QUEENS OF THE COURT
High school girls basketball players to watch in metro Detroit
BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com
The high school girls basketball season is right around the corner, and there’s a lot of talent coming out of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb County.
The first games of the season are scheduled to take place after Dec. 2, and there’s plenty of high-level talent expected to make a name for themselves this season.
Below are players to watch in the C & G Newspapers coverage area.
Junior Guard Gabby Brooks-Foster, Macomb Dakota
When you look at the talent Dakota had on their squad last season, it speaks volumes that Brooks-Foster was able to have such an impact as a sophomore.
The returning all-League and second team all-County guard formed one of the top backcourts in the league alongside first team all-Stater Samone Andrews, a 2024 graduate.
Brooks-Foster would score when needed, but she made a living being the guard who could create opportunities for her teammates and be strong on the defensive end.
Old hall shaping up for Santa’s arrival
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MACOMB TOWNSHIP —
Over a year after being moved, the 1920s-era Macomb Township Hall is starting to take shape.
Moved from the intersection of Romeo Plank Road and Maple Vila Drive in June 2023, the 104-yearold building has been the subject of renovation efforts at its new location along Plattsburg Street in the township municipal complex. After a year
of work, it is beginning to approach a semi-functional state.
“The building itself is about 85-90% renovated,” Macomb Township Treasurer Leon Drolet said. “The building has been repainted. Some boards have been replaced. There are brand-new replica windows. The previous owner had torn out a section of the back of the building to put in a garage door for storage. That has been replaced with a regular wall like the building
See HOOPS on page 16A See HALL on page 14A
Photo by Erin Sanchez Macomb Dakota junior Gabby Brooks-Foster fights for the ball during a game last season.
Photo by Dean Vaglia Over a year after being moved, Macomb Township’s 1920s-era Township Hall is approaching a usable state. The current goal is to have the hall decorated and functional enough for the holiday tree lighting and afterglow at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6.
Nevers ends two decades on township board
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On the evening of Nov. 13, Trustee Nancy Nevers was the belle of the Macomb Township Board of Trustees’ bimonthly ball.
After going through the typical early meeting motions, a special resolution was read to honor her. Each trustee took time in their comments to memorialize her service. When Nevers finished up her own remarks to colleagues new and old, she closed out her final meeting as a trustee with a slam of the gavel.
“Tonight was just overwhelming,” Nevers said after the meeting. “I just thought I would say a few of my feelings and my thoughts of working with this board and then just kind of say goodbye and fade away. It was very humbling.”
The ceremonies and remarks brought an end to Nevers’ 20 years in Macomb Township politics that began with her first race in 2004 and continued through the contentious campaign in 2020, ending with her decision to not run in this year’s Republican primary.
See NEVERS on page 18A
Trustees purchase roofs, approve hires
BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — The Macomb Township Board of Trustees met on the evening of Nov. 13, approving various purchases and making several hires in the last meeting with the board in its current composition.
Purchasing new roofs was a priority for trustees with a $274,800 contract to replace the Township Hall roof awarded to Wm. Molnar Roofing and a $154,300 contract to replace the Department of Public Works’ roof awarded to KJP Roofing. Both contracts were awarded with unanimous support.
According to DPW Director Kevin Johnson, the new Township Hall roof is expected to last 30-40 years and work on the project is expected to begin in April 2025 with some inconvenience for parking. Though the new roof was not initially budgeted for, changes to the budget made room for the new roof project.
“We budgeted $115,000, but there was a budget line for a condenser unit, and we didn’t feel it was necessary at this time,” Johnson said. “We reviewed it, and it was in working condition … That condenser was budgeted for $225,000 in the capital plan, so we’re using some of those funds to cover the cost of the roof to make that happen.”
Hirings
Trustees approved several changes in employment for faces familiar to the township.
First, trustees approved the hiring of Raymond Tuttle as a building inspector. A state-licensed inspector/plan reviewer, Tuttle had been helping the Building Department on a parttime basis prior to the meeting. With a 30% increase in building permits and three employees eligible to retire, Tuttle’s hiring as a full-time inspector is intended to help the department plan for anticipated personnel changes.
Following Tuttle’s hiring was the promotion of Anthony Cicchelli to part-time firefighter. Cicchelli was a probationary firefighter with the Macomb Township Fire Department.
See BOARD on page 19A
Outgoing Macomb Township Trustee
Nancy Nevers, right, speaks with Trustee Charlie Oliver after the Nov. 13 Macomb Township Board of Trustees meeting.
Photo by Dean Vaglia
e holiday season is upon us, a busy time for us all. A time for re ection of the year gone by and a time for hope for the coming year. is past year has been a challenge for our country and in Michigan, a struggle for many. I want to thank all of my patients for the privilege of serv- ing you. e opportunity to make a positive di erence in the lives of others is a gift. Your loyalty, support and friendship allows me to follow my passion in dentistry. Please accept my very special holiday thank you from me and my devoted sta .
Yours for Better Dental Health, Dr. Berman
Turkey Trot, other races bring runing community together
BY ALYSSA OCHSS aochss@candgnews.com
Every year, America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is hosted in downtown Detroit. Preceding that event is the Strategic Staffing Solutions Turkey Trot where runners of all ages and experience levels can participate and share their love for running.
Sarah Jelinek said they call the S3 Turkey Trot “the parade before the parade.” According to The Parade Company’s website, it’s been in Detroit for over 40 years. There are three different races: the 10K Turkey Trot, the 5K Stuffing Strut and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Mashed Potato Mile.
“And you follow a lot of the parade route,” Jelinek said. “And a lot of people are, they dress up like turkeys.”
She went on to say participants dress up in Thanksgiving themes and Christmas themes.
“It’s a very fun-themed run, less (of) an emphasis on time and performance,” Jelinek said.
Jelinek said anyone can join the Turkey Trot regardless of running experience.
“You don’t necessarily have to be a like hardcore runner to enjoy it,” Jelinek said.
Jelinek personally has been participating in the S3 Turkey Trot since 2018. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she said the race was virtual where runners went on their own individual runs instead of going downtown. She said this wasn’t quite the same because of the lack of a social aspect. She called this the most important part of the race.
