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SHOP MACOMB Business Association of Grosse Ile

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The greatest compliment you can give is a referral.

December 7 - January 16, 2019

8146 Macomb St. Grosse Ile, MI 48138-1574 Bus: 734-675-6870 Fax: 734-675-0492 rita@ritacole.com

WelcoMing the christmas season

Music was played, songs were sung and a great time was had by all at the annual Island Glow tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 30.

Hundreds of Island residents turned out to Macomb Street to celebrate, see the tree in front of Peirdinos lighted and welcome the man of the season Santa Claus. Read more about the Island Glow on Page 17.

Home is where family gathers, love resides, memories are created, and laughter never ends.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! From the

Family To Your Family!

734.671.6611

Brooke MacNee, Art MacNee, Roxanne Rusu, Karen Shelton, Nicky Porter, Tony Felder, Janel MacNee, Lorianne Will, Joyce Reedy, Maria Starkey

Page 2 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

IN 2018, Leo Stevenson has been recognized by: Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” list Forbes “America’s Top 250 Wealth Advisors” list

GROSSE ILE GRAND

December 7 - January 16, 2019•Page 3

Keeping it all in the family

Costa Ciungan paying tribute to restaurant legacy of two grandfathers

Costas Ciungan

Carolyn Ciungan

Hank Minckiewicz Ciungan’s Shrimp House. Say the name Downriver and many people swoon.

The Ecorse restaurant was a mainstay Downriver for decades before burning down in 1987. And, although the place has been gone for more than 30 years, people still remember it - especially the food.

If you are one of those people, there is good news - the old recipes have been revived and are back on a menu.

The only catch is, you’ll have to go to Wayne to find them. It’s a small price to pay for those longing to relive the taste of the crispy shrimp, fish and chips and sauteed steak.

Costas Ciungan, grandson of former owner Virgil Ciungan is responsible for the comeback, opening his establishment - Costas Village Bar - in the building formerly occupied by his other grandfather’s business - Gus’ Village Inn and Grill.

It’s a merging of two family legacies.

Virgil Ciungan owned and operated Ciungan’s Shrimp House for nearly six decades. Costas “Gus” Roussakies - Ciungan’s other grandfather - ran Gus’ Village bar from the 50s until the 2000s. The building dates back to 1926.

“Family pride is evident in our bar,” Ciungan says on the establishment’s website. “On one wall, we have framed photographs, some of them black and white, which showcase the generations of the Roussakies and Ciungan families.

Not far away, are framed jerseys of mine that pay tribute to my rowing history and family’s boat-rowing days honor some notable wins in competition.”

Costas and his sister, Katie, were adopted and raised by their aunt, Carolyn, after their mother passed away

at Grand Valley, but he is also the head coach at the Wyandotte Rowing Club, where he is currently putting together a training plan for the competitive program.

And, like Virgil, he plans to stay actively involved with all aspects of rowing.

“I keep in contact with (Grosse Ile high school coach Scott Sitek),” Ciungan said. “I like to help out anyway I can and I am active in the Alumni Rowing Association, so we can help support the program.”

Ciungan said more than just being a sport, rowing helped shape the person he is today.

“Rowing - and all sports, really teaches you how to juggle things in your life,” he said. “To succeed you need to have good time management skills.”

And between studying for a Master’s degree, running a successful business and coaching two rowing programs, Ciungan needs time management he can muster.

“Thanks to rowing, I know all about teamwork and balance and that helps me out,” he said.

Despite living during the week in Grand Rapids and running a business in Wayne, Ciungan remains a Downriver guy at heart and admits it. He said if things work out at his current location, he’s like to open more establishments.

“I would definitely like to expand, he said. “And I would definitely look at a Downiver as a second location.”

So if you need that Ciungan’s shrimp fix right now, head out to Wayne, but remember, that old-time taste treat may becoming to a location near you in the not so distant future.

FAMILY PRIDE IS EVIDENT IN OUR BAR. ON ONE WALL, WE HAVE FRAMED PHOTOGRAPHS, SOME OF THEM BLACK AND WHITE, WHICH SHOWCASE THE GENERATIONS OF THE ROUSSAKIES AND CIUNGAN FAMILIES suddenly when the twins were just 14 years old. Carolyn - one of Virgil’s daughters - worked at the old Shrimp House and is the keeper of the family recipes. Today, she is the day manager at the new restaurant.

Carolyn says the food served up today is the same as you’d remember from years ago at Ciungan’s Shrimp House.

“Obviously, we have a history of restaurateurs in our family,” Costas Ciungan said. “Opening this place is really the merging of two family traditions.”

Ciungan added that both Virgil Ciungan and Gus Roussakies were active members of their community and he hopes to be the same kind of owner.

Ciungan said he is happy with the way customers have responded in the eight months Costas Village Bar has been open.

“We’re getting a lot of customers, the number continues to grow,” he said. “People seem to like the food and environment and we want this to be a place people can come and enjoy themselves.”

Costas Village bar is located at 35234 W. Michigan Avenue, in downtown Wayne, just east of the historic State Wayne Theatre. The bar is in a cool, old area of downtown and the old photos, newspaper clippings, framed rowing a nice vibe. And the long bar, original to the building in 1926, give the place a comfortable neighbor feel.

With two sides to the bar - a quieter side - and a fun side with billiards and darts, Costas hopes to attract a wide array of different customers.

Costas, who went to high school on Grosse Ile and earned a bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State today lives in Wyandotte. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at Grand Valley and is an assistant rowing coach there.

And rowing is another family threat that runs through this story.

Virgil was a noted rower in his day and he remained active in the rowing community after his competitive days. Costas says it was Virgil who encouraged him to take up the sport and it has become a big part of his life.

Today, not only does Ciungan coach

Page 4 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Listening in on the Island DR. LEA SCHELKE PLACED ON TRENTON H.S. EDUCATIONAL WALL OF FAME After serving 40 years as a teacher at Trenton High School and now retired and living on Grosse Ile, Dr. Lea Shelke was recognized at a ceremony at the high school on Nov. 10 and placed on the school’s Wall of Fame.

Ms. Shelke was active in educational fields, and in 1988 was Michigan’s Secondary Teacher of the Year. Equally active in her retirement, Lea recently served two years as president of the Grosse Ile Musicale, was a deacon and elder at the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church and is currently a regular docent at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Her travels abroad have enriched her knowledge of art. As was read at the ceremony: “At 75 years-old, Dr. Shelke continues her passion to learn, to inspire, and to educate.”

THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION TURNS INTO A SURPRISE PARTY Our Thanksgiving family gettogether was celebrated at our son Jay and daughter-in-law Lisa’s home on Gage.

My brother and his wife flew up from Tucson, AZ; we had our niece Julie Karl and her husband Tim and their two college-age daughters, our nephew David Marsh and his wife Chelise and their two boys Patrick and Spencer.

Our daughter Marti and her daughter Fabriana flew in from New York City. Marti turned Thanksgiving into a surprise party for her dad and me! When we were picked up by our son and their daughter Katie (a new driver,) we made a stop at a house on East River to “pick up something.”

Marti and her dog greeted us and she said, “Welcome to my new home.”

It turned out that just that week she had bought the home, loaded with windows looking on the water and paid cash!

It was an “investment,” she told us after selling a condo she owned on Central Park West in New York city.

She plans on renting it in the spring but gave us a set of keys so when

we wanted a view of river traffic, we could spend time at her new home, just 19 houses down from where she grew up at 20310 East River.

From age six months to 10-yearsold, Marti lived in an upstairs apartment that we rented from 1962 to 1972 until we bought our house on Hickory Circle.

CHINESE DAUGHTER GETS BACK IN TOUCH AFTER THREE YEARS In 2012 and 2013, Jack and I hosted Chinese daughters who attended Grosse Ile High School.

Ying Meng Xu, who went by the nickname Nana (given to her by her mother and which means “cute or pretty,) went on to Parsons School for Design, and we flew to NYC for her graduation in 2016. Then we lost track of her.

Just a week ago, I got an email from her wondering why she hadn’t heard from us. Her news was that she’d returned to China for work, gotten married to a guy from Taipei, Taiwan and they were living there.

However, they were going to have a wedding ceremony in San Francisco in 2019, and she would pay for our hotel and plane flight if we would come.

I immediately wrote back that we’d love to be there and would pay own way. I had to laugh in her email, as good as her English in now, she invited us to her “weeding.”

GIANT QUILTING MACHINE OCCUPIES ONE HALF OF THE DYERS’ LIVING ROOM Janet Dyer is a serious quilter and has assembled many a beautiful quilt to either hang in their home or be given away.

What she lacked was the huge machine that does the finishing touches on her large quilts. Dave and Janet solved the problem by purchasing just such a giant quilting machine that takes up half of their living room.

Janet can now not only do her finishing touches on her own quilts but also help her quilting friends. It reminded me of the scene in “Fiddler on the Roof” when the young tailor gets a new sewing machine and all the family and friends in the village come and “oh and aw” over the machine!

