March 1, 2014 • Vol. 135 No. 9 514 S. Kalamazoo Ave. in Marshall, MI • Phone 269-781-5444 and FAX 269-781-7766 • www.advisor-chronicle.com
In The News: Final elementary school forum held The third and final elementary school forum on possible reconfiguration was held Feb. 26 at Walters Elementary and for the first time, Marshall Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Randy Davis gave an indication of what reconfiguration would cost in moving to a two-tiered model, with grades K-2 housed at Gordon Elementary and Hughes Elementary and grades 3-5 housed at Walters Elementary. The superintendent said that the reconfiguration would cost $80,000 in up-front costs, but it would then save the district about $39,000 each of the first two years before the district could incur $26,000 in expenses the third year. See story on page 16
Marshall Rotary Club celebrates
90 Years of Service! Service!
Outdoor Family Safety Day is March 6-7 The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting its free 2014 Outdoor Family Safety Day on March 6 (student day) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on March 7 (family day) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the B.E. Henry Building, 615 S. Marshall Ave. in Marshall. The annual event will include demonstrations, informational booths and displays, raffles, food donated by the Fredonia Grange and more. “The purpose of the event is to bring kids in and show them different outdoor activities and at the same time teach them about the safety of those activities,” said Event Coordinator, Marine Team Deputy/T.E.A.M. Officer Jeff Edwards. See story on page 43
Snow has lasting effects: Marshall man dealing with aftermath of pole barn collapse Due to the accumulation of snow and ice, Marshall’s Curtis Boughton experienced the loss of some of his most prized possessions. Boughton, who lives on B Dr. South in Fredonia Twp., found the roof of his 40x60-foot pole barn had collapsed under the weight of the snow. “I had a lifelong collection in that barn,” he said. “I bet 90 percent of it is gone.” Boughton warns others to be aware of the effects of the snow and to keep insurance on buildings and homes. See story on page 23
Dedicated to its motto
SERVICE ABOVE SELF
Doggie Spa and Play Care celebrates 10th anniversary Ten years ago, Ron Ducheney had faith that two young entrepreneurs were going to be a good risk to back. He was right and it was this good judgement that has led to the thriving Doggie Spa and Play Care business, located off 15 Mile Rd. at 13416 Preston Dr. in Marshall. Owned by Lindsey Rodgers and Diane Biljum, the business is celebrating a milestone anniversary this week. Starting March 10, the business will be drawing prizes each day for treats for both people and dogs. The public is invited to stop in and enter the drawing. See story on page 28
Marshall swimmers place second at SMAC meet; Basketball playoffs underway The Marshall High School boys swimming and diving team finished second at the SMAC East league meet Feb. 21-22 at Harper Creek High School. Winning league titles were diver Henry Swett, who set a league record with 515 points; Levi Graves in the 100-yard backstroke; and Josh Turner in the 500-yard freestyle. Also, the MHS girls varsity basketball team saw its season come to an end following an opening round loss to Parchment in the district tournament. The boys varsity open district play at home March 3. See sports section
T
he Marshall Rotary Club celebrated its 90th birthday on Feb. 25 and will continue the festivities surrounding this milestone with a performance of the Marshall Rotary Band in the new Marshall High School Auditorium for Performing Arts on March 8. Pictured, standing from left, are band president and baritone player Dennis Smith, trumpeter Ken Reddick and Marshall Rotary Club President Dennis Sheridan. Seated is clarinetist Monica Marshell. See stories about Marshall Rotary’s history and the club’s impact on the Marshall community on page 34 and throughout this issue.
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Word on the Street
What are you reading and why do you enjoy it? March is National Reading Month and we asked these six people what they are currently reading and why it interests them.
