GIG March 2019

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March 9 — ­ April 10, 2019

GIGCC:100 year anniversary

Donald Ross-designed course at the heart of club’s appeal

G

olf course designer Donald Ross, a transplanted Scotsman, transformed the American sports landscape in the first half of the 20th century. At his death in 1948, he left behind a legacy of 413 courses, including such gems as Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina, Seminole in Florida, Oakland Hills in Bloomfield Hills - and Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club.

Ross was contracted to design and build the Grosse Ile course in 1918 and it took two years to construct.

Using horses and wagons to haul material, thousands of cubic yards of cinders, loam and sand were spread and seeded.

Ross was a master at using the terrain of a property to its full potential and he succeeded wildly at Grosse Ile where the two valleys on the course are used to create interest and gtest even the best golfers.

Challenging greens are also a Ross signature and Grosse Ile lives up in that regard, too.

Ross had a genius for sound routings, with very little walking required from one green to the next tee.

He would commonly route his short par-4s on SEE GIGCC, Page 29

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Page 2 • March 9 - April 10, 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

March 9 - April 10, 2019 • Page 3

Historic preservation

River ice wreaks havoc on Grosse Ile lighthouse Late winter ice floes on the Detroit River threatened to cause serious damage to the historic 1906 Grosse Ile Light, but rapid response from residents to Township officials to local maritime construction firms, saved more than the day. It saved the last remaining

By Bill Stevenson lighthouse on Grosse Ile and the lower Detroit River from a chilling demise at the hands of two powerful forces—Father Time and Mother Nature.

Grosse Ile Lighthouse Point resident, Kristin Mans was awakened that early February morning by the sound of colliding ice shelves, crashing up against the towering lighthouse, just yards away from her backyard.

A fierce northeast wind had driven massive blocks of ice shoreward and was piling up, layer by layer, breaching the crib base. Safety rails, designed to aid walkabouts were thrown, mangled into the swiftly moving river.

Mans responded quickly, and called Township Supervisor, Brian Loftus.

Loftus immediately went to the scene, and determined the danger and gravity of the situation. “I called Charlie Compeau (Compeau Brothers Excavating) and Bridget Hurst (Hurst Marine-Boat Hoist USA), and their response time was phenomenal.”

“Within 24 hours, Compeau Brothers had jack-hammered the huge blocks of ice off the crib and the main tower and Hurst Marine brought their barge and heavy equipment in and established an iron barrier that would deflect ice floes and protect the lighthouse.”

“It was truly gratifying to see such teamwork to avert this crisis situation, “ Loftus said.

Originally built in 1894, the Grosse Ile North Channel Range Light, was one of a pair of lighthouses designed to guide down bound traffic on the Detroit River through the Fighting Island channel and away from the many islands that make-up Grosse Ile. Rebuilt in 1906 with its distinctive white, wooden octagonal design, the

IT WAS TRULY GRATIFYING TO SEE SUCH TEAMWORK TO AVERT THIS CRISIS SITUATION

Ice threatened the Grosse Ile Lighthouse this winter.

Grosse Ile Light was operational until 1963, when it was decommissioned by the Coast Guard, and later purchased by the Township, with funds raised by the Grosse Ile Historical Society. The Society has preserved and continues to maintain the historic structure through its Lighthouse Endowment Fund, solely funded by private contributions.

A “Go Fund Me,” page has been established for internal repairs and further preservation of the 113 year-old lighthouse.

And in the good news category of “Timing is Everything,” the Michigan State Housing Development Authority/ Historic Preservation Office announced on February 25, 2019, that Grosse Ile Township will receive a $40,000 grant through the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program for repairs and painting of the exterior of the Grosse Ile Light. The grant, submitted in November, 2018, was written by Township Supervisor Brian Loftus and Administrative Assistant Marjorie Gape. Funding for the Lighthouse Assistance Program comes from the sale of lighthouse license plates in the State of Michigan.

Come Spring, work will begin in assessing the overall damage of the lighthouse tower and stress to the structural integrity of the base or crib of the lighthouse. The entire exterior structure will have to be “cocooned” to complete of any refurbishing and the application of several coats of bright white paint by late summer. Just in time for the Grosse Ile Historical Society fall tour of the Grosse Ile Light, held annually the second Sunday in September.

And even though it is long past its time to provide light for passing ships, the Grosse Ile Light is still standing, a silent sentinel of strength and resiliency for all to see.

Page 4 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

March 9 - April 10, 2019 • Page 5

Island dancer poised to set sail with Disney Cruise Line

D

ancer Lisa Terauchi, 23, has spent the last four years “living the dream” working at Walt Disney World as a performer. Now she’s about to embark on the Disney Cruise Line as a dancer and entertainer.

The Grosse Ile High School graduate worked full-time at Disney World, while she also went to school full-time at the University of Central Florida. She earned a degree in event management in December.

“Basically

By Paula Newman everyone in the program at UCF worked at Disney or Universal,” she said. “It was very cool to be surrounded by students that have a passion for the theme park industry.

A lot of the professors worked in the industry for a long time. It honestly was such a great experience.”

Here’s how it came about.

In the fall of 2014, Terauchi, who grew up on Grosse Ile, was a dance major at Wayne State University.

As a dance major, she got a lot of emails about upcoming auditions.

One came from Disney World about an audition in Ann Arbor. Terauchi remembered going to Disney World with her family as a child, and thinking then how great it would be to work there.

“So I went to this audition at the last minute,” she said. “It was two rounds.

The first was very basic movement across the floor. There were 400 to 500 people auditioning. After the first round, they really cut it down. I made it to the second round, which was more advanced movement. I noticed that the casting director was looking at me during my routine.”

She was one of three dancers in the routine, Terauchi said.

“So I made eye contact the entire time,” she said. “I made a connection with her. Within three weeks, I found I was offered a full-time position for shows and parades.”

She took the job, planning to stay for one semester, and her father helped her find housing in Orlando. She loved the work, was making good friends and learning so much about dance and performance that she stayed, but Terauchi still wanted to get her degree, so she transferred to UCF.

The very best part of working as One Grosse Ile woman, Brooke a performer at Disney World was Upholzer, who is a few years older than meeting the families who were there as Terauchi, also worked at the park as a “guests” at the theme park, she said. character actor. They didn’t see each “A lot of them have waited so long to other very much, but when they did, come, saving money,” she said. “And Terauchi was inspired. there are the Make A Wish children.

“It was good to have someone from We basically take their pain away Grosse Ile down there” Terauchi said. because they’re “It was very nice getting distracted to see a familiar and having such a face.” good time.”

A lot of the Terauchi, who performers has always been Terauchi “energetic and worked with had outgoing,” loved previously worked connecting with on the Disney the guests at the Cruise Line, and park, and also that sounded with her fellow pretty good to her. performers.

“I wanted to do “We were something outside together all the of theme parks so time,” she said. “I I could grow,” she have never felt so said. close to a group of So when an people. There are audition for that so many different job opened up in Lisa Terauchi has performed at Disney World and will soon perform New York City types of people on Disney Cruise Lines. working there that last year, Terauchi share the passion.” was there.

The hardest part of the Disney World “It was the most competitive job for her was working on holidays audition I’ve ever been to,” she said. when she wanted to spend time with Again, she connected with the her family, she said. Her parents and casting director. Right after her college younger sister helped out with that graduation, an offer came to her to be issue. hired as a “cast member” on the Disney “My family traveled to Orlando at Wonder cruise ship. She took the job.

Christmas time for the first two years “I’m flying out March 12 to Toronto when I worked for Disney,” she said. for training and learning the shows,” “I’ve been able to get Christmas off for Terauchi said. “Then they’ll be flying the last two years.” the cast out. I’ll be spending most

of my time in Alaska. I’m looking forward to escaping the Orlando heat this summer. Later, we’ll go to the Caribbean. To my understanding, we’ll be working seven days a week, but we’ll have some time to go to the ports. For the cruise line, I’ll be doing a similar thing to what I did at the park.

During the day, I’ll be “friends” with a character, assisting families and taking pictures for them. In the evening, I’ll be an ensemble dancer for the main stage show.”

Her advice for dancers hoping for jobs with Disney?

“Definitely go to every audition you see,” she said. “And don’t be down if you get cut right away. I met a lot of dancers who auditioned nine or 10 times before they finally got in.

Meanwhile, build up your credentials.”

Terauchi earned her performance “credentials” when she was younger in high school marching band and in numerous dance competitions and recitals with Grosse Ile Academy of Dance and with Dance Grosse Ile, now Studio G Performing Arts Center. She’s very grateful to her dance instructors, including Tricia Daraban (now the owner of Dance Nation in Woodhaven) and gymnastics teacher Beck Greene of the Grosse Ile Academy of Dance for seeing potential in her.

“If they hadn’t given me that, I don’t think I’d be here today,” Terauchi said.

And after her eight month cruise venture, she might like to start her own dance competition, Terauchi said.

But for now, she’s sailing into the future aboard the Disney Wonder.

Page 6 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

Now thru April 30th

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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Stepping out in style!

March 9 - April 10, 2019 • Page 7

Chamber black-tie expo excites guests with Oscar theme

By Paula Newman Fifty or so diverse businesses — small, large and nonprofit — showed their wares and services to about 300 elegantly clad people at the annual Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber’s Black Tie Gala and Expo Feb. 8.

