The Rock - January 2024 by JourneymanPub

JANUARY 2024 VOL 5 | ISSUE 1

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JANUARY 2024 VOL 5 | ISSUE 1 16435 Franklin, Northville, MI 48168 • 734-716-0783 • kurtkuban@therockmagazine.com

K U R T K U B A N – Editor & Publisher

Kurt is an award-winning journalist, having served as a reporter and editor for several local newspapers and magazines, including the Plymouth Observer. He has been a journalist for over two decades. He founded Journeyman Publishing, which also publishes The ‘Ville, in 2017.

S CO T T B U I E – Advertising Director/Vice President of Sales

Scott has 20+ years creating advertising campaigns for clients in Metro Detroit. After managing sales for radio stations for 17 years he purchased Street Marketing, where he works closely with a variety of businesses and events. Scott and his family have lived in the Plymouth/Northville area for over 23 years.

J E N N Y P E A R S A L L – Creative Director

Jenny has been in the design and print industry for over twenty years, holding various positions in graphic design, print buying, production and print management. She also owns Bovia Design Group, a company specializing in publications and corporate branding.

B R A D K A D R I C H – Writer

Brad is an award-winning journalist who spent more than 20 years covering the Plymouth community for the Plymouth Observer. He also spent 15 years serving his country in the U.S. Air Force.

B R A D E M O N S – Writer

Over the course of his four decades with the Observer & Eccentric, Brad established himself as one of the preeminent prep sports reporters in the state, winning many journalism awards along the way. His greatest joy is interviewing local athletes and coaches, and reporting on their efforts.

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To secure space in an upcoming issue of The Rock, contact Advertising Director Scott Buie at (313) 399-5231, or via email at scottbuie@therockmagazine.com or advertising@therockmagazine.com.

S U E V OY L E S – Writer

Growing up, Sue always knew she wanted to be a writer. She has written for many publications over her long career in public relations and journalism, and taught English and journalism at Schoolcraft College. In 2022, she received the national Headliner Award from the Association for Women in Communications.

T I M S M I T H – Writer

Tim brings a penchant for telling personal stories that run the gamut from news to sports. During more than 35 years in journalism, mostly with the Observer & Eccentric, he has earned numerous state and national awards. The Wayne State grad is a published author and rec ice hockey player.

M I C H E L E F E C H T – Writer

Michele is a longtime journalist whose first post-college reporter position was at The Northville Record before moving on to The Detroit News. She is an author, researcher, local history enthusiast, and community activist/ advocate.

W E N S DY V O N B U S K I R K – Writer

Wensdy graduated with a degree in journalism from Wayne State University. Her first job was working as a reporter for The Northville Record. Now, as a freelance writer and editor, she works for a variety of magazines, including The Rock. -Photo by Kathleen Voss

K E N V OY L E S – Writer/Photographer

Ken is an award-winning writer, photographer and designer whose career has spanned nearly five decades in and around metro Detroit. He started his journalism career in Plymouth, working for the Community Crier. He is the author of two books on Detroit history, loves to travel and has finished his first novel.

B I L L B R E S L E R – Photographer

Bill arrived in Plymouth in 1977 to work for the Community Crier. He also worked for the Plymouth Observer for many years. Bill, who taught photography at Madonna University, retired from what was left of the newspaper business in 2019 and now freelances. He’s happy to be back in the Plymouth community.

The Rock is a product of Journeyman Publishing, which assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information. Any form of reproduction of any content in this publication without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Comments are welcome at kurtkuban@therockmagazine.com.

Let’s start supporting leaders who don’t tear us apart

In this issue

I’m going to violate Larry David’s “three days rule” from the show Curb Your Enthusiasm, and wish all of our readers Happy New Year this late in the month. We got through another year, and that is something to celebrate. So, goodbye to 2023 and hello 2024. Of course, that means we are entering a new election year, and this one is going to be a doozy. Unless you live under a rock, you probably know there is going to be a Presidential election come November. A certain former president, when not making court appearances, is trying to regain the White House. There is a long way to go until November, and it will be interesting to see if Donald Trump is able to skate through his legal troubles to have the rematch with President Joe Biden, he so desperately wants. Most Americans are aware of the chaos that has taken place since that election – the mistrust, the lawsuits and the violence. I’m not going to get into any of that, but I just pray we have passed that test and are able to move on to some normalcy. I do have my doubts. It often feels like we are entering unchartered waters. Believe it or not, this election cycle is about more than just the presidency, though. The November ballot will include a number of important races -- at the federal, state and local levels. Some of those races include U.S. Senate (with Debbie Stabenow retiring there will be no incumbent), U.S. Representative, State Representative, Wayne County Board of Commissioners, just to name a few. The entire Plymouth Township Board of Trustees (including Supervisor Kurt Heise, Treasurer Bob Doroshewitz and Clerk Jerry Vorva) will be up for re-election. All these levels of government have an impact on our lives, whether we realize it or not. From setting budgets that determine the mundane things like garbage pick up, water rates and road maintenance, to running our elections, declaring war against other nations or determining who our allies are across the globe. That’s all on the ballot this year. So, I hope all of the eligible voters out there do their homework and determine who the best leaders are for those positions. We’ll certainly try to provide as much political coverage as we can throughout the year here in The Rock, letting everyone know who’s on the ballot in Plymouth. This would be a good year to start electing leaders who don’t tear us apart over political differences. There seems to be way too much of that in recent years, amplified by social media.

W ELCOME HOME, ELKS CLUB

ICE FESTIVAL TO TRANSFORM PLYMOUTH INTO WINTER WONDERLAND

Our system of government, created by our Founding Fathers nearly 250 yeas ago, only works because of compromise. And that’s why we have elections.

GRANT HARTWIG’S ROLLERCOASTER RIDE TO THE MAJORS

I know a lot of you reading this do not see eye to eye with me on every political issue, or maybe any issue. That’s ok. I promise, I’m not your enemy. And I know you are not mine, despite what some politicians and so-called political pundits say. At the end of the day, we all want the same things – “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Your Voice: Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . 4 Era of Canton Cobras to begin in August . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Local hockey players band together to help blind children . . . . . . . 11 I-275 project approaching the finish line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Three Cities Art Club gives budding artists a creative boost . . . . . 20 P-CEP’s Vaibav Ramu scores a perfect AP exam . . . . . . . . . . 24 ‘It’s Time’ – Maybury’s Sincock ready to retire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Race track fight heats up; Meijer gets green light . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Here in Michigan, it all begins with the Presidential Primary election on March 5, followed by the August 6 primary and November 4 general election. The barrage of campaign ads are coming. So enjoy the calm while you can.

Kurt Kuban is the Publisher and Editor of The Rock. He welcomes your comments at kurtkuban@therockmagazine.com.

O N T H E CO V E R : Sara Fetallari, who traveled from Vlore, Albania to attend the 2023 Ice Festival, poses on the Ice Throne. Photo by Bill Bresler

YO U R VO I C E : L E T T ER S TO T H E ED I TO R A better approach

I think private/public partnerships are one of the best ways to enhance communities but that's not exactly what's happening with the PARC group's crowd-funded, MEDCsupported effort to fund the pickleball courts on the PARC campus. I wish instead the group had worked within the community to support the recreation millage, which failed by 66 votes and would have funded pickleball courts for use by the whole community, as well as soccer fields and enhanced city parks for all residents, and many other recreation opportunities. I'm disappointed that private citizens used their connections and wealth for funding their specific interest instead of supporting a millage that would benefit the entire community. This is not a sustainable or long-term solution. Are we to crowdsource soccer fields? Have bake sales to raise money for park updates and maintenance? A communitywide cohesive plan is the best approach to supporting recreation that can benefit all residents. Laurie Golden

Courts will be used

I most definitely agree wholeheartedly with building some pickleball courts in Plymouth. I started playing pickleball in 2016 at the PARC. It started with a small group and just kept growing. We had a great group of people. It stopped when Covid hit. When Covid ended they no longer offered it at the PARC to play. It wasn’t until recently they started to let people back to playing there, and then on a limited basis. I started playing in Northville. The rec department

offered two places to play. Hillside Middle School and the Northville Community Center. So glad Plymouth is finally -with the encouragement of others -- going to offer and make it possible to play in Plymouth. I really miss the people and the great times we had playing at the PARC. The courts will definitely be used and we could honestly use more courts. Ruth Ann Morrell

