind, and soul.

Parke Lane Elementary Principal Nicole Garza was pleased with the first showing.

“Last year we had two literacy nights with a book swap and popsicles, and did not have the overall turnout we had hoped.” Garza said.

“This year, our Literacy Interventionist and first grade teacher, Lindsey Parsons, led the charge. She started researching summer reading programs, and collaborated with our staff and upper el Meridian Elementary to design a program that would keep reading fun for kids and have parents or grandparents model literacy behaviors. It took a while to coordinate with all the businesses and community agencies, but with a love of community and a love for reading, we think it’s a great partnership.”

“We invite readers of all ages to join us.”

Summer flies by quick!

Remember to schedule your BACK TO SCHOOL dental cleaning!

UPCOMING FAMILY READ TIMES AND PLACES ARE: July 11 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Grosse Ile Playscape.

July 24 @ 7:00 p.m. Police and Fire Lawn (Grosse Ile Police and Fire Departments will also be sharing the love of reading with us!

August 1 @5:00 p.m. Water’s Edge Pool $1.00 per reader to swim. Zero cost to read!

August 15 @ 7:00 p.m. Parke Lane Playground For that matter, Parke Lane Elementary is wondering if they can start a reading movement Downriver or across Michigan. The challenge is at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, all summer long, to go outside with your family and show off great reading. You can tag them on Twitter and Facebook

#parkelanepride.

Additionally, parents are encouraged to join the “Parent Read at Home Plan” not only throughout the summer, but the entire school year. In 2016, the Michigan Legislature passed the “Third-Grade Retention Law,” (Public Act 306) to ensure students exiting 3rd grade are reading at or above grade level, beginning in the 2019-2020 school year. You can find out more about the program at www.gischools. org under Parke Lane Elementary “Documents and Forms.”

So grab a book, bring a blanket, and cuddle up with your kiddo, and get reading.

Remember, Reading is FUNdamental.

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LISTENING IN ON THE ISLAND

Newcomer to Island rents remodeled home on Macomb Ever since noticing a former old time home at 8550 Macomb Street get a makeover, I’ve been wanting to stop by and meet the new owner.

There was never a car there until recently. The word that I had gotten was that it was going to be a business run by Mike Perry. The building underwent construction to give it a 21st Century look. I stopped by and talked to the carpenter who was working on the house.

By Pamela A. Frucci Instead of an ordinary roof, he drew a curved roof on the dirt in front of the house and said the owner liked it well enough to have the builder use the design. It’s painted a barn red and has attractive landscaping out front with flowers in the planter on the front porch.

I had the pleasure of meeting the woman who is renting the house. She’s Dr. Aimee Nefcy, an ER physician who works for the Emergency Physicians Medical Group, which runs ERs in the Downriver and Ann Arbor.

Her story is that she was renting a condo in Midtown Detroit and the landlord wanted to raise her rent to $2,200 a month. She told him that she could rent a house on Grosse Ile for that amount. Sure enough she did!

She said she likes the small town feel of Grosse Ile and being close to nature. She and her cat love the two-story home and the kitty has its own caged in “catio” (patio) outside the back door where she can climb to different levels.

DR. WEIR WAS A THOUGHTFUL, CARING PHYSICIAN I knew Dr. Don Weir as a faithful member of the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church, but there was far more to his lifetime story that ended on April 8 at the age of 90 years and nine months.

His widow Connie told me they moved to Grosse Ile four years ago to be closer to their grandchildren.

He was born in Sussex, Wisconsin in 1928. How many 15-year-olds

do you know who start their college years as a high school sophomore? He went on to get his medical degree at the University of Iowa and advanced degrees at John Hopkins Hospital.

His first wife died in 1988 and he married Connie Krug in 1989.

As a nurse, Connie and Dr. Weir volunteered their medical services in Africa and Australia and to family members.

Their travels took them to seven continents, all 50 states, and nearly 50 foreign countries. The good doctor practiced medicine with wisdom and empathy until he was 80, never hesitant to ask strangers their medical history.

Music and family were also close to his heart. Living on the Island, he took pleasure in parking on the waterfront lot in front of the Sacred Heart Chapel and enjoying looking upriver to the skyline of Detroit and watching the river traffic. As his wife Connie told me “Don fell in love with the Island…it was the right place at the right time.”

CURRENT OWNER OF HISTORIC KEITH HOUSE ADDS GARAGE THAT MATCHES HOME Trying to match the historic past of his home at 9510 Horsemill that goes back to 1862, Ken Moore is adding a two-car garage that blends in with the style of the original home.

The inside décor as well as the grounds add to the historic feel of the home. An historic marker is also on the grounds.

FLEMING QUADS ARE FAR-FLUNG Since graduating from Grosse Ile High School in 2016, the Fleming quads have pursued careers far from their Island roots.

Caroline is in France to play soccer and witness the Women’s World Cup. Christopher is in Montana and in the fall will join his sister, Caroline, to play soccer for Adrian College.

Zander had to give up a career in dance and is in San Francisco planning to open a dance studio and Aubrey is in Washington, D.C. interning in sustainable gardening at Mt. Vernon.

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July 11 - August 9, 2019 • Page 23

High school names spring Most Valuable Players

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July 11 - August 9, 2019 • Page 25

New York vacation brings back 37-year-old memory My wife, Janet and I recently returned from a one-week vacation in New York.