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

December 7 - January 16, 2019•Page 5

GAIL ALBIN ASKS THE RESIDENTS

“What location would be the best place to spend Christmas with your family or friends and why?”

Marvin Petre

Sam Kenny

Tim Vellmure

Christmas Day 2050. Having dinner in heaven with departed family and friends. Angel food cake for dessert.

I don’t think the location really matters as long as friends and family are there.

In Saint Joseph with my sister and family overlooking Lake Michigan.

Jane Fijal

Isabel Kenny

Brian Gronda

A beautiful log cabin area where people can enjoy winter activities and have a nice bonfire with their friends and family.

I would like to spend the holidays with all my family gathered at my aunt’s house in Penwortham, England.

Anywhere, as long as family and friends are there.

Mary Dyjach

Tara Lang

Sophia Skuratovich

To take my family to Aruba for a week, we have a place to stay.

The people I’m with are more important than the location – so anywhere as long as I’m with loved ones.

Angola, Indiana, at Pokagon State Park with my family. We go there every year for my family reunion.

Pat Costick

Darlene Filarski

Raelene VanNoord

Christmas Eve at Csordi’s with the entire family.

Would love to spend our Christmas with friends and family in the warmth of a Caribbean beach.

At my parent’s house in Warren, its where I grew up and I have wonderful fond memories there.

Happy Holidays from Dr. Morris and team

Thank you to all our patients for your business!

Brighten Your Holiday With A Whiter Smile

24201 Meridian, Grosse Ile 734-692-0102 www.beverlymorrisdds.com

Page 6 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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December 7 - January 16, 2019•Page 7

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Page 8 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

COMING SOON! We can hardly wait to introduce Island residents to our delicious ice cream treats.

would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

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The Fun Place To Enjoy Ice Cream We would also like to thank all of our advertisers and readers for your support and to those who have made this a great year.

We look forward to your participation in the coming year.

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

December 7 - January 16, 2019•Page 9

CULINARY CAPERS With cranberries at their peak, now is the time to enjoy them in old and new recipes while taking advantage of the fruit’s nutritional benefits. Cranberries are high in Vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants, and are known to help prevent some kinds of infections.

Melva Bonis of Grosse Ile returns to Culinary Capers (remember her

By Evelyn Cairns Maurice Dressing?) with two more delectable recipes, for Cranberry Squares and an awesome food-processor-made ice cream from Country Living to accompany Christmas cookies, pies and other holiday desserts. When I made the ice cream, I felt guilty because it was so easy!

I’m sharing a recipe for CranberryWalnut Bread, which I’ve been making since I found it in a 1911 issue of Real Simple.

Melva got her cranberry recipe from Nancy Clark, who took the delicious squares to one of the many work sessions the women of St. James Episcopal Church hold in preparation for the church’s biannual rummage sales.

NANCY CLARK’S CRANBERRY SQUARES 1 ½ cups sugar 2 eggs ¾ cup butter, melted and cooled slightly 1 ½ teaspoons almond extract 1 ½ cups flour 2 cups fresh cranberries ½ cup chopped almonds or pecans Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Generously butter a 9x9-inch baking pan. Beat sugar and eggs until slightly thickened. Beat in melted butter and extract. Add flour and stir until well blended. Stir in cranberries and nuts.

Pour into prepared pan. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Transfer to cooling rack. Frost or sprinkle with powdered sugar when serving.

FROSTING 8 ounces cream cheese, softened ¼ cup softened butter 3 ½ cups powdered sugar ¼ teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon almond extract

Beat cream cheese and butter until well combined. Add sugar, 1 cup at a time. Add extracts until well blended.

(Note: Melva says this makes more than you may need, so save any left over in the refrigerator for another holiday project.)

AWESOME NO-CHURN GINGERBREAD ICE CREAM (Adapted by Melva Bonis) 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow crème 3 tablespoons molasses 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 1 teaspoon allspice 1 teaspoon ground cloves 1 teaspoon ginger Add whipping cream and marshmallow crème to a food processor bowl. Process for about 10 seconds.

Add molasses, brown sugar, allspice, cloves and ginger and process until well-mixed and thickened, about 30 to 45 seconds. Freeze overnight or at least 8 hours, and enjoy!

HOLIDAY CRANBERRY-WALNUT BREAD (Adapted by Evelyn Cairns) 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus more for the pan 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled 1/3 cup granulated sugar ¼ cup packed light brown sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup whole milk 2 large eggs 1 tablespoon grated orange rind ½ teaspoon vanilla 1 ½ cups fresh cranberries Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread nuts on a baking sheet and toast in oven, tossing occasionally, until fragrant, about 10 to 12 minutes. Butter an 8½-x-4½-x- 8½-inch loaf pan. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder and salt. In small, bowl, whisk butter, milk, eggs, orange rind and vanilla. Add to flour mixture. Mix until just combined. Fold in walnuts and cranberries. Transfer batter to pan and bake 55 to 65 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Tent with foil if getting too brown. Cool in pan 30 minutes, then transfer to a rack to finish cooling.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! You may contact me at evycairns@aol.com

Page 10 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

St. James Church celebrates Thanksgiving with a run

When the chapel bell at St. James Episcopal Church rang out Thanksgiving morning, dozens of runners took to the streets of Grosse Ile for the church’s fifth annual Thanksgiving Run. There was a one-mile fun run and a 5K race for the more serious runners. The races carried a “free will” entry fee and all the money raised by the event went to local charities.

Photos courtesy of St. James Episcopal Church

Bruce Milkins remains AGS certified gemologist appraiser

ALOHA, AGAIN In last month’s edition of the Grosse Ile Grand we misspelled the last name of Jeremy and Emily Shallop. The couple recently honeymooned in Hawaii and they took their hometown newspaper with them. We thank them for that and apologize for last month’s error. Jeremy Shallop is the co-owner of Pet’s Supply Plus.

Grosse Ile resident Bruce Milkins of Milkins Jewelers of Monroe has successfully completed the annual American Gem Society (AGS) recertification exam.

This mandatory exam was developed to maintain professional credentials, which demonstrates their ongoing commitment to the Society’s mission of consumer protection through continued education and upholding the highest ethical standards.

Milkins earned his distinguished Certified Gemologist Appraiser (CGA) following the completion of a course of study and examination. Every year Milkins is required to pass an exam encompassing the latest industry developments,including topics on gemology, business, technology, legal regulations and more.

This is Milkins’ 31st year achievement as a Certified Gemologist Appraiser.

“The foundation that the American Gem Society stands upon is comprised

of our educational programs and credentials,” said John Carter, president of the American Gem Society board of directors. “It is the way to differentiate our members from the rest of the trade and completing the process is no small task.”

Only one in 20 retail jewelers have chosen to meet the exacting standard required for membership.

When purchasing fine jewelry, shop with confidence by visiting a credentialed American Gem Society jeweler. You can find and American Gem Society jeweler at ags.org/ findajeweler.

The American Gem Society, founded in 1934 by Robert M. Shipley, is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to promoting a high standard of ethics, continuous education and consumer protection within the jewelry industry.

For more information about the American Gem Society, visit americangemsociety.org.

GROSSE ILE GRAND

December 7 - January 16, 2019•Page 11

Page 12 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Ice skating star Scott Hamilton inspires with talk at chamber business forum

By Paula Neuman For a guy who’s done a heck of a lot of winning, Scott Hamilton — 1984 Olympic gold medalist and best-selling author — talked a lot about failure.

He was the speaker for the Nov. 27 Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Forum at Crystal Gardens in Southgate.

“I have fallen down more than 40,000 times,” Hamilton told the standing-room-only crowd, “including falling down five times at my first nationals and coming in dead last.”

Failure, he said, is really “just information” one can use to learn from and go on to winning.

“Failure to me is the most important thing going,” Hamilton said. “I have found a way to rise up above a lot of failure.”

Like his talk, his new book, Finish First: Winning Changes Everything, offers insight into the inspiration and motivation that comes from competing and failing — and from adversity.

Hamilton knows a lot about adversity. He was a sickly child with stunted growth. Today he makes jokes about his small stature (he is now 5’ 4” tall, but he was 5’2” tall and 108 pounds during his amateur competitions), but as a kid, he was teased and bullied, he said.

“I was called every name in the book growing up,” Hamilton told the crowd. ‘”I think I was the least popular guy in my class. I also think I was the only guy in my class who won an Olympic gold medal.”

In 1997, he had a bout with testicular cancer that taught him the spiritualism he still embraces today. In 2004, he was treated for a benign pituitary brain tumor, and in 2010, he had a brain surgery to prevent recurrence of the tumor, and another surgery for an aneurysm. In 2016, he was diagnosed with another brain tumor, which shrunk on its own.

But he didn’t talk about illness. He talked about failing. And about how to turn that into winning, another thing Hamilton knows a lot about.

For four years — from 1980 through 1984 — Hamilton never lost an American or world figure skating competition. Hamilton attributes his record-breaking winning streak to “honesty, integrity — and a lot of hard work,” according to the website for his nonprofit, the Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation.

