NEWSPAPERS Special Edition
A NEW 100 BED HOMELESS SHELTER COMES TO WARREN
BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com
WARREN — Wave Project is opening a new shelter for unhoused adults through March 22 at Trinity Lutheran Church Warren to reduce homelessness during the cold weather.
Trinity Lutheran Church Warren is located at 8150 Chapp Avenue. Intake for the guests will begin at 7 p.m. each day and will run through 9 p.m., after which the guests will receive a hot meal and a warm cot to sleep on. They must leave by 7 a.m. the following morning after a “grab and go breakfast.”
“The church used to have an elementary school here, and so the guest rooms are all the old classrooms,” Wave Project Program Director Tim Joy said. “We’re able to divide the men and women up into different classrooms or guest rooms.”
Wave Project is the company heading up the initiative. The name of the program is Macomb County Winter Shelter.
See SHELTER on page 5A
for crossing guards as traffic passes through the Van Dyke
JANUARY 1, 2025
candgnews.com
Macomb County and Grosse Pointe papers
Utica firefighters donate LED stop signs for crossing guards at 2 intersections
BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com
UTICA — As a firefighter in the city of Utica and a parent of a child attending Utica Community Schools, Mark Ricketts is concerned about the high volume of traffic in the areas of the crosswalks on Van Dyke Avenue at Hahn Street, as well as Cass Avenue and Hahn Street.
“With the onset of winter, when the sun rises later and sets earlier, visibility becomes a significant issue at the crosswalks on Van Dyke Avenue at Hahn Street, as well as Cass Avenue and Hahn Street,” he said.
To address this issue, the Utica Firefighter Association and Foundation decided to donate illuminated stop signs for the two crossings at these intersections.
“Our primary concern is that these crossings are
dark during the morning hours when school starts in the winter months. We believe that this donation will enhance the visibility of the crossing guards and improve safety for the students using these intersections,” he said.
The LED signs are more noticeable, allowing drivers on Van Dyke and Cass Avenue to be more aware of these crossing points.
The firefighters held a presentation on Dec. 11 at Van Dyke and Hahn after their scheduled training.
“The safety of our crossing guards is very important to us; they help protect our children to get to school safely. It is very dangerous at Van Dyke and Hahn because of traffic and darkness, also at Cass and Hahn due to volume at the four-way stop and many cars turning. I felt it would be helpful to have reflective and also signs that light up for the
Utica Community Schools crossing guard Mike Delicata holds one of the two LED stop signs that the Utica Fire Department recently bought
Avenue and Hahn Street intersection Dec. 11.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
The Wave Project’s Macomb County Winter Shelter program is using the closed elementary school at Trinity Lutheran Church to shelter the homeless during the winter months. Men and women will have separate accommodations.
USPBL to construct headquarters, with a restaurant, next to Jimmy John’s Field
BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com
UTICA — The United Shore Professional Baseball League has announced that it will be constructing a building next to Jimmy John’s Field that will house the league’s headquarters and a restaurant.
General Sports, which founded the USPBL, and the league have intended to develop this property for quite a while now.
“General Sports and the United Shore Professional Baseball League have always intended to develop this property. We purchased the property from the city in 2019, and we were working on partnering with third parties to develop the property for several years before deciding that it really just made more sense for us to develop the property ourselves,” said Dana Schmitt, the president of the United Shore Professional Baseball League. “We will be moving the General Sports/USPBL headquarters offices from downtown Rochester to downtown Utica to be close to the ballpark, making it much more efficient for our staff, who are working in both locations at this time.”
See USPBL on page 7A
LANGUAGE TEACHER BRINGS THE WORLD TO HER STUDENTS
BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
GROSSE POINTES — Susi Sipos’ students have learned more than second (or third) languages in her classroom: They’ve developed connections with people in the countries where those languages are spoken.
Her ability to teach students to explore and learn about other cultures is among the factors that led to her receiving the Language Teacher of the Year award from the Michigan World Language Association this fall. She was honored for not only teaching languages at Grosse Pointe North High School, but also running an exchange program that enabled her students to travel and make friends with students in other countries.
“The thing that meant the most to me is that my colleagues at North nominated me,” Sipos said.
