9/27/23 C & G Special Edition — Oakland by C & G Newspapers

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SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

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The J looks to open new center location in Berkley in 2025 BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com

BERKLEY — The former Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, located in West Bloomfield, is aiming to open a new center in Berkley within the next couple of years. In addition to its announcement of its rebrand as “The J,” the center will be opening a space in Berkley at 27333 Woodward Ave. in 2025. Sarah Allyn, chief operating officer of The J, said the center was looking to open its new space somewhere on the east side of Telegraph Road. They reviewed factors including accessibility, visibility and parking square footage and felt the location on Woodward checked all the boxes. “The geographic location is pretty central for many different communities, from Pleasant Ridge and Ferndale all the way up to the northern parts of Southfield,” she said. “It felt like a pretty central location for that side of town. It was the square footage we wanted and needed, and had the parking that we wanted and needed. It is, I think, 0.2 miles from a bus stop. There’s walkability, there’s bikeability, and so this was really the best choice for us.” City Manager Matt Baumgarten said in a text message that, because the development process is in its early stages, he can’t provide comment on the project at this time. “I am excited at (the) prospect (of ) this project and that our city is continuing to grow and attract diverse organizations such as the Jewish Community Center,” he said. “We look forward to working with the center’s team during the development process of this project.” Allyn stated the plan is to renovate and add some square footage to the building. As for how the space will be utilized, she described it as “very flexible and agile” in terms of its use. Allyn said The J has two primary goals in the use of the space. One is to bring existing programs and some new See THE J on page 7A

Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

The ceremony for the 44th annual National POW/MIA Recognition Day takes place Sept. 15 at the Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens “Michigan Remembers” POW/MIA Memorial. Above, retired Navy Capt. Dennis L. Hopkins delivers the keynote address.

CEREMONY HELD IN NOVI FOR STATE’S POW/MIA BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com

he 44th annual National POW/MIA Recognition Day was celebrated in Novi Sept. 15 with the 37th annual “Michigan Remembers” ceremony at the prisoner of war and missing in action memorial at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens, at 12 Mile and Novi roads. “We gather today to remember the heroism and

sacrifices made by tens of thousands of Americans who have endured captivity at enemies’ hands, as well as those whose remains are still unknown,” said Debbie Pineau McClain, the president of the POW Committee of Michigan. According to McClain, when the POW/MIA memorial was first placed at Oakland Hills in 1987, only seven of the 84 names of Michigan POW/MIAs had return dates, meaning that their bodies had been recovSee CEREMONY on page 13A

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

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The third annual American Speed Festival will be held from Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac. The American Speed Festival will have several events throughout the four-day event and will celebrate three significant automotive anniversaries: 100 years of Americans at Le Mans, 70 years of Corvette, and 50 years of the International Race of Champions (IROC) Series. Photo provided by American Speed Festival representatives

THE RACE IS ON AT THE AMERICAN SPEED FESTIVAL BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

Photo provided by Anil Relan

The Resham Singh Foundation will host the Detroit Diwali Mela and Navratri on Sunday, Oct. 8, beginning at 11 a.m.

Troy prepares for celebration of Diwali BY BRENDAN LOSINSKI blosinski@candgnews.com

TROY — Troy’s South Asian community is inviting the public to join them for a celebration of Diwali taking place Sunday, Oct. 8. The Detroit Diwali Mela and Navratri is being organized by the Resham Singh Foundation and will be hosted by the American Polish Cultural Center, 2975 E. Maple Road. It will feature traditional music and dance, costumes, a marketplace, and food, as well as a dress com-

petition, a fashion show and an awards presentation. “There will be a bazaar outside starting at 11 a.m.,” explained Anil Relan, the president and founder of Resham Singh Foundation. “We have, at 2 p.m., some guests of honor from Troy speaking. We have a parade outside, Indian classical dancers from 2 to 5 p.m. The Navratri is from 6 to 9 p.m., which is a Hindu religious celebration for the night. … There is no charge to attend.” Relan said that this was designed to be Detroit’s first multicultural Diwali Mela in order to bring together the

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PONTIAC — Fasten your seat belts — it’s time for the third annual American Speed Festival. The event will race into town from Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 at the M1 Concourse, located at 1 Concourse Drive, which is situated at the northwest corner of Woodward Avenue and South Boulevard. “The American Speed Festival offers more than just static displays; it provides an engaging and captivating experience for people of all ages,” an American Speed Festival press release states. “Attendees can fully immerse themselves in the event, hearing the thunderous roar of a NASCAR as it enters the pit lane, catching the scent of burning rubber around the track, and witnessing the thrilling spectacle of time attacks. It’s an interac-

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

WORKING THROUGH THEIR GOLDEN YEARS

‘WHEN I’M WITH YOU, I’M YOUR AGE,’ SAYS WORKING CENTENARIAN BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — The majority of people look forward to retirement somewhere around the age of 65. However, for some, retirement is simply a boring separation from a career they love, and thus they choose to forgo it. “(Working) wants you to stay alive,” said Dick McLauglin, of Macomb Township. “You have that feeling of, ‘Oh, I’ve done enough. I can sleep in this morning.’ But you get up, you know, and get going, and that’s what I like.” At the ripe young age of 100, McLaughlin works an average 20 hours a week over five days as a funeral director and pre arrangement counselor at Wm Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors in Royal Oak, where he has worked since 1953. McLaughlin said he retired for two weeks in 1988 but was so bored that he jumped at the chance to return to his job after the owner asked him to return. “You burn your duff off sitting at the house,” said McLaughlin. “I stood out there on my deck and said to my wife, ‘I wonder what I can do. I can’t play golf every day,’ and honest to God, John (Sullivan) called me the next day and says, ‘Dick, you want to come back to work?’ I says, ‘Yeah,’” McLaughlin recalled with a chuckle. He said he loves his job as it allows him the opportunity to take care of people in their hour of need. “Just taking care of people when they are in so much trouble mentally, usually, and just taking care of them … it just catches you when you did something satisfactory. You want to stay,” said McLaughlin. “You’re helping people get through a bad time, you know, and it’s just really a good thing.” According to McLaughlin, his job also helps him retain a youthful mentality, and he enjoys the company of “young” people. He said he is only as old as the person he is with. “When I’m with you, I’m your age. When I’m with her, I’m her age. I don’t get any older than what you are, you know,” said McLaughlin. “And there’s a lot of young people working here.” “Love what you’re doing,” McLaughlin said he would advise others. “If you love

What can we do together? Can we build stronger, healthier communities? Can we make health better by making it better for everyone? Can we impact today and inspire tomorrow?