“You have to make sure you give yourself the time and opportunity to be successful,” he said, addressing his remarks especially to the many high school students in the audience, including those from Southgate Anderson High School and Asher High School of Southgate. “It’s about committing

Ice dancer Richard Dalley (left), pairs skater Burt Lancon and figure skater Scott Hamilton — all members of the American team — show their excitement during the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. The men were 26, 24 and 25 then, respectively.

Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton signs his new book for an admirer after he spoke to the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Forum Nov. 27.

to the process.

“Committing to the long haul is something that doesn’t exist in our culture. It’s all about instant gratification. If you want to go from here to hero — it doesn’t work that way. There is nothing stopping you from creating a life like no other, but it takes hard work.”

He told a story about his young son losing a hockey game and feeling miserable. On the way home from the game, Hamilton talked to his son about what he had learned — and the boy recognized that he had to work on his skating skills and his stick-handling ability.

“What would you have learned today if you won?” Hamilton asked his son, trying to impart the benefit of failing and learning from it.

He ended his Southgate talk with this: “We’re all given something spectacular and

unique to share with each other. God made us all angels, but with one wing. We cannot fly until we embrace each other.”

Hamilton got a standing ovation, which is a first for the chamber’s business forums, said SWCRC President Ronald Hinrichs.

Visiting Downriver — he lives in Nashville — gave Hamilton a chance to hang out with old skating friends Richard and Shelley Dalley of Grosse Ile, owners of Wesburn Golf & Country Club in South Rockwood.

Shelley Dalley and Hamilton were childhood friends, skating together in Toledo, Ohio. She said that when her husband was being treated recently for colon cancer, she was in touch with Hamilton every day via text.

“He got me through this,” she said, Richard Dalley, who was fifth in ice dance during the 1984 Olympics, has many stories about skating with Hamilton, sharing rooms with him during competitions, and about what a rascal he was when he was young. When they turned pro, the two men skated together in the Ice Capades.

Today Dalley is an ice dance judge, and officiates during winter Olympics competitions.

Hamilton’s history of what he calls “collecting life threatening illnesses,” and losing his mother to cancer in 1977 pushed him to launch his own national charity, Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation, in 2014. The foundation focuses on “shining a light on new treatment options for cancer treatment, changing the cancer conversation and aligning people and organizations to raise the bar of cancer care and survivorship.”

He also is a long-time volunteer with the Special Olympics.

“Winning comes in many different shapes, forms and sizes,” Hamilton said.

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December 7 - January 16, 2019•Page 13

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Page 14 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Thinking of children at Christmas time This story begins with an item I read on the Internet.

An eight-year old boy named Spencer was in this shopping mall with his aunt Becky. Soon they came upon a huge line of young kids and adults.

The line seemed to get longer as the minutes passed.

Spencer asked his aunt “why are so many people in that long line?” Becky told him they were

By David L. Dyer all lined up to see Santa Claus. She told him, the first sight of Santa Claus means that Christmas will soon be here.

Spencer had been going to Sunday School for as long as he could remember. He had a rather puzzled look on his face as he asked Aunt Becky “Didn’t Jesus give his life for us and isn’t Christmas Day his birthday?”

When Becky said yes, Spencer asked, “If that is the line to see Santa Claus, where is the line to see Jesus?”

That created an immediate welling that quickly turned to real tears as Becky wondered if that question had ever been asked before.

When they returned home, Becky, a very lovely and aspiring vocalist told her father what Spencer had asked.

They put words together and soon a beautiful new Christmas song was born. It featured Becky singing the words to “Where’s the Line to See Jesus?” You can hear it by going to this site: wheresthelinetoseejesus.com A few days later our entire country was introduced to a small town in Connecticut called Newtown. We all know of the tragedy that struck that

town. Believe me I have as much empathy as everyone else. When I was asked of my thoughts, I said it has all been written. There was nothing more I could offer as to who and what was to blame or how to prevent it from happening again.

Since I began writing, I have come to believe that no matter how bleak the situation, something positive will come from it. You may have to look

child and present them with their gift.

When that Friday arrived, I gazed at the calendar. Not only was it Dec. 21st, it was the first day of winter. I didn’t need a calendar to be reminded of that as I opened the front door and saw that we had been treated to not only four inches of snow but bitter cold temperatures and a 20 MPH biting wind. It was our first so called snow fall of the season. We managed to get

very deeply for it, but eventually it will appear. This time I didn’t have to look for it. It stared me in the face as I attempted to enter an elementary classroom four days before Christmas.

My wife, Janet had asked me to be Santa Claus to her preschool class of 4-year-olds. She also asked me to do the same for another teacher’s 3- and 4-year-olds. There would be a total of about forty kids. Even though I had now preferred Jesus over Santa Claus, I responded by saying “What an honor it is to be asked and of course I will do so.”

The other teacher, Jessica, had a Santa suit for me which fit perfectly.

The plan was for me to enter the classroom with a large bag filled with gifts and I would call the name of each

Janet out of the driveway early enough to drive those fifteen miles to school and arrive by 8:30. I didn’t have to be there until 10. My son, David-Scott, home for Christmas from Chicago drove me to the school. It took all of forty-five minutes to cover those fifteen miles.

When we arrived, we got out of the car and into that cold biting wind and walked to the door to enter the school.

It was then and there I realized the positive from that Newtown tragedy.

That would be the heightened security of all the schools across the country.

We pressed the buzzer several times to no avail.

If you didn’t have an appointment to arrive at a certain time, you would not enter that school while it was in

session. It took about 10 minutes for me to make contact with Janet by cell phone.

I went directly to the supply room and changed into the Santa suit. My pack was full of gifts. I entered the classroom with bells ringing and shouting, “HO-HO-HO” and was seated in front of the room facing the children. I reached into my pack and pulled out a gift. I called the name of the child who came running up and sat on my knee. I assisted them as they open their present. That scenario was repeated forty times during three sessions.

Three-, four-, five- and six-yearolds are the same all over the world. I have seen them in Europe, the far east, Canada and across the United States and they are the same - completely innocent little children.

I quickly thought of those children from Newtown that would not be able to sit on Santa’s knee or even the younger ones in Vietnam that were blown to bits as villages were destroyed. Then I would look at the cheerful faces of these children and I got such a jubilant feeling of contentment that I’d never experienced before.

If it hadn’t been for the hair, the whiskers, the beard and the glasses that completely concealed my face, those kids may have had another perception of Santa Claus. They would have seen tears of sadness and happiness streaming down.

This year, though Janet is now retired, Jessica has asked me for an encore. I told her I’d be delighted and will do so Dec. 19th and 20th.

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As you are reading this I hope you are enjoying the holiday season. I am currently busy wrapping up some loose ends from one of your Board’s most important business meetings.

The first piece of good news, at least for many of you, is the property acquisition that will allow us to complete the “Ferry

By Brian Loftus Trail.” This action item was the result of a lot of research, long range planning, and negotiations, always with an eye on the end product - the restoration of a very popular trail connecting two of our residential areas.

It was encouraging to see so much support for this acquisition at the meeting and I think all the advocates left happy. Having completed a closed session discussion on the property purchase, I was confident that the Board fully supported the project but we all had to wait for the public vote.

Well done, Greenways and Open Space and Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Commission, and all who enjoy the natural offerings of the Township.

Less exciting, but definitely the most important decision your Board made that evening was agreeing to contract with the Great Lakes Water Authority, a decision which is also the result of a lot of research, expense and planning.

Grosse Ile Township has spent much time and effort to determine the best, most secure and cost -effective source of municipal water.

Over the past decades we have considered contracting with the City of Wyandotte, joining with the cities of Trenton and Riverview in building a treatment plant to serve the three communities, and building our own treatment plant here on the Island.

All of these efforts resulted from our concerns with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, our water supplier at the time – remember, the DWSD has had a director sent to prison and has an estimated $4 billion in long-term liabilities – a lot of money! As a contracted customer, we could have been expected to assume

IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO SEE SO MUCH SUPPORT FOR THIS ACQUISITION AT THE MEETING AND I THINK ALL THE ADVOCATES LEFT HAPPY. some of those liabilities through excessive rate increases for the next 30 years.

Resulting from the City of Detroit’s bankruptcy in 2014, the Great Lakes Water Authority was formed and began operations delivering water two years later, shortly after our contract with DWSD expired. Along with the responsibility to deliver water, the Authority also assumed the billions in liabilities.

As we were unsure of the Authority’s stability and structure, we remained cautious – clearly a 30 year contract with an untested agency should never be entered hastily. After thorough study and numerous meetings we are now reasonably convinced that Director Sue McCormick has the skills and integrity to guide the Authority, and the 120+ municipal customers, both contract and non-contract, now have some input on decisions going forward.

Signing the GLWA contract received little fanfare, but it was a major commitment and the result of a lot of study and research – the “due diligence” expected of your Township staff.