We stayed at the Sheraton Hotel right in the center of Times Square. Our room was on the 31st floor.

It was a nice room, but not much of a view. When we opened the drapes all we could see was a high rise office building.

I found myself falling asleep nights while counting the viewable lights on that building. For the first six days the weather was perfect, temps in the 70s and cool at night.

By David L. Dyer Then came Monday the seventh day. It rained on and off all day. We had seen three plays and went on a couple of tours, our plan was to take a taxi to Macy’s on that last day. After lunch we heard a loud, thunderous roar.

We walked out the main entrance of the hotel on Seventh Avenue. I looked to the left and saw two emergency vehicles had blocked off 51st street. With so many people on the street it was difficult moving closer to see what happened.

Within an hour of hearing that “thunderous roar” over 100 emergency vehicles had completely surrounded the area. We managed to cross 7th Ave and went into Rosie O’Grady’s and watched CNN on TV. A helicopter crashed onto the top of the office building. Yes, the same office I had counted the lights while falling asleep the night before.

After terrorism had been ruled out, it was determined that the pilot, who had many years of experience was attempting to fly from east Manhattan to his home port in New Jersey. The heavy rain and fog caused him to get lost and stray into a restricted area. He radioed for assistance prior to the crash.

By crashing onto the top of that building he lost his life. No one else was injured.

Imagine how many casualties there would have been, had he crashed into the center of Times Square.

This immediately brought back a 37-year-old memory.

In September of 2014 my brother Wayne was to speak at the National Harbor Convention Center in Oxen Hill Maryland. He invited Janet and I to come and he would call me on stage

WITHIN AN HOUR OF HEARING THAT “THUNDEROUS ROAR” OVER 100 EMERGENCY VEHICLES HAD COMPLETELY SURROUNDED THE AREA.

to talk about my book “From Darkness to Light: as I had done in Toronto and Cobo Hall in Detroit. At the last minute he had to cancel because of severe back and neck pains. We went ahead with our plans. There was no way I’d miss an opportunity to visit the Vietnam Memorial which we did the next morning.

We decided to take the ferry over to Alexandria for dinner. During that ferry ride I spotted a bridge. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. I soon had an OMG moment like I’d never had before. I asked Janet if I ever told her about Lenny Skutnik.

On the 13th of January, 1982 it began snowing early in the morning.

This developed into a heavy snowfall and blizzard like conditions. This type of weather was very unusual for

Washington, DC. Most of the federal offices in Washington, including the Pentagon in Arlington, VA closed early in the afternoon.

This created a massive backup of traffic on most of the roads. After walking the quarter-mile to where my car was parked and cleaning off the snow and ice, I was on the road at 2:30.

Traffic was crawling and at times came to a complete stand still. The usual 25 minute commute took all of four hours.

It took nearly an hour just to reach the bridge. That is when it happened.

Air Florida’s Flight 90. A Boeing 737 crashed into the bridge. It crushed seven occupied vehicles on the bridge killing four before plunging through the ice into the Potomac River. There were seventy four passengers and five crew members on the aircraft. Four passengers and one

flight attendant survived. My timing was just right. If I had left an hour earlier, mine may have been one of those seven occupied vehicles.

A helicopter crew lowered life lines and pulled four of the survivors to safety. The fifth one, Priscilla Tirado, whose husband and child were killed was pain stricken and blinded by the jet fuel and was just too weak to grab the line. Several people had gathered on the bridge including me, hoping and praying for her safety.

How soon would she succumb to hypothermia?

Lenny Skutnik was not about to find out. You may have seen something like this in comic books, but this was really happening. He kicked off his shoes, ripped off his jacket, and dove into that icy water. Within two minutes he was pulling Priscilla out of the water.

Two weeks later, during his State of the Union Address, President Reagan introduced Lenny Skutnik to the entire country and commended him for his actions.

In closing I’d like to mention the glorious feeling I had watching Priscilla Tirado being pulled from the water.

My thoughts quickly took me back to a 19-year-old soldier who was brought to the emergency room during a mass casualty in Vietnam. He was missing a leg and had severe abdominal wounds and needed immediate surgery. The operating room was overloaded as were our three physicians.

He just had to wait a few minutes, but there was no time for waiting, I watched him die. I’m not saying he would have survived had our facility been properly staffed. There was just no time for him and of course there was no Lenny Skutnik.

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July 11 - August 9, 2019 • Page 27

Dingell announces $400,000 brownfield funding On June 21, 2019, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-12th District) announced a $400,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Downriver Community Conference (DCC) to help clean up and redevelop Brownfield sites in southeastern Michigan. The DCC has long been a leader in Brownfield remediation and has received more than $12.6 million towards that end since 2008.

According to the EPA,

By Bill Stevenson the Brownfield Program “provides grants and technical assistance to communities, states, tribes and nonprofit organizations to assess, safely clean up and sustainably reuse contaminated properties.”

A Brownfield is an abandoned industrial or commercial property complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

It is estimated that there are more than 450,000 brownfields in the United States. As part of its industrial past, Downriver residents are keenly aware of sites in our area that need remediation and reclamation. This $400,000 supplemental funding was part of 305 assessment proposals submitted to the EPA nationally, with only 104 of them funded.

Congresswoman Dingell said, “The need to clean up left-behind, contaminated brownfield sites continues to be the goal for Downriver leaders to improve livability. The Downriver Community Conference has an excellent track record of using Brownfield dollars in such a manner and the supplemental funding from EPA enables this good work to continue.”