“A lot of what’s fun is people who know each other in the running community will meet up downtown at Huntington Place,” Jelinek said. “And everybody has on their ridicu-
See TROT on page 10A
High school wrestlers to watch across metro Detroit
BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com
It seems like with every season the sport of wrestling at the high school level continues to grow, especially on the girls’ side.
There’s tons of excitement surrounding it as the new season nears, and there’s an abundance of local talent looking to leave their mark on the mat.
Below are wrestlers to watch in the C & G Newspapers coverage area.
Senior Wyatt Hepner, Grosse Pointe South
He keeps on making history at Grosse Pointe South, so why stop now?
His sophomore year, he became the first Blue Devils wrestler to ever reach the state championship match. As a junior, he was the first to ever win a state title when he knocked off Utica Eisenhower senior Sam Agnello 1-0 in the 138-pound bracket.
So, becoming the first back-to-back champion ever at South is now within
arm’s reach for the returning Macomb Area Conference Gold MVP and individual district and regional champion.
A star football player for the Blue Devils defense, which played a vital role
in the program winning yet another MAC White league title, Hepner’s physicality on the mat is what separates him from his competitors.
The Harvard University commit, for
wrestling, finished the season undefeated at 48-0 and should be viewed as a state championship contender again this season.
Senior Ricardo Saenz, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice
He battled back from injury to reach the top of the podium, and he’s got all the makings to do it again.
After returning from a dislocated elbow he suffered in June of last year, Saenz finished his junior season 49-2 at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 state finals by dominating the 126-pound bracket, earning a fall and outsourcing his next two opponents 23-4.
Saenz, a returning individual district and regional champion in 2024, headlined a loaded Brother Rice roster that helped the Warriors return to the team states stage for the third straight season.
This Brother Rice group, which includes Richard Davis, Owen Stropoli, Deacon MacNeill, Caleb Steele, and a plethora of other talented wrestlers, have
See WRESTLING on page 12A
Photo courtesy of Wyatt Hepner
Grosse Pointe South senior Wyatt Hepner stands on the podium after winning the state championship in the 138-pound bracket.
City Marine
Photo by: Lori Hannon
CRIME WATCH
Porch pirate pilfers phone
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — At around 3:45 p.m. on Nov. 6, a FedEx employee dropped off a package containing a smartphone at a home in the 47000 block of Brennan Drive.
According to the home’s security system, a silver Nissan SUV pulled up to the home around 3:50 p.m. and the driver, dressed in a purple tracksuit and hood, took the package from the porch.
Missing car
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — At around 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 8, a 31-year-old woman living in the 56000 block of Solina Court went outside to check on her car. To her surprise, her 2020 Chevrolet Blazer was not there.
The woman’s husband told Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies that he last saw the car when he left for work around 4 a.m. The woman had both keys for the Blazer and believes the car was locked.
Hacker intimidation
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — In September, a 68-year-old Macomb Township woman purchased a new laptop. She turned the laptop on for the first time on Nov. 8 at her home in the 51000 block Battonwood Drive and quickly encountered a pop-up window.
The pop-up encouraged her to call a “Microsoft Support” phone number, which was answered by a man who claimed the computer contained child porn downloaded onto it. After the woman denied this due to not downloading anything yet, the man ordered her to open her online banking ac-
counts. She refused to do so, and the man began moving her cursor, turned on the computer’s camera and brought up a pornography website, prompting the woman to close the laptop.
Scammed out of cash
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Nov. 8, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were summoned to a home in the 17000 block of Port Salem Drive to speak with residents about a fraud report.
An 85-year-old male resident reportedly received an email stating a fraudulent PayPal account was made in his name. Upon calling a number in the email, a man claimed $20,000 was wrongly placed in the account and, after hours of conversation, the resident agreed to give $20,000 in cash to a man at a gas station on the corner of Romeo Plank and 22 Mile Road. The man also deposited $9,700 in a Bitcoin machine at a gas station on 22 Mile Road and Van Dyke.
Threatening email
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On Nov. 11 at 9:16 a.m., Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at a home in the 48000 block of Presidential Drive to hear about a threatening email.
The resident, a 79-year-old woman, reportedly received an email containing her name, address and phone number that claimed the sender placed malware on the computer and would install explicit content on it if she did not give the sender $2,000, which was to be deposited in a Bitcoin wallet.
The woman did not send any money.
— Dean Vaglia
NEWS & NOTES
9A/ MACOMB
Water Authority, Army Engineers hosting flood mitigation workshops
DETROIT — As the Great Lakes Water Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District work to scope their Southeast Michigan Flood Mitigation Study, the organizations are seeking community input at a series of public engagement workshops across southeast Michigan.
All meetings will be held from 3-7 p.m. with the first two hours targeting municipal and nonprofit stakeholders within the study area. The second two hours will involve public participation. All portions of the meetings are open to the public.
Meeting dates and locations are as follows:
Monday, Dec. 2: Eastlake Baptist Church, 12400 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit
Wednesday, Dec. 4: Atrium @ Dearborn Administrative Offices, 16901 Michigan Avenue (West Entrance), Dearborn
Monday, Dec. 9: Waterford Oaks Activity Center, 2800 Watkins Lake Road, Waterford Township
Tuesday, Dec. 10: Sterling Heights Community Center (Room 1), 40250 Dodge Park Road, Sterling Heights
Monday, Dec. 16: Grosse Pointe War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Drive, Grosse Pointe Farms
Seasonal choral show
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — Romeo-based Symphonia Chorale is holding a performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria” along with an orchestra at the Bethel Church of the Nazarene on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and in Romeo at the Romeo United Methodist Church on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.
Seasonal music will be mixed into the performance. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students.
For more information visit Symphoniacho rale.weebly.com.
Belgian American Association Band to perform Christmas Concert
The Belgian American Association Band will perform its 2024 Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11.
The BAA was formed in 1927 to serve metro Detroit’s Belgian community, and the band has performed concert band music in the Detroit area for more than 90 years. Its repertoire includes popular marches, polkas, waltzes and show tunes.
The concert will be held at St. Lucy Church, 23401 E. Jefferson Ave., in St. Clair Shores. Admission is free to all. Donations in the holiday spirit are accepted. For more information, visit belgianband.org/home/upcoming-events.