That has been the good news, the big unknown will be our bridges. I am expecting reports from Wayne County before year’s end, I will pass along any information I receive and will try to keep you updated.

As of now, work on the support piers for the Grosse Ile Parkway bridge should begin after ice-out on the river and completed early summer with no long-term closures anticipated.

With that, please accept my very best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a safe, happy New Year.

More to come in 2019!

Page 16 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

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Alex, along with a few scouts began this project by clearing out a space of approximately twenty square feet and

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Welcoming in the holidays Annual Island Glow helps usher in Santa and the Christmas season

By Sarah Hemsworth-A cold winter’s night became a bit brighter on the evening of Nov. 30. After dusk, the gazebo in Commons Park transformed into an enchanting wonderland filled with candy cane pillars and green and blue Christmas lights wrapped around the dozens of trees.

The bench that normally resides under the gazebo has been upgraded to the six foot tall, special mailbox.

As Island Glow commenced, people gathered around the mailbox emblazoned with Santa’s name, dropping off wishlists and conversing the new year to come.

A the fire truck drove down Macomb Street with lights and sirens blaring, a special guest was seen

riding shotgun. Santa climbed out of the truck to embrace his adoring fans, taking pictures and spreading cheer. Shortly after, the crowd joined Santa in a stroll up Macomb Street, to the large pine tree outside of Perdino’s Restaurant Township Supervisor, Brian Loftus greeted the onlookers and gave a brief warm message before the magic began. A countdown from 10 was shouted in the air, and suddenly the tree shined with a white glow.

The high school band and choir performed classic carols, with the crowd singing along. Children ran under the massive tree to laugh and play, while Santa and his carriage of white steeds sat in splendor/.

Let the countdown to Grosse Ile Supervisor Brian Loftus and the man of the season Santa Claus Christmas, begin!

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

TELESCOPING THE TOWNSHIP THERE’S A SYNERGY NOW OPERATING BETWEEN THE GROSSE ILE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND GINLC If you haven’t visited the beach at the foot of Parkway overlooking the Detroit River, now called “Sunrise Park,” you’re missing one of the few public waterfronts on the Island. Maintained by the Grosse Ile Nature & Land Conservancy and served by a

By Pamela A. Frucci stairway done by an Eagle Scout and a kayak launching pad constructed by the GINLC, the site has picnic tables, a bench, a viewing telescope, and now a retaining wall, thanks to a large donation from a resident and manpower of the GINLC. What was missing in the beginning was a place for visitors to the beach to park. Now, an agreement between the Grosse Ile Historical Society and the GINLC to put gravel on a rear parking lot at the museum and Customs House on East River, has given those who want to use Sunset Park a place to park their cars. Already at the site is a bike rack.

After stints in Georgia, Florida and Hawaii, Susan White is back in Michigan as the new director of the US Fish & Wildlife Refuge.

SUSAN WHITE IS NEW TO THE JOB AS DIRECTOR OF THE US FISH & WILDLIFE REFUGE Coming back to Michigan after serving the US Fish & Wildlife Department in the South Pacific, Susan White came from the island state of Hawaii to the island of Grosse Ile. Having bought a home on the Thorofare Canal for herself and her

Kit homes - like this one at 20310 East River Road - were popular before the advent of subdivisions. The homes were ordered from Sears and Montgomery Ward catalogs.

rescue dog and cat, Ms. White is now actively working to get the Wildlife Refuge up and running after a long delay. A problem solver, she laments, it’s taken far too long to open the refuge, which stretches from Ecorse to Monroe.

First established in 2001 and named for Rep. John Dingell, who was instrumental in passing an Act of Congress to establish the wildlife refuge, the opening has been a long time pending.

When the former director John Hartig, resigned to work as a Fullbright Scholar on water quality, Ms. White heard about the opening. Her work in Hawaii, handling the removal of shipwrecks, kept her isolated from people. Since she grew up in St. Clair Shores and knew Michigan, she applied for John’s job. After a phone interview, she found she had gotten the job.

Three weeks later she arrived unfamiliar with the Downriver area.

After driving around Grosse Ile, she bought her home. She said she “liked the feel” of the Island. It had a smalltown atmosphere, she said, and lots of open space and greenery. Also, it was only seven minutes to work.

Her past jobs with the Fish & Wildlife Service have been in Atlanta, GA and in Florida. Ms. White graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in biology and earth science. Her goal was to study oceans. This has taken her to far flung places and now to a refuge on the Detroit River.

When asked “When will the refuge be open to the public?” she replied that she’s not ready to give a date. But when it’s finally ready to open its gates and receive visitors, she says “It’s going to be a GRAND opening!”

FORMER ISLAND RESIDENT GLEN BROUGH’S WIFE HEADS TOP WORK PLACE Every year the Detroit Free Press names the Top Workplaces in Michigan; and this year one of the three winners was the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, whose president and CEO is April Clobes, wife of Glen Brough. Glen grew up on Grosse Ile, was drum major of the GIHS band and went on to MSU to also lead the band.

Now working as assistant director of admission at MSU, Glen is still an integral part of the band, serving as visual coordinator. Ms. Clobes was selected since her employees “strongly agreed” that they had confidence in the leader of their company.” When interviewed, she mentioned she was “approachable;” and if anyone wanted to meet with her, she has an “open door.” She tries to maintain a “family” atmosphere among her 880 employees.

BRANDON LEPAGE’S GOAL IS TO BRING MORE CULTURE TO THE DOWNRIVER AREA Wyandotte resident, Brandon LePage studied flute with Island resident Carole Scott when he was in the fifth grade for five years and then went on to sing in the Michigan Opera Theater’s children’s chorus and dance with Taylor Ballet Americana, while continuing to study the flute.

Now an accomplished flute player, he plays second flute with the Flint Symphony, first chair flute with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, subs in the flute section of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and plays flute with the Michigan Opera Orchestra. On Nov.11 I was one of the invitees to a recital Brandon performed at the home

of his parents in a new subdivision in Southgate. He was accompanied by renown pianist Doug Scott. He was so good that I immediately invited him to play on March 8, an open date we had in the Grosse Ile Musicale schedule.

For his recital, he was wearing a tie designed with a flute running the length of it. He told us it was a gift from the daughter of David DiChiera, founder of the MOT, who had recently passed away, and she wanted to give it to a flute player.

Brandon’s goal is to bring more classical music to the Downriver. He’s organized the Chamber Artists of SE Michigan. It’s a group of players who will be giving concerts this summer.

They’ll be at the Downriver Council for the Arts on Sun., May 26, Sun., June 2, and Sun., June 16. They will also be at St. John’s UCC Wyandotte on Sun., June 9.

Another goal of the Chamber Artists of SE Michigan is to give scholarships to promising young musicians.

This year, they plan to award two scholarships; but they would like to give away four scholarships in the future.

To reach Brandon LePage, go to lepagebrandon@gmail.

HOME AT 20310 EAST RIVER ROAD IS ONE OF THE SEARS & ROEBUCK KIT HOMES When Jack and I rented the upstairs apartment at 20310 East River Road back in 1962, our landlady told us that she bought the property in 1941 for $7,000, and then ordered a kit house from a Sears & Roebuck catalog for $7,000.

We bought our own home on Hickory Circle in 1972. The home on East River is now owned by Don and Gail Martin. They’ve done extensive remodeling. An article in the Aug. 12 Detroit Free Press was all about kit homes. Kit homes could be purchased from either a Sears & Roebuck or a Montgomery Ward catalog.

According to the article, kit homes were popular in the first half of the 1900s, mostly geared to the middle class.

In Michigan nearly 900 kit homes were ordered; and totally across the USA, 10,000 homes have been documented. Kit homes began to fall out of favor beginning in the 40s when subdivisions undercut the price advantage of buying from a catalog.

GROSSE ILE GRAND

December 7 - January 16, 2019•Page 19

FAREWELL, MR. PRESIDENT

President George Herbert Walker Bush made many trips to the Downriver area. I had the opportunity to photograph him on those occasions.

These are just a few images from those assignments - there are so many more. These shots are from his visits to Lake Erie Metropark, an arrival at Metro Airport, a visit to Crystal Gardens (to campaign for his son) and one of many visits to the Presidential Inn in Southgate (now a Holiday Inn). He also walked the Wyandotte 4th of July Parade when he was Vice President to Ronald Reagan. He was always accommodating to the press. Grateful to have shaken his hand. Rest in peace. Mr. President. — Larry Caruso

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Volunteers help create a flight to the North Pole

By Sarah Hemsworth Grosse Ile’s finest Elves carried on a tradition as they headed for the airport on Dec. 7.

Silverliners hosts a fantasy flight to the North Pole for children battling severe illness and challenges, and many Grosse Ile residents volunteer to be the elves The Flight to the North Pole is an annual tradition at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Hosted by the Silverliners, a group of former Eastern Airlines flight attendants who every year treat dozens of terminally ill children and their caregivers to a funfilled day of holiday cheer.