The event has an Oscar theme, which didn’t disappoint, said chamber President Ron Hinrichs.

“People seemed very excited,” he said. “They came in black tie and ball gowns, and that’s exactly what we were hoping for. Vendors also played along with the theme.

Community Publishing & Printwell had a photo setup where people could hold an Oscar statuette and have their picture taken, and Sterling Office Systems of Livonia had a 3D printer set up and they were printing little Oscar statuettes.”

About 15 restaurant also offered sumptuous fare for the party-goers.

The three-hour event, held at Crystal Gardens in Southgate, offered everyone a chance to dine, mingle and network, which is the intent of the expo, formerly held by the Downriver Community Conference and Downriver Metroplex Alliance. It used to be a three-day affair held at Yack Arena in Wyandotte.

The chamber took it over, and in 2018, moved it to Crystal Gardens after “reassessing the needs and desires of our membership,” Hinrich said.

And the event’s afterglow, featuring a live band, was “just a blast,” he added.

Chamber Black Tie committee members Krishelle Kohler Wiley (left) of Eldercare on Grosse Ile and Mary Jane Fallot of Mary Jane’s Gifts in Lincoln Park.

AWARD WINNERS FROM THE EXPO ARE:

• Best Chef Presentation: Grosse Ile Golf & County Club • Best Appetizer: Beaumont Trenton • Best Entrée: Whiskeys on the Water • Best Dessert: Smugglers on the River • Best Booth: Sterling Office Systems • Best Multiple Booth: Monroe Bank & Trust • Best Interactive Booth: Downriver Community Federal Credit Union

Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club Executive Sous Chef Joel Malenfant (left) and Executive Chef Nathan Yorke.

GIGCC won the award for “best chef presentation.

Photos by Dave Gorgon

Riverview Register owners and publishers Will and Sherry Evans with Chamber Chairman of the Board Robert Jones of AT&T.

Page 8 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

It’s Ruby to the rescue

By Gail Albin Doesn’t it seem that I am always writing about my family? I write about subjects I know and understand the best. Ruby is my 20-year-old car and I’ve had her so long she is like family. She is a black Volkswagen Beetle car. She was named after a favorite harmonica song, Ruby.

She has been well taken care of and has been loyal in return. She only has a little over 42,000 miles. Ruby has never gone on a long road trip. Presently, I drive her about 35 miles a week.

My daughter, son-inlaw and teen daughter live close by. They have three licensed drivers and two cars.There are times in their Ruby, the VW Beetle busy household where all three members have errands to run where they need a car.

My Ruby would be better off if she was used more and ran at higher speeds on the freeway, so I decided that I would offer them the use of Ruby on the many days that I don’t need her.

So far it is working out well. They get to their destinations and what mother/ grandmother doesn’t like to help their family.

I discourage the teen driver from Ruby use. The car is 20 years old and I wouldn’t want a teen girl to be several miles from home at night and have car trouble.

Live long and keep up the good work dear Ruby.

McLouth cleanup continues; violations addressed and handled, officials say

By Paula Newman The long, involved demolition and cleanup of the former McLouth Steel site in Trenton led to violations of asbestos removal recently, but those issues have been addressed and public is not at risk, said state Rep. Darrin Camilleri.

Camilleri represents the 23rd District, which includes Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Huron, Trenton, Woodhaven and Brownstown, his hometown. During a recent coffee hour the representative held in Woodhaven, some people asked questions about the violations and the cleanup, he said.

“People are still watching what’s happening there,” Camilleri said. “I think a lot of people are still concerned. The EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) and MDEQ (Michigan Department of Environmental Quality) have indicated that they’re satisfied.”

The cited violations took place during the removal of contaminated materials, and involved friable (easily crumbled into a powder) asbestos.

People are still watching what’s happening there. I think a lot of people are still concerned.

The former McLouth site is now owned by Crown Enterprise Inc. and MSC Land Co. LLC. The owners hired 1st Century Salvage and Next Generation Environmental Inc., to do the demolition work.

The violations were discovered Jan. 22 by MDEQ monitors, Camilleri said.

The agency has stated that it found no air pollution due to the violations.

Mechanical air monitors on the site have not detected problems.

Camilleri urged residents to be observant as the demolition and cleanup continue for the next few years.

“If people see issues, they can contact my office, the MDEQ and EPA,” he said.

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March 9 - April 10, 2019 • Page 9

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As much as I hate to waste my time correcting “fake news” - and there is plenty of it - there are some social media threads that must be addressed.

Like a disease, the sooner these are confronted and corrected, the sooner we can all heal and move on.

What I am referring to are the

By Brian Loftus misleading posts about the treatment that TAILS is receiving from Grosse Ile Township. This article will explain the history behind the Township’s current relationship with The Animals Island League Shelter – “TAILS.” In 1996, a group of Island residents formed TAILS as a non-profit 501(c) (3) corporation. Both their articles of incorporation for non-profit status and their by-laws contained this statement of purpose: “To establish, operate and maintain an Island facility of the sheltering and care for domesticated, homeless, Island pets…”

In 1997, in support of TAILS, the Township provided $49,000 to convert an existing building at Centennial Farm into an animal shelter. The shelter was managed by our Animal Control Officer (ACO) and supported, both financially and with volunteer effort, by TAILS, a relationship that functioned smoothly and beneficially for almost two decades.

For a number of reasons, most of which will never be fully known, the relationship deteriorated between the TAILS volunteers and the Township’s ACO. At some point, the directors of TAILS sought to expand their mission.

The first effort was to dramatically expand or rebuild the shelter, and TAILS collected tens of thousands of donated dollars for this project.

I was present at an open house where their plan was unveiled – impressive, but obviously unnecessary for the very few animals being housed at the time. The expansion was never approved by the Board of Trustees, but the fundraising continued. Some of the directors maintained their pursuit of the major expansion, to the extent that they denied funds for necessary improvements and repairs to

the existing shelter.

Eventually our current ACO, Ms. Cortis, had to begin her own fundraising efforts in order to maintain the shelter without additional financial strain on the Township.

With reportedly $100,000 available, these same directors decided to further expand their mission by supporting other shelters, notably Monroe County, supplying thousands of dollars of dog food funded by TAILS donors (of which I was one).

These donors had been told that their donations went to care solely for homeless or surrendered Island animals (with, admittedly, a few exceptions).

For reasons known only to her, our ACO sought to report this and other malfeasances to prospective TAILS donors through an anonymous letter that many of you received. In response, two directors filed a lawsuit in Circuit Court against Ms. Cortis and myself, alleging (among other things) ‘defamation’ and demanding damages “above $25,000.”

After 18 months and hundreds of wasted hours, the plaintiffs requested dismissal and the judge ordered the suit dismissed ‘with prejudice’ (ask an attorney friend what that implies).

However, during the discovery phase, we learned that TAILS had: • Violated state statutes • Violated IRS regulations • Violated their own by-laws • Allowed non-profit charity status to lapse without notifying donors • Deposited funds into the TAILS account intended expressly for the Grosse Ile Animal Shelter And much, much more in the hundreds of pages of records and court documents from the suit. This could not continue!

Despite the fact that they were operating improperly, they continue their attacks against the Township, most recently the orchestrated verbal assault against ACO Cortis at the January 27 Board meeting. A series of unfounded, unsupportable derogatory opinions during public comment that only further broadened the divide between the Township and TAILS. SEE REST, Page 34

Page 10 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

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Page 12 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

GAIL ALBIN ASKS THE RESIDENTS

As winter continues, what television shows do you enjoy watching?

Lila Hagaman

Michael Brescabe

Lindsey Stocking

I like to watch movies, cartoon movies. I like Lilo and Stitch.

I don’t watch much TV; my wife keeps me busy working on our new home.

I like Grey’s Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder, American Housewife, The Titan Games.

Avery Parsons

Marsha Stackpoole

Eileen Ellis

I like to watch true stories on television.

I like to watch Smithsonian Discovery on Nat Geo.

I like to knit and watch Madam Secretary on CBS.

Kathy Hagaman

Danny Trondle

Joyce Tecmire

I like cooking shows / baking competitions.

I like watching Antique Road Show, Doc Martin, and Downton Abbey.

I don’t watch a lot of tv, mostly miniseries and dramas.

Sam Nemon

Tom Brown

Kris Jurecki

I like mostly news and college basketball.

My favorite programs to watch are sports, primarily golf and basketball.

Don’t watch a lot of TV, on Netflix I like the series This Is Us, and GITV.

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March 9 - April 10, 2019 • Page 13

Public Service Credit Union opens new kind of branch

By Hank Minckiewicz There is something you’ll notice right off the bat when you walk through the door of the new Public Service Credit Union on Macomb Street - it looks different.

And it is different. Different than any other credit union, bank or financial institution you’ve been to.

Gone is the long line of tellers, gone is the amusement park style line-up area, gone is the bullet-proof glass. When you walk into this credit union it is more like walking into a cafe or phone store.

The wall of tellers has been replaced by a trio of work areas - PSCU calls them pods - that customers can standor sit - at and do their banking.

According to Marketing Manager Nadine Hohnke, the idea for the new configuration came from Public Service Credit Union CEO Dean Trudeau.

“We were sitting around getting ready to design the new branch and he said, ‘let’s try the pods,’” Hohnke said.

“It is an idea he’s been wanting to try.”

