4/10/24 C & G Special Edition — Macomb/Grosse Pointes

NEWSPAPERS Special Edition

Vet’s vision transforms former ACO Hardware space

BY NICK POWERS npowers@candgnews.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — Canteen Golf and Billiards isn’t just a place to unwind. It’s a place to give back.

The new business, replacing the former ACO Hardware in a strip mall at 41601 Garfield Road, offers golf simulators and pool tables with a variety of games. While the fun center is available to everyone, it puts a special emphasis on veterans.

Canteen features a mural dedicated to those who served. Owner Bert Copple, a U.S. Army veteran, took 75 submissions from those who served to add to the mural. The pictures are arranged on a timeline, spanning the global war on terror.

“It tells the story of the war because there are whole generations that weren’t even alive in 2001,” Copple said. “So, we’re trying to get them to understand why we went to war, what happened, and it tells the good, the bad and the ugly.”

While the wall showcases those who sacrifice, it doesn’t pull punches. It includes things like the torture and abuse at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

The “Leatherneck Lounge” at the Canteen caters to those veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. On the first Monday of each month, the business hosts a PTSD support group for veterans. A licensed counselor comes in to assist

new business is located at 41601 Garfield Road, in space formerly occupied by ACO Hardware.

ABOVE: Dylan Kolito, of Clinton Township, sets up for a shot at the golf simulator at Canteen Golf and Billiards in Clinton Township during its soft opening on March 21. LEFT: Owner Bert Copple opened Canteen Golf and Billiards with a focus on camaraderie.

Eagle Scout’s project helps Roseville Fire Department dry its gear faster

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

ROSEVILLE — The Roseville Fire Department recently received new equipment that will make it more convenient for firefighters to dry their turnout gear after washing it.

Both of the city’s fire stations — the headquarters on Common Road and Station 2 on Frazho Road — now each have a firefighter gear dryer that was built by 16-year-old

Julian Deschner.

Julian, whose dad, Mark Deschner, is a lieutenant with the department, made the dryers from scratch for his Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout project. His fellow scouts from Troop 1032, out of First United Methodist Church in Birmingham, helped him build the equipment, which was delivered March 4. The parts to assemble the dryers were purchased at Home Depot.

“I decided to do this project as a way to give back to

Canteen Golf and Billiards in Clinton Township opened its doors to the public on March 22. The

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

Julian Deschner, 16, addresses the Roseville City Council during its March 26 meeting about his Eagle Scout project.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

LINCOLN BASKETBALL ETCHES NAME IN SCHOOL HISTORY

ABES BOYS HOOPS WINS ITS FIRST-EVER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

BY JONATHAN SZCZEPANIAK jszczepaniak@candgnews.com

WARREN — If there’s one thing Warren Lincoln basketball players know about head coach Wydell Henry, it’s that defense is the glue to the basketball program.

Henry holds his team to the standard of keeping opposing teams below 50 each game, and he has instilled this mindset in his guys since Day 1.

Their defensive prowess was a major reason Lincoln was playing for Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 state championship against top-ranked Grand Rapids Christian on March 16 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

“That’s just been our mentality the whole state run — defense,” Henry said. “Defense wins championships. Defense and rebounding. For me, it was more so, ‘Let’s defend.’ We knew we could score 60 to 65 points a game because we have that type of team, so we just figured that if we keep everybody under 50, we’ll be fine. It started in districts. When two teams didn’t get 50, it just became our identity

Warren Lincoln players and coaches celebrate their Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 state championship win with a parade around the school on March 22.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Association picks Utica High senior as state’s top student journalist

BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com

UTICA — Utica High School student Natalie Garwood has been named the 2024 Michigan Journalist of the Year by the Journalism Education Association.

There will be a celebration of her achievement at the National High School Journalism Convention in Kansas City this week.

Garwood, who concentrates on photojournalism, said being recognized as Michigan’s Journalist of the Year is “just incredible.” She said she dedicated her life to her schools’ publications for five years, going back to Shelby Junior High School’s Pawprint yearbook, and to be recognized at a high level is “unbelievable.”