The annual award goes to one elementary, one middle and one high school teacher for their work.
“The MIWLA Teacher of the Year Awards recognize exemplary K-12 world language educators in our state,” MIWLA public affairs liaison Julie Foss said via email. “Susi Sipos’ nomination for the High School TOY Award made it clear that her work preparing students to be competent intercultural communicators in French and German deserves this recognition. The MIWLA Executive Board is delighted
to recognize her and her efforts.”
Sipos brought the German-American Partnership Program to North. Sponsored by the German government and the U.S. Department of State, it involves American students and German students communicating with one another and staying in the homes and countries of their partner students. They also give cultural presentations, with the American students doing so in German and the German students giving these presentations in English, Sipos said.
“It’s our responsibility to do what we can to make sure people are aware that the world is not just our immediate surroundings,” Sipos said.
Sipos has been in education for the last 24 years and has taught here and abroad. She started working in the Grosse Pointe Public School System in 2015, when she was hired to teach German and French at North. For the 2024-2025 school year, Sipos switched to being a special education teacher at Grosse Pointe South High School but may return to teaching languages again in the future when her children are older.
Sipos and her husband, a fellow language teacher, have two children — son Henrik, 13, and daughter Elena, 6. The children have already been to Germany, France and Switzerland, and both speak some German, as well as a little French and Arabic.
See SIPOS on page 6A
General Sports and the USPBL plans to construct a building next to Jimmy John’s Field in Utica that will house the league’s headquarters, a restaurant, retail space and office space.
Image provided by Dana Schmitt
Susi Sipos — in her classroom at Grosse Pointe South High School — was recently honored by the Michigan World Language Association as its Language Teacher of the Year.
Photo by K. Michelle Moran
COUNTRY CROONER TRADES HOCKEY RINK FOR STAGE
BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com
GROSSE POINTE PARK — If it hadn’t been for hockey, Mac Watts might have never become a country musician.
Driving his son to far-flung hockey tournaments, Jim Watts would put on his own favorite music — classic country — and that became the soundtrack for the next few hours.
“I’d put him in the car and we’d drive to Toronto and I’d play Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard,” Jim Watts said.
It apparently left an impression, because when Watts — who could have been a college hockey star — decided to give up hockey as a young adult, the lifelong music aficionado picked up a guitar and taught himself to play. The Bloomfield Hills native, 35, who moved to Nashville in 2017, returned home to metro Detroit for Thanksgiving and played an intimate concert for family and friends Nov. 25 at the Cabbage Patch Saloon in Grosse Pointe Park.
Watts — who quips that he grew up listening to “Motown, country and Irish drinking songs” — said he also listens “to a lot of blues and soul music.” He said some people have described his songs as Americana or alt-country. His influences today include
country artists like Eric Church, Brothers Osborne, Dierks Bentley and Kip Moore. Whatever anyone wants to call it, his music comes from the heart.
“It’s just my stories put into music,” Watts said.
If his face or voice seem familiar, it could be because Watts was hired to perform a modern version of the Tubby’s Submarines jingle for a commercial a couple of years ago.
He was recently tapped by Los Angeles artist The Booth to record the vocals to a tune called, “All Country Songs Sound the Same,” which dropped in November.
In early 2025, Watts plans to release a new original song, “On My Own.”
“I’m very excited about it,” he said. “It’s one of my favorite songs I’ve ever written.”
Watts said the song was his opportunity to express his gratitude to all the people who’ve supported him over the years.
“I’ve been through a lot of hard stuff,” Watts said. “If you’re going through hard (times), surround yourself with good people and keep going. It’s my way of saying thank you.”
As an independent artist, Watts primarily releases singles online, although he does have an EP available. His music is available
Enjoy a carefree lifestyle with Waltonwood!
We support residents’ active and independent lifestyles and remove the worry and stress that seniors — and their family members — often experience when they’re living on their own.
Move to Waltonwood and spend time doing the things you love most. We’ll take care of the rest this holiday season and all year long.
Metro Detroit native Mac Watts performs for the hometown crowd during a show Nov. 25 at the Cabbage Patch Saloon in Grosse Pointe Park.