Public Service credit union has 15

branches in Michigan - four, including its Romulus headquarters in the Downriver area - and the Grosse Ile is the first with the pod-style set up. The

branch has been open since Jan. 28 and Hohnke said residents seem to be taking to the new concept.

“People really seem to like it,” she

said. “It’s a little more comfortable than the traditional layout.”

In addition to the new format, the new branch also has a basement space that the credit union is willing to allow the community use for free for meetings and events. The space even has a separate entrance, so it can be used nearly any time of the day and cause no disruption to the work being done upstairs.

To reserve the space, Hohnke said residents can simply call the branch.

Public Service Credit Union is not new to the Island, there has been a branch here for years, but when the chance to move to a more prime location became available, the company jumped on it.

“We’re hoping to keep investing in the Island,” Hohnke said. We see a lot of opportunity here and as the only financial institution left here, we hope people see our investment.”

Unlike some credit unions, which have membership requirements, PSC is open to everyone. So if you are looking for a place to do your banking on the Island, they’d like to talk to you.

Page 14 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Kiwanis Club serves community, focuses on children

By Gerry Page President Grosse Ile Kiwanis The Kiwanis Club of Grosse Ile is in its 56th year of serving our community.

We are a group of volunteers working to improve our community with a focus on projects benefiting the children of Grosse Ile. * Each spring we fund, organize and recruit volunteers for the AllIsland Clean-Up. We are joined by many different service organization volunteers and Grosse Ile citizens as we work together to beautify our community. * We support the High School Key Club and the Middle School Builders Club programs. These clubs encourage community service, guiding our youth towards becoming exemplary citizens and active community members. The clubs support many community events.

Each year the Grosse Ile Kiwanis awards two GI Kiwanis Memorial Scholarships to graduating seniors. * Every March, we organize a reading day at Park Lane Elementary School. Township personnel and other

community leaders join us in a day of reading. Every December we distribute Dictionaries to the 5th graders of Meridian Elementary School. Both events are in support of Worldwide Literacy Projects.

• We participate in many of the annual events, including Paint the Town Red, the Grosse Ile Halloween Parade and Macomb Street Trick-orTreating to name just a few.

• We are the organization behind the Service Flag Project, which is a subscription service where we place a Flag in the subscriber’s yard or location of their choice (on GI only) for 6 patriotic holidays (Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Patriot’s Day and weather permitting, Veteran’s Day).

• Beyond these local projects, the Kiwanis Club of Grosse Ile also supports national Kiwanis efforts such as projects at Children’s Hospital, Worldwide Disease Prevention, services for blind people and other beneficial projects.

Have McLouth questions? Ask EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency will be in the Downriver area on March 25, 26, and 27 as well as April 9, 10, and 11 to speak with residents and local business owners about the cleanup of the former McLouth Steel facility.

If you have questions or concerns about the facility and its cleanup, please contact EPA contractor Meg Moosa at 440-688-4006 or meg. moosa@tetratech.com to schedule a 30-minute appointment that is convenient for you, daytime or evening. We will be stationed at the Trenton Veterans Memorial Library, located at 2790 Westfield Road in Trenton.

Community interviews provide the basis for a Community Involvement Plan to help the Agency handle concerns and keep residents, businesses and local officials informed and involved in the cleanup.

Visit www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-community-involvement for more information on EPA’s community involvement process or www.epa. gov/superfund/mclouth-steelfor more information on the McLouth Steel site.

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

March 9 - April 10, 2019 • Page 15

Make 2019 The Year Of Your Best Smile Call for your appointment today!

Beverly T. Morris, DDS, PC Family Dentistry 24201 Meridian, Grosse Ile 734-692-0102 www.beverlymorrisdds.com

CULINARY CAPERS You may remember that I climbed on my soapbox recently to complain that downsized cake mixes and canned goods are messing up some of our favorite recipes and sometimes making them unusable. One of my best recipes was for Bacardi Rum Cake, but I wasn’t able to bake the intoxicatingly delicious creation again until I

By Evelyn Cairns accidentally discovered a website with cake and cookie recipes for the smaller mixes.

It included the rum cake, which has been revised by Bacardi and is just as delectable as I remember it, and a tangy lemon Bundt cake.

BACARDI RUM CAKE (Adapted) Cake: 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans (or walnuts) 15.25-ounce box yellow “moist-type” cake mix 3 eggs ½ cup cold water 1/3 cup cooking oil ½ cup Bacardi dark rum (I used light rum) Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour 10- or 12-inch Bundt pan.

Sprinkle nuts over bottom of pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, water, oil and rum. Mix well. Pour over nuts in prepared pan. Bake about 55 minutes, or until golden and middle tests done with a toothpick. Cool on wire rack 10 minutes while preparing glaze.

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Glaze: ¼ pound butter (1 stick) ¼ cup water 1 cup granulated sugar ½ cup Bacardi light rum Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat; add water and sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to boil gently for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in rum. Poke bottom of cake with a toothpick while still in pan and spoon about half of glaze over cake. Turn cake onto platter, then poke holes in top and spoon remainder of glaze over top of cake.

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LEMON BLISS BUNDT CAKE (Adapted) Cake: 15.25-ounce box “moist type” yellow cake mix 3.4-ounce box lemon-flavored instant pudding Zest of 2 large lemons ½ cup water ¾ cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla 4 eggs Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Generously spray a 12-cup Bundt pan with non-stick baking spray. In a large bowl, whisk cake mix, pudding mix and lemon zest. Make a well in mixture and add the water, oil, vanilla and eggs. With electric mixer, beat on low speed until blended. Scrape bowl and beat on medium 3 more minutes. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool about 1 hour, then turn onto platter and spoon on the following icing drizzle, allowing the icing to run down the side of the cake: Icing Drizzle: 1 cup confectioner’s sugar 5 teaspoons milk ¾ teaspoon lemon extract Combine powdered sugar with milk and lemon extract, stirring until smooth.

(From DearCrissy.com) ••• Thank you, Darlene Randazzo of Trenton, for pointing out the mistake in the directions for the Eagle Tavern Potato Soup Recipe published in January. The potatoes are not cooked before they are added to the broth.

Here’s the corrected recipe: EAGLE TAVERN POTATO SOUP (Adapted) ¼ pound butter 1 small onion, chopped 2 ribs celery chopped 1 medium-sized carrot, chopped ½ cup flour 3 cups chicken broth 4 medium raw potatoes, diced 1½ teaspoons salt ¼ teaspoon pepper 2 cups milk Sauté onions celery and carrots in butter until tender. Add flour to make a roux and cook slightly. Stir in chicken broth and potatoes. Simmer until potatoes are barely tender. Add salt, pepper and milk.

Contact me at Evycairns@aol.com

Page 16 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

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March 9 - April 10, 2019 • Page 17

Grosse Ile District Among Best in State

State of the Schools: Superb!

Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a series exploring the State of the Grosse Ile Township Schools.

By Bill Stevenson Following the practice of periodically giving a “State of” Address on a national, state, or local level, Grosse Ile Township School Superintendent Joanne Lelekatch, recently provided a mid-term assessment: “The State of Grosse Ile Schools is Strong!” And while most of the annual addresses are given somewhere towards the beginning of each calendar year, the “State of the Schools” looks at the start of the 2018-2019 school year in September to its end in June.

A starting point for the school quality assurance assessment, begins with school officials, parents, and community members reviewing the vision and mission of the school district. The vision the Board of Education adopted in its five year strategic plan in 2014 was “to provide an exceptional educational experience that embraces all aspects of student achievement, and through an invested community inspires the development of well-rounded, innovative students for continued success through a safe, nurturing environment.”

And the mission of the Grosse Ile Township Schools is “in cooperation with students, parents, and community, is to teach the knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary for every student to lead a successful life.”

For many residents who have lived on Grosse Ile for several generations, or for families just recently moved to the Island, the reputation of Grosse Ile Schools has not just been established overnight. Ask residents about the schools, and they have anecdotes about their own experiences coming through the school district, or as parents who moved to Grosse Ile so their children could attend Grosse Ile schools. The consensus is that the school system isn’t perfect, but there has been a long tradition of excellence which ranks Grosse Ile schools among the best in the State of Michigan.

Superintendent Joanne Lelekatch asserts, “Our students deserve the best, and we expect our teachers to bring

their “A” game every day. Working in partnership with our parents and staff, we are able to achieve our goals at increasingly higher levels year after year.”

Citizens can verify the State of the Schools by visiting the District webpage (https://www. gischools.org) and clicking on either the “Transparency Reporting” link, detailing budget and salary compensation information, or the “MiSchool Data” dashboard which provides performance accountability for Meridian Elementary, Parke Lane Elementary, Grosse Ile Middle School, and Grosse Ile High School.

“We also want to provide our community with a ‘traffic light’ on progress meeting the goals of the Board of Education,” Lelekatch said, “So everyone can see that we have met, or are on our way to meeting the five main goal areas set forth in the strategic plan, which needs to be reviewed in 2019.”

The five goal areas for continued improvement are: Student Achievement, Technology, Communication, Learning Environment, and Finance.

Curriculum Director, Audrey Kalisz commented on areas of student achievement, “We are excited that we have adopted a new reading and writing program Kindergarten through 8th grade, which will address identified learning gaps from grade to grade. It also allows for differentiated

instruction, more individualized learning, and multiple methods of assessment to meet the varying needs of our students. The middle school has adopted the same exam schedule as the high school, to provide students the opportunities to demonstrate their proficiencies in a rigorous assessment.”