Shake mailboxes for winter sturdiness
MOUNT CLEMENS — As the winter months loom, the Macomb County Department of Roads urges residents to shake their mailboxes before the snow hits.
Mailboxes can be subject to damage and dislocation by snow tossed by plow trucks, so residents are encouraged to check for any loose points on their mailboxes that, if unchecked, could lead to them being broken.
“While we gear up for winter operations to maintain safe and efficient roads during the winter months, taking a few minutes to ensure your mailbox is properly secured will save you time and hassle later on,” Macomb County Department of Roads Director Bryan Santo said in a press release. “Shake it to ensure the snow won’t break it. If your mailbox moves when shaken, it may not survive standard snow removal operations and should be repaired or replaced before winter.”
Mailbox damage can often be prevented with proper routine maintenance. If you have questions regarding mailbox maintenance, please contact the county at (586) 463-8671 or geninfo@rcmcweb.org.
CMPL hosting December events
music in the Detroit area for more than 90 years.
CLINTON TOWNSHIP — As the year winds down and holiday season kicks off, the Clinton-Macomb Public Library has a variety of events in place for December.
Between the demands of holidays and school-year stresses, tweens can find December to be a difficult time. The North Branch is hosting a mindfulness journal workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. open to children 8-12.
Crafty kids are invited to visit the South Branch on Friday, Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. to learn about printmaking.
Learn more about the life of portraitist John Singer Sargent at the South Branch on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. Karen Imarisio unravels the liberties Sargent took with his sitters to reveal not only Sargent as an artistic director, but also the changing roles of society at the turn of the 20th century.
Children 2-12 are invited to a block party at the North Branch on Thursday, Dec. 26 at 2 p.m. Library staff will bring out a variety of blocks and children should bring their imagination to create.
For more CMPL events, visit cmpl.libnet.info/events.
The Belgian American Band, seen here in 1938, has performed concert band
Photo provided by the Belgian American Association
lous looking turkey outfits or elf outfits. So everybody looks kind of funny and they’re all meeting up and excited to go.”
Jelinek said she feels all the races in Michigan are getting bigger and says there is a running boom right now. She said she doesn’t have exact numbers for the Turkey Trot, but she has noticed other races gaining more attention and participation.
Tammy Marquez, a St. Clair Shores resident, participated in the Big Bird Run in Roseville this year. They also had the options of a 10K, a 5K and a 1-mile race. She said she chose the 10K.
“It was really nice because it was a smaller race and it goes through quiet neighborhoods and through parks throughout the city of Roseville,” Marquez said.
She added there wasn’t a lot of road traffic.
“We did have some crowd support,” Marquez said. “We had some folks out on their front porches kind of cheering us on. So that was nice to still get that encouragement.”
Marquez said it was a nice event and the proceeds from the race go back into community programs. She also said she had a lot of fun during the race and that it was
nice to run with other people.
“Running is something that I always enjoy,” Marquez said. “And a lot of the route that we took is routes that I typically run just on my normal runs on a daily basis, so it was nice.”
Marquez started running around 13 years ago after she had her kids. She said it’s turned into a lifelong activity.
Though no training is needed for the races such as 10K, Marquez said it would be more enjoyable to have a little bit of training under your belt.
“If you have any kind of goal in mind for wanting to improve then yes, absolutely,” Marquez said. “Training would be important.”
Jelinek added in an email that the metro Detroit running community is great and welcomes newcomers openly.
“The Turkey Trot is a great event that has distances for all experience levels, including people just getting started with the Mashed Potato Mile,” Jelinek said in the email. “Participants can run, walk, or do a combination.”
She recommends those trying out the Turkey Trot for the first time to wear something festive, stay warm at Huntington Place beforehand and to check the weather.
“It really can differ every single year,” Jelinek said. “There’s been rainy years, there’s been cold years, there have been
years where it’s pretty mild. Keep an eye on the forecast until the morning of and just adjust what you’re planning on wearing.”
The biggest tip she has is to stay at Huntington Place to keep warm because it is a short walk to the starting line from there.
According to The Parade Company’s website, registration and packet pick up for the Turkey Trot this year will be from noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesday Nov. 27 at Huntington Place in Room E. Packet pickup will also be available day of at 6 a.m. in the same location. They accept cash or checks only made payable to The Parade Company.
Huntington Place is located at 1 Washington Blvd. in Detroit. The expo center was formerly known as Cobo Hall, Cobo Center and TCF Center.
The starting time for the 10K and the mile is 7:30 a.m. and the starting time for the 5K is 8:30 a.m. Jogging strollers are allowed, but no pets or bikes are permitted. The start line for the mile is on Atwater Street behind Huntington Place and the start line for both the 5K and the 10K is at Griswold Street and Fort Street.
For more information about the parade and the races, visit theparade.org.
Call Staff Writer Alyssa Ochss at (586) 498-1103.
Photo provided by Sarah Jelinek
Sarah Jelinek has participated in the Turkey Trot since 2018 and said the community is what makes the race a lot of fun.
Wrestling
helped revamp the wrestling program’s culture under head coach Scott Kolesky.
Brother Rice made team states for the first time in 32 seasons back in 2022, and with Saenz and company leading the charge, there’s no signs of that stopping.
Saenz is a student of the game, for he’s always watching videos and tweaking certain things he can do better, but he’s a dangerous man on the mat.
Senior Logan Criteser, Macomb Dakota
Now that he’s finished throwing around offensive players for Macomb Dakota’s district-winning football team, Criteser, a Macomb County dream team selection last season, will carry over his fierce competitiveness to the mat.
On the football field, his physicality and drive are some of the core reasons why he broke Dakota’s single-season sack record with 14.5 this year.
Competing in the 190-pound bracket last season, Criteser was regional runner-up after falling to the eventual state runner-up, Rochester Hills Stoney Creek
graduate Adam Bazzi, while displaying his resilience in the Division 1 state finals.
Criteser dropped his first match of the tournament, but quickly rebounded with a pair of wins to set himself up for a seventh-place match, which he would win with a fall.
Criteser finished the season with a 41-6 record and played a key role in Dakota dominating the MAC Red, winning the league title, the Macomb County Invitational, and the MAC Red/White Divisional Meet.
When you see his quick hands and explosiveness on the gridiron, it’s no secret why he’s one of the top wrestlers in Macomb County.