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Local businesses receive grants
MOUNT CLEMENS — The Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development announced on Dec. 9 the 10 recipients of $1,000 grants from the 2024 Shop Local Macomb campaign. The Shop Local Macomb initiative encourages community members to shop at independently owned and operated businesses during the holiday season for the chance to win one of a dozen $150 gift cards provided by First State Bank and a grant for the business they supported. Over 730 businesses were entered into the running and a drawing for the 10 winners was held on Dec. 9.
The winners are:
• Boater City Marketplace, New Baltimore
• Green Thyme Workshop, Richmond
• Max & Ollie’s Vintage Boutique, Mount Clemens
• New DJ Shop, Warren
• Riverside Vintage Market, Mount Clemens
Shelter
from page 1A
Participants in this program must be 18 or over.
“We are going to provide a very welcoming safe place for them to spend the night,” Wave Project Program Manager Marcie Burt said.
Wave Project has been preparing the building for their 100 daily guests. According to Burt, their team has renovated the building with a new entrance, new floors, and cleaning and painting the walls.
“Every inch of the building has been touched with some love,” Burt said.
“Homelessness is on the rise in Macomb County and the surrounding Detroit areas,” Joy said. “We are determined to help
• Sarge & Red’s, Utica
• The Nest Collaborative, Mount Clemens
• The Baking Room, Clinton Township
• Uptown Girl Novelties, New Baltimore
• Whistle Stop Hobby & Toys, St. Clair Shores
“It’s incredible seeing our community come together and shop small for the campaign,” Vicky Rowinski, director of Macomb County Planning and Economic Development, said in a press release. “And because of this effort, we’re able to award $10,000 in grants to our local retailers. These funds can make a big difference for these businesses. In the past, we’ve heard that the grants have been used for repairs, new equipment, staff bonuses and much more. So as we’ve said before, when you shop small here in Macomb County, everyone wins. Let’s continue this momentum and keep supporting our local retailers this holiday season.”
our neighbors in need find warmth, food, friendship and hope for a better future. It takes the entire community to keep our neighbors from serious illness this winter.”
The group is in need of volunteers, donations and the items on their Amazon wish list. That list includes plastic forks and other plastic flatware, paper plates, coffee, sugar, sweeteners, and sterile gloves. To view the complete list or for more information, go to waveproject.org/macomb-county-wintershelter.html. To donate, go to waveproject. org and click the donate button, or mail a check payable to WAVE Project c/o Macomb County Winter Shelter to P.O. Box 153, Sterling Heights, MI 48311.
For those with children who are unhoused, the Macomb County Emergency Rotating Team offers assistance. Go to mcrest.org or call (586) 415-5105.
C & G Special Edition (Grosse Pointe/Macomb Co.) • C & G Special Edition (Oakland Co.) C & G Newspapers publishes 21 papers in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties:
Woodward Talk
Office: 13650 E. 11 Mile Road Warren, MI 48089 (586) 498-8000 facebook.com/candgnews @candgnews candgnews.com Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle • Farmington Press • Fraser-Clinton Township Chronicle • Grosse Pointe Times • Macomb Township Chronicle Madison-Park News • Mount Clemens-Clinton-Harrison Township Journal • Novi Note • Rochester Post Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider Royal Oak Review • Shelby-Utica News • Southfield Sun • St. Clair Shores Sentinel • Sterling Heights Sentry Troy Times • Warren Weekly West Bloomfield Beacon
Editors: Brian Louwers | (586) 498-1089 | brianlouwers@candgnews.com David Wallace | (586) 498-1053 | dwallace@candgnews.com
Sports: Jonathan Szczepaniak | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com
Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com
For ad rates (586) 498-8100
Karen
| (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099
Automotive Advertising: Louise Millar | (586) 498-1054 | lmillar@candgnews.com
Real Estate Advertising: Paula Kaspor | (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com
Sipos, who spent some time teaching at an Arabic charter school in Dearborn, speaks some Arabic as well.
International travel wasn’t on the radar for Sipos while she was growing up in Grosse Pointe Farms.
“My parents never traveled,” Sipos said. “My parents never left the country until I brought them to Germany” when she went there as an adult.
As a fifth grader at Richard Elementary, Sipos took part in the French Back-to-Back program, in which families hosted students from France for three weeks in the spring, and then the American students spent three weeks over the summer with their French partner families.