When arriving at the airport, the volunteers, including various high school students, prepared to greet the V.I.P. guests from the shuttles, checkin, throughout the airport, and the gate to board the plane.

Once everyone boarded the flight, the plane took off, leaving for Santa’s castle at the North Pole. The guests were entertained by the Shrine Club Clowns, Flight Attendants, and the Elves.

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Upon arriving, Toy Soldiers lead the V.I.P.’s down the hall of Santa’s Castle, straight to the jolly man himself. The Toy Soldiers and Elves were not the only characters to bring joy to the children; college and professional team mascots, a symphony band, and classic movie characters showed up as well This fantasy flight has taken off for 32 years, and will continue to fly away to a magical land. Gifts are given to the kids as well as donations from corporate and local businesses.

Last years biggest donation, $3,000, came from Southern Bay Trucking in Brownstown.

On the wall of Santa’s home, the movie“Frozen” was screened for the entertainment of the children and their families.

At the end of the night, Santa reached out his arms to embrace each child and smiled for a photo.

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What’s Happening Grosse Ile ...

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club on Dec. 31.

The party will feature an open bar, four-course dinner, appetizers and a champagne toast at midnight.

Dance the night away to the music of the Jerry Ross Band, voted the best party band in Detroit. The event is black tie optional.

THE END IS COMING Yard waste pick up ends soon Yard Waste pick up ends the week of Dec. 10th on the day they pick up your trash and recycling.

Christmas trees will be picked up for two weeks after Christmas VOLUNTEERS The Township is always on the lookout for volunteers.

Helpers are need for community events like the Fall Festival, Halloween Parade, Island Winterfest, Winter Olympics and the Easter event.

Volunteers are also need as golf course rangers and workers at summer events like Safety Town and youth camps.

And, as always, volunteers are needed to help plan, set up and clean up Island Fest.

To become involved call 734-675-2364.

COME KNIT The Knitting Club of Grosse Ile meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the Riverview Veterans Memorial Library. Come from some great fun, conversation and, of course, knitting Call 734283-1250 or go to Riverviewpuliclibrary.com.

LOOKING FOR A NEW BEST FRIEND? The Grosse Ile Animal Shelter, 24525 Meridian, has dogs, cats and kittens ready for new homes. Stop by and meet your new best friend.

For shelter hours, call 692-9688.

LIBRARY Remember the Veteran’s Memorial Library in Trenton severs the community of Grosse Ile, as well at Trenton, Woodhaven and Brownstown.

Located n West Road, the library is open 10 a.m.

– 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays The library number is 734-676-9777.

COMMISSION/COMMITTEE VACANCIES Feeling civic minded? How about joining a Grosse Ile Township commission or committee?

The are current vacancies on the Airport Advisory Committee, Airport Commerce Park Commission, Brownfield Authority, Construction Board of Appeals (3), Planning Commission and Island Beautification Committee.

Call 676-4422 to learn how to get an application.

COME AND READ Established in 1934 as a response to the lack of a library on the Island, The Book Club of Grosse Ile has developed a distinct, unique identity. This book club is composed of scholarly women, who are looking for the challenge and stimulation only quality literature can bring.

Books are rotated twice a month, which gives members the opportunity to read over 20 new books per year. There are three speakers during the year, most of whom are authors, who shine light on various subjects including the writing process.

In addition, two book discussions allow members to interact and reflect on current literature and topics.

Coming together for various activities brings about joyful, spirited interaction among members. The Book Club of Grosse Ile supplies everything a book club promises, and more.

Contact the club at suepizzimenti@hotmail.com.

LEARN SOME ISLAND HISTORY Founded in 1959, the Grosse Ile Historical Society (GIHS) serves as an invaluable resource for Grosse Ile history, life, and culture. The GIHS’s collections tell the story of the Island through 240+ years and consist of hundreds of rare and unique documents, artifacts, and irreplaceable treasures.

The primary location of the GIHS is within the East River Road Historic District which consists of the old Michigan Central Railroad Depot (built in 1904), the Custom House (constructed about 1873), St. James Episcopal Church chapel (built in 1867), and six mid-nineteenth century homes north of the chapel.

Also, under the Society’s protection is the Grosse Ile Lighthouse (constructed in 1894 & redesigned in 1906), a prominent landmark on the northeastern shoreline. The Grosse Ile Naval Air Station has been an epicenter of air activity since the mid-1920’s and was a World War II training center.

GIHS has a museum display within the Grosse Ile Township Hall about some of the Air Station’s historic contributions. Eight Michigan Historic Site markers can be seen at various locations on the Island indicating important places, dates, and events in Grosse Ile’s past Contact the Historical Society at 734-675-1250 or email gihistsoc@gmail.com.

GET UP AND MOVE The Island Road Runners was founded in 1981 and became a member of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) in 1995. The club provides support and encouragement to its runners and walkers, as well as promoting community fitness and awareness. We encourage runners and walkers of all abilities to join our group.

We meet every Saturday morning throughout the year at Grosse Ile Middle School at 8:30 a.m. There are several course options for running and/or walking.

Runners and walkers of all abilities are welcome.

Contact the group at Islandroadrunners.com.

LAND CONSERVANCY The Grosse Ile and Nature Land Conservancy works to achieve its goal of protecting land through land acquisition, conservation easements and educational projects.

Through gift or purchase, we secure ownership of natural land needed to protect our areas beauty and fragile habitats. The Conservancy also seeks grants of conservation easements from private landowners. This type of deed restriction allows owners to use their land and pass it on to future generations while enjoying certain tax benefits.

Reach the at www.ginlc.org; PO Box 12 • Grosse Ile, Michigan 48138.

VFW The Michigan Veterans of Foreign Wars has a rich tradition of serving veterans, military families and their local communities. We invite you to explore this website and our entire VFW Michigan network of sites to learn more about our organization If you are a veteran and would like to join the VFW, we invite you to fill out the Join the VFW form.

BOY SCOUTS Welcome Pack 1261. You will be able to experience a wide variety of activities and fellowship throughout the year as well as learning new things and most of all having a good time.

The website gipack1261@comcast.net was created to assist and provide you information for your son to have the most positive experience possible.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Grosse Ile Cub Scouts or Matt Gall at appleforteacher@sbcglobal.net.

GROSSE ILE GARDEN CLUB Whether it’s digging in the dirt, planting, nurturing, and caring for the earth; educating ourselves, members and the public about best gardening practices; or raising money for our charities and community programs and events, we are always busy helping to make a better world.

Here you will find many ways that we are involved and for you to get involved. Whether you join in and help out in a hands-on way or participate in one of our community events or fundraisers. You too can make a difference!

Some of the thing we do include, maintaining our six community gardens, hosting our annual Christmas Charity Auction to support the Downriver Salvation Army, Wyandotte and the Grosse Ile Goodfellows, working with friends at our annual perennial exchange and biannual rummage sale, providing the beautiful flowering pots on the Macomb Street light posts, Sharing your expertise with other members.

If this sounds like things you’d like to do, come join us. Email us at gigardenclub@yahoo.com.

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Page 24 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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You Tube Your Time

By Gail Albin Most of my near same age pals in their eighties have computers in their home and don’t use them.

Perhaps some were a gift, or learning how to operate it became more challenging than anticipated. I am very fortunate, I have three experts who live nearby. I certainly don’t know all there is to know. I am not techie, just ask my daughter when I try to sew a seam on a my sewing machine.

I have the idea that you don’t need to learn everything there is to learn, just enough to enjoy your day when it is too cold to go outside and there may be ice on the streets.

It takes me about six key strokes to get to You Tube. That is about five seconds.

I probably only know a tiny fraction of what is available, but I like to watch talented performers from the past who are gone now. I have never stumped it yet.

I love to watch and listen to Motown performers. Elvis Presley was also a favorite. I also look up how to repair items that are broken. I can find recipes. I can follow current popular subjects. I can look up amazing sport triumphs that I may have missed on television.

I can’t list everything available, I am still discovering fun sites every day.

I looked up Make up use for older women. What a treat. In my case that is asking a lot.

Check out You Tube, you will be pleased with what you find and I hope you will be glad that you did.

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December 7 - January 16, 2019 • Page 27

So, what is ‘Warm’ worth to you?

This is a season that is all about warmth. We’re all loaded with memories and images in our heads of holidays past, with family, gatherings, fireplaces and the closeness of those we value. It’s warm. It’s good.

We make it good, because it means so much to us.

By the time you’re reading this, I will have the first of a new tradition behind me, having spent two days in and around Frankenmuth with my wife, our two girls with their husbands and three young grandkids.

As I’m writing this now, I feel anticipation for that same warmth.

By Peter Rose Everyone identifies with that, don’t they? I am so looking forward to spending just two days away, with just my family. Hanging out with the family is the only real purpose, but it should be no surprise that I’ll be nosing around for shops and experiences that inspire me.