“We are very proud to have established the STEAM program (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) PreKindergarten through 5th grade to help develop inquiry, collaboration, and process-based learning-- skills that students need in the 21st century.

Superintendent Lelekatch added, “We have been able to provide a common preparation period from our Young Fives to 5th grade teachers which is so important for collaboration and pinpointing individual student strengths and areas of improvement.

Further, we have been working to reduce class size in the upper elementary grades, 3 through 5.

“Additionally, we are very thankful for the community support in our delayed start Mondays to maintain our Professional Learning Communities, or PLCs, in grades K through 12.”

And, with the recent news of Grosse Ile named the “Safest City in Michigan,” parents and citizens should also know that the school is a microcosm of the greater community, in attaining the Board goal that “all

students will be engaged in a safe and consistent environment.”

According to Niche, a website which generates nationwide rankings of school districts, the Grosse Ile Township Schools were rated #1 as the safest school district in the State of Michigan.

The honor was based on its analysis of parent and student surveys, the number of suspensions, expulsions, and studentrelated arrests, as well as absenteeism and per-pupil expenditures.

Finally, in the area of finance, Business Manager, Linda Drzyzga was happy to report that through belttightening and prudent management, the district was able to attain their deficit reduction targets in a timely manner, and exceed the Board goal, growing the unrestricted fund balance an estimated 14% on expected expenditures.

And while the state of Grosse Ile Township Schools has been, and is, strong, the district faces similar problems, as all public schools throughout Michigan and the United States. Additional issues of the Grosse Ile Grand will explore the successes and challenges of the district in the areas of Academics, Finance, Athletics, Extracurricular Activities, School/ Community Perspectives.

Ultimately, the goal is a combined effort for continuous improvement of the Grosse Ile Township Schools, and doing what is best for the most important element—our students.

Page 18 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Long-time elected official named to high school Wall of Fame

By Paula Newman Joseph Palamara has public service in his blood.

He’s been an elected official representing Downriver since 1984.

His father, Sam Palamara, who died Jan. 10 at the age of 90, was an administrator in the Wyandotte Recreation Department for 25 years, an elected member of the Wyandotte City Council and active in many community organizations.

Joseph Palamara, a resident of Grosse Ile, has been named to the 2019 Roosevelt High School Distinguished Graduate Wall of Fame for his decades of public service. His father earned the same honor in 1994, and that means a great deal to the son.

“That’s what makes this so special and humbling,” said Joseph Palamara, who graduated from Roosevelt in 1971.

“I am honored beyond words. The first thing I thought of when I heard about it was my dad.”

Joseph Palamara was first elected as a state representative in 1984, and he served for seven terms until term

limits first took effect. In 1998, he was elected to the Wayne County Commission, where he currently serves as vice chairman. He also serves on the commission’s committees of Ways and Means, Economic Development and Public Services. The district he represents comprises Grosse Ile Township, Wyandotte, Ecorse, River Rouge, Gibraltar, Riverview, Southgate and Trenton.

Palmara was first nominated for the Wall of Fame by former Southgate Mayor Norma Wurmlinger, another Wall of Fame inductee who graduated from Roosevelt in 1949. That was a few years ago. More recently, Palamara was nominated for the honor again by former Wyandotte Mayor James Wagner.

Palamara — like his father who played professional minor league baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox and Brooklyn Dodgers — was a top-rated athlete.

In his senior year at Michigan State University, he led the Spartans’ baseball team in hitting, received his

PNP

team’s Sportsmanship Award and was named to the All-Big Ten and AllAmerican teams as a second baseman.

He graduated from MSU with a degree in business, and in 1985 he earned his juris doctorate degree from the Detroit College of Law (now MSU College of Law), going to school at night while he worked during the day.

He been licensed to practice law for more than 30 years.

His wife Aline and both of his parents are Roosevelt High School graduates, and, while Palamara has been honored before in many ways, he considers being named to the school’s Wall of Fame as “one of the greatest honors of my life,” he said.

And coming so soon after losing his father makes the honor that much more meaningful.

“It’s very emotional for all of us,” Palamara said. “I’m grateful.”

He serves as a member of the Michigan Association of Counties Board of Directors, is a former member of the Board of Directors of Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital and a former

member of the Aerotropolis Executive Board. He was master of ceremonies when President Bill Clinton visited Wyandotte, and has served as a guest lecturer at the Detroit College of Law. A devoted family man, Palamara and his wife are parents to Lauren, Lance and Samantha and grandparents to four.

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Sacred Heart Lenten Fish Fries return A long standing tradition returns March 8 when Sacred Heart Catholic Church will again be hosting its Friday Lenten Fish Fry and Shrimp dinners.

The event was previously held at the VFW Hall, but the the past five years organizers have held the event at the parish hall. The hall seats over 250 people. The Sacred Heart Parish Hall is located at 21599 Parke Lane (South of Church Road).

The dinners will be held every Friday from March 8 - April 19 from 4-7:30 p.m.

There are dinners featuring fried or broiled cod, fried lake perch, fried shrimp and broiled grouper. All dinners Include: baked Idaho potato or french fries, house-made cole slaw and Island Bakery fresh dinner roll.

Side orders available are crab cakes, pierogies, shrimp, french fries and baked potato.

Available on the children’s menu

are fresh-baked cheese pizza and macaroni and cheese.

The Sacred Heart dinners have become famous for their soups and some attend just for them. The housemade soups are lobster bisque, French onion, New England clam chowder, seafood chowder, tomato basil, mushroom and potato leek.

Deserts are also available and change weekly and there is wine, beer soft drinks, coffee and tea to drink.

Carry-outs are available as are glutenfree items.

Most Fridays will have a theme like, Country, Canada, Michigan, USA, St. Patrick’s Day, and south of the border and the hall is decorated reflecting the day’s theme. There is also live music each week, provided by various artists and groups The parish serves between 350-500 meals each night and it take about 60 K of C members and volunteers to pull off the events.

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March 9 - April 10, 2019 • Page 23

By David L. Dyer Once again I’d like to share my Old Glory story.

A couple of years ago on the day prior to Flag Day, I looked out my window and watched as two members of the Kiwanis Club were installing a flag in my front yard.

By the time I got out to thank them they were already on their way to another destination. I waved a word of thanks to them.

The next night after reading the words which were read at a Flag Day Ceremony I stared at that flag in my yard for a few minutes. I soon realized this was not just an ordinary flag. Let me share with you some of the words from that unknown author.

“I am the flag of the United States of America.

My name is Old Glory. I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings. I stand watch in America’s halls of justice.

I fly majestically over institutions of learning. I stand guard with power in the world. Look up and see me.

I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice. I stand for freedom. I am confident. I am arrogant. I am proud. When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer.

I bow to no one. I am recognized all over the world. I am worshipped – I am saluted, I am revered, I am respected and I am loved.

I have fought in every battle of every war for more than 200 years. I was flown at Valley Forge and Gettysburg.

I was there at San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, in the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome and the beaches of Normandy, Guam, Okinawa, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

I was there. I led my troops. I was dirty, battle weary and tired, but my soldiers cheered me and I was proud.

On September 11, 2001 America was attacked by cowardly fanatics and many lives were lost, but those that would destroy me cannot win because I am the symbol of freedom of one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Yes, I too was in New York. I have borne silent witness to all of America’s finest hours, but my finest hours are yet to come.

When I am torn into strips and used as bandages for my wounded comrades on the battlefield, when I am flown at half mast to honor my soldier, or when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter, I am proud.

I am the flag of the United States of America. My name is Old Glory, long may I wave. Dear god in heaven - long may I wave.

So Grosse Ile, how about it? You can have that same special flag installed in front of your house as many as six times per year simply by calling the

Kiwanis Club. I have renewed my subscription for the third time. The cost is a modest $40 for an annual subscription. Let’s try to double the subscriptions of 99 this year. When you decide to call in your order ask your neighbors if they would like to join you.

What a wonderful sight it would be to see Old Glory waving up and down each street on this island as many as six times each year.

The number to call at the Kiwanis Club is, 734288-7293.

VFW buys Girl Scout Cookies, sends them to troops

By David L. Dyer When the subject of Girl Scout Cookies came up my fellow VFW comrad Mike Earley suggested that if we were going to purchase cookies, why not do so from the same group that re-structured

our landscaping this past fall.

Those girls, Katie White, Kayt Mclouth and Emma Trombley did a wonderful job as they earned their silver badge. We are anxiously waiting to see what the front of our building will look like when

the warm weather arrives.

We purchased 12 cases of cookies and forwarded them to 175 Michigan National Guard troops that are currently deployed.

“The Spiritual and Gospel Experience” is theme of the 2019 Grosse Ile Chorale concert A tradition that started in 1986 when the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church’s choir director and GIHS vocal teacher presented his first concert to satisfy requirements for his doctorate, Dr. James Parker will present a concert at 3 p.m. on Sun., March 24, 2019 at the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church, 7925 Horsemill Rd., Grosse Ile. The theme this year is “The Spiritual and Gospel Experience” presented by Stacey Gibbs, a very prolific and well received arranger

of spirituals and gospel music.

