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Sweet sounds of summer

Toppermost, a popular Beatles tribute band delighted party-goers at Market Center Park on July 11 at the fourth Market in the Park event of the summer.

The theme of the event was Vintage Day and, in addition to Beatles music, attendees viewed crafts and wares from assorted vendors and had the chance to buy food and refreshments. See more photos from the outing on Page 12.

Photo by Larry Caruso

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Page 2 • July 25 - August 23 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

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SOUTHGATE STAR • July 25 - August 23 2019 • Page 3

“OUR MISSION IS GROUNDED IN THE IDEA OF PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE.” ~ Robert La Palme DCFCU president and chief executive officer

Breaking ground for the new location of Downriver Community Federal Credit Union are Paul Colone, project manager, GJ Perelli Co.; Robert La Palme, DCFCU president and chief executive officer; Bonnie Swatski, DCFCU executive vice president; Southgate Mayor Joseph Kuspa; and Gary Perelli, president, GJ Perelli Co. The ground-breaking occurred June 5.

Credit Union to open large new branch in Southgate TOM TIGANI

Special to the Southgate Star

A longtime local financial institution is opening its biggest location yet in the heart of the Downriver area.

Downriver Community Federal Credit Union, which began in Ecorse in 1942 as Great Lakes Steelworkers Federal Credit Union, will build its newest location at 15261 Trenton Road, just south of Eureka Road in Southgate. Credit union officials announced plans for the new building earlier this year in conjunction with its 77th anniversary.

“Downriver Community Federal Credit Union has a long history of serving our community, and we are excited to show our continuing commitment to the Downriver region through this new initiative,” said Robert La Palme, DCFCU president and chief executive officer.

The new building marks a homecoming of sorts for La Palme, who grew up in Southgate and began working in the Downriver banking industry in the mail room at the former Security Bank & Trust, which underwent several mergers and now is owned by PNC Bank.

While he’s pleased to be returning to his old home town, La Palme said the mission of the credit union is a lot bigger than his personal journey.

“Our mission is grounded in the idea of people helping people,” he said. “The reason we picked Southgate is that it’s very central to that mission. Our members come from an area that extends from Ecorse and Lincoln Park to the north, west to near Romulus, east to the Detroit River and south all the way to the Monroe County line.

“Geographically speaking, we wanted to be right in the middle. So we bought that location and began the process of building a branch. It will help us fulfill our mission to reach people from all walks of life and help them achieve their financial goals.”

The credit union took on its current name in 1982, opened an office in Woodhaven in 2003, merged with Detroit Marathon Employees Federal Credit Union in 2004, merged with Wyandotte Community Federal Credit Union in 2008 and now counts $165 million in assets and 15,000 members.

There are currently offices in Ecorse, Lincoln Park, Wyadotte and Woodhaven.

“As our membership continues to grow, having a centrally located office will allow us to serve our members more effectively, with greater access to the financial services we provide,” La Palme said.

The new two-story building will contain almost 12,000 square feet of office space. In addition to retail and operations areas, the design plans include a

large community-use space that credit union officials believe will allow them to share and further develop their vision for a better Downriver community.

That vision includes the workshops that DCFCU has offered for the last 12 years on the third Wednesday of every month to members and nonmembers. The workshops deal with topics like sales, marketing, personal development and social media.

“We cover everything that has something to do with growing a business. You could be an owner, a multi-level marketer or any other employee who has a role of growing the business they’re in, La Palme said. “Our groups are not typically what most financial institutions are angling to catch. They may remember us, or they may not, but we want to do what they can to help them grow.”

The community room will be a key part of the new building; it will be used to host workshops, which are free to members and just $5 for nonmembers — and they include breakfast.

“The workshops enable people to get to know us better and sometimes lead to them opening accounts and taking out loans,” La Palme said.

In addition to hosting the workshops and an annual conference, DCFCU officials plan to make the community room available to local groups for business.

Groundbreaking was held in the spring, and if all goes as planned, the new building should be completed by mid-December and open by early February.

“We believe our new location will really be something all of our members and their communities will be able to enjoy,” La Palme said.

Page 4 • July 25 - August 23 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT

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Katie Kinkead, daughter of Cindy and Ed Kinkead of Southgate MI, and Jonathan Wiedeman, son of Bob Wiedeman of Traverse City, MI and Dee Wiedeman of Naperville IL, will be married Aug. 23, 2019. The ceremony will be held at the beautiful Millcreek Wilde in Watervliet, MI with Jon’s Uncle “Rev. Kev” officiating the nuptials surrounded by their family and friends. The day will be filled with laughter, tradition and the vibrant energy of Jon and Katie’s “forever love.