Editor’s Corner by John Hendler March 1 is officially the start of meteorological spring, for record-keeping purposes. Ah spring...Isn’t all this white so beautiful, not to mention the single digit temperatures? Another 10 degrees warmer and I’ll be grilling out on the deck. O.K., enough already. As Popeye would say, That’s all I can stands, I can’t stands no more, or something like that. Dear Mother Nature, I hate winter. Sick of it. So ready for warm weather. Could you speed things along please and bring us spring? But, on the other hand, my daughter will be graduating high school in just 15 months, so maybe you could also slow down things a bit? Time is moving too fast. Except when it comes to waiting for warm weather. Where have all those years gone? Did I mention I’m sick of winter? Yours Truly, Sick of Winter in Marshall P.S. Perhaps my “Sick of Winter” face in the photo above would help hasten the warm weather? If it helps, I’m gazing south in search of that warmer air to make its way to Marshall. Thank you for your consideration. I know I’m not the only one who had enough of this winter by mid January. I know we in Michigan are supposed to be of hardy stock, but even the most seasoned of us have had it up to you-know-where with this weather. Maybe as I approach 50, I’m turning into that crotchety old man my father promised I’d turn out to be. Thanks, pop. Not that he thought there was something unique about me becoming a grumpy old man, he basically said it happens to everyone. You’ll see, he’d tell me (when I was 15), “There will be a day where you’ll no longer want to go out to shows and concerts every night or eat at fancy restaurants or basically do anything. You’ll just get bored and old and complain about everything just like everyone else.” Such prophetic words from my father, but I think I’m more of a grumpy, soon-to-be-old man only during the winter. More specifically, during the end of February and this year it seems, the beginning of March. I still find it somewhat thrilling when that first chilly spell hits in September and am equally excited when the first snowflakes fall. It’s almost exhilarating. It makes the holidays and Marshall look absolutely beautiful and peaceful. And I’m O.K. with the cold and snow in January, the heart of winter. But as the days grow longer and sunset is now 6:30 p.m., I feel that the cold needs to start retreating. And don’t forget to “spring forward” and move your clocks ahead an hour next weekend. After all, baseball, albeit spring training games have gotten underway and high school spring sports practices begin March 10. It seems that the closer we get to the start of the warmer days, the more impatient I become. To paraphrase Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, I want my warm weather NOW! Now, doesn’t that make me sound more like a petulant child than a grumpy old man? I may not be over the hill yet after all. Until next week, may the good news be yours.
Kate Samra, Marshall
Grace Ruffing, Marshall
Maddy Peters, Marshall
"Night by Elie Wiesel and American Savage by Dan Savage. I like reading books about the Holocaust and history and American Savage is interesting because many of the short stories take place in Michigan.”
"The Hate List by Jennifer Brown, which we are reading for “Read and Feed,” the Marshall District Library’s teen book club. I think the book has something all teens can relate to - being bullied or betrayed by friends”
"The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (part of a series) by Cassandra Clare. It’s half modern, half mythical. It’s about demon hunters in New York. I like that you can get away from reality while the book is still based in reality.”
Zoe Ellis, Marshall
Abby Ellis, Marshall
Simon Barroso, Marshall
"Inside Out and Back Again byThanhha Lai. It takes place in the 1900s. It’s about a girl and her family that move to America because of the Vietnam War.”
"For ‘Battle of the Books’ at Walters Elementary, I read Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper. I like the main character in it. She has cerebral palsy and cannot walk or talk, but has a photographic memory.”
"What is What by Dave Eggers for a literature class at KCC. It’s a really good story that focuses on the struggles of North and South Sudan and the displacement of young boys from their homes to their new lives in America.”