“I was confident that I would make the Student Journalist Staff, but I thought being named top in the state was pretty much out of the question because none of the previous winners I had seen were focused on photojournalism. I’ve gotten dozens of compliments on my photos and stories by parents, teachers and students, but to be recognized by Michigan’s interscholastic press association is just on an entirely new level,” she said.

She said she spent months putting her portfolio together to include pieces that best represented her as a journalist.

“I remember sitting there working on it all of holiday and midwinter break and thinking, ‘I really hope I win something because doing all of this for nothing would suck.’ To have the chance to compete at the national level is mind-blowing. I’m so excited to be able to compete against fellow student journalists who have put just as much time and effort into their publications as myself. Eighth grade me who joined publications so she wouldn’t have to be in the yearbook would be in complete shock at how far I have come since then,” she said.

Stacy Smale, adviser to the Warrior yearbook and Ar-

The Journalism Education Association named Natalie Garwood, of Utica High School, the 2024 Michigan Journalist of the Year.

Photo provided by Jennifer Kane

Cindy Kupinski, 57, wrote the book

“The

row newspaper, let Garwood know she won while Garwood was covering a basketball game. Smale said she was impressed by Garwood’s initiative and passion for photography and journalism.

“Natalie is one of the most talented student journalists I’ve ever worked with. Of course, photography is her passion, but it’s unusual to have a journalist that can do it all, from writing to design,” Smale said.

She said Garwood is dedicated to everything she does and has shown the diversity in the school community by covering athletics or reporting about new clubs.

“She worked on her online portfolio for over a year, and it’s obvious that she deserves this honor. I’m incredibly proud of everything she’s accomplished and can’t wait to follow her career, which will undoubtedly be filled with more accolades and honors,” she said.

For more information about Garwood’s work, visit nataliegarwood.wixsite.com/portfolio.

Healing Choices offers hope, help and healing

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

WARREN — As a child, Cindy Kupinski was physically, sexually and mentally abused by adults around her who she said were involved in a satanic cult.

“It was so traumatizing,” Kupinski said. “I suppressed the abuse. It was the only way I could survive.”

However, when she was in her 30s, she started remembering the brutality she had been through as a child, the bruises and the broken bones, the hospital stays, time spent in foster care so she could get away from her abusers. Knowing she needed help due to all she endured, Kupinski went into therapy and has used faith, counseling and a desire to get healthy to heal.

“The only way to heal from it is to relive it,” she said. “I had to feel it. I had to know that it was real. Your childhood impacts your adulthood. It’s been 20 years, and I’m still going to counseling.”

See KUPINSKI on page 10A

Light Through My Eyes” to share her story about abuse and to help others heal.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Lincoln

from page 2A

in practice.”

The Abes matched up against Grand Rapids Christian earlier in the season on Jan. 20 with the first round favoring Henry and company, 49-47.

Lincoln may have barely edged Grand Rapids Christian in their first meeting, but Henry said it sparked a defensive adjustment Lincoln planned to execute for the state title game.

“When we played them the first time, we played man,” Henry said. “I knew we could check them, but I knew it was tough. I just watched film on their two games in the quarterfinals game and semifinals game right after us, and I looked at the box score and said, ‘Wait a minute, they’re athletic and they are big, but they don’t have anyone that shoots the ball well.’ We hadn’t played zone and I know it was something they hadn’t seen us play. All 27 games, we didn’t play zone once this year. I thought it might catch them by surprise. I told my coaching staff, ‘For one game, let’s do it.’”

Like they’ve done all season, the Blackwell twins, juniors Markus and Moses, led the Abes on the offensive end.

Markus had a team-high 24 points while Moses added 12 of his own as the Blackwell twins each hit four three-pointers a piece and the twins shot just under 55% combined from the floor as Lincoln beat Grand Rapids Christian 53-39.

Grand Rapids Christian pulled within one as the score stood 34-33 late in the third quarter, but Markus Blackwell would take over with 10 points and Moses would add a threepointer himself to help Lincoln pull away in the fourth to a 47-39 lead with three minutes

left in the fourth.