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When dieting, pick a goal DR. NICOLE COUSENEAU zPecial to Southgate Star

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 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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SOUTHGATE STAR • July 25 - August 23 2019 • Page 5

SOUTHGATE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

Generous donor gifts district with fitness machines JILL PASTOR

Special to the Southgate Star

The Southgate Community School would like to thank a fellow Downriver resident, Mr. Bill Saad for his generous donation to our district. We recently received physical fitness machines to cover every major muscle group including: treadmills, ellipticals, dumbbells, plates, pulldown machines, cable crossovers, resistance Saad machines, leg press, leg curls, benches and racks and so much more.

We received all slightly utilized equipment from Saad’s Crunch Fitness.

Saad is a true philanthropist who believes in the importance of giving back to his community. He started in business with one gas station over 30 years ago at the corner of Fort and Sibley. He continued to purchase other stations in the Downriver community and finally in 2004 founded Michigan Fuels a branded gas wholesaler.

Saad is the CEO of Michigan Fuels, one of the largest Exxon Mobil distributors’ in North America.

Saad also brands Marathon, Shell and Clark to name a few. He is also involved in Tim Horton, Burger King and 7-Eleven as well is the CEO of Crunch Fitness.

Saad, who currently employs approximately 400 employees, sent us the equipment from his brandnew Crunch Fitness site in Ann Arbor.

Michigan Fuels has also established an Education Alliance program that has allowed Bill to donate over $100,000 to various schools

just this year. Over the last five years he has donated over $500,000 to various school districts that have Exxon Mobil within the community.

We are honored that we were gifted with this equipment. This equipment will benefit students and athletes for years to come!

Thank you, Mr. Bill Saad!!

CENTRAL OFFICE HAS MOVED Our central office, formerly at City Hall, has moved to 13940 Leroy. We are now located in the southwest end of Davidson Middle School and we are accepting summer enrollments between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. for Southgate residents.

We will begin accepting school of choice enrollments on Monday, July 29, 2019.

It’s a great time to become a TITAN! FEATURED ALUMNI CORNER Representing the graduating class of 2005, Andrew Griffin is the proud owner of Andrew Mechanical Heating.

He started his own business in 2015. His family has a history of being involved in the heating/cooling trade.

Looking back this high school days, Griffin said two teachers teachers stand out Griffin to him. He fondly remembers Mr. Brown who taught marketing and his favorite teacher was Mr. Anderson who taught weight training.

Andrew works well with the community and the city. He believes in giving back. In the fall of 2018 he helped sponsor breakfast

for Southgate staff during our welcome-back event in August.

We appreciated his generosity!

Andrew continues in live and work in the Downriver area. If you are interested in supporting a local business or Southgate Alumni please consider using Andrew Mechanical Heating. The contact number is 734-3086554.

Page 6 • July 25 - August 23 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

Dining & Entertainment

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SOUTHGATE STAR • July 25 - August 23 2019 • Page 7

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Page 8 • July 25 - August 23 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

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

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SOUTHGATE STAR • July 25 - August 23 2019 • Page 9

SUMMER SALE The Savin’ and Livin’ is Easy

CULINARY CAPERS EVELYN CAIRNES Southgate Star

$5 OFF ANY $30 PURCHASE

OFFER GOOD EXCLUSIVELY AT WOODHAVEN, SOUTHGATE, TAYLOR AND DEARBORN STORES. ONE COUPON PER HOUSEHOLD PLEASE. NO CASH VALUE. MAY NOT BE USED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. OFFER VALID THROUGH 8/15/2019

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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 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 mid-September.

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 10 • July 25 - August 23 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

Grecian Center to host garden club luncheon The Grecian Center in Southgate will host the Grosse Ile Garden Club’s biannual Designer Luncheon - Anything Goes V - at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept.

10.

The club uses the event to raise funds to support club/community projects.

Tickets to this always sold out event may be purchased by calling (734) 675-0417. 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. Hope to see you there!

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

Riders raise money for vets

Riders in the annual Wounded America Motorcycle ride are cheered by spectators as they ride past Market Center Park on July 13. The event was co-sponsored by a number of Rotary clubs, including Southgate’s. Since its inception, Wounded America Motorcycle Ride events have raised $50,000 for charity.