Junior Wyatt Lees, Detroit Catholic Central
It can be difficult to stand out around a room full of state championship-winning wrestlers, but Lees is becoming an anchor for the Shamrocks.
A state champion at 106 in 2023, Lees returned to states in the 113-pound bracket and left nothing in his path, tallying three straight falls to become a twotime state champion.
Lees, a two-time regional champion who finished the season with a 49-5 re-
cord, was one of five DCC wrestlers to bring home Division 1 individual titles while the Shamrocks captured its second straight team state championship and 10th since 2010.
He’s quick but can wrestle with power for his weight class, making him one of the more dominant wrestlers to match up against.
Only a junior, it will be exciting to see how he finishes his final two seasons with DCC, as he is already a two-time individual and team state champion.
Sophomore Deacon Morgan, Rochester Adams
Wrestling is a family affair with his older brother Jace Morgan, a state qualifier and returning senior, and their father David Morgan, a former Michigan State University wrestler, all knowing what it takes to succeed on the mat.
In his first year, success would be an understatement for the freshman phenom as he captured an individual district and regional title while placing sixth at the MHSAA Division 1 state finals.
Morgan finished the season with an impressive 25-4 record and quickly made a name for himself in the 106-pound bracket, earning all-State honors with his sixth-
place finish.
Morgan will be part of a talented roster the Highlanders plan to return – with aspirations of making some noise at team states.
After seeing what Morgan could already do as a freshman, it would be a surprise to no one if he’s hoisting an individual state title in due time.
Junior John Kaminski, Warren Mott
Warren Mott fielded seven four-year seniors – an impossible void to fill by any means.
Kaminski was one of Mott’s few underclassmen that were able to help the seniors end their high school careers at the Division 1 team state finals, but now it’s time for the Marauders to lean on Kaminski and the rest of their underclassmen from last year.
Kaminski finished the season with a 38-13 record and a regional runner-up finish to his credit, which helped Mott earn the most state qualifiers in school history with six.
States didn’t go exactly according to plan for Kaminski as he finished 1-2 in the 144-pound bracket, but he’s poised for a breakout campaign his junior year.
Wrestling
from page 12A
Other wrestlers to watch
• Josh Lemanski, Grosse Pointe South 2023-2024 record: 39-13
• Dom Beccari, Rochester Adams 2023-2024 record: 35-8
• Eli Thomas, Rochester Adams 2023-2024 record: 35-12
• John David Quinlan, Rochester Adams 2023-2024 record: 35-10
• Jace Morgan, Rochester Adams 2023-2024 record: 42-2
• Cameron Leone, Warren Mott 2023-2024 record: 31-10
• Logan Craft, St. Clair Shores Lakeview 2023-2024 record: 42-7
• Jay’Den Williams, Roseville 2023-2024 record: 49-1
• Lee Krueger, Detroit Catholic Central 2023-2024 record: 44-6
• Connor Bercume, Detroit Catholic Central 2023-2024 record: 43-3
• Grayson Fuchs, Detroit Catholic Cen tral 2023-2024 record: 42-6
• Ryan Totten, Detroit Catholic Central 2023-2024 record: 49-11
• Brady Hamby, Macomb Dakota 2023-2024 record: 38-9
• Carl Nihranz, Macomb Dakota 2023-2024 record: 46-4
• Draven McAllister, Fraser 2023-2024 record: 41-13
• Stanley Anderson, Fraser 2023-2024 record: 39-7
• Ethan Miller, Fraser 2023-2024 record: 29-23
• Jack Lower, Rochester 2023-2024 record: 38-6
• Merrick Kustarz, Utica 2023-2024 record: 36-13
• Jaxon Griffin, Ferndale 2023-2024 record: 32-10
• Joshua Golding, Warren Woods Tower 2023-2024 record: 24-10
• Dominic Gumtow, Warren Woods Tower 2023-2024 record: 47-3
• Richard Davis, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 2023-2024 record: 49-4
originally had, so the structure itself has been restored to its original form.”
Drolet says the renovation has largely moved into the “odds and ends” phase with the largest changes involving repainting the interior. Along with filling in the garage door, one significant set of additions has been building a porch and a ramp. The ramp is part of the accessibility changes being made to the building.
“There is a door that the ramp goes up to that has to be 36 inches wide, so we will have to replace that door with a wider door,” Drolet said. “We’ve already ordered and are awaiting the arrival of a new door that is as close as possible to the existing original door, just wider.”
As far as external renovations go, a group of volunteers dubbing themselves the “Dead Phragmites Society” are working on building up a 1920s-era garden around the old hall.
Nethanya Fonseka, a Department of Public Services volunteer and founder of the organization Plant It Forward, created an initial draft of the garden, which was then modified by MSU Extension Master Gar-
dener Program volunteer Kathi Pipenbrock. The objective of the garden is to utilize plants native to Macomb Township, many of which have not been present in the environment for over 100 years. Cherry, sugar maple and catalpa trees along with dogwood and serviceberry bushes are some of the plants expected to go in with plans to develop a pollinator-friendly native prairie along the garden as well.
“We are trying to make this a biodiverse area and low-maintenance so that we can sustain not only the plants that were in the area in North America before we came, but also hopefully help maintain the birds and other wildlife that’s already around,” Pipenbrock said.
One of the most highly anticipated plants to be included in the garden are chestnut trees, which went extinct in the region due to the spread of chestnut blight throughout the 20th century. Fonseka was able to source the chestnut trees from a grower in Owosso.
“We got them from Nash Nurseries,” Fonseka said. “They’re part of the (Michigan) Chestnut Growers Association. They were really generous and gifted it to us for our garden, which is nice because usually they are expensive.”
In order to prevent it from succumb-
ing to blight, the hybrid chestnut tree is a mix of Chinese, Japanese and American chestnut trees.
Along with the coming winter being an obstacle, Fonseka and other volunteers aim to prepare the surrounding soil for the first phase of tree planting in spring 2025. Fonseka herself has begun mulching leaves and, as of late November, had at least 25 bags of plant material mulched and ready.
Period decor is planned to adorn the garden with volunteers on the lookout for vintage benches, sundials, birdhouses and feeders, farm plows and water pumps. A picket fence is expected to surround the
finished garden, while informational plant markers and an accessible pathway through the garden are planned to help make the garden available to all community members.