He is a Michigan native, who has numerous arrangements in print, and has had them performed by well known high school, college, and professional choirs around the US and the world.

Several of Stacey Gibbs’ arrangements will be performed at the American Choral Directors Association National Convention in Kansas City this year which took place Feb. 27-March 2.

The concert will feature

the Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church adult choir, the Grosse Ile Children’s Choir, the Parker Chorale, and the Grosse Ile Chorale. Directors are Dr. James Parker and Barbara Conroy.

Music performed will be arranged

by Gibbs and other spiritual and gospel music arrangers chosen by him.

There is no admission charge, but a free will offering will be taken.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK — GROSSE ILE GRAND

Time to renew your Old Glory subscription

Page 24 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

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March 9 - April 10, 2019 • Page 25

Conquering Life Challenges Rock CF to Rally the Troops

and boosted my self-esteem. I wanted to do something and change my life.”

Emily started out raising awareness and money by doing gigs at local Detroit venues with her rock n’ roll band, Hellen. In 2007, she wanted to fill the

In the pre-dawn hours towards the end of March, a small army will invade Grosse Ile to attack a deadly killer. Slowly, quietly, they will move to their appointed places, carrying their equipment and provisions for the coordinated assault.

These troops will be not just be racing against Time, nor seeking personal glory, but will be bearing a torch for a cause much greater

By Bill Stevenson than themselves.

The target objective: move closer to a cure for a disease that affects more than 30,000 people in the United States alone.

The army: runners, walkers, volunteers who will join the command and control structure in the 9th Annual Rock CF Road Races on Sunday morning, March 24, 2019 in an effort to stay healthy, heighten awareness, and raise funds to eradicate Cystic Fibrosis.

The director and founder of Rock CF, Emily Schaller, daughter of former Grosse Ile residents, Lowell and Deb Schaller, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at eighteen months.

As a child, she dealt with multiple hospitalizations a year. Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections, but also affects the pancreas, liver, kidneys, and intestines. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, most people with CF are diagnosed by age two. Although, there is no known cure, when coupled with proper medical treatments, exercise and running has been shown to help maintain lung 2018 Rock CF Run winner Nick Budzyn function in CF patients. The median life expectancy now is 41, where in the late 1950s, children who were diagnosed did not live void in the 18- to 35-year-old demographic among to adulthood. One in 25 people carry the gene that CF patients, as well as the general public, in the area causes Cystic Fibrosis. of nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyles. And the She said, “I was sick of being sick all the time. non-profit Rock CF was born. The foundation has The doctors told my parents that I wouldn’t live seen tremendous growth in its scope and outreach, long enough to graduate from high school. I did my featured in the New York Times, the Washington research on nutrition and exercise. And I started Post, Forbes Magazine, the Atlantic Monthly, running.”

Runner’s World Magazine, as well as local Detroit “Working with my doctors at U of M and the area publications and National Public Radio.

Detroit Medical Center, I found that running Further, Rock CF Foundation sponsors the “Kicks improved my lung function, my overall wellness, Back” program that donates running shoes to people

with CF and registers them for a race of their choice.

Their “Attain Health” program links patients with health care professionals in a platform of Integrative Health and Physical Performance Coaching to optimize their daily care and achieve their health goals. More importantly, the Rock CF Foundation has donated more than $1,000,000 for research in the fight against CF. In 2011, the first Rock CF Rivers Half Marathon was staged on Grosse Ile and drew 1,600 runners and walkers.

This year a brigade of more than 2600 road warriors have registered for one of several expanded races, which due to various construction projects on Grosse Ile, will take them along all new routes.

The most coveted prize is the conquering of the Rivers Half Marathon, 13.1 miles. Starting at Grosse Ile Middle School 23270 East River Road at 8:00 a.m. The half marathon is presented by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a leading company in battle against CF. New this year to the Rock CF circuit is a 10 Miler race that follows the same start as the half marathon, but finishes up inside the Grosse Ile Naval Station Hangar, 9601 Groh Road. The Navy Base was fully operational from 1927 to 1969, and trained thousands of Navy fighter pilots, including former President George H.W. Bush, The 10 miler is presented by the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Boomer Esiason is a former NFL quarterback whose son was diagnosed with CF in 1993.

For those who’d like to tag-team their efforts, Rock CF offers a Two Person Relay, with the first leg, 9.5 miles starting with the half marathoners and ten milers, and ending at the transition area on Groh Road. The second leg is 3.6 miles from the Navy Base to the finish at Grosse Ile Middle School. The relay is sponsored by Proteostatasis Therapeutics.

Lastly, for those rangers who want to challenge themselves over a shorter distance, there is a 5K Run/Walk, sponsored by the University of Michigan Home Med team. It starts at 8:15 a.m. inside the Naval Station Hangar, and proceeds down Groh and East River Roads to the common finish.

And as the runners advance towards the finish line, and the world moves closer to a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, the words of Emily Schaller and Rock CF becomes the mantra of every runner: “I run to live.”

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

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Page 26 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

SUGGESTIONS OR COMMENTS? WE ARE LISTENING AT 734-282-3939

LISTENING IN ON THE ISLAND

There is currently a lot of interest in genealogy The Fruccis are among many Americans sending their DNA to 23andMe, a business in North Carolina which reads your DNA and sends back a report on your ancestors.

Speaking of ancestors, I saw on a souvenir plate we have from the Apollo flights to the moon the name Schweickart as

By Pamela A. Frucci having flown an exploratory trip to the moon in March 1969 on Apollo IX (not landing since that didn’t happen until July 1969 with Apollo 11.)

Although Russell (Rusty) Scheickart didn’t land on the moon, he did carry out a spacewalk. John Schweickart, chair of the Planning Commission and his nephew Steve, a member of the Grosse Ile Nature & Land Conservancy, both told me they’re related to the astronaut.

I have a retired teacher friend who tells me she has traced her ancestry back to Charlemagne in 800. When I asked her how she was ever able to go back so many centuries, she said, “With patience and waiting until your relative wants to be found!”

She also used birth and marriage documents, newspaper clippings, visited cemeteries, and read family Bibles. She added that the library the Mormons maintain in Salt Lake City is a good source and especially the Fort Wayne Public Library which has the largest collection of family histories.

My friend has also relatives who were part of the Norman conquest of England in 1066, who signed the Magna Carta in 1215, and she has traced relatives who came over on the Mayflower and those who fought in the American Revolution. In order to have unravelled this amazing heritage, I credit my friend as a “super sleuth!”

Closer to home is the Downriver Genealogy Society which was founded in 1979 in the Lincoln Park Library. It later moved to the building housing the Historical Society, but ended up at the Taylor Public Library where they were located for 10 years.

The Society recently got a notice

they’d have to move since the library was handing over their space to the WCCCD, whose Downriver campus is in Taylor.

Luckily, the Flat Rock School Board offered the Society space in their 1911 School Administration Building on Division.

The move is being accomplished as this is written and they plan to be open for those seeking information on family history at their regular hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays from 1-5 p.m.

They serve 18 communities in the Downriver area. The Society is thankful for their new quarters and credits both the Flat Rock Schools and the Historical Society for facilitating the move.

One of the major tasks recently accomplished by the active members of the Society is digitizing all the Downriver newspapers including the Ile Camera up to 2011. For more information about the Downriver Genealogy Society, go online to downrivergenealogysociety.org.

ISLAND VOLUNTEERS TUTOR AT HARMS SCHOOL IN DETROIT Besides tutoring first through third graders at Harms School in Detroit by helping with homework, the volunteers - many from the G.I. Presbyterian Church, St. Thomas, and St. James - do crafts, read story books, and Dr. Jim Parker plays the piano and teaches them songs in both English and Spanish.

Two members of the Presbyterian Church’s Mary/Martha Circle filled a need at Harms School. Elaine Richardson donated a huge bag of colorful flannel hats which she hand sewn and Linda Washburn made a lot of kids happy by providing a bag of cuddly teddy bears. The principal said the bears are given out to children who come to the office upset or crying. After he hands them a bear, they become calmer and happier.

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March 9 - April 10, 2019 • Page 27

Recently, I read two stories about Amazon.com. Amazon serves well in an effort to find the definition of “The Problem.” They do need to be called out, but the problem is far larger than Amazon. The problem is policy.

Story No.1: In Fortune magazine, headline: Amazon Will Pay A Whopping $0 in Federal Taxes on $11.2 billion profits.

The article states

By Peter Rose that Amazon actually reported $129 million 2018 federal tax rebate, making its tax rate a minus 1.9 percent.

Story No. 2: Amazon announced that its “second headquarters” that was to be built in New York City would not be going forward after extensive opposition wore out their patience.

Virtually all quarters of the news, from Fox to MSNBC vilified the opposition, defended and sided with Amazon for the unfair and unwise treatment.

A sad day, they said.

Stakes are getting too high to play nice Amazon built its business with tax loopholes and obsolete sales tax policy that was not corrected to address an era of internet sales. It took decades for lawmakers to even acknowledge that there was a problem. But what became abundantly clear in this foot dragging was that this failure to act was a policy in and of itself. That policy was and is a decision of favoritism, through which winners and losers get actively chosen.

The failure to course-correct had a profound impact on the allocation of dollars spent, from locally owned and independent operators to national organizations funded by shareholders.

Billions of dollars in Michigan alone were deliberately ignored. Michigan didn’t need or want those revenues.