SOUTHGATE STAR • July 25 - August 23 2019 • Page 11

What a kick!

The Footie celebrates third year of success at South Winds Golf Club in Southgate Three years ago, Chris Grandy faced a dilemma. The manager and golf professional at the city-owned South Winds Golf Club in Southgate needed to do something with three acres of land that was next to the 10th tee.

“It was land that was basically DAVE unusable, yet we GORGON had to maintain Southgate Star it,” Grandy recalled. “It was never going to come into play in the golf course. It had to look nice as you drive up to the golf course. I used to think about it all the time.”

He came up with an idea for a nine-hole “foot golf” course, blending golf and soccer – “the two most played sports in the world.”

He went to work designing a golf course that would involve kicking a soccer ball through a maze of fairways and tall grass, onto a green and eventually into a 21-inch-wide hole that was big enough to hold a soccer ball.

“I sketched out the holes,” he said. “I went out numerous times with soccer balls. I tried to determine if the distance was too long or too short.

Should it curve to the left or curve to the right? It had to be spread out so much that people wouldn’t kick into each other.”

He consulted Roy Szyndlar, who was greens superintendent at the time. Szyndlar drove the lawn mower that created the fairways under Grandy’s direction.

“Through trial and error, we ended up with a finished product,” Grandy said.

“The Footie at the South Winds Golf Club” was born.

The foot golf course is open daily whenever the city’s regular 18-hole golf course

Chris Grandy stands behind the sign for The Footie at South Winds Golf Club.

Photo by Dave Gorgon

A group of foot golfers headed down the fairway.

is open, which is 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. this time of year.

In addition to providing a fun new attraction to regular golf, foot golf has given the operations a new revenue stream.

No golf or soccer experience is required.

“It’s easy to play,” said Grandy, a PGA Class A professional who has overseen golf in Southgate for more than four decades. “If you can walk and kick, you can play. No expensive equipment is needed. It doesn’t require expensive classes or lessons.

It’s a great activity for all ages.

And it’s very inexpensive.”

A nine-hole round of foot golf is $5. To play a second round, it’s just $2. Players can bring their own soccer balls or rent one for $1. Tennis shoes are highly recommended, although some players have been seen wearing soccer shoes.

The nine holes feature three par 3s, four par 4s and two par 5s. Nature comes into play, including the tall grass – which serves as the rough – trees and a hill. The grass has been as tall as two feet. Hole

Photo by Chris Grandy

distances range from the 20yard fifth hole to the 102-yard third hole.

“Accuracy is a lot more desirable than distance,” Grandy said. “It’s an easy game if you keep it in the fairway.”

Where regular golf usually involves “foursomes,” as many as five individuals often play together in foot golf.

Grandy said sport has attracted families, birthday parties, office parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties and school field trips.

Young couples have

played foot golf on a first date. Grandparents play with grandchildren. Co-workers use it for team building.

Organizations use foot golf as a fundraiser. Tournaments – with as many as 45 playing at one time – can feature a shotgun start.

“One time a grandpa hugged me and said ‘thank you so much for creating something that my grandson and I can do together and enjoy,’” Grandy said.

Food and drink packages are available for outings.

“People who like to partake in an adult beverage don’t have to put it down,” Grandy said. “I don’t know of any sport like that.”

Play times range, depending on the amount of players on the course at the same time. Grandy said the average time is about a half hour for nine holes.

“We have had outings with special needs kids,” he said. “Oh, the fun they have.

Everyone was hugging me after. They didn’t even count their kicks. It’s so cool seeing kids have a great time. They came in and had a hot dog and pop after.”

Grandy said the foot golf course – which celebrated its third anniversary in July – gives Southgate the “trifecta” of golf-related activities.

Besides The Footie, there’s the 18-hole regular golf course and “disc golf,” which involves tossing a flying disc into baskets.

It’s all located at 14500 Reaume Parkway in Southgate. For reservations, to inquire about outings or to receive more information, call (734) 258-3004.

Page 12 • July 25 - August 23 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

Summer

in the park Photos by Larry Caruso

Market in the Park - Vintage Day - was Thursday, July 11 and by the looks of the images captured by photographer Larry Caruso, it was a big hit. Entertained by the music of Beatles tribute band Toppermost, attendees at the event, shopped, ate, drank, danced and, in general, enjoyed themselves. Market in the Park events run each Thursday throughout the summer from 3-8 p.m. Bands play from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug, 1 will be Kids Day with music from All-Directions; Thursday, Aug. 8 is Mexican Food Day with music from Fantasia Ballett Folkorico; and Thursday, Aug. 15 is End if Market Finale with music from Wisteria.