TOP: Dick McLaughlin, 100, has worked as a funeral director at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors in Royal Oak for the last 70 years and has no plans to quit. BOTTOM: James Huntley Sr., 80, said he loves his job as a machinist at Avon Machining in Shelby Township, where he posed for a photo above the machine shop floor Sept. 11. Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

what you’re doing and helping people, it’s a big thing, you know. And they always remember you.” Mclaughlin attributes his longevity to “the Good Lord.” He said he has survived World War II, when he served in the U.S. Army for three years as a court reporter from 1943-1945 in Japan and the South Pacific. He left with the rank of corporal. He said he has also survived cancer, a heart attack, and a stroke. McLaughlin said his family thinks he has worked enough. However, he said See WORKING on page 8A

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

Craft event will help homeless animals BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com

MADISON HEIGHTS/HAZEL PARK — Like arts and crafts? Love cats and dogs? An upcoming event will cater to your creative side while helping raise much-needed dollars for animal shelters in Madison Heights and Hazel Park. The benefit is hosted by the Madison Heights Women’s Club, part of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, or GFWC. It will take place at the Hazel Park Community Center, 620 W. Woodward Heights Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. There will be craft demonstrations and make-and-take crafts to try at home. Admission is $20, which includes a light breakfast and lunch. Proceeds benefit the shelters in both Madison Heights and Hazel Park. There will also be door prizes, and a 50/50 raffle where you must be present to win. “The staff and animals here thank everyone, deeply, for their support,” said Paige Wallace, animal control officer for Madison Heights. “There are just so many animals with medical issues upon intake and during their stay. We simply cannot address them without everyone’s continued support.” For the event, the Madison Heights Women’s Club won use of a room at the recreation center during a spring auction hosted by the Madison Heights/ Hazel Park Chamber of Commerce. Robin Wojta, the club’s first vice president, said that many club mem-

LEFT: Jillian Whalin, manager of the Madison Heights Animal Shelter at 801 Ajax Drive, holds Batman, a young domestic short-hair cat. He has been at the shelter since July after he was found thrown out with the trash at an apartment complex. He is currently looking for a home. ABOVE: Avalanche, 2, was brought to the shelter with six other cats, including her kitten, Glacier. All seven were found abandoned in Rosie’s Park. They once lived together at the same home, until their owner released them into the park. Avalanche is going through the vetting process while nursing her baby. Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

See ANIMALS on page 14A

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6A/ C & G NEWSPAPERS GROSSE POINTE/MACOMB COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

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CAPTIVATED BY CONVERTIBLES BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

ABOVE: Seymour Markowitz, of West Bloomfield, here with his yellow 2009 Pontiac Solstice, has owned convertibles since he was a teenager. RIGHT: Markowitz gets a lot of compliments on his 2009 Pontiac Solstice convertible, which he drives to work every day. Photos by Patricia O’Blenes

LEFT: The divorce attorney keeps photos in his office of his many adventures: mountain climbing, riding elephants, and flying helicopters and gliders. Along with his Pontiac Solstice, Markowitz has owned many convertibles, including a Chrysler Crossfire, an Audi, a BMW, a 1963 XKE Jaguar and an Excalibur.

METRO DETROIT — “Not a week goes by that someone doesn’t say, ‘I love your car,’” Seymour Markowitz said about his 2009 Pontiac Solstice convertible. The West Bloomfield resident feels the same way about his sunshinecolored sports car. “There’s something special about this car. It’s such a cute car. It’s a fun car,” Markowitz, 86, said. “I put the top down the whole summer. With the top down, it’s gorgeous. It has beautiful lines on it. It’s in great shape. There’s no rust or anything on it.” The Pontiac Solstice was in production from 2005 to 2010, but in that short period of time it made an impression on Markowitz. Every day, he drives his yellow model to his law office in Bingham Farms, where he has been a divorce lawyer for 60 years. Markowitz drives the two-seater in style by keeping a collection of baseball caps in the car to wear when driving. While he’s fashionable, there’s also a practical reason for the headwear. “I have to wear hats because the hair flies in your face,” he said. Every car Markowitz has owned has been a convertible with the exception of a Lincoln he drove in 1972. His passion for convertibles began as a teenager. “It’s like a motorcycle. It’s open. I like the idea of the openness,” he said. “When you love something, you love something. We each have our own things that bring us pleasure.” When he had his bar mitzvah at age 13, the teen received gifts of money he put away for safekeeping. A few years later, he used the savings to buy his first set of wheels. He attended Central High School in Detroit at the time. “It was a ’47 Pontiac convertible. It was candy-apple red. I bought it at night. It was $265. I was 16, and that was in 1953,” he said. “I drove it home. The first day me and three guys pushed it to school so I could show my car at school. That was my first convertible. How exciting it was.” With help from family members, he purchased his next convertible two years later with money he earned while working nonstop over the See CONVERTIBLES on page 11A

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

from page 1A

programs to the space. “We offer arts and culture programs and education programs. We offer programs for seniors, kids and families, and recreation. So the idea is to bring a taste of all of that programming to this space, but the space will remain flexible,” she said. “We will have rooms that can be used for a senior flexibility and mobility class one day and a lecture the next day. And we’re really excited to bring a lot of the programs that happen here in West Bloomfield over to that side of town.” The other goal, Allyn said, is to have sort of a co-working model where anyone from the community can come in and feel like they have a warm and welcoming space