We want to hear from the military veterans of Plymouth. Please attend Plymouth Charter Township Veterans Commission meetings, address your concerns and ask questions. We meet at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of every month at Plymouth Township Hall, located at 9955 N. Haggerty Road. Dates may change due to holidays. Visit www.plymouthtwp. org/calendar for more updates. David Tanana Plymouth Charter Township Veterans Commission United States Marine Corps Veteran

Giving thanks for Karl’s

A new hobby

It’s a great idea to let us play pickleball in Plymouth. I hope that works out. I would totally be interested. I need a new hobby. Thank you! Donna Anson

To begin, we give thanks to Karl and Sophia Poulos and their family “found a cabin” on Gotfredson Road in 1982. We are thankful they prospered and their family grew with the restaurant and our community. We are thankful that on Feb. 16, 2023, Karl’s Cabin staff was able to calmly escort a full-house of patrons to safety as a fire began in the back. We are especially

Hooked on pickleball

Adding pickleball courts at PARC is a great idea! For years, buddies of mine had told me I should give pickleball a try, and I finally did in 2018 while in Florida - and I’ve been hooked ever since. It’s a perfect game for seniors, as well as people of any age. And while I know there are indoor courts at the Plymouth Cultural Center during the summer, our mild Michigan springs and falls make for ideal outdoor pickleball play. I would definitely use the courts, and I would like to contribute toward making that happen. K.R. (Kit) McGuigan

SOUND OFF 4 | The Rock

Veterans speak up

grateful that 14 fire departments, and many first responders from Salem and Wayne and Washtenaw counties were so quick on the scene and effective at saving most of the structure from the flames – without any injury. Thankfully, the mop-up and rebuilding crews got to work; meanwhile our community immediately gathered to help the

employees and encourage the Poulos family. We give thanks that now, months of hard work has brought Karl’s Cabin back from the blazing brink of death. Thank you to all the builders, the staff, cooks and servers, the purveyors, the inspectors for we are now gathering back in this historic icon. And, finally, we give thanks to the Plymouth-SalemCanton-Northville community for such a loyal support of the Poulos family’s – and “our” – restaurant and meeting place. W. Edward Wendover

At what cost?

I have signed a petition to stop Northville Downs from becoming the “Plymouth Downs”. It is absurd that our community leaders appear to be in favor of this. Yes, it will help our tax base, but at what cost to our way of life in Plymouth. Cathy Tassinari

Everywhere but Plymouth

I enjoyed your article in the December 2023 issue about pickleball. I agree with Pete Lamoureux that it is addictive. I started playing in 2014 or 2015 when PARC first opened its gym, and since then have enjoyed playing with a whole new group of friends. We play regularly at Northville Rec Center, or the Livonia Rec Center, or Livonia’s Bicentennial, or Canton’s Freedom Park. Everywhere but Plymouth. While I am happy to see the community support for these courts, we still need city-owned courts, such as were proposed in the Plymouth Recreation Plan. Let’s hope the city finds a way to build some in spite of the failure of the recent millage vote. Debra Kuptz

Please submit your letters by emailing Editor Kurt Kuban at kurtkuban@therockmagazine.com. Letters must be no more than 150 words. We reserve the right to edit all letters.

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School District Retires Original Chiefs Mascot The era of the Canton High Cobras will begin in August By Brad Kadrich

or the first time in more than 50 years, Canton High School sports fans attending games won’t be chanting “Go Chiefs.” Instead, it’ll be the Canton High School Cobras. The Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education made that official at its Dec. 12 meeting, approving the final reading of the name change and officially retiring the “Chiefs” mascot in a 5-1 vote. As she was when the first reading was held in November, Trustee Sheryl Picard was the lone nay vote. Picard offered no further reasoning at the Dec. 12 meeting, but voiced her opposition at the first reading back in November. Picard said then that the board should listen to the opinions of the respondents who took part in a community survey where many said they were against retiring the 6 | The Rock

Chiefs mascot. She also expressed reluctance because a cobra has “no significance” to the district. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cobra running around in nature,” said Picard, who also pointed out that cobras are "seen as religious images in Hinduism and Buddhism and other religions." At the Dec. 12 meeting, a few residents continued to speak out against the change. Andy Patterson, a 2003 graduate of Canton High School, said he didn’t believe the board fully understood the magnitude of the change. “I don’t think you understand what you’re doing with the (mascot) decision,” Patterson said. “Speaking as someone who is 100% American Indian who attended your school, and who had siblings attend your school, the disrespect I see for you not understanding what it means to have that name as your mascot.

“To me you are erasing our culture because you think it’s better because it offends everyone else,” he added. “I understand we’re in a PC world…everyone is changing their mascots because it offends (people). How about honoring it? I was really proud to attend that school. You are not looking at the true nature of that situation.” The change to Cobras as the mascot will take effect with the start of the fall sports season in August. The mascot committee is sponsoring a contest among students to design the school’s new logo. The issue started when the Board of Education decided last summer to retire the Chiefs mascot and develop a new one. The district conducted a survey over the summer, and Director of High School Education Hal Heard made a presentation to the board Nov. 28. Addressing the idea that

dumping the “Chiefs” moniker was giving up on more than 50 years of history, Heard instead said it was just the opposite. “I want to emphasize that in recommending a new mascot, we are embracing our future,” Heard said at the time. “It does not change our history or legacies tied to the retired Chiefs mascot. The winning seasons, records, plaques and other positive memories will remain. The school colors of red and white will also remain.” Not everyone responding to the survey agree with the move. In fact, when suggesting nicknames for the school, “Chiefs” still got 55 nominations, though they weren’t considered. “Cardinals” got 34 nominations, while “Cobras” got just 31. Students eventually whittled the list down to three finalists, and eventually “Cobras” came out on top. It’s not going to be a cheap transition. Superintendent Monica Merritt said it could cost more than $200,000. She said some of the costs could be funded by grants. “You definitely are making that decision (to change the mascot) with the understanding that grant money is not guaranteed and you would dedicate your general fund to covering this decision,” Merritt said. The change hasn’t come without political cost. A group of dissatisfied residents pushed the recall of three BOE members – President Shawn Wilson, Vice President Lauren Christenson and Treasurer Patrick Kehoe. That effort fell short when the group couldn’t gather enough signatures to get such a recall on the ballot. The group needed more than 50,000; it was unclear how many they actually gathered. For their part, the targeted board members preferred to

“I want to emphasize that in recommending a new mascot, we are embracing our future. It does not change our history or legacies tied to the retired Chiefs mascot. The winning seasons, records, plaques and other positive memories will remain. The school colors of red and white will also remain.” Hal Heard, Plymouth-Canton Schools Director of High School Education

look ahead. In a joint statement they issued, the three expressed satisfaction with the outcome. “There exists a notable weariness around negative, deficit-based campaigns (and) there is a genuine eagerness to participate in constructive, solution-based discussions which lead to meaningful actions,” the statement said. “Now is the moment to transition away from divisive tactics and collaborate with those who are dedicated to seeking solutions that enhance the well-being of the entire

P-CCS community.” The issue hit on a deep level for many with ties to the district, including local attorney Cam Miller and Jodi Ring, who both have strong roots in the Plymouth-Canton community. Miller’s daughters, Courtney (2005) and Jillian (’05) are Canton High graduates. Courtney Macdonald is a kindergarten teacher at Bird Elementary. Miller’s father was a Plymouth High graduate. Ring is the daughter of revered Plymouth personality and World

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War II veteran Gene Overholt, who died March 31 at age 99. Like Miller, she attended Plymouth-Canton Schools grades kindergarten through 12 and vividly recalls the hoopla surrounding the new high school’s opening a half-century ago. She was part of PlymouthCanton High’s first graduating class, which started as ninthgraders at Central Middle School as the building was being built. “We had a strong bond with our class,” Ring said. The school’s red and white

colors were a product of the fastapproaching nation’s bicentennial (Plymouth-Salem High selected blue and white, which completed the patriotic trifecta). Freshman and sophomore classes voted on the school's nickname and mascot. The Chiefs reflected leadership, strength and respect, Ring said. “Our intent was not to be hurtful,” she added. Freelance writer Larry O’Connor contributed to this story.