Have an Event or Fundraiser? Let us know at 734-282-3939

SOUTHGATE STAR • July 25 - August 23 2019 • Page 13

Page 14 • July 25 - August 23 2019 • SOUTHGATE STAR

Have an Event or Fundraiser? Let us know at 734-282-3939

What’s better for your property value?

PETER ROSE Southgate Star

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 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?

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Southgate’s partnership with YMCA is winner for residents TOM TIGANI Special to the Southgate Star

Southgate residents have more opportunities to get fit, stay fit and have fun with their families, thanks to the city’s partnership with the Downriver Family YMCA, 16777 North Line Road.

Through a shared usage agreement developed in 2012, the two entities have formed the United Sports soccer and basketball leagues. The spring soccer league finished its season recently, and registrations are being taken through Aug. 16 for the fall league, which starts play in September.

Registration deadline for fall basketball league play is Oct. 4; practices begin the week of Oct. 21.

Southgate residents and Downriver Y members can sign up for either league at a discounted rate.

The Y also has several classes that residents take part in daily, Southgate Mayor Joseph Kuspa said, and provides a number of programs that residents can use to improve their lifestyle.

“It’s important for any administration to look for other organizations that can enhance what you offer to your community,” Kuspa said of the city’s partnership with the Y. “We’ve done it with the Southgate Community School District. It’s natural for us to link up with the Y. Each set of programs will grow by participating with each other.”

Soccer league participation is open to youngsters ages 6 through 14 throughout the area of all abilities.

The Little Kickers program (age 3- to 5-years-old) has a registration deadline of Sept. 8. Participants go around to different practice stations and play soccer-related games to help them build skills before they move up to the big leagues.

The United Sports soccer league aims to create a positive experience for children and their families while teaching the fundamentals of soccer and emphasizing character development. To keep things competitive yet fun, player evaluations will be done in August. While that may sound a little daunting, it’s not, said Matt Clunis, sports manager at the Downriver Y. “We do the evaluations to make sure teams’ skill levels are distributed

The Downriver Family YMCA has something for members of all ages.

Photos by Larry Caruso

evenly and fairly,” he said. “It’s still competitive, though, and everybody has a fun time.”

The two entities have developed a division of labor to create the soccer experience for participants. The Downriver Y provides the jerseys, referees and player evaluations and works with city to put teams together.

Once league play starts, city workers line the fields at Davidson Middle School (where all games are played)

and make sure they are cut and playable. The Y updates player rosters as needed during the season.

Clunis said some 400 children played spring soccer this year, on a par with the last few years. The robust turnout resulted in 25 teams, making it one of the larger YMCA programs regionally, he said. About 200 participants are expected in the fall 2019 United Sports soccer league.

The leagues are a great chance for

players and their families to make friends from surrounding communities, Clunis said, adding that many of those friendships last.

“We’ve had a lot of young people who started with preschool program and stay with program through age 14,” Clunis said. “I’ve heard people say things like, ‘I played soccer with Jack since I was 4, and now we’re still playing together and we’re both 13 years old.

“We try to make sure the games are a great time for the players and their families.”

Clunis said the same philosophy and evaluation process applies to the United Sports basketball league, which emphasizes player development, playing time and strong character.

The basketball league also welcomes players ages 6 through 14. The Little Dunkers league is similar to the Little Kickers league and is for children ages 3 and 4 who want to start working on their hoop skills; the registration deadline is Oct. 25.

Some 400 players are expected for the winter basketball league, which begins play in January; registration deadline is Dec. 20. Games are played at the Y and at Gerisch Middle School.

“We’re really pleased to have the Downriver Family YMCA as a partner in our recreation programs,” Kuspa said. “It’s a great way to instill in young people the importance of exercise.”

Knights win

The most recent winners of the YMCA 12- 14-year-old basketball division were the Knights, coached by Ken Laforet ad is assistant Tom Prater. The Knights are: Brad Barbosa, Chase Barbosa, Ian Bates, Austin Causey, Cayden Grew, Marc Guzman, Leland Laforet, Nolan Prader and Jordan Trudell.