“When I was 10, my dad asked if I wanted to go to France,” Sipos recalled. “I said, ‘I don’t care.’ I didn’t even know where France was.”
Her first international journey was challenging. Sipos said she was “homesick and horrified.” But the experience changed her.
“When I came home, I realized I learned so much and my eyes were opened,” Sipos said.
The next year, as a sixth grader, Sipos returned to Europe to perform with the Christ Church Grosse Pointe Choir and “loved it,” she said.
With her passion for language and travel ignited, Sipos continued to study French, then she took German as well at Grosse Pointe South High School. She took a class in Japanese via satellite in high school — Zoom wasn’t invented yet — and remembers calling her Japanese teacher twice a week for
these sessions. Thanks to a scholarship her teacher told her about, Sipos was able to go to Japan for the summer.
“It was wonderful,” Sipos said.
After graduating from high school as a junior, she went to the University of Michigan, where she earned another scholarship to go to Japan. This time not only was the trip itself covered, but Sipos also received a salary. She spent her sophomore year of college in Japan, where she stayed in a dorm with other international students.
“While I went there, I made friends from all over the world,” said Sipos, adding that she was able to practice her other language skills with students.
Sipos found and secured yet another scholarship, this one taking her to Germany. She said she returned from Japan at the beginning of August and by the middle of the month, she was flying to Germany, where she studied in Munich for a year.
Having made close friends with people from Morocco — where French is one of the languages commonly spoken — Sipos would go to stay with them in Morocco, where she soaked up the culture and daily life.
Traveling the world has impacted the way Sipos sees it.
“I think it’s hard to accept some aspects of American culture when you know that other parts of the world aren’t like that,” Sipos said, citing school shootings, consumerism and the disposable nature of goods as some of the negative aspects of American life.
Sipos majored in German and Japanese Languages and Literatures at U-M and has done graduate work in education at Wayne State University and Oakland University.
She has been able to bring her experiences into the classroom, where her students
learn more than just language.
Colleagues like Jennifer Spears, a Spanish teacher and World Language Department co-chair, say Sipos is very deserving of this honor.
“We nominated Susi because she exemplifies everything it means to be an outstanding world language educator: expertise in French and German, plus a generous dose of creativity, passion, hard work, and a willingness to go the extra mile for her students,” Spears said in an email interview. “In the classroom, Susi weaves together excellent instruction with her unique style. She is rigorous, but also funny, encouraging, and warm.”
Mandy Grattan, a Spanish teacher at North, concurred, calling Sipos “a remarkable educator” in an email interview.
“I had the opportunity to see her teach on more than one occasion, and her energy is infectious,” Grattan said. “Her ability to both teach and keep her students in the target language during engaging lessons is unmatched, and her students’ love for her is evident in the fact that they stay with her from level one through AP (Advanced Placement). She teaches stacked classes with grace, organizes amazing exchange experiences for her students, works hard to grow the program through grants and taking her students to other schools in the district to share their love of German, creates newsletters to keep families up to date, runs German club, leads professional development sessions here at North, teaches French on top of 5+ levels of German, and does so all while studying for an advanced degree and being a mom to two littles.”
Spears said Sipos’ dedication to the field of language “inspires us all.”
“In addition to her classroom contri-
butions, Susi has organized many travel and exchange programs that have allowed her students to visit Germany and immerse themselves in authentic culture,” Spears said. “Because of Susi’s efforts, Grosse Pointe North German students were able to host a group of German teens for about two weeks this fall. What a life-changing experience!”
There’s more that goes into Sipos’ work than what most people see in the classroom.
“Behind the scenes, Susi has poured many, many hours into building her German and French programs,” Spears said. “I doubt that many people know the amount of work that goes into creating her signature lessons while also running the German Club, designing field trips, organizing student travel, and preparing her students for national German exams. But Susi has so much energy and drive that she makes it appear effortless. Believe me, it’s not!”
Her colleagues say Sipos is as generous with fellow teachers as she is with her students.