Welcome

Elks

or the 40 or so people filling the newly opened Plymouth Elks home at Ann Arbor Trail and Lilley Road there was something magical as they gathered during this most recent New Year’s Eve. There was a live band, catered food, several champagne toasts, balloons and noisemakers and, of course, elegantly dressed couples who waltzed through the warm confines of a renovated space that once held an air and gas company. That night, that party, was the culmination of over two years of hard work for the Elks and their leadership, who worked diligently to bring the space to life as quickly as possible and turn a humble building into a grand lodge. Without a home for many months after having sold their Ann Arbor Road property, which will be turned into a residential development, the men and women of one of Plymouth’s historic service organizations were all smiles and laughs that night. More importantly, they

8 | The Rock

were grateful to be in what was really a new 4,000-square-foot place of their own, located on an acre of land in the city where the club began 74 years before. “It was our first new year’s party here,” said Charley Dawson, exalted ruler (ER) of the Elks for the past four years and on the front line of change, from selling their old building, trying to find new property and then getting the space renovated. “It was the crowning moment for us,

Service group’s two-year journey culminates with new Plymouth lodge

a culmination of our journey. It was a great way to end the year.” The topic of conversation that night mostly centered on the building and the group’s bright future. “This was our first big chance to get together and have fun,” says Dawson. “Everyone was thrilled.” Now in 2024 the Elks are posed to turn their focus back again to the kinds of service work which has made them community partners for so many decades. And oh yes, there will

By Ken Voyles still be plenty of gatherings and parties like new year’s, because frankly that’s also at the heart of who the Elks are since its founding in 1868. While actually now named the Plymouth-Ann Arbor Elks (Lodge 325), having merged with Ann Arbor 10 years ago, the 300 or so members draw from many communities. Plymouth and Ann Arbor dominate, but members come from Livonia and Canton and from as far as Hell, Michigan. “We also see visitors from all over the country,” said Dawson, who has lived in Plymouth Township for over 30 years. “When you’re an Elk you can go to any lodge anywhere. It’s a part of who we are. We call ourselves a benevolent and protective order, but it’s really about the people. They’re the best on earth.” When Dawson says it, he means it, and for many reasons. Besides staying open as some lodges closed, the Plymouth’s Elks held strong during Covid and banded together through the trials of selling the old lodge that

dated back to 1951. “It wasn’t always easy,” says Dawson, “and I sometimes felt like a punching bag because people were anxious to find a home. But truly it’s been rewarding, especially when we turned on the lights and got our occupancy in September.” When the lodge was chartered in 1950 by numerous prominent Plymouth leaders, the first task was to find land and a place to build a clubhouse. That turned out to be in Plymouth Township. Over the years that building grew – almost too big, says Dawson –beyond the group’s needs. In its heyday of the 1970s the Elks ran to nearly 3,000 members; those

few members still who have been around more than 50 years.” Like many future Elks, Dawson “walked in” for a visit. He ended up staying, becoming a member in 2012, not long after finding out from his brother-inlaw that there was a place like the Elks lodge “just around the corner” of his home. “It was such a welcoming experience,” he says. “I liked the whole private club atmosphere.

NOT JUST A SOCIAL CLUB

Named for one of North America’s largest mammals, the Elks try to exude the nobility of their namesake. Besides the “fun they have,” members are also

covering summer camp fees. A Gold Key program continues supporting those youths who have turned 18.

jazz and blues nights, burger, seafood and steak nights, parties around the Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby and other

“We also see visitors from all over the country. When you’re an Elk you can go to any lodge anywhere. It’s a part of who we are. We call ourselves a benevolent and protective order, but it’s really about the people. They’re the best on earth.” Charley Dawson, exalted ruler (ER) of the Plymouth-Ann Arbor Elks

days were long gone and the Ann Arbor Road building wasn’t what it used to be. “It was hard for some because that was the only lodge they knew,” says Dawson. “We have a

focused on the service side of their organization. According to Marc Godman, who will become exalted ruler in March, the group is really driven by performing charity and service work. “We’re not just a social club,” says Godman, a Plymouth resident who joined in 2013. “Service is a big component. There’s over a million Elks in this country and charity is our main focus.” That work takes many forms. Three major areas, both locally and nationally, are veterans, children with special needs and providing thousands of dollars in scholarships to students. The group’s major projects fund provides financial assistance to Michigan children under the age of 18 for a variety of support -- from medical equipment to

The veterans program collects funds throughout the year for homeless vets as well as makes regular visits to VA hospitals and more. “We consider ourselves a patriotic group,” says Godman. An annual Flag Day ceremony raises awareness about the U.S. flag and its history, including all the nation’s flags that have flown over the centuries. A local Boy Scout helped create the new flag pole site on the property as a part of his Eagle Scout project. The Elks also support local community events and includes an Active Seniors Elks group to help seniors in the community. The nonprofit is run by a board of trustees and an executive council and raises money through fundraisers, member dues and special events. On the social side there are

holidays or sports events. When the kitchen is complete, lunch will be available to members during certain weekdays. Besides volunteer committees and individual efforts, the group is supported by one staff member, a lodge manager, who often works the bar during events. Today the facility is shiny and new, and nearly complete, with a new point of sale system and a nearly complete kitchen. Landscaping and a new parking lot for 70 cars are complete.

A SURPRISE HOMECOMING

The journey to the new year’s celebration began when the group sold its property in February 2021, really without much of an

Continued on page 10

The Rock

Continued from page 9 idea where they might end up. With member declines and high taxes it became a challenge to sustain the overly large lodge. Working with a real estate agent, Dawson remembers that finding the city site was a “fluke.” It wasn’t until Dawson stumbled upon a listing that the

Airgas Store on Ann Arbor Trail was for sale that a new home might be in the offing. After many months they purchased a new site in October 2021, finishing renovations, which ran into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, last September, just under two years. “In 2023 things were really trying for us,” says Dawson. “We had no home, though the VFW opened its post doors for

C U S TO M

us to have social nights. We had design issues, demolition that needed to be done, the renovation work itself and always, always trying to keep members informed and satisfied. Our building committee really worked well together.” Dawson said the priority was to make sure the new home was done right. “As a fraternal order we love seeing Elks from other states,”

K I TC H E N S

A N D

he says. “Now we have a new home to share. We did it right.” Though the recent yearend party was a lot like a homecoming for members, the lodge will not be officially dedicated until sometime this spring. “There’s really nowhere to go but up,” Dawson says, looking up at a giant elk’s head on display inside the lodge’s main social space. A noble ideal for one of Plymouth’s proud service clubs.

PLYMOUTHANN ARBOR ELKS Founded: 1868 Address: Lodge #325 110 W. Ann Arbor Trail Phone: (734) 453-1780 E-mail: 1780news@gmail.com Website: www.plyaa325.com

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with Penrickton Center for Blind Children. “They know it’s a good cause. Every dime we make goes into the center.” The idea of giving to a charity initially was conceived as a way for retirees to do tax-deductible donations. But over time, players have become invested in Penrickton Center’s mission financially and emotionally, since first donating to the group around 2016. Their contribution continues to go up; approximately $4,000 in 2020, more than $10,000 in 2022 and $14,000-plus this time around. The families of the 21 children – some who live a two-hour drive away from Penrickton – are thankful for every dollar that the players contribute. That’s because, without such By Tim Smith philanthropic efforts made by irst they opened their this,” said John Wilson, one of individuals, service groups wallets, then their hearts, the members of Plymouth Senior (including the Plymouth Lions to the Penrickton Center Hockey, a city-sanctioned over-60 Club) and local businesses, what for Blind Children. It’s the league comprised of more than Penrickton Center provides would ultimate hockey shift they want 120 players involved in annual be impossible to accomplish. to keep going for as long as they fundraisers for Penrickton Center. “There’s not a single parent can. “We are all retired and it gives us who could afford privately to A group of senior players a special feeling of helping out pay for the type of activities mostly in their 60s and 70s while doing something we love.” and services we provide free The charity games were the recently held a trio of “All-Star of charge,” said Patty Obrzut, centerpiece of a luncheon event Hockey Games” for Penrickton Penrickton’s executive director at the cultural center. Every Center on Nov. 6 at Plymouth who spoke to members of the participating player donated Cultural Center. league . “If I divide our budget $50 checks to the center, while The heartwarming endeavor ($2.3 million per year) it’s Plymouth-Canton businesses generated more than $14,000 going to cost at least $50,000 to helped sponsor it. for the Taylor-based facility $70,000 a year per child and no Autographed hockey jerseys, – a non-profit 501 (c)3 charity parent could afford that.” sticks, photographs and other which offers residential care, Wilson can speak from memorabilia supplied by the day care and “individualized personal experience just how NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, crucial it is to get funding to programming for children who Penrickton Center. A friend’s former Red Wing Luc Robitaille are visually impaired with an grandson was born blind and and current Detroit captain additional disability.” Dylan Larkin were displayed and suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. Because of the generosity of Although Jack no longer is included in a raffle. Meanwhile, Plymouth Senior Hockey and at the center, the assistance others merely visiting the many other individuals and and attention he received there cultural center for other reasons groups, children between ages enabled his family to homestopped by to check out an 1-12 who are blind and have school him beginning in 2021. information kiosk and drop additional disabilities (such as “Without the help of money into a large, plastic jar. autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Penrickton, (Jack’s family) would “We’ve got quite a bit this deafness, developmental delay, not have been able to financially year, people are really buying muscular dystrophy) can learn handle the care he needed,” into this more and more,” said to walk, talk, dance or strum a Wilson explained. “But it was so Ray Widdick, a former player guitar. much more than providing the “It is very important to support instrumental in originally service for free. Because of the worthwhile organizations like hooking up the hockey group