Rockets win

The most recent winners of the YMCA 6- 7-year-old basketball division were the Rockets, coached by Dan Ibrahim and his assistant Vince Laginess. The Rockets are: Liam Bray, Liam Coffey, Adam Ibrahim, Jacob Ibrahim, Gage Laginess, Landon Laginess, Blake Papler, Benjamin PerryMikalauskas, Esteban Valencia and Sylus Dietrich.

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Animal lovers rescue dogs from storm-ravaged areas Southgate and Wyandotte are part of the network helping save lives DAVE GORGON Southgate Star

When Hurricane Harvey ravaged parts of our nation’s south in August 2017, it caused an estimated $125 billion in damage, according to the National Hurricane Center. That’s more than any other natural disaster in U.S. history other than Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005.

Hurricane Harvey affected 13 million people from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky.

More than 200,000 homes were damaged. Flooding forced about 39,000 people out of their homes and into shelters. A million motor vehicles were destroyed. At least 88 people died.

And countless pets were left ownerless and homeless. Many died or were euthanized.

“A lot of areas were begging the rest of the country to help them so they could help these animals that were displaced by the flooding,” said Alyssa Stafford, manager of the Downriver Central Animal Control, which oversees stray dogs and cats in Wyandotte, Southgate and Allen Park.

Stafford, a Riverview resident, reached out to Jenny Moore, a former Michigan resident who moved to Texas, to ask how the Downriver group could help. A partnership was formed.

Downriver Central works in conjunction with the non-profit rescue organization Pound Pals Downriver, which was founded by Kim Skidmore of Riverview. The shelter works in partnership with the City of Wyandotte and the Wyandotte Police Department.

Like Skidmore, Stafford and her husband Tom Abraham are also Pound Pals board members and are among 90 volunteers at the Wyandotte Animal Shelter.

Downriver Central and Pound Pals soon became part of a network of rescue groups and shelters that began accepting animals that were picked up in Texas by Bottle Babies Rescue, which is based in Allen Park. Bottle Babies volunteers

Photo by Dave Gorgon

Tom Abraham (holding Chihuahua Mix Church - from Texas), son Devin, wife Alyssa Stafford (holding Chihuahua Mix Bruno - from Texas) and daughter Dahlia. At right is Kim Skidmore, the founder of Pound Pals. All three of the adults are board members with Pound Pals and volunteers with the animal shelter. The kids also volunteer at the shelter and Alyssa is shelter manager.

start with about 40 dogs and deliver them to various states, ending their journey in Wyandotte.

Stafford said the Downriver volunteers agreed to assist with smallerbreed dogs, such as Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, Lhasa Apsos and WireHaired Terriers families. While larger stray dogs were often plentiful at the Wyandotte shelter at 1170 Grove – and were generally the hardest to get adopted—the Downriver group often had kennel space for pets 20 pounds or less, which are often the most popular among people looking to adopt a dog.

“Most of the dogs we get (from the Downriver area) are larger breed dogs,” said Stafford, who lives in Riverview.

“We had smaller cages free, so we figured that would be the easiest way for us to help.”

The Wyandotte Animal Shelter has eight large kennels and four designed for smaller breeds. Cats are plentiful.

The connection between a shelter and a rescue organization is not unique.

Skidmore said Pound Pals was founded in 2006 at a time when there was a need for a non-profit agency to provide funding to help sick and injured animals at shelters.

“There was no funding for medical care,” she said. “Animals were being

euthanized.”

Before Pound Pals’ efforts, about 80 percent of animals at the shelter were euthanized. Now, it’s down to less than 10 percent.

At the time Pound Pals was founded, there was a handful of volunteers.

The group has blossomed to about 90 volunteers who provide transportation to animal clinics, cleaning, grooming, dog walking, pet adoptions and much more. Medical attention is significant.

Fundraising activities keep the operations going.

A spay/neuter policy was implemented to reduce the animal population.

Abraham said the animal adoption center places at least 600 animals in homes every year. On a regular basis, stray dogs and cats are taken to the intake facility at 14300 Reaume Parkway in Southgate. Once the animals are assessed and receive medical care, they move to Wyandotte for adoption.

The Texas-Downriver connection remains strong today as dogs are plentiful. Abraham, who is vice president of Pound Pals, said the transportation from the Houston area and delivery of four to 10 dogs at a time continues monthly.

“We keep in contact with them

so that we know when the shuttles are coming and which dogs need rescuing,” Abraham said. “What we learned since Harvey is that that area is always overwhelmed with smallbreed dogs that get euthanized if they didn’t get transported to other areas for adoption. We learned they are always overwhelmed so we do what we can to help out.”