Speed from page 3A

tive event that truly brings the excitement to life.” The M1 Concourse is a playground for any car buff. The 87-acre property features a 1.5-mile road course, an events center, and indoor and outdoor spaces that overlook the racetrack. Also built on-site are private car condominiums that feature living rooms, kitchenettes and personal garages, which will open for a fee on late Friday afternoon. The four-day American Speed Festival is a chance for car owners and spectators to mingle in an automotive setting. There will be race car drivers and sports car owners onsite. Everything from vintage Indy cars to historic stock vehicles to classic cars will spin their wheels. Some of the cars were built for speed, while others became popular because of their unique style. “It will be a mix of early classic cars, Packards from the 1930s, cars from the ’50s, ’60s, Oldsmobiles, Buicks,” M1 Concourse CEO Timothy McGrane said. Festival officials have set up the event so onlookers “can get up close and personal and talk to the drivers,” McGrane added. In addition, the American Speed Festival will celebrate three significant automotive anniversaries: 100 years of Americans at Le Mans, 70 years of Corvette, and 50 years of International Race of Champions (IROC) Series. The “vroom vroom” fun begins on Thursday with the “speed ring” circuit laps for competitors from noon to 5 p.m., followed by the Motor Grille driver reception from 6-9 p.m. The speed ring is a rare op-

to use. “Whether it’s business or meeting up with friends and to have some rooms where folks can gather and, whether it’s like a professional capacity or a personal capacity, there will be some food service, there will be some beverage service and it’ll really, hopefully become a gathering spot for the community,” she said. “We’re so excited,” she continued. “We currently do a lot of programming out in the community. So when we talk about the programs that The J offers, we say in person, online or out in the community. So many of our departments offer programming at coffee shops, at public parks, at synagogues or other spaces. And we definitely do a lot of programming on that side of town because there’s a demand for it. We’re super excited to have a space to call not just our own, but the community’s.” portunity to see race cars from every era perform on the Concourse track. The momentum continues on Friday with on-track activities featuring various classifications of supercars, endurance race cars, vintage Indy race cars and Le Mans race cars. Corvette fans will want to stay for the Corvette parade laps at 12:50 p.m., along with the Reeves Callaway tribute, set for 12:25 p.m. Callaway founded Callaway Cars and was well known in the Corvette community. “He passed away suddenly earlier this year,” McGrane said. “We’ll have six of his race cars from when he raced on display.” Among the many activities on Saturday will be a parade lap featuring Ford GTs and GT40 sports cars, among more speed ring events. The festival will finish out Sunday with an awards ceremony, an art expo, an Americans at Le Mans seminar, a vintage Indy seminar and more. “There are so many great cars out there,” said McGrane. But if he had to pick his favorite model, he said it would be “the 1959 Aston Martin DBR1.” McGrane, who grew up in Kent, England, in the southeastern part of the country, remembers the look of the luxury sports car, which gained fame for the James Bond movies. “It was sort of a brand I was fond of when I was a young boy,” McGrane said. “I grew up very close to a racetrack. Cars were something that made an impression on me very early in my life.” For more information about the American Speed Festival — including admission fees to the various events, off-site parking and shuttles — visit m1concourse.com or call (248) 326-9999.

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

Working

from page 4A

he completely disagrees. He said he doesn’t know what he’d do without his job. He says having a job allows seniors such as himself to stay busy and keep out of trouble. Mike Lope, the co-owner of Wm Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors, describes McLaughlin as “unbelievable.” Lope said McLaughlin has worked with every funeral director and owner of Sullivan & Son — including his great-grandfather, who founded the business in 1906 — and is well known in the industry. “It starts with his character,” said Lope. “He has always put families first. So, in this line of work you have to be good with the rest of the staff, but he’d always put the families and the community first. When you have that person, you don’t want to lose them. Around the building, it’s his sense of humor, embracing the rest of the staff sort of like family. … He’s just a special guy. He always has been. He’s been a mentor to all the younger people. He’s always been good at what he does from the funeral director side, but also management and making sure that the staff understands what they’re doing. It’s always good to have him around, and we’ll keep him around as long as he wants to be here.” According to Lope, McLaughlin has always said that without the job, he doesn’t know if he’d still be alive. Lope said he believes that having the job keeps McLaughlin alive and keeps him going as it gives him something to do. “It’s kept him really sharp. Coming in to work and putting a suit on and being with individuals out in the community on funerals, meeting with them for their needs. And he’s just sort of like a perfect example of the fact that you don’t have to stop working. You can keep working and do it on your terms,” said Lope. Mclaughlin is not the only one working well into his golden years. James Huntley Sr., 80, of Roseville, continues to work as a machine repairman at Avon Machining in Shelby Township, even after suffering a heart attack on the job in November. “I just love working. I love the people I work with, work for. They treat me fine. … I just love coming to work,” Huntley said. “I was home for them 10 weeks. I could tell you every car and what time of day that was coming up and down the street, because I couldn’t do nothing. It was crazy. I can’t shovel snow. I can’t cut grass. I can’t cut branches down. I can’t do anything. So, in 79 years I have been working with these hands. Still got all 10 fingers. But I can’t stop working.” Huntley recalled that his doctor had

wanted him to retire after the heart attack, but Huntley told him no. They compromised on 24 hours a week, but after working four weeks at part-time hours, he insisted that his doctor let him return to full-time duties, and he now works 40 hours a week. Huntley’s advice to workers is to find a career they enjoy. According to Melissa Brown, of Avon Machining, the company offers phased retirement. Phased retirement allows retirement-age employees the opportunity to create a schedule that they want to adhere to. She said this enables the employees to work while technically retired, allowing them to earn extra money while mentoring younger employees. However, she said those who partake in the program don’t typically work 40 hours a week. Brown described Huntely as the hardest working person at the company. “Oh my gosh, he never ever stops moving from the time he gets here,” she said. “He is always working. He is always finding something to do.” “Jimmy outworks anybody in this place. Anybody,” said John Binkowski, a machinist who works on Huntely’s team. “He outworks our 20-year-olds,” added Brown. “Except me. He busts my tail, let me tell you. And I love it, cause the days go by fast, but he doesn’t stop. He’s a go-getter, and he loves this job. He’s ornery, funny and very hard working,” said Binkowski. Both Huntley and McLaughlin still drive themselves to and from work, which for both men is an approximately 45-minute commute. They both joked that they continued to work because they are/were married, as they spoke of their wives with found regard. According to Lope, it is quite common in the funeral industry to hire seniors for positions such as funeral assistant. In fact, he said, they actually solicit seniors for the positions, because of their experience and connections in the community, and willingness to be flexible with schedules. He said the assistants usually work 10 to 20 hours per week. Lope said that it has proved to be beneficial for both the seniors and the funeral home because of the flexibility offered and needed by the positions. “We do get some seniors coming to work with us because of the flexibility, the hours,” said Lope. “We’re very flexible as far as when people want to be here and how much time they want to spend here. … It is something that I think has worked out well. It is one of those things that people say is mutually beneficial.” He said that between the two Sullivan & Son locations, in Royal Oak and Utica,