Moreover, the negative effect on Michigan businesses was significant.

We paid the taxes and Amazon got the sales. The idiocy of this is beyond comprehension. Reckless, ill-advised, irresponsible - stupid.

We encouraged the money to leave

the state; didn’t want the tax dollars. But we surely enforced collection from the brick and mortars that were here 365, contributing to the overall welfare of the state.

And this played out across the nation, it gave Amazon all the time they needed to build an empire that today is still just an embryo. The corporate strategy was to lose money so as to build their infrastructure and the shareholders were happy to oblige the predatory (and supposedly illegal) tactics. They’re playing the long game, after all.

Amazon lost tons of money as they built the machinery necessary to capture more and more market share. That market share came from independent merchants across the nation and happened because Amazon did this on purpose.

The result is carry-forward losses that result in zero federal taxes.They got a refund. This is a mutant form of capitalism that is aided and abetted by policy.

And it gets worse: Antitrust laws have been drastically under-enforced and outright ignored, providing advantage for “big’ at the expense of “small”, and pan-sector dominance is a new phenomenon, also being ignored.

These are policy decisions. And far worse yet is offering the moon in tax advantage to locate new facilities in whichever state wins a bidding war. The tilting of this playing field is severe.

Amazon could soon enough buy (examples): Bank of America, Quicken Loans, and Apple. Maybe Blue Cross, FedEx, Merck, or Monsanto. Or how about Google and Facebook, or all of the above - would this be good?

I, for one, want as broad of a selection of options as possible, for everything I buy, but the big are getting bigger, in all walks of life. The only way that trendline gets stemmed is lack of support for the companies aggregating their brands and power under one umbrella. It’s a general trend, not specific to Amazon. But the mercenary, predatory nature of Amazon’s game plan is different. And it’s just not OK.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK — GROSSE ILE GRAND

The gloves have to come off

Page 28 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

ADVERTISING INFO CALL 734-282-3939 AND GET RESULTS

What’s Happening Grosse Ile ...

SHRED DAY The Riverview land Preserve will sponsor and host a free shred dare for residents of Riverview, Grosse Ile, Brownstown, Trenton, Woodhaven and Wyandotte on on Saturday, April 13.

This is a free drive-thru event and a perfect opportunity to shred confidential paper materials such as receipts, bank statements, medical records and tax documents. All documents will be securely shredded on-site. Shredded paper will be recycled.

Each ton of recycled paper can save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, 7,000 gallons of water and 4,000 kilowatts of energy – enough to power the average home for six months.

Thank you for doing your part.

The event will be held rain or shine and there is a limit of three boxes of shredable material per household. No businesses, please.

Rubber bands, paper clips, staples and folders do not need to be removed. No binders, please.

GROSSE ILE SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB Meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 11:30 p.m.

Refreshments followed by short business meeting, programs, bingo. This is a social club for men and women 55 years and up living on Grosse Ile. 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 734-6752364.

TAKE IT OUTSIDE The Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy is sponsoring the High School Nature & Wildlife Photo Contest. Entrees accepted now through Thursday, May 9, 2019. Open to all high school students. Students may enter photos captured locally that inspire us to appreciate and steward our environment.

There are three categories are Creatures, Critters, and Crawly Things, Amazing Moments; and Patterns & Textures.

Enter at www.ginlc.org. Click on “Photo Contest” for the entry form.

LITTLE NINJAS KARATE Ages 4-5 on Thursdays March 14 to April 25 from 6-6:30 p.m. at Centennial Farm activity room. Focus on life skills, memory, teamwork, discipline and more. Wear loose clothing. A responsible adult must be in attendance during class.

YOUTH KARATE CLASSES Ages 6-12 on Thursdays March 14 to April 25 from 6:45-7:30 p.m. at Centennial Farm activity room. Previous Martial Arts students, regardless of rank of age, should take this class to be assessed and assigned the proper rank in Tang Soo Do. Training includes self-defense, physical fitness, antikidnapping techniques. Uniforms will be available for purchase. A responsible adult must be present. Questions for both of the above classes: call 734-9310456 or email pksagrosseile@gmail. com.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR Grades 3 to 8 continues on Wednesdays until May 29 from 3:154:15 p.m. at Meridian School. Contact Barbara Conroy at bjconroy@gmail. com or (734) 675-2364 with questions.

CARDIO DRUMMING Ages 13 and up, Session 4 begins March 11 to April 22 on Mondays from 7:45-8:30 p.m. Combines dance, rhythm, drumming for a fun workout.

All fitness levels, men, women, and teens.

BASKETBALL PROGRAM For first- and second-graders: Wednesdays, March 20 to May 1 from 6:10-7 p.m. at Parke Lane School; introduction to skills and clinics.

LIBRARY TEEN VOLUNTEERS Interested in volunteering at the library?

If you’re 14-17 yrs old, take a look through our volunteering information and fill out our application. Follow this link to the Teen Volunteer Application, fill it in and drop it off at the library’s

circulation desk or email it to Amalia Ash: ataash@trenton.lib.mi.us.

Once the completed application and work permit is given to library staff, you will be contacted within five days for a volunteering opportunity. Please note that as we have a limited number of volunteer opportunities and changing library needs, we cannot guarantee a certain number of volunteer hours or immediate placement.

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 734-283-1250 or go to Riverviewpuliclibrary.com.

CROSS TRAINING Session 4 starting March 4 from 8-9 a.m. at Centennial Farm Activity Room.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Never the same class twice. All levels welcomed and all movements can be modified; register at grosseilerecreation.

Senior fitness Session 4 starting March 4 from 9:1510 a.m. at Centennial Farm Activity Room. This workout incorporates low impact cardio moves including large muscle strength training using hand weights. Register at grosseilerecreation. 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.

The Library is committed to providing services to all patrons. Adult services include a monthly Adult Book Discussion which meets the first Tuesday of the month at 10:30 a.m.

We also provide beginning computer classes. The library often has special speakers or presentations including author book signings, informative presentations, and genealogy help.

There are state publications and informative flyers on local non-profit , and educational opportunities.

We also offer access to databases and the internet through free wi-fi access and 34 public computers. Copy machines and fax services are also available. DVD movie rentals are $1 each. New movies rent for three days and regular movies rent for one week.

There is also a free family movie on the second Saturday of the month. The Trenton Historical Society meets here twice a month to assist patrons with genealogy research. Used books are for sale in an ongoing book sale as well as the Friends of the Library Used Book Extravaganza in April and October.

Located on 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.

March 9 - April 10, 2019 • Page 29

GIGCC Continued from page 1 uphill ground. Other trademarks included greens that invited run-up shots, but with deep trouble over the green - usually in the form of fallaway slopes - to punish the overly bold golfer. Ross was also not averse to placing cross bunkers in play to punish the topped shot - off the tee, or some 50 yards short of the green. More than 100 U.S. national championships have been played on his courses.

At Grosse Ile, Ross’ course routing remains intact to this day, although some holes have undergone changes, some because of clubhouse reconstruction after a fire in 1947.

Ross apparently planned nine more holes at Grosse Ile, which were never built, leaving the course with its unusual layout of having five holes on one side of Bellevue Road and 13 on the other.

This year the GIGCC celebrates the 100th anniversary of its storied course, a course that has played host to its share of premiere tournaments and been trod upon by some of the state’s

and nation’s best gofers.

Perhaps the best known tournament held at Grosse Ile was the 1968 Western Amateur. The Western is one of the top men’s amatuer golf tournaments in the U.S. It is organized by the Western Golf Association.

The Western Amateur, first held in 1899, features an international field of top-ranked amateur golfers. It has been won by such notables as Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Ben Crenshaw, Justin Leonard, Phil Mickelson, Curtis Strange, Hal Sutton, Lanny Wadkins and Tom Weiskopf.

The 1968 event at Grosse Ile was played in ferociously hot temperatures and it was won by Texas amateur Rik Massengale. Massengale would go on to have a 12-year career on the PGA Tour, where he would win three times and finish third in the 1977 Masters.

His best year on tour was 1977 when he finished 13th on the money list.

Another tournament highlight for the course is a more modern day one and it occurred in 2004 when the club hosted the 93rd GAM Michigan Amatuer Championship. Now, the Michigan

tournament was no Western Amateur, but it was notable because Jeff Cuzzort, a 2004 graduate of Grosse Ile High School, won the event in front of a large crowd of hometown supporters.

The club and the course are also home to Michigan’s oldest invitational event, The Grosse Ile Invitational, which was begun in 1937. The Invitational has had a number of famous competitors, including Chuck Kocsis (the first winner), Arnold Palmer, Chick Harbert, Walter Burkemo, Frank Stranahan and Glenn Johnson.

Johnson was the “king of the invitational,” winning the event a record five times with four different partners. Johnson was the 15-time club champion, five-time champion of the Michigan Amatuer and in 1981 he was the low amatuer at the Senior Open held at Oakland Hills.

The invitational was started in 1937 as a way to raise funds for golf course maintenance. That first event, won by Kocsis, raised $3,000 and a tradition was born.

Grosse Ile was the first club in

Michigan to sponsor an Invitational event. Today, the popular and highly successful idea has expanded to virtually every private club in the state.