Dingell added, “The Downriver area has many valuable natural resources that make it a safe place to live, raise families, and enjoy the outdoors.”

Executive Director of the Downriver Community Conference, Jim Perry was pleased to receive the supplemental funding, and said, “We have a long history of taking blight sites and turning them into bright sites. The DCC has worked together on behalf of all our

communities, and have been very successful, and are proud to receive these funds.”

Paula Boase, Director of Economic Development for DCC explained the logistics of the $400,000 supplemental funds which will become available in October, 2019, as part of the new fiscal year for the EPA budget disbursement approvals, appropriated by Congress.

The EPA Brownfield grants may be assessment grants providing for brownsfield inventories, planning, environmental impact, and community outreach. DCC was part of the initial assessment of the McLouth Steel clean-up. Other grants may be a directly funded cleanup grant for cleanup activities at specific sites. Job training grants provide environmental clean-up training for residents who live in Brownfield affected communities.

Earlier grants to the DCC provided job training at Wayne County Community College for students or adults interested in a career and/or immediate employment in restoration projects.

More likely, the $400,000 grant is part of a revolving loan fund that provides loans and subgrants to municipalities or private-public partnerships.

According to Boase, “Under EPA guidelines, the revolving fund monies will have to be loaned out three separate

times on rotational basis to provide no-interest or low interest loans for Brownfield cleanups. A good portion of this recent EPA grant will be used to hire people to help clean-up the LaZ-Boy headquarters, working with the company and the City of Monroe. It’s a win-win for all concerned.”

U.S. EPA Region 5 Project Manager Brad Simple highlighted efforts to improve local economies in Brownfields: Properties with a New Purpose. citing the recent Environmental Protection projects facilitated by DCC which include the Wade McCree Estates Brownfield grant in Ecorse, Michigan.

“Constructed in the late 1950’s, the apartment buildings in the McCree Estates had become obsolete when the Ecorse Housing Commission undertook cleanup and redevelopment of the 21acre property. Disposal of contaminated soils, removal of underground storage tanks, and abatement of asbestos was completed with a $1.3 million EPA grant awarded in 2017, and an additional $1 million provided by the State of Michigan. Once remediated, the housing commission built 200 new homes. Besides bringing new life to the site, the project provided employment to 230 construction workers and will increase the city’s property tax base for years to come.”

It’s a win-win.

Additional DCC Brownfield projects which have been recently completed include the Dearborn Artspace, which reclaimed and refurbished the old City Hall in East Dearborn providing artists and their families affordable housing, studio space, and business incubators.

Ventower Industries in Monroe, Michigan, was established in 2008, working with public and private entities to construct a state of the art wind turbine tower manufacturing facility.

DCC was instrumental in the process, with more than 100 people hired, adding to the environmental and economic development of southeastern Michigan.

“Since its beginning in 1995, the DCC Brownfield Consortium has leveraged EPA’s nine million dollars in grants into over $100 million in combined investment and taxes.”

DCC Executive Director Jim Perry smiles when he says, “We’ve been busy. We continue to do the good work in revitalizing our communities and turning vacant and abandoned sites into community assets” It’s a win-win-win.

For more information about the Downriver Community Conference, visit their website @www.dccwf.org to learn about their programs, services, partners, and community members.

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EPA to DCC: Win-Win

Page 28 • July 11 - August 9, 2019

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July 11 - August 9, 2019 • Page 29

Simsonian 5K, a Grosse Ile Tradition

Event honoring Steve Sims still running strong

By Bill Stevenson The 17th annual Simsonian 5K Kick-Off Classic will be held Saturday, August 17, 2019 at Grosse Ile High School. The 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk begins at 8:30 a.m. while the 5K computer-scored race goes off at 9 a.m.

The race, which began in 2003, has been held in honor of beloved Grosse Ile High School teacher and coach, Steve Sims, who died unexpectedly that year of a dissecting aortic aneurysm at age 47. All proceeds from the race go to a scholarship, awarded annually to an outstanding female scholar/athlete at Grosse Ile High School. The Family and Friends of Sims are proud that Steve’s love of life and dedication to academic and athletic excellence lives on in the lives and education of others.

To date, more than $34,000 has been awarded to deserving students.

GIHS Athletic Director, Jim Okler said, “We are so happy that the Sims Run has become a fixture in the kickoff of a new school year. It speaks volumes of the impact that Steve had on the history of Grosse Ile High School.

While many may not have known Steve Sims, his spirit and legacy lives on

through the scholarship.”

“This is a great community event,” Okler said. “It’s a fun race for a great cause.”

Year after year, the race has gotten bigger, with parents and family members joining their wide-eyed children running their first 1 mile or 3.1 miles. And age proves no barrier, as last year the race brought out the competitive spirit in the 86-year old mother who edged out her daughter in the 5K because, “I want to beat you.”

Avid road runners and local cross country teams turn out as a tune-up for the upcoming racing season. Last year’s overall male winner was James Gedris, who finished the course in a record, 15:47. The female champion last year, Alisa Erickson, ran a stellar time of 19:52.

The 5 K race awards are given to the first male or female overall. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are given for each male or female groups 12 and under, 13-16, 17-20, 21-29, 30-39, 4049, 50-59, 60 and over.