they currently have close to a dozen employees over the age of 65, and while a few — including his father, his uncle and McLaughlin — are actually funeral directors, many have come into the industry as a second career. Often, the seniors are retired firefighters, police officers, nurses, pastors, etc. Lope said they often find their senior employees through their community connections with schools, churches and events. He said that, generally, someone will simply tell them they are interested in some extra work, and they don’t typically have to advertise for the positions. According to Lope, funeral assistants are critical to their organization, doing things such as helping to direct people to where they need to go, and assisting families during visitations and other tasks during funeral services, such as bringing flowers or caskets into

the parlor, church or cemetery. “We always look for folks that are good in the community and understand what we’re doing and trying to do,” said Lope. “Most of them are, I would guess, late 60s to mid 70s. So, somewhere between 65 and 80, but still super useful in the fact that they’re all very sharp communicators and able to do what they need to do. … Over the years they’ve been a group of people we look to hire. They’ve been very helpful. … They become very polished and very understanding of what families need and what their expectations are and what funeral service is all about. It’s been a great fit for us. … It’s really kind of a cool gig for a lot of the seniors that work with us.” Binkowski summed up some of the admiration: “Just that they’re that age and they’re still sharp, when I forgot my keys coming in.”

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9A/ SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION

Senior volunteers are needed for tutoring, mentoring students OAKLAND COUNTY — The Foster Grandparent Program is looking for volunteers who are incomeeligible and age 55 and older for one-on-one support between a senior volunteer and a student with special or exceptional needs to help them develop academic and life skills. Volunteers serve between 20 and 40 hours a week. The program is sponsored by the Senior Volunteer Division of Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan. Last year, 30 volunteers helped more than 120 Oakland County special needs students, but more volunteers are needed. Volunteers will receive an orientation and monthly training to equip them with the skills needed to help students. Volunteers will also receive a stipend, accident and liability insurance, travel reimbursement and meals. Contact Carol Wall to volunteer at wallc@ccsem.org or (248) 537-3300, ext. 3919.

PET PARADE AND BLESSING PLANNED SOUTHFIELD — St. Anne’s Mead and St. David’s Episcopal Church present their pet parade and blessing at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at 16106 W. 12 Mile Road in Southfield. Pups who are up to date on vaccines and well-behaved around cats and dogs are welcome to participate in the parade. Dogs must be on a leash. Cats can be in a carrier or on a leash. Costumes are encouraged. Registration must be completed in advance by Sept. 29. To register, call Peggy Goodwin at (248) 557-1221 or visit stannesmead.org.

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TROY — A Troy teen is one of 21 recipients from across the country to receive a scholarship this year from the Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program. Michelle Hua, 18, of Troy, won a $10,000 scholarship for her project, “3D Acoustic Simulation and Optimization Algorithms for Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Delivered with Stereotactic Robotics.” “To me, being a Davidson Fellow is an honor and an opportunity to inspire and to be inspired,” said Hua in a press release. “I can’t wait to share my work with all the other fellows as well as learn about their fascinating research. As a group, I hope we can also inspire other young students to pursue their passions in science.” Since 2001, the Davidson Fellows Scholarship program has offered $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 college scholarships to students 18 or younger who Michelle Hua have completed significant projects that have the potential to benefit society in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, literature and music. Hua said she was motivated by her grandfather’s Alzheimer’s disease symptoms that distanced him from his loved ones. Hua then developed an interdisciplinary approach that combines computer science, biomedical engineering and robotics to automate the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and disorders with a surgical robot. The Davidson Fellows said her research could make a significant contribution to the treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and has numerous potential applications, including improved drug delivery, thermal ablation of cancer tumors, and treatments for essential tremor and depression.

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • 10A

BY GREG TASKER Tunnel of Trees, Harbor Springs/Shutterstock image

NORTHERN MICHIGAN — What better way to truly explore the beauty of autumn than a road trip, especially in northern Michigan. While there are plenty of scenic rural stretches across the state, the upper stretch of the mitten offers countless panoramas of forested ridges, dunes and lakeshores ablaze in fiery reds, oranges and yellows. Fall officially starts Saturday, Sept. 23, but colors across the northern lower peninsula are expected to reach partial to peak displays the first two weeks of October, according to various sites tracking fall foliage. If you’re thinking about a road trip north, here are a few scenic drives to consider.

RIGHT AND BELOW: Photos provided by Traverse City Tourism

Tunnel of Trees, M-119

This 20-mile scenic stretch along Lake Michigan, from Harbor Springs to Cross Village, is by no means a road less traveled (expect heavy traffic on weekends and other times), but there’s a reason why it’s so popular and a must-visit in the fall. Officially a state highway, M-119, this shoreline road is thick with trees, their canopies reaching over the roadway. In the fall, the trees create a tunnel of colors. Adding to the magic are glimpses of Lake Michigan, nature preserves and small villages. Just outside Harbor Springs, Pond Hill Farm offers a one-stop fall extravaganza, with pumpkin patches, hay rides, u-pick fruit, hot cider, donuts and more. There’s a playground for kids and farm animals to feed. Farther north, stop at the Good Hart General Store, in the village of Good Hart, home to a few hundred people. The general store is a rare find and serves as the village’s grocery, bakery, deli and post office. You can pick up homemade pies, cookies and other treats. If you’re looking for a diversion to a local beach or picnic spot, the store staff will guide you. At the end of the sometimes twisting route lies Legs Inn in Cross Village. It’s as kitschy and rustic as you might imagine but the inn is well-known for serving some of the best Polish fare around — including pierogi, smoked whitefish and stuffed cabbage.