Frankenmuth is not about national chains; not about the internet. It’s all local; it’s all warm. The connection you feel to people in shops such as you find in small towns like this is palpable, and each browse, each purchase is far more likely to leave you with a sense of satisfaction and happiness than any other shopping experience. I’m looking forward to it now; I hope to be able to share tales of being impressed.

Small stores, independent and local, are all around us, though. I don’t have to go to Frankenmuth to find such stuff. I only mention that town because it’s my job - writing this column is easier with experiences from the front. And “the front” is what we’re talking about as we enter the final 30 days of the year, where every dollar taken in matters a lot for the small stores. Every purchase matters - a lot. The holiday gift giving season pays off a lot of bills and can provide a cushion that gets indie retailers through the winter months. I’m talking about local stores with local owners and local employees who all benefit tremendously through a series of single, conscious decisions.

Knowing how important this is for them makes me want to do business at such places. It’s so much more real, so much more meaningful to make someone happy and grateful. As opposed to being a part of a revenue stream that mainly leaves the state, benefitting people I don’t know - and that don’t care about me, or say thank you, or even know I spent the money at all.

It’s something that, once really understood, makes every decision about spending on food and drink and shopping a lot easier. I want my money to be leveraged to the full extent of its potential to benefit me. I want my spending to be appreciated. When possible, I want to think that my spending might be reciprocated, just as theirs has done with my places.

In this way, spending in circles where we live and play results in those same dollars being spent again and again and again.

We can all lose the thread. And we can all find it, too, and very easily. We can all come to our senses, and realize that we’ve got more power than we ever let ourselves know. Little old us, with all that power.

My stores just experienced an emphatic demonstration of support for us independent retail businesses on “Black Friday” and “Small Business Saturday.” It feels incredibly good; we’re all so grateful. I belong to nationwide groups of independent retailers, the majority of whose reports of the weekend’s results are really encouraging for them, and for all of us. More and more people are letting themselves get the satisfaction they’ve been missing. Many never stopped. Many are starting out in life, seeking authenticity, and finding homes with

local and independent businesses like ours.

The pursuit of that authenticity is what motivates me. I travel near and far to find it. Not that I’m always buying. But I’m always looking to feel the real thing. The connection to community. The smiles, the product knowledge, the excellence in presentation, the cool and unique products, and the genuine gratitude for the patronage. It informs, it inspires, and it feels very good.

When I go to Frankenmuth (and not Birch Run where low end product is sold, tricking the people that don’t know, and with zero connectivity), I’ll be in total relaxation mode. I can use it. But then again, you can rest assured that I’ll also be hyper-aware, eager to report back with tales of glad tidings from the indie front.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

Thanks for reading my columns, too!

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Teaching Toys

Page 28 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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December 7 - January 16, 2019 • Page 29

Teaching Toys: A new store that celebrates learning, fun

T

ired of seeing the same old things when you walk the toy aisles at Walmart or Meijer or Target? The same Disney toys, the same action figures, the same Matchbox and Hot Wheels cars?

Well, moms and dads, grandpas and grandmas, there is a new store in town - literally - and if you are looking for creative, educational gifts that are still loads of fun, this place is going to knock your socks off.

Owned by Grosse Ile resident and Trenton native Marie Liburdi, Teaching Toys opened Dec. 1 at 3331 West Rd. in

By Hank Minckiewicz Trenton and it has a wide array of toys that will appeal to kids who are babies and toddlers on up.

Liburdi is no johnny-come-lately when it comes to creative, educational playthings. She is the owner of Children’s Place Montessori of Grosse Ile and Brownstown and in that capacity she currently services 300 families. In the 10 years the Montessoris have been open, she has taught and touched the lives of literally thousands of children.

“I’ve seen what kinds of toys help kids learn, what kind help teach them to concentrate,” said Liburdi.

The mottos at the Montessoris are:”Helping kids grow by exploring their surroundings” and “Teaching kids with ways that are intuitive to them.”

Both of those things carry through at Teaching Toys.

“Opening this store has been my heart’s desire,” Liburdi said. “I have always wanted a one-stop shop where people can find fun, educational toys.

These types of stores are out there, but it was always discouraging there was not one Downriver.”

Rebecca Brockington, who is the Curriculum Director at the Montessoris and an occasional worker at the new store said this: “We have the kinds of things you find at museum gift shops; wonderful, educational things that you want to buy. But we have a bigger selection.”

Schools are heading more and more to teaching the S.T.E.A.M. method -

Teaching Toys store owner Marie Liburdi stands behind a selection of toys.

The shelves at Teaching Toys are full of educational, interesting toys that are loads of fun to play with.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math - and Teaching Toys is right in step with that.

“We have a whole line of STEAM products - it’s important to us - and it’s important to let teachers out there know that,” Liburdi said.

Liburdi’s Montessori business is going well. She is full to capacity at each location and an expansion of the Brownstown location is in the works, but the retail shop is a labor of love -

with the heavy emphasis on “labor.”

Prior to opening, Liburdi and her husband, Paul, spent days prepping the store, building shelves and unloading merchandise.

“When we got home, I could barely drag myself into bed,” she said, laughing.

But they made their Dec. 1 deadline.

Things are not 100 percent yet; the internet is still not set up, the building owner still needs to install a window

and there are product lines that have yet to arrive, but the doors are open and there is plenty of tempting product on the shelves.

Liburdi said some important things that will be available after the first of the year are teacher supplies - fun, creative, educational teaching aids, things for the classroom and bulletin board packs.

“You can find a lot of the things we carry (and will carry) online, but you have to wait at least days before you get it. Here, you can just pop in and buy it,” Liburdi said.

Children’s Place Montessori began as a small dream 10 years ago and in a decade has grown into an impressive operation with 35 employees and hundreds of clients.

Liburdi said that business began with a love for children and a love of helping them learn and grow. Teaching Toys is just an extension of that, “I am an optimist,” Liburdi said.

“When you start something and give it care and love, it will increase over time.”

Creative Montessori has done that. The Liburdis hope and believe Teaching Toys can, too.

HAVE AN EVENT OR FUNDRAISER? LET US KNOW AT 734-282-3939

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Page 30 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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When talking about your loved ones, there is nothing worse than dealing with impersonal care.

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

December 7 - January 16, 2019 • Page 31

By Pam Frucci With a little luck and a prayer, Grosse Ile women gathered on Nov. 29, at the 10th Annual Ladies Jammie Drive Luncheon to reach this year’s goal of 1,200 pairs of brand new pajamas for needy children, just in time for Christmas morning. But when the drum roll sounded, 1,240 had been raised to share throughout metro Detroit agencies servicing kids in need.

What began as a simple luncheon for 13 women in 2008, has grown to more than 300 pajama-toting women sharing fellowship and serving a need throughout metro Detroit. This generous group of ladies have made more than 5,000 needy children warmer in winter over the last ten years and were thrilled to break the 5,000 mark this year.

According to co-chairs Suzy Williams and Wendy Moco, the luncheon culminates with the distribution of pajamas to agencies and organizations serving children in need.

“It is so satisfying to see piles of pajamas and know that there are children and young adults who will be warm this Christmas — it is humbling to know that these women are serving a need for thousands of kiddos. We don’t know of any other group doing something so sweet and so needed,” they said Terry Morreau, Director of Christian Service for Sacred Heart Parish Grosse Ile, said he was

overwhelmed at the response “When it comes to children, our hearts want the best for their comfort and warmth,” he said.

Morreau and the Knights of Columbus have helped to distribute the thousands of pajamas to agencies and churches serving children in crisis throughout downriver, Detroit and Washtenaw County including: • First Step Domestic Violence Shelter • Mimi’s Mission • Penrickton Center for Blind Children • Sacred Heart Food Pantry • The Magic of Christmas Foundation • St. Gabe’s, St. Leo’s Shelters • Our Lady of the Rosary Church • St. Dominic’s as they give cribs to expectant Mom ... they will also receive infant pajamas • Crisis Pregnancy Center for their babies & toddlers • Stanford House, a women’s shelter, for mom’s who are battling addiction, but who have children • Grosse Ile Goodfellows • Art & Soul Dreams • Covenant House for residents and their children The Jammie Drive is community-wide effort bolstered by Jammie Days and Drives at Grosse Ile Township Schools, Grosse Ile Jazzercise, APAC

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Page 32 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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The Grosse Ile varsity sailing team recently completed a great season that included a Michigan state championship.

The Red Devils also qualified for and competed in the Great Lakes Championships in Chicago and the Atlantic Coast Championship at the U.S. Naval Academy in Maryland.

Grosse Ile sailors wrap up excellent season The Grosse Ile HIgh School sailing team has a long history of competing and performing well in regattas across the midwest, but this season, the Red Devils had a campaign to brag about.

“The season went really, really well,” said Coach Robert Matthews.

“It really exceeded our expectations.

This is the best year we have had in my tenure with the team.”

Matthews is

By Hank Minckiewicz a first-year head coach, but he has been with the team several years as an assistant.