Renovations and repairs to the old hall have largely been covered by donations. Drolet estimates around $200,000 to $250,000 has been raised for the project covering both monetary donations and donated labor. Some expenses, such as creating sidewalks around and up to the old hall, have been covered by the township.
“We have a sidewalk gap program
See HALL on page 15A
TThe Wujek and Calcaterra families wish you a Thanksgiving flled with blessings and surrounded by the ones you love. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful families in this community who have chosen us to serve them. We are humbled by your trust.
from page 14A
where we try to have sidewalks on major roads where there are current gaps in the sidewalks,” Drolet said. “We have a certain amount of money we put aside in the budget for main road sidewalks. We get a better deal if we put the town hall sidewalks into that bucket because somebody is bidding on a large number of sidewalks. As a budget item, it will show up as our sidewalk gap program, but in reality, it was just added to that as a way of saving some money and making it part of a larger bid.”
With the building not yet completed and Thanksgiving upon us, Drolet plans to have the building in a presentable, albeit unfinished, state for the township’s holiday tree lighting and afterglow on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 6. Decorations are already in place around the municipal complex.
“We’re going to decorate it up for Christmas so that on Dec. 6, when kids come to visit Santa, they can visit him in the old town hall,” Drolet said. “We’ve got to get Santa’s chair in there. We have to get a tree in there and we have to get the decorations up.”
While a formal opening ceremony is not expected until sometime in 2025, how the old hall will be used when Santa is out of town remains an open question. Proposed uses are to have the old hall serve as a museum or as a meeting space, though Drolet argues the true purpose of the building is more than what functions go on inside it.
“The biggest value that building provides is a connection to the history of the land and this community,” Drolet said. “It is never going to be some amazing event space. It’s always going to be more of a memorial and monument to the people who built Macomb Township into what it is, to the original settlers, to the farming families … It’s always going to be more of a recognition, an appreciation and a celebration of the history of this community than it is going to be a heavily used event space.”
The old hall’s renovation continues, and much work is still planned to make the space lively. For more information about donations regarding the old hall and garden, contact Drolet at (586) 992-0710, ext. 7, or by emailing DroletL@macomb-mi. gov. Those interested in gardening can contact Pipenbrock at (586) 322-2268.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
Hoops
from page 1A
With an array of seniors now graduated, the Cougars will rely on her to display more of her offensive game as well.
That won’t be a problem for the sophomore standout. If anything, showcasing her full offensive talent will only make her an all-State candidate this season to go along with her defense and playmaking ability.
Dakota is coming off a MAC Red title and trip to the regional championship, and with Brooks-Foster at the helm, the expectation should be the same.
Senior Guard Maddy Benard, Grosse Pointe South
If she isn’t already, Benard should easily be on everyone’s watchlist for Miss Basketball honors.
The 5-foot-9, ball-dominant guard was nearly untouchable last season, averaging 18.2 points and 4.6 steals per game en route to all-League and first team all-State honors as a junior.
Every opposing defense knew the game plan going into a matchup against South was to stop Benard, but they quickly found out it’s a lot easier said than done.
Benard is an elite-level shot creator, gaining separation from her defenders with an array of dynamic dribble moves.
Even when a defender or two is in her face, Benard’s quick release on her jump shot makes her nearly impossible to guard.
She embraces contact and displays that level of physicality on the defensive end, making her one of the better two-
way guards in the state.
Benard recently announced her commitment to playing collegiate basketball for Wayne State University.
The Blue Devils will hope to get things back on track this season after finishing 12-12 and fourth in the Macomb Area Conference Red.
Senior Guard Tamerah Peterson, Sterling Heights Parkway Christian
She was one of the most dynamic players in the state last year, and people are starting to notice.
Leading Parkway Christian to a 15-6 record and its first district championship since 2017, Peterson earned all-County and all-State honors last season after putting on a clinic from both sides of the court.
Peterson is an elite-level defender with a skill for swiping the ball away from an opposing guard or reading a pass and taking it away for an easy transition layup.
At one point in the season, Peterson was averaging nine steals a game for the Eagles.
On the offensive end, Peterson can score from every level as an efficient perimeter shooter and someone who is quick on the drive.
Expect Parkway Christian to make another run at a district championship with Peterson back on the floor.
Junior Guard Sheridan Beal, West Bloomfield
There’s nothing more important for an incoming underclassman at the varsity level than guidance, and Beal has had plenty of that during her two seasons.
West Bloomfield head coach Darrin McAllister de-
scribed Beal last season as a “sponge,” soaking up all the knowledge and lessons from watching a loaded senior group consisting of Division 1 basketball players last season.
With Indya and Summer Davis (University of Georgia), Destiny Washington, and Kendall Hendrix (Loyola University Chicago) all graduated, the Lakers will lean on Beal to continue West Bloomfield’s success.
In her two seasons, Beal has been a part of two state finals trips, starting in last season’s state championship win over Grand Blanc.
Beal played 22 minutes and contributed 3 points, three rebounds, and an assist as West Bloomfield dominated in a 60-30 win, but Beal was undoubtedly one of the core reasons the Lakers made it in the first place.
Throughout the season, Beal made big shot after big shot, helping West Bloomfield hold a 27-1 record on the season.
She’s a physical guard that can score from anywhere on the court and isn’t afraid to draw contact.
Do not be surprised if West Bloomfield continues to be successful on the shoulders of Beal, who has all-State caliber talent.
Senior Guard Anayya Davis, Utica Ford
A true leader on the court for the Falcons, Davis is a do-it-all kind of player.
Standing at 5-foot-11, Davis is a matchup nightmare for the majority of the MAC, dominating the boards while averaging nearly a double-double last season.
The Grand Valley State University commit averaged
See HOOPS on page 17A
Hoops
from page 16A
18.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game while shooting efficiently from the perimeter.
Davis earned first team all-State honors, MAC White MVP, and all-County Player of the Year honors after leading Ford to a 16-7 record and a MAC White league title.
When you watch her on the floor, she’s a guard that almost resembles a stretch forward with the way she can take over the interior, spread the floor, and shoot.