LEFT: Legs Inn/Photo by Brian Louwers

M-22, Manistee to Glen Arbor

It’s a long and winding road from Manistee to Glen Arbor, but one far lesstraveled than the popular Tunnel of Trees. Pick up Route 22 just north of Manistee and follow along the Lake Michigan coastline, past orchards and vineyards and farm stands selling apples and other seasonal produce. The two-lane highway passes through small communities like Onekama, Arcadia, Elberta and around picturesque inland lakes. There are spots along the way to pause and take in views of Lake Michigan. Stop in Frankfort for a cold brew at Stormcloud Brewing Co. or shop along its tidy main street. Farther north, the road passes through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Learn more about the nearly 72,000-acre park at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire or detour along Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive for even more impressive views of Lake Michigan. Empire is also home to one of the best chocolatiers around, the Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate Shop. Always busy, Glen Arbor boasts See TRIPS on page 11A

Photo provided by Traverse City Tourism

11A

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

Trips from page 10A

several restaurants, gift shops, wine tastings, bike rentals and paddling adventures. M-22 continues along the perimeter of the Leelanau Peninsula, with easy access to about two dozen wineries, busy with harvest in the fall, and other small towns — Leland, Northport and Suttons Bay.

River Road, River Road National Scenic Byway

The River Road parallels the winding Au Sable River in northeastern lower Michigan, from Oscoda to Huron-Manistee National Forest. The 22-mile stretch, known as the River Road National Scenic Byway, offers wonderful views of the famous river from high vantage points and stops at wellknown landmarks. One of the best viewing spots is the Foote Pond Overlook, where you can see the river from high sand bluffs. It’s also a great location to see eagles that nest

Convertibles from page 6A

course of approximately two months. “In ’55, I was 18 years old. I worked for 70 days straight. I earned $10 a day at a gas station. I’d pump gas and check the oil. I took that money, my brother took the same amount, $700, and my dad put $700 and we got a brand-new Ford convertible. It was kind of our car. It was so nice looking. It was black and yellow. It’s not the color I ordered, but it was the only one they had on the lot, and I took it,” he said. That was the vehicle he drove to the military base in Virginia when he began his stint in the U.S. Army. Stationed in the U.S., Markowitz served from 1956-58. A few years later, he got another convertible. “I got a Lincoln, the same as the one (President John) Kennedy was in when he was shot. Not the same car, but the same style, the four-door,” he said. “It was huge, gold in color, suicide doors.” The next convertible that captivated him was a 1966 Excalibur he said he bought from movie star Steve McQueen, known for his films including “Bullitt” and “The Great Escape.” Markowitz, who lived in Southfield at the time of the sale, still has the vehicle title for the car, which he purchased in December 1968. “I saw an ad for it in the paper,” Markowitz said. “He had two of them.” He didn’t get a chance to meet McQueen. However, in exchange for her legal fees, a client went to New York to drive the

nearby. The river, which empties into Lake Huron, was once a major transportation route for floating giant white pines from the surrounding forests. The Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center pays homage to that past and shares the stories of lumberjacks through videos and displays. A 14-foot bronze Lumberman’s Monument stands high on a bank overlooking the river, a sure-bet photo opp for Instagramers. Along the way, stop at Iargo Springs and descend the 300 or so stairs to the clear springs. The stairs were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, but the springs were first discovered and used by Native Americans. The surrounding forest is abundant with outdoor activities, everything from camping and hiking to trails for off-road vehicles. Cap your road trip with a ride on the AuSable River Queen, the only paddlewheel boat operating in northern Michigan. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy views of exploding colors along the river, from the river. Greg Tasker is a Traverse City-based freelance writer.

car back to Michigan for Markowitz. McQueen died in 1980. “The Excalibur looks like a ’29 Mercedes-Benz convertible. I drove the car for the next four years. It had a Corvette engine and pipes coming out the side. It’s a soft top,” Markowitz said. “Some had four seats. Mine had two seats; just a roadster. It was so classic. Wherever you would go, people would be looking at it.” Other convertibles in his garage over the years included a Chrysler Crossfire, an Audi, a BMW, a 1963 XKE Jaguar, a “big” Buick Wildcat and an MG. He also spent 12 years driving Wrangler Jeeps without doors. Along with the convertibles, Markowitz used other vehicles in which to travel. “When I went to law school, I had a moped,” the Detroit College of Law graduate said. “It was cheap as far as the fuel goes. I remember gas was 19 cents a gallon. I knew where every gas station was.” There was a time, too, in which Markowitz flew commercial helicopters just for fun, often to Ann Arbor or Flint. He said he learned how to operate helicopters by using the G.I. Bill he received for his years in the service. But being up in the air wasn’t his forte. “I was a bad pilot,” he said. “I got lost many times.” Along with his love for convertibles, Markowitz has traveled all over the world. In his office hangs a photo of him standing in front of the Taj Mahal. Through his travels, Markowitz rode on camels and elephants, climbed Mount Sinai in Egypt and also went on an archeological dig in the Holy Land.

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12A/ C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

SEPT. 29

Glow Ball Golf Scramble: For teams of two (ages 21 and older), cash prizes available, 7 p.m., Red Oaks Golf Course, 29600 John R Road in Madison Heights, sign up at bit.ly/glowball92923

SEPT. 29-30

‘The Full Monty’: Presented by Avon Players, 8 p.m. both nights, 1185 Washington Road in Rochester, avonplayers.org 59th Bloomfield Charity Antiques and Collectibles Show: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 29 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 30, Cross of Christ Lutheran 1100 Lone Pine Road in Bloomfield Hills, bloomfieldcross.org/ antiqueshow

SEPT. 29-OCT. 1

‘Escanaba in da Moonlight’: Performed by Ridgedale Players, 8 p.m. Sept. 29-30 and 2 p.m. Oct. 1, 205 W. Long Lake Road in Troy, ridgedaleplayers.com ‘Monty Python’s Spamalot’: Performed by Stagecrafters, 8 p.m. Sept. 29-30 and 2 p.m. Oct. 1, Baldwin Theatre, 415 S. Lafayette in Royal Oak, stagecrafters. org Michigan Women’s Expo: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 29-30 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 1, Suburban Collection Showcase, 46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi, www. suburbancollectionshowplace.com

SEPT. 30

2023 LV Music Festival: Inaugural event featuring music by Dave McMurray’s Grateful Dedication Band, Josh White Jr., Cast Iron Cornbread and more, also food trucks, beer tent and local vendors, 1-9 p.m., Municipal Park behind City Hall, 27400 Southfield Road in Lathrup Village, lvmfest@gmail.com Sherlock Holmes Film Fest: Inaugural event presented by Ribston-Pippins club celebrating 35 years, free and light refreshments provided, 2-5:30 p.m., Royal Oak Public Library, 222 E. 11 Mile Road, (248) 246-3700