The race is ably timed by Gary Olsen and Race Time Services, who also times the Island Roadrunners’ Memorial Day Run. DJ Mix-master Mike Pehote

provides the music throughout the race, as well keeping the after-race party hoppin’.

The Friends of Sims want to encourage participation, and have kept the entry fees at the same low rates for the past 17 years. Early entries by August 10, 2019 are: $15 for Students 18 & Under; $20 Adults 18 & Over.

Late or race day entries are $25 for all individuals.

For your entry fee, you get a great running experience, coveted commemorative T-shirt, refreshments, after-party, deep awards, and many raffle prizes (must be present to win).

You can pick register on-line @www. active.com or pick up an application at Grosse Ile High School or the Grosse Ile Recreation Department.

Besides being an outstanding teacher, Sims was the winningest coach in Grosse Ile history in both girls’ basketball and girls’ track and field. His basketball teams had a record of 412 wins with 119 losses from 1980-2002.

His track and field teams were even more legendary, with a dual meet record of 186-39. His tracksters also won 19 league championships, countless invitational meets and always had state

qualifiers.

Sims coached student athletes in both basketball and track and field who were state champions and later went on to excel in their sport on a collegiate level.

But for those who knew him, this race is personal. Steve Sims was one of those Reader’s Digest, “Most Memorable Characters.” As a teacher and coach, he deeply touched thousands of lives. He was a loving son, a devoted brother, a friend, a colleague, a running partner, a confidante, a jokester. He was so many things to so many people. We are reminded of him, when we read the words from one of his favorite novels he used to teach—The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: “If personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures, then there was something gorgeous about him, some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life, as if he were related to one of those intricate machines that register earthquakes ten thousand miles away.

This responsiveness had nothing to do with that flabby impressionability which is dignified under the name of the “creative temperament”—it was an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person and which is not likely I shall ever find again.”

Come join us as we honor the life and legacy of Steve Sims.

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Page 30 • July 11 - August 9, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

SUGGESTIONS OR COMMENTS? WE ARE LISTENING AT 734-282-3939

When dieting, pick a goal Dr. Nicole Couseneau Special to Grosse Ile Grand

Diet trends come and go almost weekly. When it comes to choosing a diet most people try whatever diet their friend is trying. That friend read about it from someone on the internet and decided to give it a try.

The problem with this method is what works for one person may not work for another.

Every individual is different and that dictates that a person’s diet should be individualized as well.

First when you are trying a new diet, it is important to pick a goal.

Why are you changing up your diet?

If you need to lose weight or are trying to heal some health issues, if things are done correctly you can meet whatever your goal you set.

Choosing a diet that is right for you should be done with the help of a professional.

I know that is not a popular answer, but it is the safest and most efficient method to achieve your goals. There

DRIP.

are so many factors involved in maintaining a healthy diet. Often when people follow the latest diet trend, they don’t even know how to follow it correctly. People will pick and choose what parts of the diet they can do and what they can’t. There is probably a reason why you have to add or remove certain things from your diet. If you pick and choose you could be adding to the problem and possibly creating health issues.

A simple commitment of making healthier decisions on a daily basis may allow you to meet your goals.

It is easier to start small and allows you to make permanent change. It could be that eating fast food 1day a week instead of 3 days could create a change. A simple change for any individual to make is to swap out 1 pop for a water everyday. Then swap another and another until you are drinking more water than pop and you will see a positive change.

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7800 Grays Drive Grosse Ile 8:30 a.m. 1 mile Fun Run/Walk 9:00 a.m. 5K Race (Computer scored event)

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Students 18 & under: $15.00 Adults 18 & Over $20.00 LATE OR RACE DAY ENTRY: $25.00 Individuals

Gold, Silver, Bronze each Male/Female age group 12 & under; 13-16; 17-20; 21-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60 & over

Register On-Line @ Active.com or Pick up Apps at GIHS or GI Rec Dept.

July 11 - August 9, 2019 • Page 31

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Public safety millage renewals on Aug. 6 ballot

By Paula Neuman

Islanders will be voting Aug. 6 on two millage renewals for the Police and Fire Departments.

“The renewals for both police and fire are critical for the township to maintain the current levels of public safety,” Supervisor Brian Loftus said. “I fully expect both millages to be renewed. We spend the dollars wisely and have been one of the safest communities in Michigan for the past 10 years — a pretty good track record.”

Grosse Ile has been the No. 1 safest community in the state for each of the last five years by the National Council for Home Safety and Security.

The police renewal is for 1 mill ($1 per $1,000 to taxable value), which is rolled back to 0.9919 mill to keep it no higher than inflation, in keeping with the requirements of the state’s Headlee Amendment.

The fire renewal is for 1.5 mills ($1.50 per $1,000 of taxable value), which is rolled back to 1.4878 mills, also in keeping with Headlee.

Because both ballot issues are renewals, residents’ property tax rates will not increase. In fact, because of the rollbacks, the rates will slightly decrease.

Both renewals are for five years.

The police millage will raise approximately $618,000 in its first year, and the fire millage will raise approximately $927,000 in its first year.

“The millage rollback due to the Headless Amendment of 1978 will only cost us a little over $10,000 on these two millages,” Loftus said, “but overall the reductions have cost us nearly a half million dollars annually. When Headlee was passed, no one ever considered that property values could decline, which they did, precipitously, in 2008-09, especially in southeast Michigan.