“When the game was going on and there were two minutes left, I looked at my brother (Markus) and said, ‘Man, we this close. We just got to close out the game,’” Moses Blackwell said. “It really just hit me around the 1:50 mark that we were finally state champions. With all the work we put in, everything we did, and all the adversity we faced, we finally conquered our goal.”

Lincoln has strived for this moment for years with this group, labeling last year as “Breslin or bust” and this year as “state championship or bust,” and the manifesting finally paid off for Henry and his guys.

Lincoln players have thought about the moment of the final buzzer at the state finals going off for years, and senior TJ Minor said the feeling was indescribable.

“It really didn’t feel real,” Minor said. “There’s not a lot of kids that get to do this. It just felt amazing. It didn’t feel real at all.”

With Markus and Moses, there’s no better feeling than achieving something of the magnitude of a state title than doing it with your twin.

But like the Blackwell twins’ chemistry, the feeling of a brotherhood runs throughout the whole team.

“We’re all like brothers, like actual brothers,” junior Oshay Johnson said. “I think of all my teammates like brothers.”

Lincoln will return a slew of returning starters from its state championship squad and focus on being the hunted instead of hunting.

There’s always one team that lays the foundation and sets a standard for future teams to come, and the 2023-2024 Lincoln squad could be that team.

“That’s just starting a new legacy and starting something good,” Moses Blackwell said. “The next 10 years we should have about seven more.”

World War II veteran Larry Bennett, of Grosse Pointe Woods — who turned 100 March 28 — was celebrated during a birthday party thrown by the Men’s Club of Grosse Pointe March 26 at The War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms. Bennett was inducted into the U.S. Army in March 1943 and served as part of the 3rd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. He was stationed in France, Italy and Germany during the war. RIGHT: Bennett enjoys taking photos of the party thrown for him.

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

Scout

from page 1A

the firefighters of Roseville, as they are always busy with calls and fires,” said Julian, who resides in Bloomfield Township. “When a firefighter goes to a fire, there are many cancer-causing materials, also called carcinogens, that get on their gear, which results in washing their clothes after every fire.”

The dryers consist of PVC pipes connected to a blower with hooks and holes for the firefighters to hang their coats, pants, gloves and boots. Because the gear is so thick, it can take up to 12 hours to dry. With the dryers Julian manufactured, the gear dries in four hours. The equipment does not alter the gear in any way, Mark said.

“We have no practical way to dry our gear after it is washed. If bought from a

manufacturer, these dryers can cost up to $10,000 each,” Fire Chief Keith Jacobs said via email. “These gear dryers will be donated to the Fire Department at no cost to the city.”

It cost a total of $2,000 for Julian to construct the dryers. To make his Eagle Scout project possible, Julian received monetary contributions from several donors, family and friends, and from the Roseville Firefighters Union Local No. 1614.

“I’m absolutely proud of him. He took charge of this,” Mark said. “Obviously, I assisted with this. Another department built something similar to this. We were able to copy their dimensions, brought it back to Julian, and he was all about it. Him and I worked together. With his whole troop, we were able to build this in just a few days.

“The reason we wash and dry the bunker gear so quickly is the carcinogens on

there,” Mark said. “There has been a humongous increase in firefighter cancer because of stuff that is building these houses. There’s so many carcinogens, and there is a push to get your gear washed after every fire.”

Julian, who attends Lutheran Northwest High School in Rochester Hills, was recognized at the March 26 Roseville City Council meeting, where firefighter/paramedic Eric Pocket presented him with a plaque. Mark was with him, as was mom, Marci, and sister, Violet.

The Eagle Scout project is the final re-

quirement to obtain the highest rank within the Boy Scouts of America organization. The project gives the Scouts lessons in community service, leadership, teamwork and project management. There are many steps to earning the rank of Eagle Scout, including making a presentation before the Eagle Board of Review.

To earn the Eagle Scout rank, Scouts must progress through the ranks from Tenderfoot to Eagle, earn 22 merit badges, serve in a leadership position, and participate in a scoutmaster conference.

With help from his Boy Scout troop, Julian Deschner made firefighter gear dryers for both Roseville fire stations. His dad, Mark Deschner, is a lieutenant with the Roseville Fire Department.