OCT. 1

Festival of Hope: Free indoor event featuring local organizations offering programs, services and resources for individuals and families, noon-3 p.m., Novi Civic Center, 45175 W. 10 Mile Road, info@novicc.org, (248) 202-3480

OCT. 2

Pars Fore Pink golf outing: Event supports organization’s mission to reduce financial stress for local breast cancer treatment patients, 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Birmingham Country Club, 1750 Saxon Drive, shadesofpinkfoundation.org

OCT. 3-5

Fall rummage sale: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Nardin Park United

SEPT. 30

FARMERS MARKETS

Fall Festival: Hayrides, artisan market, food trucks, music, kids activities, farm animals, nonprofit booths, cider and doughnut tent, bonfire and more, 3-7 p.m., Clawson City Park, 935 N. Custer Ave., cityofclawson.com

OCT. 20-22

Halloween Hoot: Enjoy spooky family fun on the nature trails, 5:40-9:10 p.m., Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, 333 North Hill Circle in Rochester, registration required, dinosaurhill.org/hoot

OCT. 21

Berkley 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays until Oct. 26, 12 Mile Road at South Robina, berkleyfarmersmarket. com, (248) 658-3353

OCT. 6

Birmingham 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays until Oct. 29, Public Parking Lot 6, 660 North Old Woodward Ave., ALLINBirmingham.com/ FarmersMarket

OCT. 7

Halloween Science 2023: Pumpkin launching with three-ton trebuchet, spooky selfie station, speedy cockroaches, scavenger hunt and more, costumes encouraged, noon-4 p.m., Cranbrook Institute of Science, 39221 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Hills, science.cranbrook.edu

OCT. 7-8

Fall walks: 6 p.m. Oct. 12 (includes viewing of Scarecrow Row) at Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, and 6 p.m. Oct. 26 (trick or treating) at Boulan Park, 3671 Crooks Road, all in Troy, (248) 524-3570

Farmington 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays until Nov. 4, Riley Park, 33113 Grand River Ave., www.facebook.com/ FarmingtonMarket Rochester 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays until Oct. 28, corner of East Third and Water streets, www.downtown rochestermi.com Royal Oak 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays, also antiques and collectibles 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays, plus food truck rally and concerts 4-8 p.m. Oct. 11, 316 E. 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak, Royal Oak Farmers Market on Facebook Methodist Church, 29887 W. 11 Mile Road in Farmington Hills, nardinpark.org/fall-rummage-sale

OCT. 4

Royal Oak Senior Expo: Free health screenings, refreshments and admission, connect with experts, win prizes and more, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E. 11 Mile Road, seniorexpousa.com

OCT. 4-8

Fall Detroit RV & Camping Show: 1-8 p.m. Oct. 4-6, 10 a.m.-9 a.m. Oct. 7 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 8, Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Ave. in Novi, suburbancollectionshowplace.com

OCT. 7

Pet parade and blessing: For cats and dogs, costumes encouraged, 1:30 p.m., St. Anne’s Mead and St. David’s Episcopal Church, 16106 W. 12 Mile Road To view more events and to submit your own, use the QR code or visit candgnews.com/calendar. To advertise, call (586) 498-8000.

Oktoberfest: Local craft beer, German-themed food, oompah music and more, 6-9 p.m., Franklin Public Library, (248) 851-2254 Cemetery tour: Learn about Civil War soldiers, noon-2 p.m., Mount Avon Cemetery, 400 Sixth St. in Rochester (meet at Third Street entrance), (248) 266-5440 Pumpkinfest: U-pick pumpkin patch, cider and doughnuts, music, hayrides, animals, games and more, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Michigan State University Extension - Tollgate Farm and Education Center, 28115 Meadowbrook Road in Novi, canr.msu.edu/ tollgate

OCT. 8

Scare Away Hunger 5K and Family Fun Run: Supports Neighborhood House, costumes encouraged, 9 a.m., music and snacks after, Rochester Municipal Park, 400 Sixth St., register at ranh.org/ events

OCT. 13

Campfire Stories: 4-6 p.m. for children and 6-8 p.m. for ages 16 and older, Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, registration required, www. troyhistoricvillage.org/programs/campfire-stories

OCT. 14

Stone Wall Pumpkin Festival: Pumpkin carving, pumpkin bowling, scarecerow display, live entertainment, crafts, food, cider/doughnuts and more, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., also pumpkin lighting, 7-9 p.m., Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, rochesterhills.org

OCT. 20

Halloween Masquerade Ball: Hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, live music by Sonic Freeway, dancing, tarot card reading and more, for ages 21 and older, 7-11 p.m., Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, ticket sales end Oct. 9, rochesterhills.org Halloween activities: Trick or treating from 3:30-5 p.m., costume parade from 5:15-5:25 p.m. and Halloween Fest from 5-6:30 p.m., Main Street and Farmers Market lot in downtown Rochester, www.downtownrochestermi.com/trick-or-treatdowntown

OCT. 22

Autumn Nature Walk: Guided tour, 2-3 p.m., Orchard Lake Nature Sanctuary, 4700 Pontiac Trail, gwbhs.org/events Trick-or-Treat Trail: Also doughnuts, cider and music, 6-7.30 p.m., Clawson City Park, 935 N. Custer Ave. Hall-oween: Trick or treating, seasonal crafts, cider and doughnuts, stories of Halloween past and more, 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m., Meadow Brook Hall, 350 Estate Drive in Rochester, www. meadowbrookhall.org/halloween

Hoot N’ Howl Hayride: Search for nocturnal animal activity, also campfire, cider and doughnuts, 7:309 p.m., Thelma Spencer Park, 3701 John R Road in Rochester, more at eventbrite.com

OCT. 27-28

OCT. 20-21

OCT. 28

Trick or treating: Also games and crafts, 4-8 p.m. Oct. 20 and noon-3 p.m. Oct. 21, Troy Historic Village, 60 W. Wattles Road, registration ends at noon Oct. 19, troyhistoricvillage.org