From its humble beginnings, the Invitational has grown to become the premier event of the Grosse Ile golfing season and today attracts 128 members and their guest partners (256 players) in a four-day blend of golf competition, fellowship, dances, dinners and awards for the victors. It is a reunion, a picnic, a sporting event, a happening all rolled into one memorable week in August that has become one of Grosse Ile’s finest traditions.

Grosse Ile clubhouse renovations complete It was a busy January at the Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club and the entire clubhouse now proudly sports a fresh new look.

The casual dining area, “The Mixed Grille”, hosts a state-of-the-art bar, new SEE CLUBHOUSE, Page 31

Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club Premier Banquet Facility “Our Banquet Area’s are Newly Renovated”

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Contact us today at 734.246.8500 to check availability.

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

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Page 30 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Girls welcome to join Trenton Troop 1721G of Scouts BSA

By Paula Newman Girls ages 11-17 are invited to join Troop 1721G (the G is for girls) of Scouts BSA. The troop joins others like it forming all over the country since the Boy Scouts of America began welcoming girls on Feb. 1 to its program, and changed the name of that program from Boy Scouts of America to Scouts BSA. A year ago, girls nationwide in first through fifth grade were accepted into Cub Scouts.

The older girls are in a separate troop than the boys in Troop 1721B, which, having first formed more than 90 years ago, is one of the oldest in Michigan. Both troops — boys and girls —are chartered by the Trenton Exchange Club and are connected through the troop committee.

Brad Alderman of Riverview, an Eagle Scout from Troop 1721, is the Scoutmaster for the girls’ troop. He got involved through his daughters, Isabel, 11, and Cecillia, 7.

“They had both been involved in Girl Scouts in the past, but their troop folded before this school year began,” he said. “My youngest daughter received a flyer for Cub Scouts during a back-to-school event, and she approached me about joining. She has been enjoying it ever since. My oldest daughter has tagged along to several Cub Scout meetings and events, and started to ask more about Scouts BSA.” Isabel, now a proud member of Troop 1721G, is working to become

one of the first young women to become an Eagle Scout. Alderman, who also is assistant cubmaster for Cecillia’s Cub pack in Riverview, has years of experience as a volunteer leader at nearly all levels of the former Boy Scouts of America.

“I believe both programs, Scouts BSA and Girl Scouts, are great programs that develop a wide variety of skills within today’s youth,” Alderman said. “Girls that join are not forced to choose one program over the other. We have several girls that are currently members of both the Girl Scouts and Scouts BSA.” The girls in Troop 1721G will follow Troop 1721B’s calendar for the rest of the year, he said.

“The girls will be camping, working on merit badges and rank advancement, and performing community service projects, just like the boys,” he said. “Since the girls are starting off as a brand new troop, they don’t have any of their own equipment yet. By having a linked troop, they will be able to use the equipment that the boys’ troop already owns.”

Interested parents and their daughters can send an email to scoutsbsa1721g@gmail.com or attend a meeting. The troop meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sundays at the First United Methodist Church, 2610 W. Jefferson Ave., Trenton.

“We don’t meet on the weekends that we have a campout, so you may want to send us an email first,” Alderman said.

Stay at Home Care LLC has been helping the elderly and disabled in the privacy of their own homes for 7 years. The business started as a result of both co-owners Brenda Rademan and Diana Cain having Diana Cain & Brenda Rademan difficulty finding the means to care for their own parents at home.

“You speak with the owners; we aren’t a franchise like the rest of them.” said co-owners Brenda and Diana.

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

At Stay at Home Care you can expect the friendly service of hand picked employees, and a care plan that revolves around your needs. In fact they are known for their 2 hour minimum for services. This minimum insures that they can provide you with care that works for your schedule. Stay at Home Care is proud to keep people in the homes they love, as long as possible.

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

March 9 - April 10, 2019 • Page 31

IN MICHIGAN TOTAL HOMES SOLD

Continued from page 29 carpeting, fresh paint, and an overall elegant glow. Chef Nathan Yorke has developed a new menu featuring Chilean sea bass, seared scallops, New Zealand rack of lamb and a casual pub menu featuring shareables, pizza, sandwiches, and salads.

The ballroom and formal dining area, which host banquets and club events, have also taken on a new appearance.

The new chandeliers, carpeting, paint, and updated dance floor provide a refined atmosphere for hosting any banquet.

An outdoor patio and tent give the ballroom a larger range of options for any wedding, shower, birthday party or other celebration. These facilities are open to anyone looking to host an event. If you’re interested in having

your next special occasion at Grosse Ile, simply call (734) 246-8500 to check availability. Make your next event truly special in a country club setting.

“These renovations are just a few of the exciting things happening at our club” said John Paul, General Manager.

The recent growth in membership has created a variety of exciting opportunities for all activities at the club. As the club prepares for its 100th anniversary, it is introducing a celebratory membership program with all new member initiation fees at 50 percent off.

If you are interested in more information on how to join the Grosse Ile family contact Elisabeth Maurer, Director of Marketing and Membership, at 734-676-1166.

Evans is newest chamber board member

Bob Denning and his RE/MAX staff have a history of selling properties in Grosse Ile. Bob is a long-time Island resident and knows and loves the community!

Combine the power of the #1 selling Real Estate Company with the Bob Denning Team of Real Estate Professionals and you have the BEST team working for you!

ON THE BOULEVARD Bob Denning, Broker/Owner

1200 Ford Ave, Wyandotte

734-571-2100

remaxontheboulevard.com

Will Evans (center), owner and publisher of Go Big Multimedia publications, was recently nominated and elected to the Board of Directors of the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber. Evans, along with Laura Saches and Tina Walther, are the three newest board members. Evans is shown with ATT’s Robert Jones, who is Chairman of the Board and SWCRC President Ron Hinrichs.

READ AND SAVE AT WWW.GI-GRANDNEWS.COM

#1

CLUBHOUSE

Page 32 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

TELESCOPING THE TOWNSHIP

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

Grosse Ile Alliance for the Arts welcomes 20 wannabe artists to painting party Under the guidance of master painter Erica Chappuis, 20 wannabe painters followed her example at the Centennial Farm on Feb. 16 and used paint, fabric, a little glue, and sparkle and came up with a take-home colorful version of the faces she’d created on canvas.

Sponsored by the Grosse Ile Alliance for the Arts, several such painting parties,

By Pamela A. Frucci dubbed Canvas, Cupcakes, and Coffee, have been held at the Centennial Farm. An upcoming session is scheduled for Sat., April 13 from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. James.

This session will be to paint an Easter bunny and will be more on the lines of painting as a craft rather than fine art.

To sign up for the next session, go to grosseileartsalliance.org for a flyer and registration form or call Joan Hemsworth at (734) 675-8191 or Sandy Bondar at (734) 676-9768.

ISLAND BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE HAS BEEN ACTIVE SINCE 1974-75 I recently got a notice from the township asking if I wanted to continue to serve on the Island Beautification Committee. Of course, I signed the paper. It was back in 1974 when I went into the office of then supervisor Dewey Henry and complained that there were too many bottles, cans, paper, and debris thrown out on our roads and could the township do something about it.

He suggested I do something about it. That started me on a mission 45 years ago to address the litter problem by organizing the Island Beautification Committee.

Our logo, designed back then by Florence Kaufman, we still use . We organized roadside clean-ups every April until the Kiwanis Club took over. In the early years the IBC raised our own money by running paper drives at the old township hall on Macomb (now the post office). Now the township gives the IBC a sizable budget, which helps the committee

Canvas, Cupcakes and Coffee participants

plant and maintain three of the four corners at Meridian and Parkway and other duties to keep the Island clean. (The Grosse Ile Garden Club is responsible for the SE corner,) CREATIVE WRITING CLUB CONTINUES TRIBUTES TO JOHN DINGELL The Creative Writing club, which meets the first Monday of the month at Victorian Place, usually has a lighter assignment for the next month’s meeting, but for March the topic is to pay tribute to John Dingell, our recently deceased Congressman.

The CWC has published two books of their writings and their third book will contain an essay paying tribute to the longest serving Congressman.

PETER ROSE’S COLUMN INFLUENCED A RECENT BIRTHDAY PURCHASE Most of Pete Rose’s columns in the Grosse Ile Grand are on the subject of shopping and buying from local merchants. He influenced me when my husband Jack needed to replace a well-worn winter jacket.

I was in Wyandotte before his birthday on Jan. 29 and stopped in Pete’s store on Biddle, Chelsea Men’s Clothes. What a colorful and vast collection of men’s wear! I found

just the jacket on sale, perfect for those sub-zero days we experienced in January. The trouble is Jack’s still hanging on to his old jacket.

THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR AN UPLIFTING MESSAGE I always buy a Franklin Planner every year mostly because I like their colorful pages and their selection of quotes on each page. This one caught my eye by Napoleon Hill as appropriate for these times: “If you must speak ill of another, do not speak it; write it in the sand near the water’s edge.”

Now that the Fruccis are “pulling up stakes” and moving to East River from Hickory Circle where we’ve been homeowners since 1972, I’ve found a monumental job to sort through our accumulation of “stuff” for 47 years.

A friend advised following a Japanese expert on moving and decluttering, who advises, “Save only those objects that bring you joy.”

It’s still a monumental job! I had one bulletin board loaded with cut-out clever or inspirational slogans and quotes. Some I’m quoting: “I believe God put us on earth to accomplish certain things. I figure I’ll never die because I’m so far

behind!”... Calvin Comics 1993.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” … Margaret Mead.