MAKING AN IMPACT Local hockey players band together to help blind children

experience of trained personnel, they were able to teach Jack and his family how to learn and deal with his disabilities.” But it takes money – lots of it – for those invaluable and lifesustaining programs to continue every day, week, month and year. And without a single, major sponsor, Obrzut emphasized how essential it is for people such as the hockey players to give as little or as much as they can to Penrickton Center. “Someone’s $5 donation is just as important to us as someone’s $100 donation,” Obrzut said. “That all adds up to our budget, which is $2.3 million a year. That’s what makes Penrickton who we are. “We have this really eclectic group of donors that supports what we do here.”

Penrickton Center is located at 26530 Eureka Road in Taylor. Visit www.penrickton.org or call (734) 946-7500 for more information. The center provides five-day residential care and day care for children ages 1-12 as well as active learning consultations, all at no cost to families. The Rock

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or several years, motorists trying to navigate I-275’s shifting lane closures and on-again, off-again ramp access might have thought they were engaged in a frustrating version of whack-a-mole. But finally, 2024 looks like the year when the construction madness along I-275 in western Wayne County will reach the finish line. Sometime between summer and the end of 2024, the $281 million project between Five Mile and Northline roads will conclude – with only relatively minor work such as sprucing up landscaping and enhancing lane markings yet to be attended to. It was announced on Dec. 22 by the Michigan Department of Transportation that all lanes of I-275 between Five Mile and Sibley roads had been re-opened. “The 275 project will be done (summer 2024) and the work that is remaining includes removing all of the signs and barrels, all the barrier walls,” said Michigan

12 | The Rock

Department of Transportation spokeswoman Diane Cross. Other than some temporary lane closures as M-DOT crews pick up signs, orange barrels and cones – and with some finishing touches required for any crossovers that extended across the median – major construction headaches for Plymouth and Northville commuters are about to go away. “There is still work to be done but we will no longer be closing lanes down for months and years at a time as we’ve had to do on this very large project,” Cross added.

THE ‘WORST IS OVER’

Although motorists will continue to see crews toiling in the next few months, more and more will begin to feel comfortable enough with the traffic flow to not have to revert to using roads such as Haggerty and Ann Arbor roads to go about their daily tasks. “Because we’re entering into the winter months it’s obviously more difficult for them to do

major roadwork,” Plymouth Township Supervisor Kurt Heise said. “But M-DOT has also said the overall project will not be done completely, I don’t think, until the end of this year. “There’s still going to be some bridge work. There’s going to be additional work to some of the medians and easements. Right now, they’re just pausing for the winter. Obviously, the worst is over.” Concurring that better days are ahead was Mark Abbo, supervisor for Northville Township. “I’m glad we’re through it,” Abbo said. “It’s always good to have infrastructure improvements made to our roadways. It was a long time that’s been under construction (since 2021). But I’m glad that traffic through and around Northville will be able to move more freely now.” Abbo added that Northvillearea residents are about to be rewarded for their patience once all work along the stretch of I-275 is concluded.

“I think residents are really pragmatic and understand shortterm pain, long-term gain,” Abbo noted. “So they’ve been patient.” According to Heise, “everybody will be really pleased when it’s finally done and we’ll have a smoother, safer ride for everybody.” Heise stressed that businesses in Plymouth Township’s Downtown Development Authority area, which runs along Ann Arbor Road from just east of 1-275 to Sheldon, also will be looking forward to things somewhat returning to normal once the major project is in the rear-view mirror. “I’m not a civil engineer, but everything seems to be flowing well,” Heise said. “I’m sure they have some punch-list items that they still need to work on. I’m just glad that everything is open, because our businesses in that area suffered during the construction, during the ramp closures.” In particular, Heise pointed out the business inconvenience suffered near Ann Arbor Road, singling out the Shell and BP gas stations as having dealt with difficulties. “Right now, all the ramps to and from Ann Arbor Road are operational,” Heise said. “There’s obviously a lot of landscaping work that needs to be done.” But Heise said Plymouth Township has worked with the state on some landscaping and on installing fencing along the east side of I-275. Meanwhile, the township DDA does have funds available to continue landscaping efforts, as well as to install a “welcoming” sign into Plymouth Township. “It’s not going to be as grand as what Canton has down the street,” Heise emphasized. “But we certainly want to do something that would better acknowledge

and recognize the Plymouth community – because that is really the gateway for both the township and the city for the vast majority of people, in my opinion.” As for any future landscaping efforts, Heise would like to see continuation of the work already done during the MDOT project. “In the past, there’s been a lot of scrub trees out there and other vegetation which really did not present a welcoming appearance,” Heise explained. “Almost all of those trees and bushes are now gone as a result of the project. “So we really have a clean slate now to plant new trees that will flourish and present a better landscaping image to our residents and guests.” Heise said the completion of the busy stretch of I-275 will alleviate the immediate traffic burden for regional corridors such as Haggerty, Sheldon and Beck, as well as Ann Arbor Road.

After all, a byproduct of the years-long state project has been the necessity of drivers to look for alternative routes, clogging up those roadways.

TIME TO LOOK AHEAD

But improving those roads for the long haul is something that Heise underscored as a future goal worth soon pursuing. “Once the project finally comes to an end, Plymouth Township would like to work with Wayne

County on rebuilding Haggerty (a county thoroughfare) because that road is in very poor condition and nobody’s wanted to address that yet,” Heise said. “Because obviously, with all the traffic off of 275 we can’t choke off traffic completely.” Shoring up Haggerty and other roads serving Plymouth Township must be a priority moving forward. “The truck traffic going into

Canton has created a wave effect on Haggerty Road, because there’s just dozens of trucking operations in Canton south of Joy Road,” Heise went on. Making sure the lines of communication remain open for residents and businesses continues to be an important aspect of major road projects in the region. “I think the big thing to remember is we’ve all suffered during this project,” Heise continued. “We try to keep in touch with our residents to let them know to be aware of road delays on our (Plymouth Township) Facebook page, especially. “I always put up any of the bulletins that we got from the state. We’ve done our best to get the word out to residents about road delays and closures.” For ongoing updates concerning 1-275 from M-DOT, visit the website revive275.org.

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Plymouth readies for its transformation into ‘Winter Wonderland’

udrey Wagner of Livonia has established a tradition of visiting the Plymouth Ice Festival with her kids, taking advantage of a wintertime lull in activities to get in some quality time with her kids, JJ, Ethan and Natalie. “There’s a lot of skill that goes into (carving) and the detail is just astounding,” Wagner said while attending the 2023 festival. “It’s a fun family activity to do in the winter.” That’s one of the benefits organizers say is the key to the festival’s long history of success. And festival goers get their chance to take advantage of the activities when the Ice Festival returns to downtown Plymouth Feb. 2-4. Presented by presenting sponsor Michigan

14 | The Rock

By Brad Kadrich First Credit Union, the festival is designed to transform downtown Plymouth into a breathtaking winter wonderland, celebrating the artistry and beauty of ice sculptures. “I think people are looking for something to do during the

winter months. People get cooped up inside and they want to do something,” said James Gietzen of JAG Entertainment, who organizes the festival. “If you live in western Wayne County, you go to the Ice Festival. It’s Plymouth’s signature event.

