Thursday, April 15, 2010 • HERITAGE NEWSPAPERS/WESTERN REGION
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Garry M. Deo, O.D. Doctor of Optometry 121 East Michigan Avenue Saline, Michigan 48176
Phone: (734) 429-9454
eye examinations & treatment contact lens & eyeglass services laser vision correction evaluations
Photo courtesy of Joyce Ervin
Volunteers Helen Russell, Maye Postell, Shirley Krase, Francis Pbibyl and Dorothy Gilbert cut out circles from used greeting cards for placemat fundraiser.
FUNDRAISER FROM PAGE 1-A
center. Proceeds from the fundraisers will go into the group’s general fund and will be used to further the center’s programs.
Another project has many hands busy. Placemats that will sell for $3 each are being assembled by volunteers. Volunteers are cutting 3-inch circles out of used donated greeting cards. The circles are then assembled into colorful, artistic, oval-shaped placemats with a scalloped edge. The
placemats are covered with clear contact paper for easy cleaning. Shirley Krass concentrates on making theme-inspired designs such as birds, flowers and images suitable for religious holidays. Donna Kneebush artfully assembles various designs
from all-occasion cards that draw the eye. It’s not just the ladies cutting circles. So intent are the seniors with completing their project that they have recruited the center’s bus driver, Frank Fulcher, who can be found cutting out circles in between runs.
By Steven Howard Heritage Newspapers
Milan Area Schools Superintendent Bryan Girbach said the district will spend more than $20 million this summer to fund infrastructural improvements at Paddock Elementary and Symons Elementary, as well as the middle school. The money became available after a bond issue was passed by voters in February 2009. Girbach said there are several major maintenance issues within these buildings that school officials have been eager to address, including replacing the roofs and modernizing heating and cooling systems. “All of this is getting our buildings in a condition to where they can sustain themselves for the next 15 to 20 years,” he said. Girbach said in addition to the heating and cooling upgrades, the middle school will get new lockers and additional classroom storage facilities. Paddock will receive new lockless lockers, and have carpet replaced with tile floors. Symons will have “extensive site work performed on the main parking lot,” he said, “in order to improve the student
drop-off and pick-up for parents,” as well as receiving a new gymnasium floor. Girbach also said technology upgrades will occur throughout the district, including WiFi capability for all buildings, new phone systems and digital classroom learning systems. In a press release, Girbach cites four companies that will perform the work, including Clark Construction, Fanning Howey Architecture and Engineering, Plante Moran CRESA and Barton Marlow. “Most of the subcontracts have been awarded by the Milan Area Schools Board of Education over the past two months,” Girbach said in a written statement. “The few remaining subcontracts will be awarded at board meetings during the months of April and May.” Though teachers and other staff will have to be out of the buildings by the end of the school year, Girbach said everyone is happy to see the improvements come to fruition. “They’re obviously excited,” he said. “They’ve been behind this.” Girbach said all three buildings will be closed to everyone –– staff and the public alike –– for the duration of the summer, and all activities that usually take place in them have been moved off site. “We’ve moved all of those programs to the high school,” he said.
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Girbach’s statement also indicates an abundance of work next summer. “During the summer of 2011, the work on the high school, transportation garage and athletic facility will take place.” For more information, contact Girbach at 439-5050 or girbachb@milanareaschools. org.
439-7270 www.mullinsautosupply.com
Steven Howard can be reached at 429-7380 or showard@heritage.com. Read his blog at http://heritageweststaffblog.blogspot.com.
RUMMAGE AND BAKE SALE Thursday, April 22 9:00am - 6:00pm Macon United Methodist Church 11964 Macon Hwy Village of Macon
Clothing, Dishes, Furniture, Baby Things, Books and all kinds of Homebaked Goodies
Church is Barrier Free