Abraham said animals from Texas arrive with necessary vaccinations, spay or neutering and heartworm-tested. The Downriver volunteers verify they have all the necessary paperwork and make them available for adoption.

Animal adoption hours in Wyandotte are 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Monday, Tuesday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday. Adoption fees are $65 per cat and $95 per dog.

Photos of available dogs and cats are posted on the Wyandotte Animal Shelter Facebook page.

Stafford said those who stop by the shelter looking for a smaller dog also look at larger breeds during the visit, which increases the chances for adoption of larger dogs.

To get involved with Pound Pals, visit the shelter and fill out a volunteer form.

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EPA to DCC: Win-Win

Dingell announces $400,000 brownfield funding BILL STEVENSON Southgate Star

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, 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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Ray Hunter Florist & Garden closes after 100 years PAULA NEUMAN Southgate Star

For 100 years, Ray Hunter Florist & Garden served Downriver’s needs for special occasions, gravesite decoration, sympathy arrangements, houseplants, gifts, holidays and much more.

The store on Eureka Road in Southgate closed its doors July 14 for the last time.

“It’s a tough thing that we had to do,” Ray Hunter Jr. said.

Hunter is the son of Ray Hunter Jr., who with Charles Rice, founded the business in 1919.

“It’s been very difficult, and we just reached a point where we decided it would be best for our staff and ourselves to close,” Hunter said. “It’s just a different time now. People buy in different ways. We’re very thankful to the community, and grateful for all the support we’ve had from Downriver people and businesses over the years, and our staff has been great, as well.

We have so many memories. It’s been wonderful.”

Janelle Rose, co-owner of Willow Tree in Wyandotte, said: “I am so sad to learn of the closing of Ray Hunter.

I have so many memories of holiday time at the Eureka store with my kids. It was magical during Christmas time. The (Southern Wayne County Regional) Chamber of Commerce ‘After Business Ours’ events held there in November were always the best attended and most festive each year. The place looked so festive and colorful and wonderful, and people dressed in their holiday sweaters and ties.”

Said Hunter: “We held a lot of community events and supported our community in different ways, through

personal involvement and donations to charities.”

Customer Ronnie Combs Rose of Wyandotte is among the many Downriver residents with fond memories of Ray Hunter Florist.

“I purchased our first sets of Christmas lights and tree from there in 1997, when we first got married,” she said. “I’ve been a loyal customer since.

It’s so sad to see small businesses

close due to the increased Internet competition.”

Kathy Trent, communications consultant for the city of Dearborn, also had special holiday memories of the Southgate store.

“My mother always went to Ray Hunter at the holidays to pick out one ornament for our Christmas tree,” Trent said. “After she passed, my daughter and I continued the tradition. We will

miss this store.”

The Southgate store’s holiday decorations and twinkling, bright lights made people driving by turn their heads and smile each year.

Customer Judith Bonner of Taylor said she’ll definitely miss the business.

“I used to take my kids and grandkids there at Christmas,” she said.

“It was always so pretty.”

Over the years, the business hired many high school students to work part-time. Jeff Tyler of Taylor was one of them.

“That was my very first job at 16 years old,” he said. “It was a part-time, after-school job. I worked in the back where they arranged flower bouquets.

Basically, when flower shipments came in, I stocked them in the cooler. It was actually a fun job, and the people I worked with were so nice. It’s sad to see it go.”

Jeanine Ayers of Wyandotte talked fondly about when her husband worked at Ray Hunter as a teenager.

“My husband Bill worked there when we were kids in high school in the late ‘70s,” Ayers said. “I will never forget when they had him dress up as the Easter Bunny in the spring, standing on the side of Eureka Road, waving at the passing cars.”

Kay Massengill of Brownstown Township worked at the business as an adult.

“I loved the store,” she said. “I worked there for a few years during the holiday season. It was a great crew of people, and I truly enjoyed the work as a designer in the back room, all behind the scenes. The store will be missed!”

Rose said online shopping options probably contributed to the store’s closing, and reminded people of the value of shopping at local businesses.

“People are going to miss the personal service one day — and will be sad to find out it’s too late,” she said of the flower and garden store.

Ray Hunter Florist & Garden posted this comment on its Facebook page: “Our family and staff have reached retirement age and are looking forward to new adventures in the future. We are grateful to our customers and friends for 100 years of patronage and support.

It has been a pleasure for the Hunter family to serve our community since 1919.”

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