“People have great memories,” he added. “People who have children, when they came down their parents brought them, and now they bring their children. It’s a generational thing.” The festival runs Friday, Feb. 2 from 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 3 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some of the event highlights include: • SPECTACULAR ICE SCULPTURES Spectators will be able to marvel at the skill and creativity of talented ice sculptors. The festival will feature a wide array of sculptures, ranging from small ice carvings in front of store fronts to large displays in Kellogg Park. The sculptures

2024 Plymouth Ice Festival WHERE: Kellogg Park and Downtown Plymouth WHEN: 5-10 p.m., Fri., Feb. 2 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat., Feb. 3 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun., Feb. 4 EMAIL: info@ plymouthicefestival.com WEBSITE: plymouthicefestival.com will be available for viewing 24 hours a day and will remain standing after the event – weather permitting. • ICE THRONE This unique ice carving is the perfect setting for pictures with the family. Festival guests

open during all of the official open hours of the festival. • PETTING FARM Presented by Michigan First Credit Union, the folks from Carousel Acres will be offering a hands-on experience with horses, donkeys, goats. sheep, alpaca and even a baby calf. This year’s Petting Farm will also feature pony rides. It will be open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. • TUBING RUN The Plymouth Ice Festival tubing run features more than 100 feet of tubing excitement and fun for the whole family. The tubing run will be open Friday from 6-9 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. • PARTY LOT AND ICE BAR Located at E.G. Nicks, the party lot will feature nightly entertainment. The lot will feature music and dancing from Ava James and the Rumors on Friday, and from Power Play Detroit on Saturday. • FESTIVAL FOOD The Plymouth Ice Festival features fun festival foods,

will feel like “Ice Festival Royalty” as they take a seat atop the Ice Throne. This activity has been a tradition for many families, as they return for that picture every year. • HOT SPOT The Hot Spot, heated by Ehlers Heating and Cooling, will be located under The Gathering directly across from Kellogg Park. The Hot Spot features local vendors, businesses, product demonstrations, and a sitting area. The Hot Spot is

like fresh roasted almonds, elephant ears and mini donuts. The event also features a polish food booth inside the Hotspot warming station. • DDA BINGO Visitors can stop in at participating businesses and collect enough stickers to get a bingo. The Plymouth Downtown Development Authority will provide bingo prizes. James Gietzen thinks the festival has found its sweet spot in terms of scheduling. For years, it happened in January, but competed with the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Then it was moved to February, and the first time that schedule was used, it happened to fall on Super Bowl weekend. This year, the auto show has been moved to September, and the ice festival is scheduled for the weekend before the Super Bowl, which takes place Feb. 11 in Las Vegas. “When the auto show moved, it opened things up for us,” Gietzen said. “We’ve moved it to the weekend before the Super Bowl. It’s the first Sunday without football. It’s kind of a sweet spot for the ice festival.”

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with the

Plymouth native Grant Hartwig’s rollercoaster ride to the Majors By Brad Emons

unny how life can take its sudden twists and turns. For Plymouth native and Detroit Catholic Central High grad Grant Hartwig, his meteoric path to the Majors would only be described as a rollercoaster to say the least. After spending five years at Miami University in Ohio – three seasons interrupted by Tommy John surgery in 2018 followed by a red shirt and rehab in 2019 and coupled by an abrupt cancellation in 2020 due to COVID-19 – the undrafted 6-foot-5, 235-pound right-handed pitcher got an unlikely call in 2023 by the New York Mets. Donning jersey number 93, he was promoted to the Mets on June 19 where he made his MLB 16 | The Rock

debut the same day relieving Max Scherzer in the ninth inning of a game against the defending World Series champion Houston Astros. Hartwig logged one inning, allowing no runs on one hit and a walk. It was a watershed moment dating back to his days as a youth where he attended grade school at Plymouth’s Our Lady of Good Counsel. “You don’t really expect something like this to happen, right?,” Hartwig said. “But you know what? Just roll with the punches as they come. It was awesome to be able to debut and have my family there. And then make the trip and just to be able to share those moments with them.

“All the time, all the energy and effort that they put in driving me to tournaments, going to lessons when I was younger, going to games…watching me chase my dream,” he continued. “I can’t imagine how that makes them feel. It’s amazing. I can’t be grateful enough for them to give me those opportunities to be where I am right now.”

WINNING A JOB

In 28 appearances on the mound with the Mets last season, Hartwig was used exclusively in relief where he finished 5-2 with a 4.84 earned run average while striking out 30 batters in 35 innings. Hartwig, at age 26, sometimes pinches himself and wonders how did this evolve so quickly?

And now part of the rebuilding Mets’ 40-man roster, Hartwig approaches 2024 spring training with a business-like approach. He knows nothing is guaranteed after getting his first taste in the big leagues. “It’s like any other spring training,” Hartwig said. “I’ve got to win a job. We’ve got a lot of great pitching that we’ve brought in during the offseason, and we’re returning a lot of good pitching, so it’s going to be a competition. I’ve got to earn my spot and ultimately that stuff is out of my control. I’m just going to go in and compete for a spot in spring training and just put myself in the best situation and make that a hard decision for G.M. or whoever is making those decisions.”

“I thought it was almost in vain to turn that down seeing all the guys that I played with would absolutely kill to have that opportunity. I don’t think I could walk away with that 10 years down the line and (have to) always wonder.” Grant Hartwig, who decided to put off medical school after getting a minor league offer from the New York Mets

Hartwig played two years of basketball and football at CC before concentrating on baseball where he earned All-Catholic League, All-District, All-Region honors for the Shamrocks as a senior. He was a pitcher and a catcher in high school where it could become standard as he’d catch the first game of a double-header before returning to the mound to start and usually finish the second game. Earning a baseball scholarship to Miami of Ohio, Hartwig entered his freshman year with the option of catching, pitching or even serving in the role of designated hitter. “I knew we had a really good catcher in Hayden Senger, who I actually played with in the Mets organization,” Hartwig said. “I knew I had to compete to win a job there, but my freshman year I ended up being one of the starters at the beginning of the year. Even having to compete with him and having to balance pitching and catching is a little bit different in college than in high school, so after I had Tommy John my sophomore year there was no shot I was going to be doing both. I just stuck with pitching and hit a little bit as a DH.” As a freshman in 2017, Hartwig appeared in 15 games, starting 10. He threw 52 innings and went 1-4 with a 5.19 ERA in his first collegiate season with the Redhawks. In 2018, Hartwig made it through eight games and two

starts, throwing 21 innings before being shut down for the season with an elbow injury. “When I got my MRI originally there was a new tear and an old tear, so I guess I had been playing with a partial tear for a while,” Hartwig said. “Don’t really know how long it was there, but it was pretty

wheel during his injury hiatus, but he tweaked a few things that were problematic from the beginning in his pitching delivery. “The biggest thing for my red shirt year – being my true junior year – I really just got to sit back and get a full reset and really focus on development, kind of

much one day I was throwing at Cincinnati at a home game at Miami – couple pitches before the beginning of the game felt a pop in my elbow. I actually ended up, I believe, pitching five innings after that. But after I came off, I knew something was wrong. We got an MRI and went in for surgery after that.” In 2019, Hartwig rehabbed and redshirted. He didn’t reinvent the

changed my mechanics a little bit,” Hartwig said. “One of the biggest things I changed was my arm slot, which now is much lower. That mechanical change really helped me to find my natural arm slot. It was a little bit of a blessing in disguise in terms of development.” Returning in 2020, Hartwig’s career got short-circuited again not by injury, but by COVID-19

as all of college baseball got shut down by mid-March as he made just five appearances and threw 7.2 innings going 1-0.

OFF THE RADAR

Hartwig, however, stuck with it. He returned and finished his college career at Miami in 2022. All told, he went 7-9 overall with a 4.42 ERA in his career. He pitched a total of 154 innings starting 24 games. As a senior, he went 5-5 with a 3.44 ERA. In 73.1 innings, struck out 82 and by then he figured his baseball career was over. With a B.A. degree in microbiology, Hartwig had already begun to think about a career in medicine with the idea of following the path of his mother Colleen, who is a physician in internal medicine at Beaumont-Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills. Grant also was intrigued by the whole process of undergoing Tommy John surgery where it piqued his curiosity. The thought was possibly becoming an orthopedic surgeon someday, so he had already begun the process of studying for the Medical College Admission Test. “I didn’t talk to any scouts throughout my time in Miami,” Hartwig said. “I got MLB Draft links and all that stuff, was kind of hesitant about filling them out. Filled a couple out…The way I’ve always gone about it is that