Teen Halloween: 6 p.m. Oct. 27 to 9 a.m. Oct. 28, Hazel Park District Library, 123 E. Nine Mile Road, (248) 546-4095 Howl-O-Ween: Bring dogs to play and show off costumes, also photo opportunities and treats, noon-2 p.m., Daisy Knight Dog Park, 3410 Livernois Road in Troy, register by Oct. 27, troymi.gov

13A

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

Ceremony from page 1A

ered and given a proper burial and their families had some closure. Today, she said, 36 of the 84 names have “return dates.” This leaves 48 Michigan soldiers whose bodies have never been returned. “May we, as their loyal countrymen, never abandon their memory or allow their sacrifices to slip from our national consciousness,” McClain said. Art Massucci, of Royal Oak, spoke of his brother at the ceremony. Capt. Martin Massucci has been missing since October 1965, when the F-4C fighter jet that he was copiloting was knocked down by enemy fire over Vietnam. Massucci also spoke of the struggles that his family had after learning that his brother was missing in action. Massucci said his dad worked to find answers and attempted to bring Martin Massucci home until he passed away at 90. Massucci’s mother died just three years after learning of Martin Massucci’s disappearance. “I’ve always considered her a casualty of the war that the government never counted,” Massucci said. Although Martin Massucci has been gone for 58 years, he is known to his nieces and nephews and their children through stories told by Art Massucci and his sister. Art Massucci said every day he raises and lowers both the American and the POW/MIA flags, says a prayer, and thinks of his brother and the other soldiers who are still unaccounted for. “I was raised to find the positive in all situations. For many years that seemed impossible, but as my search for what happened to my brother continued, I have had the opportunity to meet some of the finest Americans alive: the Vietnam vets,” Massucci said. “Each one I meet, through their love of country and deep concern for my brother, has helped fill a void in my life that was created the day my brother’s plane was shot down,” Massucci said. “So today I say thank you for your service, and also thank you for your love of country. This love has filled a void in my life and has helped me cope with the loss of my brother — my best friend.”

“There’s a picture in the archives of my grandfather holding up a 3-year-old me at the wall behind us, pointing to the name of his brother, my great-uncle Merl. It’s a powerful image in the sense that I think it embodies the concept of ‘you are not forgotten.’ Here was a great man showing me the name of another great man who I would never meet, but whose name I would forever know. And all of the names on this wall are great men whose names we will forever see and thus never forget.” — Kenneth Thiel, The great-nephew of returned Michigan MIA Merl R. Meadows

The great-nephew of returned Michigan MIA Merl R. Meadows, Kenneth Thiel, spoke of the power of remembering those who were prisoners of war or missing in action. “There’s a picture in the archives of my grandfather holding up a 3-year-old me at the wall behind us, pointing to the name of his brother, my great-uncle Merl. It’s a powerful image in the sense that I think it embodies the concept of ‘you are not forgotten.’ Here was a great man showing me the name of another great man who I would never meet, but whose name I would forever know,” said Thiel. “And all of the names on this wall are great men whose names we will forever see and thus never forget.” Capt. Dennis L. Hopkins gave the keynote address. Hopkins served in the U.S. Navy from 1977 to 2003. Hopkins recalled watching the news during Vietnam and said he would hear the count daily of the number of soldiers killed in action, wounded in action and those missing in action. He said it became ingrained and got to the point where it was understood what happened to those killed and the wounded, but he wanted to know what happened to those missing. He said he got a bracelet with the name of a soldier missing in action and wore it for many years. He said he only took it off when the Navy told him it was not part of his official uniform and could not be worn. The soldier whose name was on the bracelet eventually was found and

repatriated in 2009. Hopkins said that although he personally doesn’t have family members who were prisoners of war or missing in action, he did know two soldiers who are now POW/MIA. He told of a soldier, Lt. Cmdr. Scott Speicher, who was shot down while he was stationed in Iraq. He spoke of the moment he was told that Speicher had disappeared off the radar Jan. 17, 1991. “The night of Jan. 17, 1991, was the night that shock and awe hit over Iraq, and I can still see standing in the combat information center of our cruiser looking at the radar plots and all of a sudden the whole radar screen was just a mass of incoming missiles, aircraft, anything with wings on it heading over to Iraq,” Hopkins said. “Scotty was on a combat air patrol, CAP, mission at about 28,000 feet, and all of a sudden he vanished from the screen. One of the air controllers called me over and said … ‘I don’t know what happened. I don’t know what, but he’s gone.’ Couldn’t search for the man when things were happening, and so he was listed as the first casualty of that conflict and the first MIA.” He said that in the years since, one of Speicher’s wingmen didn’t forget and kept pressing the government, the State Department, and the military until Speicher’s body was discovered and brought home. Speicher was buried in Jacksonville in 2009. “The whole point of this is that we don’t forget, that we don’t forget either our friends that we knew, a wristband that we used to wear, or our family members, but it is up to us,” said Hopkins. “It’s up to us, because if we don’t, then our children and our grandchildren aren’t going to know, and so we need to be the ones that are going to show them.” Wreaths were placed at the memorial by several organizations including the POW Committee of Michigan, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 108 of Waterford, VFW Post 1519 of Northville, Rolling Thunder Michigan Chapter 5 and Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens. The ceremony concluded with the reading of the names of each of the 84 Michigan MIA/POW service members, the playing of taps, and a 21gun salute. Attendees were invited to pick up a plastic soldier as a reminder to pray for the MIAs and POWs who have yet to come home.