“Susi is so incredibly passionate, kind, and knowledgeable,” Grattan said. “While we do not teach the same language, she was an invaluable resource when I took over AP Spanish last year and is always willing to collaborate with other teachers. She is constantly seeking to grow and learn and I just find her inspiring. … She just brings this wonderful energy wherever she goes, and I will be forever grateful that I got to teach and learn with her!”
Sipos was recognized for her award and her work during an Oct. 8 Grosse Pointe Board of Education meeting at Brownell Middle School in Grosse Pointe Farms.
“Thank you, Mrs. Sipos,” Superintendent Andrea Tuttle said. “It doesn’t happen without your leadership.”
USPBL
from page 3A
She said they also have decided to include two retail spaces on the front side of the building along Auburn Road, with a retail store for the USPBL and its baseball teams, which the league does not currently have at the ballpark outside of game days. The restaurant will be a gourmet hot dog restaurant named after the league’s bat dog, JJ. It will be called “JJ’s Dog House” and allow patrons and Utica residents to enjoy an adjacent covered patio space along the Clinton River and the hike and bike trail.
“In addition, the building will have a 1,500-square-foot meeting and event space on the north side of the building along with an executive board room, which will allow us to book corporate meetings and events that we lack the space to accommodate at the ballpark. We receive many requests to hold meetings and events at the ballpark, and our space there isn’t designed to accommodate more than 35 people for a meeting, so this will allow us to accommodate more meetings at the new building, which can be paired with team-building events at the ballpark, such as on-field batting practice, softball or kickball games, or attending a USPBL game,” she said.
The building also will have a 2,450-square-foot office suite that General Sports and the USPBL will be leasing to a third party tenant.
“We are excited about the possibilities the new building will present, as it will connect the historic downtown Utica to the ballpark,” she said.
Utica Mayor Gus Calandrino is pleased with the USPBL’s commitment to the city.
“We are excited about the new development and the added excitement it will bring to downtown Utica. The new restaurant, retail space, USPBL headquarters, office space and conference center will add to the activity and excitement in downtown Utica. Our existing restaurants will benefit from this new activity,” he said.
He said the planned restaurant will provide a new attraction for the many patrons of the Iron Belle Trail, which runs through Utica along the Clinton River.
“We expect this to become a popular stop for people who enjoy using the trail,” he said.
The real ‘Karate Kid’ is right here in Roseville
BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com
ROSEVILLE — One of Michigan’s own would like to introduce himself to Ralph Macchio and Jaden Smith as the new “Karate Kid.”
Thirteen-year-old Malachi Randalle, of Roseville, has not only watched “The Karate Kid” countless times, he’s practically living it day in and day out.
“Even growing up, I was always told I looked like the Karate Kid before I even did karate, so once I actually started karate, it almost became a coincidence, because people didn’t know I did karate and they’re like, ‘You look like the Karate Kid,’ and I’d say, ‘Well, I can relate because I do karate,’”
Randalle said.
“Seeing how he was before and how karate transformed him into a different kind of person where he was more respectful, just his personality and how it changed throughout the movie was something I really catered to and enjoyed,” Randalle said.
Randalle is fresh off a trip to Portugal where he represented Team USA against 15 other countries in the 2024 World Karate & Kickboxing Commission World Championships and not only became a two-time world champion and added a silver and three bronze medals, but also celebrated his birthday and then Halloween in style with a blow-up dinosaur costume as he walked the streets.
But Randalle’s medal-winning trip
overseas was nothing abnormal for the martial arts prodigy, for he has countless gold medals that showcase his extensive knowledge and talent in point fighting, Japanese style, Korean style, and CMX (creative, musical, extreme).
Randalle’s training truly shows just how hardworking he is, training six days a week — four days in dojo and two on his own — while competing in 20-30 tournaments a year, which is made possible because of homeschooling.
He’s also part of Team Competitive Edge, a martial arts team composed of children all throughout the United States who compete together and practice virtually.
It’s been nonstop since he first started at 6 years old and began competing at 7,
earning his first black belt in Tang Soo Do, but his ability to embrace adversity and overcome obstacles is what his coach, Ty Saint, said sets him apart.
“I think Malachi is a riser,” Saint said. “Every time that I’ve been there and seen Malachi faced with a challenge, he’s left it all out there win, lose or draw. I think that intangible will take him a long way with anything he decides to do other than just kickboxing.”