Ford has plenty of playmakers returning alongside Davis, which they will need since they’re ascending to the MAC Red this season.
Davis could be another local player that may easily find herself in the Miss Basketball watchlist.
Sophomore Guard Cecelia Arico, Detroit Country Day
It was just last season when Arico was helping the Yellowjackets earn a 19-6 record and a district championship, but now a year later she’s regarded as one of the top players not just in the class of 2027 but in the state.
A dynamic scorer from all three levels, Arico has a smooth jump shot that is deadly
from the perimeter, but just when you go to defend it, she gets you on the pump fake and blows right past you for a layup.
She’s quick on her feet and embraces contact on the drive, making her one of the tougher scorers to guard.
Arico averaged 16 points and nine rebounds in her first year on varsity, and she’s only going to become more dominant as her high school career continues.
An all-State honoree last season, the 5-foot-11 guard is already drawing Division
1 basketball interest from the University of South Carolina, Southern Methodist University, and Marquette University.
Other players to watch
• Sr. Aizlyn Albanese, Farmington Hills Mercy
• Soph. Allie Crighton, Orchard Lake St.
Mary’s
• Soph. Layla Stewart, Orchard Lake St.
Mary’s
• Soph. Gracyn Carrier, Chippewa Valley
• Sr. Alice Max, Rochester
• Sr. Molly McLeod, Bloomfield Hills Marian
• Jr. Diamond Prince, Troy
• Jr. Eva Borowski, Grosse Pointe North
• Sr. CaSaundra Smith, Warren Fitzgerald
• Sr. Kaylynn Millander, Warren Fiztgerald
• Jr. Brynn Norbeck, Fraser
• Jr. Alaynah Quinn, Fraser
Nevers
Nevers’ career in Macomb Township politics ties back to the 1990s, when she lived in Detroit with her husband, Larry Nevers. Larry, a Detroit police officer, was arrested and tried alongside fellow officer Walter Budzyn for the death of Malice Green in 1992. Larry and Budzyn were convicted of second-degree murder in 1993, but the conviction was overturned in federal court in 1997 after issues regarding the jury’s impartiality were brought to light. Nevers was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in a second trial in 2000; the charge was overturned by the Michigan Court of Appeals in March 2003 while the Michigan Supreme Court upheld the manslaughter charge in September that year. Though sentenced for up to 15 years, Larry was released from prison in 2001. He died in 2013 at age 72.
During Larry’s trial and imprisonment, Nancy lobbied on his behalf and upholds his innocence to this day. Her mission to prove her husband’s innocence and secure his release from prison sparked a “five-year odyssey,” during which she would receive support from prominent Macomb County Republicans, including future-Macomb Township Treasurer Leon Drolet, and many letters of support from Macomb County residents. Nancy attributes the letters as the deciding factor for she and Larry to move from Detroit to Macomb County, while the move to Macomb Township came down to their eventual home having a guaranteed move-in date.
“When you’re young you go along and think that we live in this wonderful country and everything is fair, and then something
personal happens to you and then your eyes are open and you realize there’s no such thing as justice, only a chance at justice,” Nancy said. “That was very much an eye-opener and it’s kind of driven my life since then.”
While the thought of running for office did not initially cross Nancy’s mind, the seed was planted with an early trip to the township clerk’s office.
“We went over to sign to make sure this was our residence, and at that time the clerk, Mike Koehs, said to my husband, ‘I think Nancy should run for office,’” Nevers said. “I just thought, ‘Oh yeah, all right, OK, whatever. That’s certainly not on my radar,’ and then Larry kept saying, ‘Well, why don’t you?’ Because he wanted me to (run).”
With the encouragement of her husband, Nancy campaigned for and won her first four-year term on the Macomb Township Board of Trustees in 2004. During her time in office, Nevers campaigned for the creation of a memorial for veterans in the township, which was fulfilled by the dedication of the Veterans and First Responders Memorial on Veterans Day 2010.
Located across from the front steps of the Macomb Township Hall, getting the monument built is Nevers’ proudest achievement during her time in office.
“We didn’t have a memorial, and a cousin of mine’s husband was a vet and said, ‘Why don’t we have one? What are you going to do about it?’” Nevers said. “The lightbulb went on and I said, ‘Well, we need to have one.’ Mike D’Agostini’s father was a vet, and he wanted to show his dad that he worked hard to bring a memorial in his honor to the township. It was my idea but (D’Agostini) was the moving force, and of course, Jim Van Tiflin (Macomb Township’s land development director) made it all hap-
pen in the township.”
In the leadup to the 2020 election, numerous corruption scandals rocked Macomb Township government. Over 20 residents seeking a hand in changing the township would vie for positions on the Board of Trustees while others sought to express their anger toward the sitting incumbents. Nevers, who had not left office since her 2004 election, successfully navigated a packed Republican primary and won what would be her final election to the board with just over 29,400 votes. During that contentious time, Nevers said defending her reputation was key to maintaining her spot on the board.
“Everybody considered the whole board corrupt, and it was clearly not the whole board,” Nevers said. “It was just a couple of people, and we were all painted with that same brush. You just had to fight for your
reputation, and it wasn’t pleasant. … When somebody accused me of something, I addressed it immediately from the board table.”
One accusation Nevers recalled is that because former-and-disgraced trustee Dino Bucci would have her sidewalks plowed, she was colluding with him.
Bucci was indicted on conspiracy, bribery, theft, extortion, mail fraud and money laundering charges in 2017 in connection with the corruption case surrounding former Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Anthony Marrocco.
“Right from the board table I said, ‘Wait a second. I never asked for that,’” Nevers said. “He did that, and I thought it was a kindness. I thought it was something that he did for his mother and for his house and he included me in that, so I was pretty
See NEVERS on page 19A
My approach, using advanced treatments, personalized care, and a commitment to saving limbs and lives, offers a new horizon for those afflicted with chronic foot wounds. If you or someone you know is navigating the challenges of foot wound care, the opportunity to transform this struggle into a story of healing and hope is within reach. Call me for an appointment today.
Nevers
from page 18A
naive. But anytime anybody accused me of anything I would say immediately, ‘OK, let’s talk about this,’ and I would allow them to ask questions. I was totally open and honest about anything, and I was never proven to be a liar. I never lied about anything. I think that was something people appreciated, otherwise they wouldn’t have voted me back in, I don’t think.”