This year’s team sailed in 12 regattas from Traverse City to Spring Lake, Chicago, Cleveland and all the way to Annapolis, Md. The season ran from September until November and challenged the team with wilds swings in weather conditions.

“We start out sailing in bathing suits and by the end of the year the kids are wearing dry suits, winter hats and gloves. Weather is something that they have to learn to deal with,” said Matthews.

No problem there for these Devils, who dealt with the weather and the competition in fine style.

Grosse Ile won numerous regattas, including the Michigan state championship, which was a feather in its cap, but the team had even bigger fish to fry when it went to the Great Lakes Championship qualifying regatta in Cleveland. There, the top five teams qualify for the Great Lakes Championship in Chicago and the winner - which turned out to be Grosse Ile - qualified for the the Atlantic Coast Championship at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. There, the best sailing teams east of the Mississippi gather for a two-day event.

To get to the regatta at the Naval Academy in Annapolis the team had to fly there via Baltimore. It was the first time the Devils had to fly to a regatta, so it added an additional element of fun and adventure, Matthews said.

Racing took place in the Severn River right in front of the sailing center at the Naval Academy, a beautiful venue and steeped in sailing tradition.

In the end, Grosse Ile finished 13th out of 20 teams.

The Devils were led this year by a pair of senior skippers - Molly Matthews and Ian Reimel. Both are four-year sailing varsity letter winners.

“They both had really good season,” said coach Mathews.

Reimel teammed all season with

freshman Maren Matthews, while Molly Matthews rotated crew members throughout the season, sailing with Meghan Dieball, Faith Gaertner or Kayla Bugarin.

The rest of the team is Norton Coulibaly, Mallory Dieball, Vasilios Dionyssopoulos, Anna McAughey, Sydney Porter, Jimmy Souilliere and Rylan van de Wetering.

Grosse Ile sails in the 420 Class with two, two-sailor boats competing in a series of races. Your finish in each race - first, second, third, etc. - is your score.

At the end, you add up all the scores from both teams and -like golf - low total wins.

At the Michigan State championships, Molly Matthews and Meghan Dieball eached raced in the single-handed Laser Radial Class. Matthew was among the top 10 finishers with her eighth-place showing and Dieball was 20th.

Sailing is a co-ed sport and the Grosse Ile team is heavy on girls this season. Robert Matthews said that that is one of the cool things about the sport - that boys and girls compete in the same events on a level playing field.

“Sailing is a very mental, cerebral sport,” he said. “Boys and girls compete head-to-head and they compete fairly.”

Another unique thing about high school sailing is that 7th- and 8thgraders are allowed on teams. The youngsters can’t compete in the large competitive regattas, but they do sail and they are constantly around older, seasoned teammates.

“Being around and seeing how the older kids compete really helps bring (the younger sailors) along,” said Matthews.

This year, five of the 13 sailors on the team were 7th- and 8th-graders.

Matthews, a lifelong sailor, took over as coach of the team just this year, said he has had a of help from past coaches and program boosters.

“Everybody knows (former coach) Matt Dubois, who is a tremendous help, and I am fortunate enough to get help and guidance from Skip Dieball, who is literally a world-class sailor.’

Matthews said.

Matthews, who himself races larger boats, said most high school sailors come from summer programs where they learn the basics and start their racing careers.

The Grosse Ile Yacht Club runs a summer program as do clubs around the state.

“The best sailors do a lot of summer sailing,” he said. “Nothing beats time on the tiller.”

GROSSE ILE GRAND

December 7 - January 16, 2019 • Page 33

By Dave Gorgon Look for the Grosse Ile High School boys basketball team to run and shoot as the 2018-2019 season gets under way.

Second-year varsity Coach Mohamed Elhaj lost a bunch of talent from last year’s team that lost in the district tournament finals. But the new-look Red Devils are eager to show what they have.

“I feel pretty good about our team overall,” Elhaj said. “We are small, but we will use that to our advantage. We have plenty of good shooters, which will help us spread the floor.”

Karar Al-Rakabi is the top player back from last year’s squad, which was 8-8 in the Huron League and 13-11 overall. Al-Rakabi led the team in steals and was second in scoring and rebounding. Elhaj said the senior’s leadership will be key to a good season.

Al-Rakabi and junior center John Blanzy are co-captains. Blanzy, who is a tough leader, is back for his second varsity season.

Rounding out the starting lineup are senior Zak Thompson and juniors Luc Kawadri and Walter Hladchuck.

Thompson, who plays power forward and center, is a key defensive player and rebounder in his second varsity season.

Kawadri is one of six players promoted from last season’s junior varsity team. A hard worker and

I FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT OUR TEAM OVERALL. WE ARE SMALL, BUT WE WILL USE THAT TO OUR ADVANTAGE. Daniel Stevens and forward Joey Brillhart. Sophomore guard/small forward Ryan Driscoll and Kopp are key shooters coming off the bench.

“We’re small, Coach Elhaj said.

“We’re going to try to play a fast-paced game and try to get as many shots as we can. In this new era, it’s more of a guard game than a big-man game and we’re going to use that to our advantage. We’re going to push, push, push and try and play as fast as we can.”

Grosse Ile, which was 13-11 overall and 8-8 in the Huron League last year, opened the 2018-19 season on Nov. 29 with a thrilling 50-48 non-league win over Gabriel Richard

defensive specialist, Kawadri can play small forward or guard. Hladchuck, in his second year on the varsity, is a playmaking guard.

Other seniors on the team are Nick Morey and Tyler Symons, both guards in their second year of varsity ball.

Morey hustles and plays solid defense.

Symons has so much knowledge about the game.

Four juniors and a sophomore round out the 12-man roster. All five are in their first year on the varsity.

The 11th-graders include guard Lucas Kopp, power forward/center Sam Lemerond, power forward/center

NOTEBOOK: Coach Elhaj played basketball at Dearborn Edsel Ford High School followed by two years at Schoolcraft College.

Elhaj became part of the Grosse Ile coaching staff in 2012, starting as freshman coach. He guided the junior varsity the next two years and has been varsity head coach ever since.

His varsity teams have won a district championship and finished runner-up in the districts twice. He said he’s looking forward to the good competition in the Huron League as well.

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Run and shoot is the plan for new-look Red Devils

Page 34 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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December 7 - January 16, 2019 • Page 35

Grosse Ile returns a strong, veteran team this season. The team’s new coach is Bill Fleming.

Veterans to help carry girls team this year

By Dave Gorgon New girls varsity basketball Coach Bill Fleming is high on the members of his team at Grosse Ile High School.

“I have a really strong returning group,” Fleming said. “We have six seniors – five returning from last year’s varsity. One is a returning starter.

Others will be major contributors.”

Senior Marisa Swick is back for her fourth year of varsity basketball. One of the three team captains, the team’s primary ball handler “will be a leader on the floor and off the floor,” Fleming said.

Fellow senior captains Ava Thrasher and Lindsey Jurecki bring plenty of athleticism to the lineup. Both play multiple sports – something Fleming enjoys in his players.

Thrasher, at 6-foor-1, also plays

I HAVE A REALLY STRONG RETURNING GROUP. WE HAVE SIX SENIORS – FIVE RETURNING FROM LAST YEAR’S VARSITY. ONE IS A RETURNING STARTER. OTHERS WILL BE MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS. volleyball. She played significant minutes on last year’s senior-laden team. Fleming is counting on Thrasher to be the team’s top scorer and rebounder this year. Jurecki is a star soccer player and is an integral part of the team.

Junior Helena Formentin is back for her second year on the varsity. A starter last season, Formentin will again be a key player on the team.

“She’s a great all-around basketball player,” Fleming said. “She can shoot outside and inside.”

Other seniors on the team are Megan Ferguson, Lillian Centlivre and Wisdom Woods-James. Other juniors on the roster include Hannah Fulmer, Hannah Kibble, Maddie Miller, Brooke Snyder and Ami Yezman.

“We’re looking for contributions from everyone on the team,” Fleming said. “We have a deep bench.”

Fleming is high on his coaching staff as well. Assistant coach Megan Karrar may be better known to Red Devils fans as Megan Swick, who played at Grosse Ile before starting four years at

University of Michigan-Dearborn. A teacher at Airport High School, Karrar is sister to Marisa Swick.

Jim Frost, who used to be in the Grosse Ile boys program, is the junior varsity coach. Former Red Devil Charlie Butler is the freshman coach.

With a new head coach and a group of girls learning his new system, it could be a bit of a struggle at the beginning of the season, Fleming said, “but from what I’ve seen, there is no reason we can’t challenge for league and district championships.”

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

Page 36 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

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New coach Fleming aims to keep traditions alive

By Dave Gorgon One of the goals of Bill Fleming, Grosse Ile High School’s new girls basketball coach, is to keep longstanding traditions going.

Fleming, 56, is a Grosse Ile resident who played basketball before graduating from the high school in 1980 and coached in the system of the late Steve Sims, a much-beloved figure island wide.