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

Canteen

from page 1A

with the sessions.

“Anyone who just wants to come in to talk and share their story,” said Copple about the event. “The most important thing you can do when you have PTSD is to talk about it. That’s the first step in finding healing.”

Copple said he’s currently in talks with two groups, Helping Paws for Veterans, in Farwell, and Veteran Service Dogs, in Howell, that train emotional support animals for veterans with PTSD. He’s also working to find veterans organizations to donate to. Copple hopes to get these donations from the business proceeds set up later this year.

He said Canteen’s name comes from the place soldiers go after a mission.

“That’s the watering hole,” he said. “You go have a drink, play pool, play darts, whatever the case is. We set this up to feel

like that atmosphere.”

The Canteen utilizes Trackman golf simulator projection screens and is the second business in North America to use the pool table simulators they have, according to Copple. He estimates that the building has $600,000 in simulators between the golf simulators and the pool tables.

When coming up with the idea, Copple wanted to give golfers a year-round place to come but also wanted to provide something unique for billiards players.

“Billiards is a sneaky popular sport in the United States,” Copple said. “How can I make it more relevant to younger generations?”

The billiards tables feature a number of options other than traditional pool games. Each table is essentially a computer screen with the pool stick functioning like a mouse. There are videos on the table to walk you through how to play each game. A patron could play blackjack, where the table picks

up where the cue ball lands to select different cards, and then brush up on their billiards skills in a training mode. Copple highlighted the line assist game in particular. This feature allows you to work on different shots to learn in real time.

“There’s a system called 100 moves that walks you through the 100 moves of how to play pool from the easiest to the most difficult,” Copple said.

The food is all-you-can eat hot dogs and pizza. Refreshments offered include Coke products and the business also has a liquor license to offer alcoholic beverages.

Utica resident Mike Ferrans, a billiards player, found out about the Canteen by just peeking in the window before the business was open. Copple gave him a tour.

“He let me in and showed me around,”

Ferrans said. “I was very impressed with what I saw.”

Rochester resident Mark Koski, a golfer, said he liked how open it is and that there’s food nearby.

“It’s more of a social interaction than the other simulators I’ve been at,” Koski said.

Brandon Choranziak, who was playing on the same screen as Koski and hails from Clinton Township, agreed.

“I’m coming back on Saturdays,” Choranziak said.

Billiards player Paul Garant, of Clinton Township, was playing a regular game of pool on the table, but had tried out some of the other features like blackjack.

“It’s clean, it’s close by, everything is brand new,” said Garant. “It feels welcoming.”

LEFT: Michael Evatz, of Bruce Township, sets up a shot on one of the interactive billiard tables at Canteen Golf and Billiards in Clinton Township during its soft open on March 21.

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

Kupinski

from page 3A

Kupinski, now 57, has become an advocate to help other domestic violence survivors. One way she is doing that is through her book, “The Light Through My Eyes,” which was published in 2019. The book, which chronicles her painful journey, is available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

“Fear controlled my life. I know there are many women and men who need to hear my story,” she wrote. “I need to tell it because I believe that, with the help of God, with God in me, I can help make a difference.”

Kupinski grew up in Detroit and now resides in Clinton Township with her husband, Dave. Many community members already know the Kupinskis. They own D & P Auto, located in Warren, which relocated from Roseville and has served countless customers over the years.

On the path to getting healthy, Kupinski has started her own charity, Healing Choices, on her own. Her goal is to speak to people about how childhood trauma impacts people as adults and the choices they make. Healing Choices is not a shelter, but

it provides resources for men, women and children who have suffered abuse.

“Healing Choices is giving them inspiration. I want to hold their hands. By sharing my story and sharing my experience, I do understand what they’re going through,” Kupinski said. “It’s me not wanting other people to hurt as much as I was hurting. If I can hug them, if I can help them, even if it’s just one person, then it’s all worth it. I want them to feel safe that somebody does care. There is a tomorrow.”