Saint, 23, is one of the top martial artists in the world and currently is an instructor at Binns Victory Martial Arts in New York, but Saint also trains Randalle virtually and in-person on occasion.
Randalle is your average teenager out-
FAR LEFT: Malachi Randalle shows some intensity on the mat.
NEAR LEFT: Malachi Randalle stands at the podium to celebrate one of his two gold medals he won at the 2024 World Karate & Kickboxing Commission World Championships in Portugal.
Photo provided by Janae Randalle
Randalle
side of martial arts, watching “How to Train Your Dragon,” playing video games, and even coding games such as Roblox, but on the mat he’s versatile and dangerous no matter what style of fighting he competes in.
It’s the main reason why he has numerous national and world titles to his name, along with several tournament wins, but it’s not just the success that keeps him going.
“I like the competition and the competitiveness, and I really like the people,” Randalle said. “I know once people think about karate, they think about respect and discipline. You can really see it when you get into the environment.”
Respect and discipline are two traits Randalle prides himself on — characteristics he remembers from watching his favorite movie on repeat and has incorporated into his own life.
“When you meet people that know Malachi, one of the first things they say is, ‘Oh my gosh, he’s so respectful,’” Janae Randalle, Malachi’s mother, said. “I can say I really saw that in him. The ‘yes, ma’am’ and ‘yes, sir’ is something that goes with him
everywhere he goes. He’s very disciplined in other aspects of life too, and I can credit that to martial arts training. It makes him more self-motivated.”
In addition to his extensive list of accolades and medals he can barely hold with both hands, Randalle has been a role model in not just his own community, but around the world as well.
When he was in India for a competition, Randalle spent time teaching local children and women self-defense techniques.
In metro Detroit, Randalle has volunteered with Enjoy Detroit, a nonprofit founded by David Woods, to help local youth by supplying them with backpacks filled with supplies and shoes before the school year.
“I grew up with Enjoy Detroit; the owner and the founder is Dave (Woods), and he’s like an older brother to me, so I look up to him,” Malachi Randalle said. “He gives back to the community a lot, so when those events happen, I always like to go out.”
Just recently for Thanksgiving, Randalle volunteered with Enjoy Detroit to provide a full dinner, shoes, haircuts. toys, bingo and a dance party to local children and families in need.
“I’ve just watched how he interacts with
Beechwood Manor: A Legacy of Exceptional Senior Living in St. Clair Shores
Since its founding in 1986, Beechwood Manor has earned a strong reputation as a premier senior living community, serving St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe, and surrounding areas. Conveniently located at 24600 Greater Mack Avenue in St. Clair Shores, Beechwood is celebrated for its dedication to quality care and its warm, personalized environment.
The hallmark of Beechwood Manor is the sense of community fostered by its caring staff. Beyond meeting residents’ daily needs, the team cultivates a nurturing atmosphere where residents and visitors alike feel welcomed and valued. The smaller, intimate setting ensures a safer environment with lower staff-to-resident ratios. What sets Beechwood Manor apart is its commitment to maintaining a close-knit team of direct-hire staff, many of whom have been with the community for years—some for over two decades. This stability fosters a strong sense of trust and familiarity among residents and caregivers alike. Beechwood Manor has traditionally offered both permanent residence and respite stays, accommodating a wide range of needs. Additionally, a daycare option is slated to launch in 2025, expanding the community’s offerings for seniors and their families.
Personalized Caregiving
Beechwood Manor is dedicated to providing compassionate, individualized care for each resident. Caregivers assist with a variety of daily tasks, including bathing, mobility, medication management, wound care, and incontinence care. By tailoring services to meet the unique needs of each individual, the facility ensures residents maintain dignity and independence while
other people,” said Richard Plowden, one of Randalle’s coaches and owner of Plowden’s Championship Martial Arts in Southfield. “Because of his skill set and the certain aura that’s around him, he draws young kids to him. To see him interact and inspire young kids as well as the level of respect he has for the seniors in the martial arts worlds, he fits right in because he’s so humble.”
Plowden has known Randalle for three years and been a mentor in his life.