Eventually the decision came to leave
Board
from page 3A
Nevers retirement
Trustee Nancy Nevers ended her 20year career on the board at the Nov. 13 meeting. Her retirement was noted by the reading of a resolution in honor of her service and letting Nevers bang the gavel to adjourn. Trustees made time in their closing remarks to share thoughts about Nevers’ time on the board.
“I would like to publicly thank Trustee Nevers for her many years of service to the
politics behind. Nevers figured she would not be getting younger and, with health issues beginning to emerge, wanted more time to spend with her family. Nevers was content with the trustee position and did not seek full-time office, and she ended her career as one of the township’s longest-serving trustees.
“I’m going to miss it,” Nevers said. “On every Wednesday I’m sure I’ll remember, ‘This is a board night, and I wonder what’s going on over there.’ I’ll remember it fondly.”
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
township,” Trustee Peter Lucido III said. “And not just to the township, but being so welcoming to me four years ago when I joined the board. We’ve sat next to each other for these last four years, always talking about President Trump, talking about Elvis Presley (and) a lot of different things. … I’m going to miss Nancy Nevers every other week at these board meetings. Nancy, thank you and I appreciate your mentorship and guidance in my first four years.”
Ronald Papa Jr. will replace Nevers at the next Board of Trustees meeting.
Call Staff Writer Dean Vaglia at (586) 498-1043.
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Suspicious seasoning reported
GROSSE POINTE CITY — An unknown suspect is said to have thrown two small jars of spices through the window of a home in the 800 block of Notre Dame Street sometime between the hours of noon Nov. 5 and 9:45 a.m. Nov. 6. A police report states that a neighbor is suspected in the incident.
Vehicle theft attempted
GROSSE POINTE WOODS — A witness apparently scared off a would-be vehicle thief during an incident in the 19000 block of Linville Street at around 3:30 a.m. Nov. 5. According to a police report, the victim was notified by his outdoor surveillance camera system that someone was approaching his home, at which point he contacted the Public Safety Department.
The victim’s girlfriend went outside to yell at a suspect, who was described as wearing all dark clothing. The suspect, who was trying to steal the victim’s Dodge Durango, is said in the report to have run back to an awaiting Dodge Charger when the victim walked out of his house armed with a handgun. The victim told police the Charger headed south on Linville.
Car damaged by brick
EASTPOINTE — According to a police report, at around 6:50 p.m. Nov. 5, officers were called to the 23000 block of Lambrecht Avenue, in the area of Gratiot Avenue and Nine Mile Road, to investigate a complaint about malicious destruction of property.
Upon arrival, the victim stated that her 2017 Nissan Sentra had been damaged by a brick while it was parked in the street near the house. The victim’s security cameras showed that at around the same time on Nov. 4, two male suspects were walking eastbound on Norton Avenue near Lambrecht. The first reportedly walked past the vehicle while the second carried a large garden brick and approached the Nissan.
The unknown juvenile allegedly pretended to throw the brick at the passenger-side rear window, and then walked to the rear where he threw it onto the trunk lid, causing it to dent. He laughed while walking out of the camera’s view. The victim did not know why her vehicle would be targeted and did not recognize the suspect.
Police were investigating.
Items stolen from shoe store
EASTPOINTE — According to a police report, officers were dispatched to the Foot Locker store on Nine Mile Road on Oct. 30 on report of two men having stolen numerous items there.
Upon reviewing the store’s security footage, the
6 p.m., two men entered the store from the main entrance.
Upon entering the store, the two suspects reportedly split up, each taking clothing items that were for sale and removing their anti-theft devices, and then concealing the stolen goods in their jackets before leaving the store without paying and fleeing the area in a black Lincoln sedan.
An investigation was ongoing.
No-contact conflict
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Oct. 27 at around 5:30 p.m., a 60-year-old woman living in the 38000 block of Circolo Road called the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office to report an issue with her 49-year-old male neighbor. The woman is a protected person with a no-contact order against him.
The woman installed a camera on a pole facing her neighbor’s yard due to ongoing issues. Earlier in the day, she noticed a broom handle poking the pole through the fence line. After calling 911, she noticed the camera had been knocked off the pole.
Scam caller
HARRISON TOWNSHIP — On Oct. 25, an 87-yearold Harrison Township man received a call claiming to be from Blue Cross Blue Shield, stating a representative would visit his home in the 25000 block of Carno Circle on an upcoming Monday.
After speaking with his wife about the call, they contacted the company for more information. Blue Cross Blue Shield representatives informed them the representative was a scammer.
Disorderly conduct investigated
MOUNT CLEMENS — On the afternoon of Oct. 27, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the 200 block of Shadyside Drive to speak with a 39-year-old Roseville woman who was trying to enter a home that was not hers and was refusing to leave.
Deputies found the woman sitting on a curb. She identified herself and deputies noted she had slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and the odor of liquor. She was described in the report as “unintelligible.” A breath test came back with a 0.264 blood alcohol content.
Larceny reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 11:42 a.m. on Oct. 30, an act of larceny was reported that occurred on Oct. 18 in the 27000 block of Harper Avenue.
A 55-year-old man told officers that two customers were in the store opening up a new account for cellular services. Video surveillance shows one of the
who left it to charge. The video shows the suspect look past an employee who was focused on their computer, and then collect his belongings including the iPhone. The man called the mother of the suspect, the other customer, and she denied that the suspect ever stole the phone and refused to put them on the line. The man advised her that a police report was being filed and they had them on video surveillance.
ATM skimmer found
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 6:52 p.m. Oct 30, suspicious circumstances prompted further investigation in the 21000 block of Harper Avenue. A technician, a 25-year-old man, was working on an ATM that was reported to be malfunctioning when he discovered an electronic card skimmer.
He inspected the rest of the ATM and discovered a fake cover plate attached to the PIN keypad security overhang. A small slit in the cover plate showed a camera seated behind it. There was also a micro-SD card attached to the camera. The man said he only touched the outer edges of the cover plate and skimmer with his bare hands. The man was unable to find any logs showing when the ATM was last serviced.
An officer spoke to the store clerk who said the owner might have logs showing when the ATM was serviced.
