Friends of New Troy board members cut the ribbon on community center renovations

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Having reached their goal of raising funds to turn the Friend of New Troy Community Center’s library into a fullfledged media center and to renovate the meeting room a mere few months ago, members of the Friends of New Troy (FONT) Board of Directors, as well as members of the community, were ready to celebrate the fruits of their labor when they hosted the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting on the recent renovations Wednesday, May 10.

In February, FONT reached its goal of $43,550 to renovate the meeting room and convert the existing library into a future Activities & Media Center in the center, which is located at 13372 California Road in New Troy, through grants as well as donations from community members.

“I’m Terry Hanover, the president of the Friends of New Troy and I’m quite proud to say that – especially today,” Terry said before the ribbon was cut.

The former library, now called the Activities Room, includes books that can be checked out from a curated collection (which includes “Staff Picks”) as well as activities such as board games, air hockey, Legos and jigsaw puzzles.

A dedicated preschool area includes wallmounted toys and a corner reserved for Miss Ollie’s Wiggles and Giggles story hour on Tuesday mornings, a toddlers’ Legos table and children’s iPads.

There are also 20 Chromebooks that can be checked out for use at home or inhouse. Victoria Petroff, vice president of the FONT Board of Directors, said that they were given to them during the pandemic, when Comcast did a lift zone project at the center to install free Wi Fi throughout the building.

“The whole concept of this room is to have a little place for everybody - but everybody stays together,” she said.

The Meeting Room is now equipped with multiple Chromebooks, a large-screen Macintosh computer, Bluetooth, wallmounted television, and black-out blinds. This room can be rented for meetings and movie screenings but is also freely available to those in need of a quiet place for work or study.

Terry gave credit to his wife, Lorraine, who spearheaded the whole renovation and wrote the grants for it.

Lorraine called the project a “culmination of two years’ work.”

“It could not have been done without the financial support of so many people in this room tonight - from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” she said.

Those who contributed financially toward the project are listed on a chart against the window in the media center. In the entryway, there’s a plaque listing the major donors.

Lorraine added that it took a “lot of hands and creative minds and teamwork” from the renovation committee to create the space. She also thanked the volunteer hosts, who are a “true joy to work with –they’re industrious, they have a great mix of talent, they’re a lot of fun.”

She added the volunteer hosts come out every week – voluntarily – throughout the year to open the center and staff it.

“A lot of people have been doing this for years - that’s really a lot of commitment, that’s impressive and they’re so appreciated,” she said.

“I think you’re going to see what we have here is really a true community and it’s wonderful to be part of it - so welcome to our community.”

For more information on the community center and events, visit www. friendsofnewtroy.org.

Kelly Ann Fields 1958-2023

Kelly Ann Fields, 64, Sawyer, Michigan, passed away Wednesday, April 26,2023 at 1:17 am in Michigan City, IN as a result of a car accident.

Private family services will be conducted. The Ott/ Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Michigan City, IN is handling arrangements.

She was born August 17, 1958 in Chicago, IL to the late Paul and Doris (Cudnohoski) Fields.

Surviving are her sister, Paula Fields-Mowen of Elgin, IL; brother, Dave (Jill) Fields of Westville, IN; four nephews, Zachary (Joslyn) Mowen, Mackenzie Mowen, Jack (Jenny) Fields and Benjamin Fields; and great-nephew, Morgan Mowen.

Kelly grew up in Elmhurst, IL where she graduated from York High School and then from Elmhurst College in 1981 with a bachelor of science degree. She had worked in advertising . Kelly loved her nephews and was such a fun, loving and creative aunt. She also loved animals and her family.

To sign a guest book and leave condolences online, visit www.otthaverstock.com.