The constraints within Headlee have made recovery very difficult for our community.”

Here are the initiatives: MILLAGE RENEWAL FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT “Shall the expired previously

voted increase be renewed in the total tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Grosse Ile Township, of 1.50 mills ($ 1.50 per $1,000 of taxable value), reduced to 1.4878 mills ($1.4878 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at 1.4878 mills ($1.4878 per $1,000 of taxable value) and levied for a period of five (5) years from 2019 through 2023 inclusive, to provide funds for the purpose of providing funds to operate the Township Fire Department, raising an estimated $927,000 in the first year the millage is approved and levied?”

MILLAGE RENEWAL TO MAINTAIN CURRENT POLICE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS “Shall the expired previously voted increase be renewed in the total tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Grosse Ile Township, of 1.00 mills ($ 1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value), reduced to .9919 mills ($.9919 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at .9919 mills ($.9919 per $1,000 of taxable value) and levied for a period of five (5) years from 2019 through 2023 inclusive, to provide funds for the purpose of maintaining the current law enforcement operations on Grosse Ile, specifically for Police Department Funds, raising an estimated $618,000 in the first year the millage is

READ AND SAVE AT WWW.GI-GRANDNEWS.COM

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Page 32 • July 11 - August 9, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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July 11 - August 9, 2019 • Page 33

What’s better for your property value?

About eight months ago, I asked for thoughts on the imagining of two extremes to effectively illustrate the point I was making (that I make all the time).

Considering the way our regional economy works (region meaning our Downriver area) on

By Peter Rose a daily and ongoing basis, what would things look like and feel like with two opposing hypotheticals being compared.

These concepts are the very core of my visions. It would be fun to do a study of money trails as you point in that trail and try to follow it. It’s too hard, of course, because it’s not like a dollar bill getting marked. Charge and debit cards, checks, and lapsing time all factor in, but theoretically, I think the idea is fun to consider. Money bounces around, in a crazyquilt way that can stun.

It’s not just the “Where’s

George” game; it’s behind the scenes with a purchase made that pays the wages of the people serving the needs of local shoppers.

A suit purchased at my store generates revenue that pays wages for several employees - local residents.

They, then, spend some of those wages on spending money for a new snow blower, or a bite to eat, on paying their utility bills - all of which employ other local people, who are paid and then spend. The astounding complexity of this web is astounding if you let it all in. The magnificent beauty of capitalism is almost like magic.

Indeed, it all just seems to happen, automatically, and without any conscious thought, right?

You flick the switch up, the lights go on. Who thinks about that, really? Likewise, who really thinks about how the economy works? As long as things are good, humming along and happy, there is little reason to think about things that feel “above our pay grade.”

I’m sure you know that this is exactly why I write.

We can sense relative prosperity in pockets of our region. Some areas seem hopping; some areas are hurting. We tend to see these things as something beyond our control, or as evidence of good or bad city planning.

As a rule, we don’t look at hurting areas and think to ourselves that we can help, and that we will help.

You don’t disagree, do you?

So my comparisons go to the issue of what seems more likely to make for a more bouncy economy around here if given two polar opposite scenarios that you help create: One features all of the money you spend on an ongoing basis being spend elsewhere. Gassing up happens outside of Downriver. Same for the hiring of a contractor to fix that hole in your wall - he’s from Novi, now. And so on - everything. All food, all clothing, all services including attorneys, money managers, everything.

Think about how rapidly our region would collapse.

Stores closed, blight everywhere.In this absurd extreme, the calamity would be instant. Please take a moment and let this roll around in your head, imagining how those bouncing dollars you spend would stop cold.

In this scenario, consider what would happen to the value of your home within minutes. You divert your spending along with everyone else, and your own home value plummets. Is it hard to connect these actions and results?

The other scenario is one in which the exact opposite thing happens. In this case, you (and every single resident in the Downriver area) decides to do a little experiment, wherein every dollar you spend on everything gets spent within our borders. 100 percent. Do you, in this latter scenario, disconnect the impact to your own well-being? Does this region become more desirable to home purchasers that are thinking about where to buy?

Both pictures are too extreme, but they illustrate

quite well. Which do you prefer, and then, which do you do? If you say some of both, as most of us do, then you personally could do a lot more for your own sake.

Not for me or any single business. This is a far bigger picture than specific operations within our borders.

It is the entire economy.That’s a big idea, bigger that I can get my arms around.

But still, I can “see” these scenarios. Can you?

When you really KNOW that 3½ times more of your spent money remains in your local economy if you buy from locally owned businesses compared to national chains, you then know that your spending choices matter a great deal to your own well-being as well.

Having connected these dots, when you think about the complete elimination (100%) of your dollars from your local economy when you buy on-line, have you done yourself any favors?

I know you get it. So what will you do?

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July 11 - August 9, 2019 • Page 35

Nora Chapa Mendoza, 88, to exhibit artwork during Street Art Fair For renowned artist Nora Chapa Mendoza, 88, painting is her therapy, in a sense, and it’s something she’s compelled to do every day.

She’ll be showing some of her work — art that often has themes aligned with women, Native Americans and Hispanics — during next month’s Wyandotte

By Paula Newman Street Art Fair. She’ll be in a booth in front of River’s Edge Gallery, 3024 Biddle Ave., as an honored guest of gallery owner Patt Slack.