One of seven family members to be a black belt, Plowden first opened his school in 1988, and he’s seen all types of personalities walk through his door, but the way Randalle carried himself early on with Plowden made an immediate impact.
“It was obvious that he was a hardworking kid with a ton of potential, and his attitude was correct,” Plowden said. “A lot of young kids, when they’ve had the level of success he’s had early, they have a little bit of an attitude and believe in the hype a little too much. He’s not that kind of kid at all.”
A lot of Randalle’s humbleness comes from his older brother, Josiah,, and sister Angelnae, who both competed in martial arts as well. Josiah runs track for Fraser High School
They’re close-knit siblings who support each other through and through, and you’ll
always catch Randalle with a fan section at competitions.
“It’s really special,” Randalle said. “My sister is busy with college, but when she wasn’t as busy, she was able to come to each tournament. My brother comes to each tournament no matter what state or what country. Every single video, I see him cheering me on in the background, which is really special.”
Follow along with Randalle’s journey on Instagram at iam_malachi_ and join a group of 45.1K followers he’s already amassed by showcasing his personality and world in martial arts.
“In the beginning, I didn’t think I was going to come as far as I did,” Randalle said. “I was posting for the fun of it because I really enjoy making content and I really enjoy karate, so I figured I might as well make my face known for doing something I love, like the Karate Kid, and it grew into a big following.”
Randalle, who also does modeling, is hoping his journey turns into acting in a movie or television show similar to “The Karate Kid,” but his focus is on the World Karate Commission World Championships in Niagara Falls next year.
“The grind never stops,” Randalle said.
receiving the highest standard of support.
Life Enrichment for Residents
Beechwood Manor provides residents with a vibrant array of daily activities designed to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. With 12 hours of engaging activities each day, residents can enjoy birthday celebrations, daily exercise routines, live entertainment, a weekly cooking and travel club, and arts and crafts sessions. These programs keep residents active, engaged, and connected, fostering a sense of community and joy.
Fresh, Scratch-Cooked Dining
Nutrition is a key focus at Beechwood Manor, where residents are served nutritious, home-cooked meals daily. Meals are carefully crafted to meet specific dietary and therapeutic needs. All meals are scratch-cooked with produce sourced through Detroit’s Eastern Market. A late-night snack cart is also available.
Convenient Transportation Services
To help residents maintain an active and fulfilling lifestyle, Beechwood Manor provides complimentary transportation services. Residents enjoy free rides to medical appointments within close proximity, as well as outings to local attractions such as zoos, museums, restaurants, sporting events, and more.
With its focus on community, care, and convenience, Beechwood Manor remains a standout in senior living, offering residents a place to thrive and feel truly at home. Learn more at BeechwoodManor.net or by calling 586-773-5950.
4A
on all standard streaming platforms.
Jordan Dyer, of Waterford, one of Watts’ best friends, has known him since kindergarten.
“The way he’s been able to put it all together is impressive,” Dyer said.
Dyer said Watts’ dad handed Watts a guitar after someone at the Watts’ family hunting cabin in the Upper Peninsula quit playing. Dyer and Watts’ other best friend, Ryan Esper, of Commerce Township, were stunned by how quickly Watts went from novice to skilled musician.
“Next thing we know, he’s performing in front of hundreds and hundreds of people in Nashville,” Esper said. “He’s been an inspiration to all of us — he’s truly living out his dream.”
Tom Watts, of Royal Oak, Mac’s uncle and godfather, said music is an important part of the Watts family tradition of visiting the hunting cabin for Thanksgiving and possibly coming home with a deer. His nephew is keeping that tradition alive.
“He goes up to the hunting cabin and he’ll be strumming guitar and playing for us,” Tom Watts said.
Watts was the regional finals winner for the Nash Next America’s Talent Search Contest in 2018. In metro Detroit, he has performed at some legendary venues, including Saint Andrew’s Hall in Detroit and
Pine Knob (formerly DTE Energy Music Theatre), where he was one of the artists on the 2019 WYCD Hoedown festival lineup. With his band, Watts has opened for artists such as A Thousand Horses, Parmalee, Phil Vassar and Scotty McCreery.