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C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

14A

Animals

from page 5A

bers are passionate about animal welfare. The shelter in Madison Heights is located at 801 Ajax Drive, while the Hazel Park shelter is at 24211 Couzens Ave. Both make valiant efforts to rescue every dog, puppy, cat and kitten that comes their way. This often involves treating animals for heartworm, spaying or neutering, and getting them vaccinated. It can also involve emergency surgeries. There are other recurring costs, too. For example, the shelters always need cleaning supplies, such as bleach and paper towels, as well as non-clumping kitty litter. The shelters can always use wet food for the cats, and Purina cat and kitten chow, which has extra fat and protein that kittens need. People can donate directly to the shelters and inquire about specific needs at the

Diwali

from page 3A

local Indian population and to allow the whole community to celebrate the year’s biggest Indian holiday together as one community. “We have been doing this since 2019,” Relan remarked. “We couldn’t do it one year because of COVID. I was involved in a program in Lansing to celebrate Diwali, and we wanted to bring it here.” Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights and is a celebration of South Asian Indian culture where Indian people, specifically, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Jains, celebrate victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. “The community comes together under one roof. It has many traditional moments. It is traditionally a religious celebration. Only the (religious) devotees came to our celebra-

moment. The Madison Heights shelter can be reached at (248) 837-2666, while the Hazel Park shelter can be reached at (248) 546-4096. “I am a huge animal lover,” said Roslyn Yerman, spokesperson for the Madison Heights Women’s Club, in an email. “I was pleased to see this event benefit the shelters, and the important work they do for their communities.” It’s just the latest in a long line of charitable events by the Madison Heights Women’s Club, which dates back 46 years. Founded in the fall of 1977, the club was once called the GFWC Madison Heights Intermediate Women’s Club. The word “Intermediate” was used because many charter members felt they were too old for the Junior Women’s Club, yet too young for the Senior Women’s Club. Since then, club members have put in countless hours each year with their volun-

teer work, raising money and in-kind donations for all sorts of projects. At its peak just before COVID, the club had 92 members. Today, it has 69 members from 17 communities. The club is open to women of any faith and is nondenominational. Members meet on the third Monday of each month, except December and July, at 6:30 p.m. in the new Active Adult Center, located between Madison Heights City Hall and the Madison Heights Public Library, at Civic Center Plaza on 13 Mile Road just west of John R Road. Member dues are $45, with a $35 annual renewal. Recently, the club participated in Secure the Call, a drive that collected cellphones as part of a larger GFWC initiative. The phones were then redistributed to people in need, including survivors of domestic violence, providing easy access to emergency services.

The Madison Heights Women’s Club collected nearly 400 devices. In addition, the group also recently collected and donated school supplies for Central Church’s Back to School Movie Night. Wallace said her shelter appreciates any and all help. Madison Heights Animal Control even accepts cans and bottles that can be returned. “Last summer was probably the worst summer in animal welfare rescue in decades,” she said. “During COVID, many people adopted pets while they worked at home, but last summer, the shelters filled right back up as quickly as they had emptied. This year has been especially horrible for cats — they just keep coming. Right now, I have nine cats waiting to come in, and another 18 cats that nobody wants to adopt. So we need that money for the shelter right now. When we get full like this, we’re really crunched for money.”

tion in Lansing,” said Sukhvinder Kaur, the vice president of Resham Singh Foundation. “This celebration is aimed more at bringing more of the South Asian community in.” The Detroit Diwali Mela donates all proceeds to a charitable organization each year. This year’s recipients will include the American Red Cross of Southeastern Michigan and Mai Family Services. “We contacted the Red Cross and My Family Services,” said Relan. “They were those willing to work with us. Many other organizations have procedures that you need to deal with. These organizations don’t. The event is free to attend, but the vendors do pay to take part. That is where the money is coming from.” Relan said that the Resham Singh Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that plans and hosts cultural events and talent shows that celebrate Indian cultural heritage while demonstrating patriotism and respect for American values.

Kaur said this has been a passion project of Relan’s, and they are happy to see it finding a welcome in the Troy community. “(Relan) is a member of many Indian communities. Many people know him, and he has worked hard to bring such things to

life,” said Kaur. “We have worked with Miindia (a communication site for the Indian community in Michigan) and we have taken out advertisements to raise awareness. We want to welcome all the community in for good food and good times.”

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- In Loving Memory of REX LUX

Rex Lux, age 89, of Shelby Township, Michigan, died on September 7, 2023. He was born in Detroit, MI to the late Roland and Marion Lux. Beloved husband of Patricia for almost 68 years. Loving father of Debra Lux Roland (late Thomas), Sheri Kenny, late Rex Roland Lux (Sharon), and Donald Lux (Ellen). Awesome grandfather of 12 grandchildren: Danielle Roland Sherman (Mark), Ashley Roland Hull (Joshua), Kevin Roland (Sarah), Melanie Roland, Patrick Kenny (Gina), Staci Kempisty (Paul), Adam Lux, Christopher “Butch” Lux, Jason Lux (Aryana), Christian Lux, Ryan Lux and Brennan Lux. Also survived by 11 great-grandchildren: Breanne, Adeline, Skylar, Kendall, Reagan, Chase, Brycen, Levi, Lyla, Charlie, and Liam. Brother of Kay Smuczynski (Carl), brother-in-law of the late Gene Modrycki (Chi Chi), and Donald Modrycki (Margie). Always by his side, his beloved canine companion, Bella. Rex’s love for his wife, family and friends is undeniable. He enjoyed family gatherings and celebrations and was consistently the “life of the party”. Always welcoming, he truly enjoyed spending time with his many friends, relatives, and cherished family. His inspiration and impact will live on. Throughout his career, Rex worked as a Design Engineering Leader at various companies in the automotive industry and retired from Volkswagen of America. A lover of water and everything nautical, Rex loved sailing, built several boats, was a ship model maker, an author, an artist specializing in boat pictures, and loved being anywhere around the Great Lakes. Growing up, he spent many summers on Harsens Island enjoying the many freighters passing by. Rex was a paratrooper in the U.S. Army – 82nd Airbourne Division – and was a Korean War Veteran. He also served as an active Post Commander of Fraser VFW Post #6691 from 1992-1994. Rex’s patriotism, pride, and love for this country was unwavering. 0258-2338

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(ONE TIME SERVICE-CALL FOR DETAILS)

Tankless Combination Boiler and Water Heater

COUPON

FINANCING as low as $75.00 per month

Piping Repairs

COUPON

Package includes Furnace and A/C with UV Air Purifier or Hi-Efficiency Air Cleaner

ANY PLUMBING OR HVAC SERVICES

TANKLESS WATER HEATER

LIMITED TIME OFFER

WITH THIS COUPON EXCLUDES ALL OTHER OFFERS

LIMITED TIME OFFER

WITH THIS COUPON EXCLUDES ALL OTHER OFFERS

$500 OFF Any Complete Heating & Cooling Package WITH THIS COUPON EXCLUDES ALL OTHER OFFERS

$35 OFF $200 OFF LIMITED TIME OFFER

0194-2310