“I’ve been with River’s Edge since way, way back, even when they were in their first location,” Mendoza said. “I used to take my work there to get it framed, back when Jim (Slack) was still alive. Then they decided to represent me.”

Today, her art, much of which is abstract expressionist, has been “represented” all over the nation and the world, but Mendoza is loyal and devoted to the friends she’s made along the way.

The artist has earned a great many honors over the years.

In 1999, she was awarded as the Michigan Governor’s Art Award – Michigan Artist of the Year, and in 1996, she was chosen as one of eight artists who participated in the renovation of Detroit’s Music Hall. In 2011, she was named Visual Artist of the Year by the Wayne County Council for the Arts, History & Humanities.

Her work is included in many collections, public and private, as well. Among

private collectors who have acquired Mendoza’s work are the late Aretha Franklin, actor Edward James Olmos and former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer. In Detroit, corporate collectors of her work include General Motors, Blue Cross/ Blue Shield and Ford Motor Co. “I’m included in the American art archives in the Smithsonian,” she said. “I feel very good about that.”

The University of Notre Dame Institute for Latino Studies also has archived her papers.

Mendoza, who lives in West Bloomfield today, was born in Texas to Mexican parents, and began doing art as a young child.

“I was definitely born an artist,” she said with a laugh.

She moved to the Detroit area in 1953 when she was 21.

“I attended classes at the Center for Creative Studies (now the College of Creative

Studies) way back in the day when they had a little building, mostly to confirm to myself that I really could paint,” Mendoza said.

She also attended Madonna College (now Madonna University in Livonia), always working to improve her painting techniques.

Some time after she moved to Michigan, her marriage came to an end.

“After my divorce, I had no money to raise my children,” Mendoza said. “I had to have a job so finally I started doing art fairs. And when paintings sold, I thought, ‘This is good, I can do this.’”

Always, she faced some discrimination for her Mexican heritage. Mendoza, through her art and her activism, hoped to create a better world, where people of all ethnicities were valued.

She struggled to get her art into galleries.

In 1978, she, with other Latino artists, formed

Nuestras Artes de Michigan (NAM), with chapters in Ann Arbor, Detroit and Lansing.

She is a founding member of the Michigan Hispanic Cultural/Art Association, as well.

“Way back in the day, it was really difficult to get galleries to show my Hispanic or Indian influenced work, so finally I just opened my own gallery,” Mendoza said.

She opened Galeria Mendoza in southwest Detroit in 1981. Her gallery became known as the first Latin American art gallery ever established in Detroit. And little by little, her paintings continued to gain attention and to sell.

In 1999, Mendoza was named official liaison to the Michigan Latino Arts and Culture Initiative, a collaboration of Casa de Unidad, the Michigan Council for the Arts, and the Michigan Department of Education. She held art workshops in Detroit

to encourage young people.

She was named as a member of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, a post she filled for 10 years.

Her career, when she looks back, amazes her. She has traveled the world with her art, including two solo exhibits in Cuba. One of her paintings was presented to Fidel Castro. Mendoza still laughs when she remembers how people in Japan followed her around everywhere she went as if she was a rock star.

“It went beyond what I thought it would ever do,” Mendoza said. “But if you’re a real artist, you don’t do it for the money. You don’t do it for the fame. You do it because you must do it.”

Mendoza, who attributes her longevity to clean living and inheriting good genes, still paints every day. And even now, after decades of working, she sometimes gets so lost creating art that time just disappears.

“Sometimes I even forget to eat,” she said.

What inspires her?

“I guess things that I find unjust or unfair, anything that gets an emotional reaction from me — angry or happy or whatever — it all just comes out in my painting,” Mendoza said. “I guess it’s like my therapist, only a whole lot cheaper.”

On her website (norachapamendoza.com) is this quote: “In order that my art reflect my life, it is inevitable that the artist free the spirit and spontaneously embrace the soul. Each day, I look eagerly to yet another opportunity to observe and express the pain and dignity of human endeavor.”

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Page 36 • July 11 - August 9, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

THREE STORES IN ONE!

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Venerable Wyandotte Street Art Fair kicks off 58th year A festive throng of visitors will flock to Wyandotte July 10-13 for the city’s 58th annual Street Art Fair.

Several hundred jury-selected artists and crafters will showcase their wares downtown in six blocks of booths on Biddle Avenue and on many of its side streets, as well. More than 200,000 visitors are expected for the fair. Local merchants will offer special sales, and scores of food vendors, booths and restaurants will tempt visitors with everything from hot dogs to haute cuisine.

Fair hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and a wide range of eclectic entertainment on the riverfront is slated from noon to 11 p.m. each day.

The Wyandotte Street Art Fair is considered one of the top events of its kind in the country, featuring artists from all over the nation and Canada with works in media including fiber, metal, paint, wood, leather, jewelry, photography, sculpture, ceramics, basketry, glass and much more. And celebrated Michigan artist Nora Chapa Mendoza will be a special guest of River’s Edge Gallery on Biddle Ave. The city offers lots of free public parking downtown, and side streets provide more. A children’s activity

area, beer tents, an emerging artist area, garden art and many other features are part of what makes this fair such a draw to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who come each July.

Despite the crowds, if you’re from Wyandotte or a nearby community and walking the fair, you’re sure to see someone you know.