Retail fraud reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 1:29 p.m. on Oct. 26, a retail fraud claim was reported in the 23000 block of Marter Road.
An officer spoke with the manager of the store, a 40-year-old man, who stated he saw two men exit the store with approximately 15 bottles of unknown tequila on their person. He heard the bottles making noise in their backpack and clothing. He advised both men to drop the liquor, which they declined to do. Both got into a black vehicle with a Michigan registration.
Officers checked the area but could not locate the vehicle.
Property damage reported
ST. CLAIR SHORES — At 6:55 a.m. on Oct. 30, property damage was reported on Northshore Drive.
The caller stated that his tires had been slashed. Upon arrival, the officer saw the victim’s vehicle backed up by an office with its back tires flat and with holes in them showing it was not accidental.
The victim, a 40-year-old man, stated that at 6:17 a.m. that morning he received an alert telling him that his tires were low. He went outside and saw both back tires were flat. He stated that this was not the first time this occurred. On Oct. 27, he was at an apple orchard when they were slashed and on Oct.
alert went off again. He kept these tires in the trunk for further observation. The man stated he recently moved and not very many people knew that. He did not have any suspects, but the officer advised him to figure out who has the information and a motive. The man has insurance on his vehicle. There were no surveillance cameras observed by officers on the scene.
Woman steals lottery tickets
STERLING HEIGHTS — According to police, a convenience store in the 3000 block of 14 Mile Road reported that a woman — approximately 40 years old – asked a clerk for lottery tickets Oct. 27 and allegedly grabbed them and left without paying after the tickets were placed on the counter. The suspect reportedly escaped in a black SUV. Police requested access to the store’s surveillance footage.
Woman allegedly tries to steal clothing in self-checkout
STERLING HEIGHTS — A third-degree retail fraud case was reported Oct. 25 at Walmart, 33201 Van Dyke Ave., near 14 Mile Road. Police said a woman didn’t scan multiple articles of clothing in the self-checkout — including a Wonder Nation girls shirt – and then allegedly tried to leave without paying for them. Police said they ended up citing the suspect.
Vacuum invader
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — At around 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 24, a man of unknown age or residence entered the home of a 31-year-old Macomb Township woman in the 21000 block of Chevalier Drive. The man forced open a locked screen door and, when confronted by the resident, said he was there to pick up a vacuum cleaner. The woman informed him he was in the wrong home and the man left without taking anything.
Gift card scam
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — On the afternoon of Oct. 25, a 75-year-old Macomb Township woman was contacted by someone claiming to be an Amazon worker. The caller said there were “serious charges” on her account and had the call transferred over to an “FBI agent Dan Murphy.”
“Murphy” told the woman her account was being used for money laundering and instructed her to purchase $4,400 in gift cards and ship $14,800 via UPS to a California address.
When the woman was speaking with Macomb County Sheriff’s Office deputies at her home in the 46000 block of Breckenridge Drive, “Murphy” called her back. Deputies answered the phone, leading to “Murphy” quickly hanging up.
Troy Community Chorus to perform ‘Yuletide Dreams’
TROY — The Troy Community Chorus will present its holiday concert, “Yuletide Dreams,” at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, in the auditorium of Athens High School, 4333 John R Road.
The program, under the direction of Jonathan Lowrie and accompanied by Min Sook Chung, will be a combination of traditional and contemporary songs of the season.
Advance tickets cost $12 for ages 13-62, $10 for seniors and ages 6-12, and they are free for children younger than 5. Tickets will be available at the door for $15 each. To order tickets, contact Gina Sweet at (248) 762-6862 or ginasweet@gmail.com. Will-call tickets will be available for pickup at 7:30 p.m. the night of the concert.
Attendees can win a variety of items by participating in a fundraising basket raffle. The Troy Community Chorus is a non-audition choir consisting of more than 90 members ages 24-85 from across metro Detroit. It was founded in 1978. For more information, visit www.troycommunitychorus.com.
PANTRY ACCEPTING DONATIONS
BERKLEY — The city of Berkley is partnering with the Berkley Cares Food Pantry to help those in need. Through Dec. 12, the city is collecting nonperishable food and toiletries to benefit the food pantry. City Hall, the Public Safety Department, the Community Center, the library and the Department of Public Works each have a collection box to drop off donations.
Nonperishable items that can be donated include canned fruits, vegetables and proteins, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, jelly, dry and wet pet food, granola bars, pudding, and kids’ lunch snacks like pretzels and chips, canned soups, ravioli, pasta, pasta sauce, and mashed potatoes. Other suggested items include formula, diapers, toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, laundry detergent, feminine products, dish soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes. For questions, contact communications@ berkleymi.gov. A monetary donation also can be made at berkleycaresfoodpantry.com/give.
DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER CELEBRATES ANNUAL HOLIDAY WINDOW CONTEST
theme this year. The community event encourages businesses to showcase their creativity and holiday spirit by transforming
wonderland display. From Nov. 25 to Dec. 4, residents and visitors are encouraged to explore the downtown area and text
windows into a
iday window display. People can cast their votes by following the voting information displayed outside each participating business’s window. A complete list of participating businesses and a map are located at www.downtownrochestermi.com/holiday-win dow-contest. The winner will be announced onstage at the Kris Kringle Market Friday, Dec. 6. For more information, including a complete list of events, visit www.DowntownRochesterMI.com.
Dodge Park ice rink to reopen STERLING HEIGHTS
ADACHI WINS BURGER CONTEST
BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Shopping District’s inaugural BirminghamBURGER recently wrapped up. During the month of October, 18 Birmingham restaurants participated in a competition of who can make the best specialty burger. Throughout the contest, there were a total of 2,900 burger ratings. Adachi’s burger, titled “Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover,” received the highest ratings and won the competition.
Executive chef Lloyd Roberts and executive sous chef Eppie Marie created this Japanese-inspired katsu burger. While the burgers for BirminghamBURGER were created for the event, this burger will remain on Adachi’s lunch menu.
“We congratulate Adachi on receiving the people’s choice of Best BirminghamBURGER! We were thrilled to have such incredible participation from our restaurants and the local and regional community for this first-time event! We experienced significant engagement both in-person at many of our restaurants and on our voting platform and social media channels during
Photos provided by the Birmingham Shopping District