Kupinski is working on organizing support groups “even for spouses trying to help their spouses that have been abused.” Kupinski said she endured two abusive marriages. She has one child from her first marriage and two from her second marriage. She suffered from anxiety and panic attacks and said there were times in which she wanted to take her life but then thought, “What’s going to happen to my kids?”

“If it wasn’t for God, there’s no way I would survive,” Kupinski said.

Dave is Kupinski’s third husband. Between the two of them, they have seven grandchildren, and Kupinski has three stepdaughters.

Healing Choices received a financial boost recently when members of Elks Lodge Macomb No. 2292, located at 25950

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Schoenherr Road in Warren, donated $4,000 to Kupinski’s cause. When the Elks members learned of Healing Choices, they wanted to lend a hand.

“Our purpose is to help those in need,” Elks Lodge Macomb No. 2292 Exalted Ruler/President Bill Harris said. “We applied for a grant through the Elks National Foundation to help a charity in need in our community.”

The club members received a $4,000 grant, which they gave to Kupinski. She can use it for supplies, clothing and anything else needed.

“It couldn’t be for ourselves. It’s a good way to help a neighbor,” Harris said. “Cindy is selfless, kind and friendly and wants to give back. She just wants to help people in need.”

To reach Healing Choices, call (586) 899-0236. Monetary donations are always welcome, as are gift cards to help families that are healing.

New Elks Lodge Macomb No. 2292 members are always welcome. For more information, call (586) 771-8550 or send an email to warrensterling2292@mielks.org.

David Wallace | (586) 498-1053 | dwallace@candgnews.com

Sports: Jonathan Szczepaniak | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com

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The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless. Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

Trusted Protection During Unpredictable Weather

The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless. Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

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The Exterior Painters Celebrate 20 Years of Transforming Properties, Neighborhoods

Nothing transforms a property and makes it shine brighter than a fresh coat of paint. It’s simply the best and most cost-effective investment you can make for your home draped in the colors of yesterday.

The Exterior Painters have been revitalizing properties for 20 years.

“We specialize in just exterior painting, and the reason why we do that is we believe that repetition is the mother of all skill,” said owner Brian Scott. “For 20 years, that’s all we’ve been doing is outside work. When it comes to that, we do wood replacement and siding replacement. It makes us the perfect fit for homeowners who don’t want to re-side their whole house.”

The Exterior Painters replace damaged siding and boards as needed, but they’re not looking to push for a full siding replacement.

“It gets people by another 10 years and transforms the look of the house, bringing it to the next color trends of today,” Scott said.

“Another thing we do that makes us unique, we have a full-time color consultant,” Scott added. “For most people, that’s the hardest, most stressful part, choosing what color they want. Our consultant comes out and

meets with the homeowners and gives them an idea of what the new color trends are so they can make a good color choice that complements their landscaping, brickwork and architectural features.”

The Exterior Painters also specialize in brick staining.

“A lot of younger people are buying houses. We’re taking it from grandma’s house of the ’50s, ’60s or ’70s and bringing it to that HGTV look,” Scott said.

Power washing the siding — and for an additional charge, soft washing the roof if needed — can also make a big difference in terms of curb appeal.

you’re getting a bigger bang for your buck.”

It’s a win for everyone, from the crews The Exterior Painters employ and pay well to the homeowners who see their neighborhoods transformed. The company paints 30 houses a week on average in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Livingston counties, and boasts a five-star Google review average.

“With us you’re buying certainty. We don’t ask for a large deposit, and you don’t have to worry about anyone running off with your deposit,” Scott said.

charge, soft washing the roof if needed — can also transformed through fresh paint, “It’s the cheapest home to get.”

Scott said his crews often see their work spread from house to house in a neighborhood as the properties are transformed through fresh paint, siding repairs and much-needed washing.

“Compared to other home improvements,

“We stand by our work. We provide a warranty and proven results by taking care of everybody in the community. We’re Nextdoor’s No. 1 preferred contractor in Rochester two years in a row. It’s that certainty factor. You know what you’re going

“It’s the cheapest home improvement you can do without breaking the bank,” Scott said.

The Exterior Painters are located at 2365 Avon Industrial Drive in Rochester Hills. To request a quote or for more information, call (248) 844-8888.