Continued on page 18

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Continued from page 17 if someone wants me as a player, then they will go out and get you as a player, so I really didn’t think about it much, didn’t really talk to any scouts, so I was like, ‘Alright, you know what?’ When I threw my last game at Miami I was pretty much settled with… if that’s my last game, then I’m O.K. with it.” The MLB Draft is only 20 rounds, but Hartwig wasn’t on anybody’s board, let alone radar except for one team. And with a modest $20,000 bonus offered by the Mets – the max that can go to an undrafted free agent -- Hartwig couldn’t pass up the

vain to turn that down seeing all the guys that I played with would absolutely kill to have that opportunity. I don’t think I could walk away with that 10 years down the line and always wonder.” In 2021, Hartwig began his minor league career and ascended quickly where he made some mechanical adjustments and developed a two-seam sinker-fastball. He also upped his spin rate. “The real big jump in my stuff was probably my first year in the Mets organization, so that’s really where I learned – with my background in school I’m a very analytical guy,” Hartwig said. “And so, the biggest thing for me was being able to use the analytics to kind of create or better the things that I already had, so kind of using the analytics to my advantage, which we didn’t really have much access to it at Miami.” In 2022, Hartwig played with four minor league teams including stops in the Florida chance, even though he was Complex League, St. Lucie, already getting prepared to take the MCAT. Binghamton and Syracuse. And it was evident when arrived in “I really didn’t know what to do. I kind of sat down with my AAA that he was able to keep family, had conversations and hitters off balance by splitting decided that this is a once in a the plate east and west with his lifetime opportunity, school is two-seamer, while also adding a always going to be there,” Hartwig cutter, slider and changeup to his said. “I thought it was almost in repertoire. 18 | The Rock

RAPID RISE

During his rapid rise throughout the minors, Hartwig posted impressive cumulative numbers going 10-6 overall with a 2.88 ERA, while striking out 132 in 97 innings. His velocity also went up a few notches. During his college days as a starter where he had high pitch counts and long innings, he was clocked anywhere from 91-to-94 MPH. “Once I came to the Mets organization I kind of got moved towards the bullpen. I had a couple of starts in rookie ball,” Hartwig said. “As soon as I went to Low A the last two weeks of the season after a COVID-19 break, that’s when I actually went to the bullpen. And then I had a little more comfortability, the velocity started going up a little bit at the end of the season. Worked out in the off season, saw a little bit of a jump in velocity, not a ton in that off season, but once I got that first full year of pro ball that’s when I saw my jump in velocity – from 92-93 to 94, to spinning around from 94 to 96 consistently.” Once Hartwig was summoned to New York, he got to observe and watch two future Hall of Famers – Justin Verlander and Scherzer – go about their craft for six weeks before the two were dealt to Houston and Texas,

respectively, at the trade deadline. The experience of being a teammate with the two proved to be bonus. “A lot of the stuff is just how they carry themselves and how they go about their work,” Hartwig said. “That’s the biggest thing that stands out to me. Obviously, you look around at the guys that have been there so long and my stint is so short compared to them being there for almost 20 years – and just the way they go about their stuff, their mentality, how they attack hitters, the way that they do their homework.” Although he had an aunt who was an athlete at Michigan State, Grant was the first in the Hartwig family to play any type of college sport. His dad Chris, who works for a contracting company, did play two sports at Williamston High School outside Lansing. Chris and Colleen have three other children including Gerric, who is two years older and graduated from CC, along with sisters Lauren and Marisa (both of whom are MSU Spartans). Not only is Hartwig the first and only collegiate athlete in his family, but the first to go pro. “I went for it and said, ‘You know what? I’m going to go all in’ on it and it’s turned out good so far,” he said. Hartwig will be the first to tell you that he knows all too well that life can take some unexpected detours. During his collegiate career alone he basically lost three seasons of competitive baseball during his time at Miami. “I try to be pretty present focused,” Hartwig said. “I go day by day, really not thinking too much about the future or past, but there are times for sure where I’ll sit back and say, ‘Oh my gosh,’ and all the people I’ve met and all the places I’ve been along the way – in just two short years – it’s mind blowing.”

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A Creative Boost Three Cities Art Club nurtures budding artists from Plymouth and beyond By Sue Voyles

ou don’t have to look too far around the greater Plymouth area to find interest in art. From the growth of Art in the Park to the longstanding Plymouth Community Arts Council, to the PARC art gallery and the newly established Art Foundation in Old Village, the community has shown strong support for art. It should be no surprise then that there is a local organization that nurtures artists. But it may be surprising to learn that the organization has been around for almost 70 years. Three Cities Art Club was originally founded in 1955 to “promote mutual acquaintance” of artists from Plymouth, Northville and Livonia according to its membership flyer. “It was a few local people that started meeting in people’s living rooms. To the best of 20 | The Rock

my knowledge, it started in Plymouth,” says Marilyn Meredith, long-time president of the club. Today, the club is a group of artists and art lovers who meet monthly from September through June at the Plymouth District Library to share knowledge, support each other, learn through presentations and demonstrations, exhibit artwork in local shows and galleries, and even win cash awards in judged shows. Members range from age 18 to 80 and come from Plymouth, Canton, Northville, Livonia, Westland, Garden City, Ann Arbor, South Lyon, Belleville and even Royal Oak and beyond. “Most of the members are photographers and painters, probably 75% are painters. But people can do other media, too,” says Meredith, a Canton resident and club member since 1998. She’s also served as club

president for most of that time. “I took art all the way through school. I was in commercial real estate. Years ago, I had my handwriting analyzed and the woman said I was not the normal artist. She said I had both left brain and right brain skills and she said ‘whatever you do, make sure you use your creativity,’” says Meredith. “So I took classes at Schoolcraft College. The club used to have exhibits at the Canton Library. I went to an exhibit there and learned about them and joined.” A few years after joining, she found herself in the president role. It’s clear she finds it a labor of love – and an outlet for honing her painting skills, with most of her works created with acrylic. And of course, there’s the social benefit that comes from being part of the 58-member group. “Everybody is so nice. You can meet other artists who can help you if you have questions. We try to share so that everybody gets better,” she says, adding that she recently retired and started Pet Portraits by Marilyn. Three Cities Art Club has seen some changes over the last several years, most notably moving its monthly meeting

from Canton Township Hall to the Plymouth District Library on Main Street. There’s also been the opportunity for an ongoing public display of members’ artwork, thanks to member and photographer Allen Brooks.

About seven years ago, Brooks came up with the idea of having an art gallery in the new Westland City Hall and presented the idea to then-mayor Bill Wild. “This appealed to Mayor Wild, who wished to support the arts and make art accessible to the

community while beautifying the walls outside their meeting rooms,” explains Meredith. “Other than the initial cost of the hanging hardware and lighting, there is no cost to the taxpayers and the club handles everything.” The gallery, which opened in February 2016, provides space for 50 to 60 pieces of original art and is open and free to the public during normal business hours and special events.

FROM NOVICES TO PROS Members come from a variety of backgrounds, according to Meredith. “For some members, it’s their vocation and others, it’s just a hobby. We have professionals who are 20-30 years old because they are looking for opportunities to improve and sell their work. We have quite a few retirees because they didn’t have time to devote to art when they were working.” That would be the case for Plymouth Township couple Angie and Larry Weldon, who have lived in the community since 1968. “Since I can remember, all I did was draw and paint,”

says Angie, who worked as a commercial artist early in their marriage. Once the couple started a family, she stayed home to raise their two sons. At the urging of Larry and a friend who is a Three Cities member, she took up painting again about a decade ago and joined the club. Larry started to tag along with her to the meetings. “Angie signed me up for the club because she said I eat all their food,” says Larry with a chuckle. “I love the people and seeing all the different paintings. I had actually never been to an art class.”

Eventually Larry, who spent his career as an industrial draftsman working in the automotive industry, found his art niche when he walked

into a wood carving class at the Plymouth Cultural Center in 2015 – a class that still meets on Monday mornings. “There’s a $2 walk-in fee and free coffee, how can you go wrong?” says Larry. “They taught me a lot about wood carving and by going to the club with Angie, I learned to paint my carvings. Anybody can pick up a paint brush, but it’s what you do with it,” says Larry. “The people at the club are wonderful, they will teach you.” As Larry’s skills developed, he found that he could support Angie by making many of her frames and framing her oil paintings. “It saves a lot of money, and he does a great job,” adds Angie. All this effort has reaped enjoyment for both of them and even recognition, especially for Angie, who has been a multiple winner of the “popular vote” portion of each club meeting. In fact, she was the first-place winner at the December 2023 club meeting. Members bring one or two new pieces to enter the Popular Vote competition at each monthly

meeting. After a short business meeting and member spotlight, attendees at the meeting (including visitors) enjoy a snack and vote on the best artwork. “Members that get the most votes, get ribbons. The artists that get the most votes at the end of the season win cash prizes. So, we all get a new art show each month,” explains Meredith. Following the vote, there is an educational presentation, which includes speakers from frame shops, paint suppliers, local artists like Durwood Coffey and Sharon Lee Dillenbeck-Rokita, and even professional critiques from accomplished artists to help members enhance their work.