Letters
cont. to next page
The American flags displayed in downtown Marshall To the Editor: I just returned from Florida and I am catching up with the ad-visor&chronicle and read the letter from Becky Lautzenheiser in the Feb. 8 edition. I am pleased that someone is looking at the flags. I have raised money since 1999 to pay for those flags. The city of Marshall paid
for the flag holders that I had made and the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce has helped me by donating flags. Last year, the VFW and Chamber received grants from the Marshall Community Foundation and the Cronin Foundation for the restoration and replacement of American flags, flag poles
and materials needed for the downtown, which the VFW members and some of my friends installed. I am sorry that some flags broke loose from their holders, as I had bolted them in so that wouldn’t happen. But I am 90 years old and there was no way I could climb the snow banks to repair or re-
place the flags. I am hoping to replace them soon, as the winter has changed many of the flags, but right now I do not have the funds to do so. If someone wishes to donate funds for new flags, it would be appreciated. Merlin Shaver, Marshall
Davis and the Board: Take time in making decisions To the Editor: I would like to clear up a misconception that appears in many letters to the editor regarding the elementary school two-tier reconfiguration. The elementary academic heavyweight of this district is Gordon Elementary. To validate this, you need only check the test scores over the years. In fact, in 2013 Gordon earned the highest MEAP scores in reading, math and writing in the entire tri-county area (Branch, Barry and Calhoun). You see, a newer building does not equal higher academic success. Although I live in the Walters dis-
trict, I chose to send my children to Gordon because of the solid, consistent leadership, the close-knit staff and the consistently higher academics. Superintendent Dr. Randy Davis states that every child should be able to experience the newer building (Walters). Many Gordon parents couldn’t care less about a newer building … we would continually choose an older builder and higher academics. I don’t have children in the elementary system any longer, but I am not in favor of the two-tier configuration. The driving force in the beginning of the reconfiguration was finances. That
appears to no longer be a confirmed benefit. Additional transitions for students and higher stress on parents and families will definitely happen. Students will also lose the benefit of being mentored by older students. There are other methods to assist students who are behind in reading. Please, Dr. Davis and the Board, take your time in making this decision, as the repercussions are long-term. Listen to your community. Jay Surber, Marshall
Why do we need a Congress with no backbone? To the Editor: Why do we need 535 members of Congress when we have a president that just has no respect for laws, has no budget to follow and operates with a Congress that has no backbone? How many members are lawyers? Way to many - 48 percent.
Why are members of Congress and the president given lifetime benefits, even after they have become millionaires on our dime? Why are they exempt from laws such as inside trading? Why is the media not reporting the news such as the daily lies of Obama? Answer: lazy and dumb voters.
Talk about local leadership: Our roads didn't get bad overnight. Where was the leadership starting 50 or more years ago? Like most things, roads require up keep every year. Allan Hayward, Eckford Township
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MHS girls varsity makes early exit at districts Marshall, hampered by slow start, falls to Parchment, 45-38 By JOHN HENDLER Sports Editor This postseason, unlike the previous two seasons, there would not be any fourth quarter comebacks for the Marshall High School girls varsity basketball team. After trailing Parchment 19-5 after the first quarter and despite holding their opponent to just four points in the second quarter, Marshall could not get all the way back and lost its district tournament opener to the host team, 45-38, to end their season with a 16-4 record. “It was that first quarter,” said Marshall coach Sal Konkle. “For whatever reason, we weren’t ready to play and as a coach, you feel that that’s on you. You have to get them ready to play and so, it’s on me...When you dig yourself that big a hole, it’s really hard to come back.” Marshall took its only lead of the game on a Chelsea Tobias three-pointer to lead 3-2, but Parchment then went on a 10-0 run to lead 12-3 and at the end of the quarter it was 14-5, with Tobias scoring all of Marshall’s points. Despite allowing only four points in the second quarter, Marshall could only score six and trailed 23-11 at the half. After finally finding their stride, Marshall opened the third quarter with a 13-4 run to pull to within three points, 27-24 midway through the quarter. Parchment answered with its own 13-4 run to lead 4028 with 2:28 to play. Marshall would close the gap to seven, 41-34 following a Jill Konkle threepointer with just over a minute to play but it was too little, too late. Senior Tierra Orban led Marshall with 17 points.
Chelsea Tobias scored all of Marshall’s five first quarter points.
photos by John Hendler
Senior Tierra Orban led Marshall with 17 points.
Nikki Tucker
Layla Harkey
Marshall players and fans had reason to hope after the Redhawks overcame a 14-point first quarter defcit to pull to within three points, 27-24 midway through the third quarter.
Ten Marshall swimmers headed to state meet Diver Henry Swett wins SMAC East title, sets league record Marshall High School boys swimming coach Dave Karns said he could not have been happier with the way his team performed at the Feb. 21-22 SMAC East meet at Harper Creek High School. “We swam awesome,” said Karns, on his team’s secondplace finish. “The guys were great.” In all, Marshall swimmers set 67 personal best times on day one and came back with 25 more on day two. And Marshall produced three SMAC East champions: Diver Henry Swett, who set a league record with 515 points; Josh Turner, who won the 500-
yard freestyle with a personal best 5:02.18; and Levi Graves, who won the 100-yard backstroke with a personal best time of 56.67 seconds. In all, Marshall will be sending 10 swimmers to state: Graves, Turner, Brice Banfield, Jack Herman, Tyler MacFarland, Cam Ragan, Tyler Horn, Eron Hill, Matt Cole (alternate) and Cam Foster (alternate). By virtue of their performance this season divers Swett, Matthew Howard and Kyle Weck have qualified for the March 5 regional meet with the chance to qualify for the Div. 3 state meet to be held in Holland March 7-8.