“They’re incredible players and amazing people,” Watts said of his band, with whom he performs regularly in Nashville and tours during the summer. Although his schedule for 2025 was still being put together at press time, Watts said he always comes back to Michigan for shows.
“Touring’s fun — a lot of fun,” Watts said. “I get to travel all over the country and meet new people.”
Besides his band, he’s joined by an adorable miniature pinscher rescue dog named Nelly.
“I rescued her, but she rescued me,” Watts said of Nelly, who’s believed to be about 3 years old.
Jim Watts is proud of his middle child.
“He can stand on stage in front of 10,000 people or 50 people and he puts on a great show,” Jim Watts said. “Not many people live their dream.”
It’s not an easy path — musicians in Nashville rely on tips when they perform — but Watts is happy to be playing music full time these days.
“I could have done so many other things, but I love this,” he said.
For more about Mac Watts, visit his website, macwattsmusic.com.
guards to hold. This should help the safety of our children and the crossing guards. These signs will be provided by the Utica Firefighters Association. At the Fire Department, we are proud to help the community,” Ricketts said.
He said the Fire Department has been trying to get these to the guards for the last month, but was delayed due to investigating the products available, ordering, shipping and getting the signs delivered.
“We urge commuters to slow down
when they see these illuminated crossing guard signs. It has been observed that the speed limit and sometimes traffic control lights are often not respected in these areas, and we hope that the new signs will encourage safer driving habits and increase awareness for both the crossing guards and the children crossing at the intersections of Van Dyke and Cass,” he said.
A sign has also been placed at the Flickinger Elementary School entrance dedicated to Lori McIntosh, who was a crossing guard there. She passed away last June from cancer, leaving her six children behind. The school community loved McIntosh.
“I feel these crossing guards have a great responsibility,” Ricketts said.
CANDGNEWS.COM
Pine Ridge of Plumbrook: All-inclusive living for active seniors
Pine Ridge of Plumbrook is a 55+ community o ering residents a lifestyle that balances independence with convenience.
“We take great pride in creating an environment where residents don’t have to worry about home upkeep,” said Dan Marchione, Director of Sales and Marketing at Pine Ridge of Plumbrook. “All of their essential services—like utilities, housekeeping, social activities, and even meals—are included, so they can focus on enjoying life.”
Located in a quiet neighborhood setting, Pine Ridge of Plumbrook provides easy access to outdoor activities with two courtyards and walking paths. Every apartment features a balcony or patio, and residents also enjoy a strong connection to nearby Dodge Park and the local senior center where they can engage in community activities.
Pine Ridge of Plumbrook’s culinary program has earned recognition from A Place for Mom, winning the “Best in Dining” award.
“We o er 12 to 15 di erent options per meal,
with a restaurant-style menu in the dining room,” Marchione added. “ e variety and quality of the food, combined with an active social calendar that includes day trips, clubs and events, sets Pine Ridge of Plumbrook apart from other communities.”
In addition to independent living, residents have access to third-party services that can assist with activities of daily living.
“While we maintain a very active, independent community, there are healthcare conveniences that allow residents to take care of wellness without having to leave home,” Marchione explained. “ e community does o er a complimentary shuttle service for trips to doctor’s appointments.”
e apartments at Pine Ridge of Plumbrook range from 600 to 900 square feet, and each unit features a full kitchen, ensuite bathroom, ample closet space and additional storage units. All utilities, including high-speed internet, are included. “Our apartments are newly renovated with luxury vinyl tile and other features designed
for ease of use, such as raised outlets for easier access,” Marchione noted.
With a team that feels more like family, Pine Ridge of Plumbrook’s sta enjoys fostering true connections among residents. “Our employees genuinely care about our residents, and many of our sta members have been with us for years,” Marchione said.
Community engagement is a core value, and residents are frequently involved in events at nearby Plumbrook Elementary. “We’ve hosted students for Grandparent’s Day, and the students are invited to come here for trick-or-treating during Halloween,” Marchione said, adding that these intergenerational connections help create a welcoming atmosphere.
Pine Ridge of Plumbrook is located at 8350 Plumbrook Rd. in Sterling Heights. For more information, call (586) 333-3070 or visit https://www.trueconnectioncommunities.com/ senior-living-communities-michigan/pineridgeplumbrook-senior-living/