ART IN THE COMMUNITY Three Cities puts on two member exhibits each year. In the spring, the club has an art show at a local venue and in the fall, they stage their exhibit at Westland City Hall’s gallery. During other months, the group coordinates art shows at city hall from other groups or individuals, with club member and photographer Gwen Roth of Canton acting as curator. Three Cities also coordinates an Open Call for Artists –

Continued on page 22

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Continued from page 21 both Club members and nonmembers – to be featured in its Annual Juried Art Exhibit at the

Westland City Hall gallery in November and December. Art lovers can also find club members’ works at the Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea on Canton Center Road, where the club maintains art there year-round, in addition to a few exhibits each year from Plymouth Canton Community Schools’ students. Three Cities has also forged a relationship with the Village Arts Factory in Canton, which has hosted some exhibits. While the last few years has seen local organizations losing membership due to the pandemic, Three Cities has experienced unexpected membership growth, due to the closing of Garden City Fine Arts Association and the Visual Arts Association of Livonia in 2023. Those members came to Three Cities, nearly doubling its membership. At a membership fee of $30 per year, Three Cities delivers a lot of value say the Weldons, who

will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary later this year. “What I like about the club is that they welcome everybody,” says Larry. Club President Meredith agrees, emphasizing that Three Cities welcomes everyone, at any level of experience to join and share the gift of artistic expression. “It’s a great place to meet people who are of like mind.”

THREE CITIES ART CLUB MEETINGS: First Monday of the month from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at the Plymouth District Library, 223 S. Main St. Visitors are welcome. WEBSITE: www.threecitiesartclub.org PHONE: (313) 231-3939

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ith laser-sharp precision and purpose, Plymouth-Canton Educational Park senior Vaibav Ramu pursues lofty educational and life goals. But although the 17-year-old Ramu strives for the absolute best out of himself, one thing he didn’t circle on his bingo card was perfection – which he accomplished last spring in the Advanced Placement Microeconomics exam. The prestigious test, held at Schoolcraft College in May 2023, focused on concepts and components such as market economic systems, consumer behavior and supply and demand. “I was pleasantly surprised,” recalled Ramu during a recent interview. “It wasn’t something I had envisioned going into the test. But when I got the result I

24 | The Rock

was definitely very happy and proud of myself to be able to accomplish this. “I was also very thankful to my family (which includes parents Vidya and Venkatesh and brother Vinyas) and my teachers for making this be able to happen and make this a reality. It was a very rewarding feeling when I got that e-mail.” College Board, which administers Advanced Placement tests all over the globe, informed the Canton Township resident via e-mail in late summer about his perfect feat. He aced every question on the test, one of only 44 students worldwide to do so in the 2023 AP Microeconomics exam. Ramu, at the time in his junior year, correctly answered all 60 multiple choice questions within a 70-minute window. In addition, he nailed a “free response”

Merritt echoed Richards’ exemplary endorsement of the confident but unassuming student. “The entire (P-CCS) community is so proud of Vaibav’s incredible achievement,” stated Merritt in the press release. “We encourage our students to think and learn in innovative ways so they can excel in whatever they’re passionate about and choose to do in the classroom and beyond. Congratulations to Vaibav on his perfect score.” Richards said Ramu (owner of a 4.2 grade-point average) is the first student from his own classes to achieve perfection in the AP Microeconomics exam. In P-CCS, an estimated 300 students take Advanced Placement tests on an annual basis. In 2021, according to the College Board, more than four million AP exams were given in the United States alone – quite a jump from the 691,437 tests the College Board said were administered in 2007. Yet although Ramu’s score revealed sheer perfection, he section, explaining what various wasn’t shooting for that uber charts and graphs might mean. level. He thought reaching 90 “Free response is kind of open-ended,” he continued. “You percent would do just fine. “The AP exam is scored get a prompt and then you have 1-through-5,” he went on. “But to give your interpretation of the you don’t need a perfect score answers to those questions.” to get a 5, you just need like 85 According to a press release percent or better.” issued in November by the school To knock off lingering stress district, Ramu is one of only and maximize test performance, three P-CEP students over the Ramu prepped by competing in past 10 years to reach perfection jujitsu and kick boxing at PRO on that specific test. Martial Arts on Ford Road in “Vaibav is a wonderful student,” said Jeff Richards, social Canton. He remains involved in courses there. studies teacher at Canton High “I think it’s a big stress reliever School. “He is very inquisitive and it helps me concentrate,” and interested in how things explained Ramu, about martial work and really strives for deep arts. “I think it’s definitely been a understanding. part of my success.” “Personally, he is very kind For additional balance in life, and respectful to myself and he also is a member in Festival other students and generally has Singers (an advanced P-CEP coed a positive attitude.” choir), enjoys pickup basketball Plymouth-Canton Community games and plays piano. Schools Superintendent Monica

Ramu also has his parents around as an important sounding board. “They are very supportive in everything I do,” Ramu acknowledged. “That’s something I leaned on throughout my entire journey.” Ramu’s goal is to attend Ann Arbor’s University of Michigan, with sights on earning a bachelor’s degree (possibly in economics) before turning his attention to medical school. That’s a demanding eight-year run if all goes well, but Ramu is ready. “I’ve always wanted to be a doctor,” Ramu added. “In order to get into good colleges you really need to put your head down, get the work done, get good grades.” But knowing all the intricacies of microeconomics will give him a sturdy base for any medical career, because he’ll know what lies ahead when ultimately opening his own business practice.

“My original plan is to go into surgery,” Ramu said. “I know a lot of surgeons have their own little clinics, for consultation and stuff like that. So being able to understand how individual businesses operate would definitely be beneficial in that sort of situation.” By becoming a test expert in microeconomics, “it’s just understanding, … it’s interesting and also very applicable to me, so I will be able to apply this knowledge to make proper, informed decisions.” Ramu gave a lot of credit for his success to building strong relationships with Richards. The teacher-student dynamic in a way mirrors the business-consumer relationship taught about in microeconomics. “It was him (Jeff Richards) being able to explain everything,” Ramu confided. “Even the stuff that might not be presented (on

the AP test), just (to) get a better understanding, tying everything together. “That definitely helps when you’re connecting different concepts.” Meanwhile, Ramu would be happy to help other P-CEP students get congratulatory e-mails from the College Board about their own Advanced Placement test successes. “What a lot of students do is they end up struggling to re-learn all the (AP course’s) material, (they) try to learn everything right before the test,” Ramu asserted. “Learn as you go. You’re not going to retain everything by cramming.” Consider that sage advice. Vaibav Ramu undeniably did well to forget about the adage “there’s no such thing as a stupid question.” That’s because he continuously asked them on the road to AP flawlessness.

“I was pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t something I had envisioned going into the test. But when I got the result I was definitely very happy and proud of myself to be able to accomplish this.” Canton High senior Vaibav Ramu, discussing his perfect AP score

Maybury’s Traci Sincock ready to retire after long career of public service By Scott Spielman

hen Traci Sincock HUMBLE BEGINNINGS became the DNR A graduate of Eastern Park Supervisor Michigan University, Sincock of Maybury State was initially studying to become Park more than seven years ago, a physical education teacher, she felt she could help bring but the curriculum—and her some improvements to the oftenclassmates—were primarily overlooked park. With several athletic-based. She said it didn’t large-scale projects behind her and feel like quite the right fit. A the state park on an upswing, she conversation with a friend led said it’s time for her to retire— to her taking a position as a again. playground supervisor in Lansing, “There’s not one thing that led where she grew up, and shifted to that decision, I just know that her toward Parks and Recreation, it’s time,” she said. “There are instead. She changed her major in always projects going on, and I her third year of college. would think: well, I’ll just finish “The lightbulb went off,” she this project. But it’s just time to let said. “I thought ‘you can have a the next generation of people keep career in this?’ I had no idea.” these relationships going and find Her first job was as a senior new ways to bring people into the citizen coordinator for the City park.” of Plymouth, where she met her Sincock, a Plymouth resident, is now-husband, Paul, Plymouth’s stepping down on Feb. 2, ending longtime City Manager. a nearly 40-year career in public After a brief stint in San service in the Plymouth and Antonio, Texas, she returned Northville communities. to Michigan and was hired as a

26 | The Rock

parks and recreation supervisor in Northville in April of 1985. The greater Northville community was still in its infancy, then—most of the subdivisions of today were fields; Beck Road was not paved. The department itself was a twoperson operation. Even back then, however, it was an innovative, collaborative service operated through a partnership between the city, township and Northville Public Schools. “I always believed having this joint program between the city, township and school district was the most effective way to deliver recreation services. It was a true community program and not many agencies in Michigan – or probably the country – had anything like that,” she said. “They may not have always gotten along, but they came together for the right purpose. In spite of their differences, they made it work.