Sims coached standout girls basketball and girls track and field programs until he became sick and died Bill Fleming suddenly of dissecting aortic artery, the same illness that took the life of actor John Ritter.

Sandy Tobin, then Sandy Skaisgir, starred for Sims’ basketball teams and played four years at Hillsdale College.

Tobin succeeded Sims as coach.

Darla Palamara was a short-term replacement for Tobin.

And now the reigns have been turned over to Fleming, who is part of the history of Grosse Ile basketball.

Fleming was a sixth-man guard with the 1980 Red Devils team that lost only three times, including the state tournament Class B district finale to Willow Run, which went on to win the state championship.

“It was a successful team,” Fleming recalls. “We were real close.”

Fleming went to the University of Michigan, where he majored in economics and accounting and became manager of the men’s basketball team.

“I went to Michigan for the education,” he said. “The best education I got was being part of the basketball program,” which included administrative duties that ranged from dealing with the team to interacting with the training staff and medical personnel.

After graduating at U of M, he

went to work as a “finance guy” with the Ford Motor Co. and began helping Sims with his varsity teams. He was an assistant coach for a couple years, then became freshman girls coach and then coached the junior varsity.

Along the way, two things happened. By now, Fleming and wife Laura had their own family, which included six children (including quadruplets), and he was elected to the Grosse Ile Board of Education, serving from 1992 to 1996.

Fleming and Sims were close friends. They hung out and boated during the summer. They attended clinics together and were “basketball junkies.”

“Steve’s death was a major blow to everyone who knew him,” Fleming said.

The Fleming children all went through the Grosse Ile schools system. His three daughters played in the basketball program, so their dad was close by.

The quadruplets, who graduated from Grosse Ile High School in 2016, are now in college. When Fleming learned there was an opening for a girls basketball varsity head coach, he applied and got the job.

“I applied primarily because I was someone who understood the tradition,” he said. “A lot of traditions have been kept alive in this program by the coaches.”

The student-athletes go away to team camp. They participate in the “Simsonian” Fun Run to raise money for scholarships. They hold a team car wash. They have open gym throughout the year. There are traditions on buses. There are team dinners.

Becoming varsity head coach at this time “allows me to dedicate the time, like I need to,” Fleming said.

“One of the things I loved about Steve is he really knew how to motivate young ladies,” he added.

“Steve instilled the drive and discipline and made everything they did fun. That’s the legacy I want to carry on.”

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

December 7 - January 16, 2019 • Page 37

By Shane Preston With the freezing temperatures upon us in Grosse Ile, the Red Devils are taking to the ice with an experienced group looking to improve on a solid season last year.

Jason Durbin will enter his fifth year at the helm for Grosse Ile and will aim to follow up a 15-11 campaign last year with a another winning season.

At forward, the Red Devils will be led by three returning seniors in captain Cody Keenan and assistant captains Chris Mihai and Chase Havens and the trio will be relied on to spark the Grosse Ile offense this season.

“That’s our senior line, so we’re going to rely on them to lead the way,” Durbin said. “As long as they do and the goaltending remains solid, I really like our chances.”

Junior forwards Dylan Pattenaude, Brennan Karn and Evan Lemerand also return to the ice this year for Grosse Ile. On defense, assistant captain Evan Napolitan – a senior – will be joined by returning senior Dante Papalia and juniors Joe Kosztowny and Eric Ellis.

Also seeing time this year will be sophomore forwards Luke Miller, Patrick Karn, Adam Kargenian and Presley Hubler along with freshmen defensemen Ben Carter and Anthony Naso.

Junior Carter Pattenaude will return between

OUR GOALS ARE TO REPEAT IN THE HURON LEAGUE, TO COMPETE NEAR THE TOP OF THE METRO LEAGUE AND GETTING TO THAT REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. the pipes for Grosse Ile and will be backed up by sophomore Owen Bonham.

With a number of key returners from last year’s squad, Durbin expects to contend for its thirdstraight Huron League title while also threatening at the top of the standings in the West division of the Michigan Metro League.

“We’re the type of team that takes it one game at a time,” Durbin said. “Our goals are to repeat in the Huron League, to compete near the top of the Metro League and getting to that regional championship game.”

Grosse Ile started the season on the right track towards these goals with three-straight wins in which the Red Devils scored nine goals.

The team opened the season on Nov. 14 with a 9-1 win over Gibraltar Carlson.

Mihai and Keenan each had two goals and two assists in the win. Pattenaude scored twice for

Grosse Ile while Lemerand, Karn, Miller each added one.

One week later, the Red Devils defeated New Boston-Belleville United 9-0.

Mihai tallied seven points with four goals and three assists to pace Grosse Ile. Keenan added a goal and three assists, Pattenaude scored two more goals and Napolitan and Havens each scored one goal.

On Nov. 29, Grosse Ile topped Southgate Anderson 9-1.

Keenan had a hat trick, Mihai had two goals and four assists, Pattenaude made it three-straight twoscore games and Lemerand and Carter each chipped in with a goal.

The Red Devils suffered their first loss of the season to Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard/Greenhills 5-2.

Grosse Ile led 2-0 after one period, but allowed five goals over the next two periods in the loss.

Mihai scored both goals to push his season total to 10 goals and 19 total points through four games.

Keenan, Kargenian and Havens each picked up assists in the loss.

The Red Devils (3-1) hosted U of D Jesuit on Wednesday and will travel to Lowell/Caledonia on Friday before hosting Woodhaven on Dec.. 13

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Experienced hockey team looking for a big season

Page 38 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

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Devil wrestlers have new coach, same lofty goals

By Shane Preston The Grosse Ile Red Devils will hit the mat this season with a new man in charge to lead them into a tough Huron League schedule and towards a third-straight district title.

Grosse Ile captured its second consecutive Division 3 district title last season with a team win over Summit Academy before falling in regionals to Warren Michigan Collegiate.

Riley Kilroy will begin his first season as head coach for Grosse Ile, but he is certainly no stranger to the sport.

Kilroy is a former Cadet National Freestyle Champion who compiled 124 career wins in three years as a three-time state qualifier in Ohio.

He will begin his coaching career with six returning wrestlers from last year’s team.

“I am excited to be the new coach and am looking forward to a great

season,” Kilroy said. “The kids have been working hard in preparation for competition.”

Senior Frank Gladowski returns at 171 for the Red Devils after turning in a third-place finish at 189 in districts last season.

Other returners include Greg Howard (112), Jonathon Oraha (130), Aidan McLaughlin (140), Alec Morin (145) and Stephen Hemsworth (189).

Others looking to make an impact for Grosse Ile this season will be Joe McGrath (135), Shane Dary (152), Michael Bellizzi (189), Xavier Linton (215), Maverick LaMonthe (215) and Bryce Dary at heavyweight.

The Red Devils opened the season on Saturday, at the Garden City Invitational and will host Crestwood, Divine Child and Romulus for the first quad meet of the season on Wednesday.

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Welcome to Michigan

James Gedris’ great high school cross country career is over, but his college career is just beginning. Gedris, who was one of the top male runners in Michigan and has been for several years, recently signed a letter of intent to run cross country at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. The new Wolverine was joined at the signing by his parents Scott and Carrie, sisters Maria and Rachel and Grosse Ile cross country coach Larry Swick. Gedris capped his senior season this year by winning individual Downriver, Huron League and regional championships.

Grosse Ile woman earns Academic All-American honor

SHE IS THE FIRST FEMALE STUDENTATHLETE AT ADRIAN TO EARN THE HONOR AND THE ONLY PLAYER THIS YEAR FROM THE MIAA NAMED ACADEMIC ALLAMERICAN.

By Dave Gorgon Grosse Ile resident Caroline Fleming of the Adrian College women’s soccer team has been named third team Academic All-American by the 2018 College Sports Information Directors of America.

Fleming, the daughter of Laura and Bill Fleming of Grosse Ile, was selected for her combined performance athletically and in the classroom. She is the first female student-athlete at Adrian to earn the honor and the only player this year from the MIAA named Academic AllAmerican.

A junior forward, Fleming had a career year on the soccer field, leading the Bulldogs in assists and points with nine and 31, respectively, and she was tied for the team lead in goals with 11.

After three seasons, Fleming is tied for fifth in program history for points in a season (31) and sixth on the alltime points list with 66 points in her career. Her 31 points and nine assists were also tops in the conference.

The Academic All-American status came in her first year being named

Caroline Fleming

Academic All-District. She was also named to the First Team All-MIAA for the second year in a row.

Off the field, Fleming is majoring in athletic training and has a 3.99 grade point average.

On the field, she helped lead Adrian to the Bulldogs’ first-ever conference championship and earned the first NCAA Tournament berth in program history.

Fleming lettered in soccer all four years in high school, during which the Red Devils won four league and district championships. She also was named first team All-League, All-Area and All-District all four years and was selected All-Region 2014-2016 and All-State honorable mention in 2015 and 2016.

December 7 - January 16, 2019 • Page 39

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Page 40 • December 7 - January 16, 2019

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