Brice Banfield
photos by John Hendler
Marshall diver Henry Swett, the reigning two-time Div. 3 state champion, set a SMAC East league record, Harper Creek High School Pool record and a personal best record with a score of 515 points. Above right, Swett is congratulated by runner up Jake Budd of Lakeview. Marshall divers Kyle Weck finished fourth (372.25) and Matthew Howard finished seventh (307.6). All three Marshall divers will compete at the March 5 regional meet.
Josh Turner won the SMAC East title by winning the 500yard freestyle with a time of 5:02.18.
Levi Graves won the SMAC East title by winning the 100yard backstroke with a time of 56.67 seconds.
Jack Herman
Marshall swimmers place second at SMAC meet Swimmers had 92 personal best times over the two-day meet
photos by John Hendler
Matt Cole
Cam Ragan
Clockwise from above : Divers Kyle Weck and Matthew Howard, Tyler Horn, Tyler MacFarland and Eron Hill.
Bowler VanArman qualifies for state meet Marshall High School senior Zak VanArman will represent Marshall High School at this weekend’s Div. 3 state bowling finals after placing fourth at the regional tournament held Feb. 22 at M66 Bowl in Battle Creek. Van Arman had a six-game total of 1,157, 71 pins behind the first place bowler, Luke Ford of Otsego, who had a total of 1,248. VanArman’s best game was a 236. Marshall bowlers Brady Brisson (1,087) and Greyson Gillett (!,085) just missed out of the top 10 and a state finals berth by placing 11th and 12 respectively. Tenth place went to Coloma’s Jason Wilson, who had a score of 1,089. Marshall’s Mick Schaum was 15th (1,071), Eric Silvers was 33rd (1,010) and Bryar Peters was 35th (996). On the girls side, Marshall’s Taylor Shippell was 15th (935), Houston Jones was 16th (933), Emily Rupp was 25th (887), Kaitlyn Matarazzo was 28th (869), Sara Parks was 53rd (781) and Autumn Hazel was 61st (754). In the team regional, the Marshall boys team finished seventh, 61 pins out of a state berth, while the girls team placed fourth, 154 pins out of third place. The top three teams from the regional advanced to the state meet.
2014 Boys Individual Regional Div. 3 Region 14 M66 Bowl, Battle Creek Feb. 22, 2014 State Qualifiers 1 Ford Luke Otsego 1248 2 Kreg Kevin Comstock 1187 3 Zinn Marcus Portland 1180 4 VanArman Zakary Marshall 1157 5 Ives Robby Wyoming Kelloggsville 1147 6 Dekeivers Matt G. R. South Christian 1132 7 Schaibly Trenton Portland 1116 7 Proudfit Brennen G. R. South Christian 1116 9 Lovett Ryan Otsego 1102 10 Wilson Jason Coloma1089
Zak VanArman qualified for this weekend’s Div. 3 state meet in Jackson after placing fourth at the regional meet on Feb. 22. photo by John Hendler
MHS boys varsity opens district play March 3
photos by John Hendler
The Marshall High School boys varsity basketball team will open district tournament play on Monday, March 3 versus Delton-Kellogg at 7:30 p.m. The winner of that contest goes on to play Parchment in the semi finals on March 5 at 7:30 p.m. Despite the team’s 4-15 record headed into the Feb. 27 season finale, coach Nick Dent, bottom right, was optimistic about his team’s chances in the tournament. “We are definitely focused on staying positive and viewing the tournament as a brand new season,” said Dent. “Hosting the district is a huge plus and we need to take advantage of it.” At left is Angus Bennett, who had 10 points in Marshall’s 76-60 loss to Gull Lake Feb. 21. Above is Landry Reynolds, appealing to the official for a foul against Gull Lake and upper right is Danny Welke, guarded by a Gull Lake player. Welke led Marshall with 13 points versus Gull Lake and scored four points in Marshall’s 43-33 loss at Sturgis on Feb. 25.
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