I always thought it was a really good model.” In 1985, the department owned only two parks: Fish Hatchery Park off Seven Mile Road and Henningsen Field, off Six Mile. Ford Field was owned by the Ford Motor Company. “We used every school field. We used every piece of Maybury that we could. We had to literally go before the township board and convince them that we needed parks in the community.” Sincock was appointed director of the parks and recreation department in 1991, when development in the township started to take off. The department and its facilities were expanding throughout her tenure, too, with the development of Community Park, Millenium Park, Cold Water Springs, pocket parks in neighborhoods and more. When she retired from that position in 2010, she and her staff had

managed the construction of nine parks and the revocation of three community buildings. “She’s been a wonderful public servant throughout her career,” said Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo. “She’s been in the community for many, many years and has been nothing but a positive influence. She was a significant influence on our culture in a positive way.” Sincock then moved on to the Northville Chamber of Commerce, where she served as associate director for more than five years.

there. Opened in 1975, the nearlythousand acre park had not seen many improvements and remained an unpolished jewel in northwest Wayne County. “I felt like I could do more. I knew where the needs were,” she said. “Maybury was tired. It’s a small park in the system. It doesn’t bring in a ton of revenue because it doesn’t have camping. Yet the people that spend the time here absolutely love it. It has so much potential.” She brought her philosophy of collaboration with her to the new role, working with the Northville

about 70 firefighters from 11 agencies, along with the state fire marshal. She managed Maybury throughout the Covid pandemic, which caused a huge jump in visits to the park. During the park covid year of 2020, about 1.1 million people visited the park— more than double the previous year. Although that attendance has dropped to about 800,000 visits annually now, Sincock said those visitors are very engaged. “People are still coming, they’ve rediscovered us. The support we’ve received from those visitors is continuing to grow,” she said. “I was brought here to bring the community into the park and I think we did. The staff has been amazing.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

“It was an easy transition for me. I knew the community, I knew the businesses in the community, I knew the players,” she said. “But I also learned a lot about the nonprofit world and how to gain support and help business members’ development. I’m really grateful for the time I spent at the Chamber.”

FULL CIRCLE When some administrative changes took place at Maybury State Park, Sincock threw her hat in the ring to become the next supervisor. Already familiar with the park and what it offered, she said she knew what was needed

Kiwanis and the Northville Township Fire Charity Fund to help fund a $200,000 playground. She also worked with the state to fund a new headquarters, which was constructed in part with money from a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant to construct the facility as a tornado structure. “It’s shown a bigger set of stakeholders that collaboration is what gets you where you want to be,” she said. When it came time to demolish the former park headquarters, she worked with fire agencies across the state to host a controlled burn training exercise—which brought

Sincock said there are many projects and activities coming to the park and Maybury Farm, including some improvements to the mountain bike trail, which is now eight miles along. After trying unsuccessfully to bring a horse-riding vendor to Maybury for two years, she said she is evaluating bids now for vendors to bring that service back. “I’m hopeful that this park will have a horse-riding operation again this year,” she said. “I think it’s back on the horizon.” Personally, Sincock said she has no immediate plans. Paul, her husband, has no plans to retire from his position as the city manager in Plymouth. She said she’ll continue to serve in Rotary and be active in the Plymouth and Northville communities, no matter what she does. “I’m going to spend more time with my family. They’re all over the country and I want to spend more time with them,” she said. “I don’t really have any day-to-day plans. I feel like if it’s supposed to find me, it will.”

“I felt like I could do more. I knew where the needs were. Maybury was tired. It’s a small park in the system. It doesn’t bring in a ton of revenue because it doesn’t have camping. Yet the people that spend the time here absolutely love it. It has so much potential.” Traci Sincock, who took over as supervisor of Maybury State Park seven years ago

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the letter concluded. “However, you may have just sabotaged your client’s PUD project with your false allegations, bad faith negotiations and ethical violations.” The agenda for the Jan. 23 Board of Trustees meeting, which may include information about the proposed racetrack project, had not been set at the time of this publication. The horse track remains unpopular with Plymouth Township residents, who voiced their opposition at Attorney Kevin Bennett the Jan. 9 board of trustees also pointed out that the meeting. planning commission only “I fail to see how the recommended the PUD to proposed racetrack can the board for approval and be anything but a failure, the CBA was part of the even in the short term. agreement. No one has explained “The CBA has always how this racetrack could been contemplated as be viable,” said Donald part of the PUD by both Garlit, an attorney for Ann parties,” he wrote in the Arbor-based Attorneys response. “There are email for Animals. “I’m still strings that substantiate waiting to hear someone such. For you to now, at the explain how this is a good last minute, claim that the use of resources or a good CBA is illegal smacks of investment—except for bad faith negotiating.” some sort of misplaced The planning nostalgia. When it ceases commission could approve operations, Plymouth a one-year extension on Township will be left with the PUD plan, but only an eyesore.” “upon showing of good “It doesn’t take a great faith and effort by the vision to see how little applicant,” according to attractiveness there is to township ordinances. that place. It brings in Bennett also pointed out horrible, terrible things the 128-acre parcel was and that’s what it leaves purchased on speculation behind,” said township and is not currently zoned resident Robert Richards. for racetrack uses—in fact, Township resident a horse racing track is not Anthony Costa said a permitted or special use opposition to the track has in any township zoning brought the community district. together: right, left, young “Whether the Board and old alike. approves or denies “We all think it’s a the PUD contract and terrible idea,” he said. whether the Planning MEIJER APPROVAL Commission approves After hearing the or denies your extension recommendation of requests are discretionary mediator Michael Talbot, considerations for the the former Michigan Board and Commission,”

BATTLE OVER HORSE TRACK HEATS UP

At same time township approves Meijer ‘compromise’ By Scott Spielman

he battle over the proposed racetrack on the western edge of Plymouth Township is heating up. Plymouth Township responded to allegations from Mike Cox, the attorney representing the developers for the proposed relocation of Northville Downs, that township officials were engaging in bad faith bargaining over the Community Benefits Agreement attached to the Planned Unit Development (PUD), which was recommended for approval by the Plymouth Township planning commission last year. Cox sent a letter to the township recently to encourage a vote for final approval on the project prior to the Feb. 28 expiration of the PUD agreement. In it, he claimed some of the township demands in the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) violate the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act as well as the state constitution. The CBA has been one of the stumbling blocks for the proposed project that includes a 35,500-square-foot horse 28 | The Rock

barn, a 23,000-squarefoot racing structure, and a 3,200-square-foot maintenance building on the 128-acre site on the south side of Five Mile near Ridge. When the project was proposed, Plymouth Township Supervisor Kurt Heise said the CBA benefits could include soccer fields on the track’s infield area. The Carlo family, the owners of Northville Downs who purchased the property last summer for $9 million, had also proposed building eight pickleball courts on the site. But as negotiations have continued, the CBA details have become a sticking point. And the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees has yet to vote on the project. In his letter, Cox said the township wants as part of the CBA soccer fields, a place for community events, and “direct cash payments equaling $5 million.” The township’s response cited Cox’s unusual delivery of the letter—it was sent individually to township trustees and some local press, not to the township attorney’s office—as well as factual inaccuracies. Township

District Court of Appeals judge, the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees approved a deal that will allow Meijer to build a store on Five Mile, west of Beck Road. Developers of the 21-acre project sued the township after the planning commission rejected it last year. Attorneys for Meijer and the township worked with Talbot to come up with a compromise. His recommendations included a smaller, medium-sized Meijer, security personnel on site, and a third entrance/ exit for the store. Trustee Chuck Curmi and Treasurer Bob Doroshewitz were the two no votes at the Jan. 9 trustees meeting. Trustee John Stewart commended the work of Talbot, who is a Plymouth resident, saying the deal “is in the best interests of our residents.” “We would have spent a lot more money in litigation if we didn’t agree to this deal,” Stewart said. “This was a good compromise.” The revised store plans will still have to go through the planning process, but the board approval gives the project the green light to move forward. Although some residents have voiced concerns about the project, Stewart said the new store will meet the needs of many residents, who can purchase groceries and other goods without driving to other communities. “Meijer is a good corporate community citizen,” he said. Kurt Kuban contributed to this story.

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