Many nonprofit groups also have booths at the fair for fundraising and to offer information. For instance, the Wyandotte Jaycees will be holding a beautiful baby contest as a fundraiser during the fair, and Bacon Memorial Library, 45 Vinewood Street on the corner of Biddle a few blocks north of the fair, will hold Art on the Lawn at 1 p.m. July 11, offering kids a chance to make squirt gun paintings.

On Chestnut Street, just a few blocks from the fair, the Downriver Council for the Arts holds its own free art fair and block party in conjunction with the city’s main event.

The Wyandotte Street Art Fair began in 1961 with an exhibit by the Acanthus Art Society, and gradually blossomed into the extravaganza it is today. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended

Under Pressure Cleaning

Ask Marie Pucak how she happened to become the owner of Grosse Ile Pet & Garden Center and she will tell you that while owning a store such as this was not something she planned, it now appears undeniable that this is where she belongs.

After a high-profile and successful career in the corporate world of the Cleveland, Ohio area, Marie Pucak relocated to Grosse Ile when her husband Rick was offered a promotion in the Detroit area. Literally left on an Island where she didn’t know anyone, she accepted a part-time job working for the Grosse Ile Marketplace in 2014.

“They needed my help, and I needed them. God put me where I needed to be,” Marie quipped.

In May of 2016, Marie purchased the business from the previous owners and will be celebrating her second full year of ownership this month. “I never expected to fall in love with being a store owner, but now I can’t imagine my life any different”, she said.

Asked what sets her garden & pet supply apart from other comparable businesses, Marie was quick to say that their customer service is second to none. If we don’t carry an item that a customer wants, we will try to arrange to stock it. And my staff treats everyone who comes in here like family.

We really have three different businesses operating under the same roof. Our pet food and supply segment, our huge garden center and our recently expanded gift section.

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July 11 - August 9, 2019 • Page 37

GARDEN CLUB TABLESCAPE LUNCHEON – ANYTHING GOES V Grosse Ile Garden Club members, along with local businesses and friends of the club, sponsor a bi-annual designer luncheon event to raise funds to support Club/community projects.

This year Anything Goes V will be held at the Grecian Center, Southgate, on Tuesday, Sept. 10 beginning at 11 a.m. Tickets to this always sold out event may be purchased by calling 734675-0417. Volunteer designers provide awe inspiring tablescapes. Others may participate by donating a raffle basket or item. Monetary donations are also accepted.

Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. followed by raffles and other fun events. All are welcome. Tickets will be available until July 1, 2019 or until they are sold out.

For general information, membership questions or Anything Goes details, please feel free to contact Cyndy Nemon at 734 675-9521.

GET REGISTERED As a reminder ahead of the Aug.6 election, eligible citizens can now register to vote through election day and all registered voters can now vote from home.

Through July 22 citizens can register to vote at any Secretary of State office, Township office, designated state agency or by mail.

After July 22, citizens must register in person at the township offices. When registering in person, residents need to bring a document verifying residency,.

Acceptable documents are: Driver’s license, state ID card, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document.

To vote early, simply acquire a ballot from the Township office or from Michigan.gov/Vote. Fill out the ballot and return it to the Township office or drop it in the maile.

Mailed ballots must be received by 5 p.m. the Friday before the election. dropped off ballots will be accepted until 8 p.m. on election day, Aug. 6 CLASS REUNION The Grosse Ile High School Class of 1973 will meet for a casual reunion on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 at 6 p.m. at Smokies on the Water, 25555 West

River Rd, Grosse Ile. A response is appreciated, but not required. For more information or to RSVP, call Stephanie Cobb at 734-3073593 or Mary Jo Turek Gallagher at 517-256-9615.

GOLF SPECIALS Tuesdays after 4 p.m. at Water’s Edge students (17 and under) and women golfers play at half price. Come out and play a relaxing round of golf!.

3V3 WOMEN’S STREET HOCKEY CUP July 20 (Girls and Women); for more information and registration visit 3V3 streetcup.com.

COME ON DOWN Running throughout the summer, the popular Movies on Macomb will be held at Lyons park at dusk.

In conjunction with the movies will be Meet me on Macomb, which encourages people to come out, meet, shop and play in downtown Grosse Ile. On summer Sunday evenings through September there are weekly concerts and the Island Market.

GROSSE ILE SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB Meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 11:30 p.m.

Refreshments followed by a short business meeting, programs, bingo. This is a social club for men and women 55 years and up living on Grosse Ile. UPCOMING FOR SENIORS Downriver Senior Olympics hosted by the City of Southgate. Residents 50 years and older, July 22-26. Registration deadline is June 30; applications available at Water’s Edge.

ISLAND WALKERS Mondays through Fridays from 6:45-7:45 a.m. year round at Centennial Farm Activity Room; aerobic walking to music.

OPEN PICKLEBALL FOR ADULTS On Tuesdays and Thursdays through May at Meridian Elementary School Gym from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

HISTORY ON WHEELS Gearheads Custom and Classic LLC Car Show Tuesdays July 23 and Aug. 20; $1 registration fee on site each

month; judging for best car in town.

Prizes at the end of season for first, second and third place; 5-8 p.m. Show subject to weather.

VOLUNTEERS The Township is always on the lookout for volunteers.

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

Volunteers are also needed as golf course rangers and 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 734-6752364.

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 734-283-1250 or go to Riverviewpubliclibrary.com.

LOOKING FOR A NEW BEST FRIEND? The Grosse Ile Animal Shelter, 24525 Meridian, has dogs, cats and kittens ready for new homes. Stop by and meet your new best friend.

For shelter hours, call 692-9688.

LIBRARY Remember the Veteran’s Memorial Library in Trenton severs the community of Grosse Ile, as well at Trenton, Woodhaven and Brownstown.

The Library is committed to providing services to all patrons. Adult services include a monthly Adult Book Discussion which meets the first Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m.

We also provide beginning computer classes. The library often has special speakers or presentations including author book signings, informative presentations, and genealogy help.

There are state publications and informative flyers on local non-profit , and educational opportunities.

We also offer access to databases and the internet through free wi-fi access and 34 public computers. Copy machines and fax services are also available. DVD

movie rentals are $1 each. New movies rent for three days and regular movies rent for one week.

There is also a free family movie on the second Saturday of the month. The Trenton Historical Society meets here twice a month to assist patrons with genealogy research. Used books are for sale in an ongoing book sale as well as the Friends of the Library Used Book Extravaganza in April and October.

Located on West Road, the library is open 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays The library number is 734-676-9777.

COMMISSION/COMMITTEE VACANCIES Feeling civic minded? How about joining a Grosse Ile Township commission or committee? There are current vacancies on the Airport Advisory Committee, Airport Commerce Park Commission, Brownfield Authority, Construction Board of Appeals (3), Planning Commission and Island Beautification Committee.

Call 676-4422 to learn how to get an application.

COME AND READ Established in 1934 as a response to the lack of a library on the Island, The Book Club of Grosse Ile has developed a distinct, unique identity. This book club is composed of scholarly women, who are looking for the challenge and stimulation only quality literature can bring.

Books are rotated twice a month, which gives members the opportunity to read over 20 new books per year. There are three speakers during the year, most of whom are authors, who shine light on various subjects including the writing process.

In addition, two book discussions allow members to interact and reflect on current literature and topics. Coming together for various activities brings about joyful, spirited interaction among members. The Book Club of Grosse Ile supplies everything a book club promises, and more.

Contact the club at suepizzimenti@ hotmail.com.

READ AND SAVE AT WWW.GI-GRANDNEWS.COM

What’s Happening Grosse Ile ...

Page 38 • July 11 - August 9, 2019

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

A scary day driving in the rain

By Gail Albin I hate to admit the poor judgement I used recently that resulted in an extremely scary and possibly very dangerous drive of about only one mile.

If this article can help even one person then my confession of stupidity would be worth it.

Who doesn’t love Islandfest? On the Saturday of the recent Grosse Ile Islandfest, I decided to go over in the afternoon to check out the displays and see the crowd at the hangar. I didn’t have to rush home. No one was waiting for me.

When it began to look like it might rain. I decided to drive home. It must have been about 2:30 in the afternoon.

When I pulled on to Groh Road I turned left towards West River Road. If I had turned right to Meridian Road, I probably would be writing a different story.

Before I even reached the nearby West River Road, it started to rain. It poured like I had never seen before.

It was very hard to see where I was driving and there were many cars behind me who must have also decided to leave.

There were cars headed towards me.

I didn’t try to pull over to get off the road. There would be ditches, cars in the driveway, mail boxes and even a fire hydrant. Of course the river was to my

TALKING

Continued from page 5

Island Market every Saturday morning until mid-August. Several vendors will be there, especially Community Grown Gardens and their locally grown produce. If you need to make your green thumb a little more productive, the Market Educational Series has weekly classes on a range of gardening topics of local interest.

Most of you have noticed that our water levels are at or near record heights, and I don’t expect them to recede any time soon. I’m asking all boaters to please keep your wake as low as possible when near shore to reduce property damage.

For those of you experiencing high water damage, we have procured additional sandbags should you need

left. When I got to Meridian close to my turn to Hawthorn Condos I drove past, because I couldn’t see well enough for a safe turn.

The rain was blinding without let up.

It wasn’t long until I ran into a car that I couldn’t see. I hit that car solidly front bumper to front bumper.

I got out of my car and walked to the other car. That driver told me that I was in his lane. He was correct, I was fully out of my lane. He had wisely called the Grosse Ile Police. I still am not sure of the location when I hit the other car.

Soon the police car drove up.

Fortunately I had a packet of car papers that I handed to him. I urge my daughter and son in law to use my car. I don’t use it enough. My son-in-law asked that the car papers be available if they were ever questioned. That part worked out well.

The kind policeman urged me to stay in my car. The rain was still very heavy.

The policeman got into my car and drove us to the police station.

Remember, I only had to drive one mile to get home. I have not talked to any other drivers who were on the road that day.

I feel blessed that I survived. I so easily could have driven into the river and I am not a swimmer.

Remember, check the weather predictions and be informed. I didn’t have to go at all.

them; they are available at the Public Safety Building. Again, I don’t expect the levels to recede before late July.

The Grosse Ile Connect ‘app’ is being updated and will debut soon – better than ever! The update should be automatic but we will monitor the transition and will be ready to fix any ‘glitches.’ This will continue to be our first means to keep you informed of events and activities that affect your daily lives on Grosse Ile. It also provides easy access to all that is happening on our Island, so no excuses for boredom!

Enjoy our Island and invite your friends to visit – I still think that if you’re lucky enough to live on Grosse Ile, you’re lucky enough! Best wishes to all.

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

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