“Age is a matter of mind over matter; if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter”... unknown.

“It takes 13 muscles to smile and 81 to frown.”… Anonymous.

“Mirror, mirror on the wall; You’re not pleasing me at all. I know you cannot lie, forsooth; But can’t you slightly bend the truth?”…Unknown.

“Joy in living is a woman’s best cosmetic… Rosalind Russell.

“If there is righteousness in the heart there will be beauty in the character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. Where there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world…Old Chinese proverb.

How about two quotes on procrastination?

“Procrastinators won’t take now for an answer.”… or “Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators, but we haven’t met yet.”

GROSSE ILE GRAND

March 9 - April 10, 2019 • Page 33

Dear Fellow Islanders, I share your love for the great surroundings of Grosse Ile. As a child I have wonderful memories of boating, adventures at the Ford Yacht Club and sharing fun with friends that lived on the island.

That is why my father invested in Grosse Ile real estate in the 70s. He had a vision of developing the 40 acres he acquired into a place that all Islanders could enjoy. As a family, we have shared his vision and in 2003 we joined with Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy, the state of Michigan and Grosse Ile Township to bring the idea of a park to fruition.

A recreation grant application was initiated to pursue funding from the state. Sadly, the grant was not approved. Nature Conservancy and Detroit American Heritage River Initiative put a lot of effort in assessing opportunities, more broadly for the island and the Meridian waterfront specifically. The pictures here show that vision. Included could be

connections to existing bike trails, elevated walkways to fishing sites, a boat launch, canoeing, hiking, picnicking, shallow boat docking and other activities.

Since all of this, my parents have passed. My sisters and I still believe this would be the best use of this property for all islanders and we are

encouraging the Township to take a second look at acquiring the property before developers change the concept for how it is used. In recent visits to Detroit I observed similar park concepts in Bloomfield Township and Grosse Pointe which their citizens enjoy.

Our family has recently been

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contacted by Friends of the Detroit River who want to invest in the restoration of the South Hennepin Canal in front of the property. They will be taking soil samples soon and are making plans to remediate the Hennepin canal floor as necessary including making it deeper. As funds are available, they plan to build up the outward barrier islands/ shoals which would increase their use as a natural preserve for wildlife. They have done similar projects around Grosse Ile very successfully.

I write this letter to clarify the history as well as to show potential for the future should the Township decide to pursue an acquisition. Realizing that the Township has done similar projects in the past to acquire and transition empty property into community held property what is now “open space” could become “a useful waterfront space” for the whole community to enjoy.

Delores Perdue

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A letter to the residents of Grosse Ile

Page 34 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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REST Continued from page 9 Their insinuation that Ms. Cortis was not qualified to manage the shelter or carry a firearm are just not factual – she is accredited by the State of Michigan (having received all necessary training) to serve as an ACO and has received many hours of ancillary professional training in the handling and sheltering of animals. She served the community as a reserve police officer for 25 years, eventually being promoted to command of the reserve force. She continues to meet all firearm qualification training required of our sworn Police Officers.

The Board of Trustees hired Ms. Cortis to serve as Animal Control Officer, with the additional duty of shelter manager, in 2011. With the suit settled in her favor, Chief Warnick has reinstated her in the shelter.

Painfully aware of the toxic, hostile situation in the shelter, the Township Manager, with my full support, severed the relationship with TAILS until an acceptable operating agreement can be reached.

I am convinced that the volunteers at TAILS are passionate in their concern for the welfare of Island animals, and it is my hope that we can reestablish the mutually beneficial relationship that once existed between TAILS and Grosse Ile Township. That will not be possible with their current directors unless they meet the standards that the Township expects and state laws require. Should that not come to pass, donations made to the Grosse Ile Animal Shelter will only go our shelter to care for homeless Island animals.

And now you know the rest of the story.

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March 9 - April 10, 2019 • Page 35

SPORTS

The Mihai hockey era has ended at GIHS It’s the end of an era for the Grosse Ile High School varsity hockey program.

Senior Chris Mihai has scored his last goal and will move forward after earning a school-record 209 points over his four seasons in a Red Devils jersey.

After a year in which he accumulated 48 goals, 35 assists and 83 points in 28 games, Mihai earned honors in the two

By Dave Gorgon leagues in which Grosse Ile competes. He was named most valuable player of the Michigan Metro League West Division and first team all-league in the Huron League, as selected by the coaches in each league.

Mihai’s season point total – 2.964 a game – was the highest Downriver and among the best in the state.

“Chris is a goal scorer – he produces,” said Coach Jason Durbin.

“When you score 83 points in a single year, you’re going to get noticed by other teams. “Chris leads by example with his play. He carried the load for this team. Night in and night out, we relied on him to score goals and for his line to produce. On most nights, they were able to do so.”

Durbin – Michigan’s Mr. Hockey during his playing days at Trenton High School – has raved all year about Mihai and his senior linemates: right wing Cody Keenan and center Chase Havens.

Keenan was team captain. Mihai and Havens were alternate captains.

Keenan scored 27 goals to go with 15 assists during the year. Havens earned 15 goals and 18 assists.

“They were together the majority of the year,” Durbin said. “They all complement each other really well.

Havens is a cerebral player who knows the game really well and likes to pass.

Chris has speed and goal-scoring ability. Cody is the muscle on the line and also has a very good shot.”

Mihai was usually the best player on the ice on either team.

Grosse Ile Chris Mihai recording a school record 209 points during his four-year high school career.

Photo by Larry Caruso

Photo by Larry Caruso

Chris Mihai had 209 points in his four-year high school career

“I am 99-percent certain he holds the school’s all-time single-season record with 83 points,” Durbin said. “I’m fairly confident that not many four-year players get 209 points. It’s safe to say he’s No. 1” in school history.

At 5-foot-9 and about 150 pounds, Mihai is considered “all muscle,” his coach said. “That’s why he shoots the puck so hard.”

His coach, teammates and fans will miss him.

“Chris is a very good kid,” Durbin said. “He’s very coachable, very likeable and has good grades. He loves the game of hockey. It’s a coach’s dream to have a player like Chris on the team. He’s one of those special players. Any time he touches the puck, you’re watching because you don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s hard to say what you like most – speed or his shooting ability – but it’s a deadly combination.”

Mihai said he enjoyed playing varsity hockey the last four years.

“It’s over now for me,” he said.

“It was really nice to look to my past years and be able to beat what I did the previous year the following season.

“It was nice to play with my friends Cody Keenan and Chase Havens. For the last two years, it was nice to bond

together. Once they put us together, we had our own roles. We always tried to lead the team, even if it was only a nice motivational speech or showing the younger kids a play.

“I didn’t think I’d get close to 80 points, but somehow it happened.”

Hockey has been Mihai’s sport his entire life. He learned to skate when he was 2 years old and was off, playing on travel teams throughout his youth, mostly for the Grosse Ile Islanders, with support from father Sorin Puscas, mother Elena Mihai and step father Dazid Docherty.

One amazing statistic from early in his hockey career: In one season of Mini-Mites, he scored 248 goals.

“I’ve only played hockey my whole life,” Mihai said. “Most of my friends are hockey players. I like the intensity that the sport gives out. The community around it is really nice.

Hockey just gives me a good vibe.”

As he started high school hockey Mihai said he was intimidated at first playing with and against older players.

“It grew on me in my freshman year,” he said. “I didn’t think I was going to make it. It’s different playing with guys older than me. I was a smaller guy. I thought I didn’t fit.”

But all that changed quickly. He

scored a goal in his first game – an overtime victory against Riverview Gabriel Richard. His goal production increased each of his four years on the team.

Where does he go from here? Mihai said he has been contacted by some elite Junior teams about playing for them in the future. He will take part in a tryout camp set up by three North American Hockey League teams at the end of May at Kennedy Ice Arena in Trenton. A draft will take place at the beginning of June.

“Ultimately, Chris has to show what he can do in the tryouts and produce in the tryouts,” Coach Durbin said.

“There are going to be scrimmages.

He should have a chance to be drafted, tendered or signed.”

While he’s searching for his next team, Mihai admits he’ll miss his teammates, coaches and high school hockey. His 13 broken hockey sticks and all of the goals they led to are among his cherished memories.

“I will miss it a lot,” he said. “This year was a nice year. I was very close with everyone on the team. No one got left out. It was a really nice year for me.”

About Coach Durbin: “It was really nice being able to work with him through all four season and being able to bond with him and get closer from when I was a freshman to my senior year,” Mihai said. “I can’t thank him enough for what he has done for me.”

Durbin said he wishes Mihai’s high school hockey career could continue.

“Chris was all-state last year and should be all-state this year,” the coach said. “His class is responsible for three Huron League championships. Some in that class have been three-year players, some four-year. Once they were all together, that’s when we started winning the Huron League.

“I wish I could keep him one more year. I wish he wasn’t graduating. You can say he’s been a lot of fun to coach.”

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

Page 36 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Grosse Ile falls to powerful Rouge in district final

READ AND SAVE AT WWW.GI-GRANDNEWS.COM

The Grosse Ile basketball team knew it was facing long odds when it entered its Division 2 district championship game against River Rouge at Summit Academy March 1.

The Panthers went all the way to the Class B state semifinals last season before falling to eventual state champ Benton Harbor. This year, Rouge is 20-2 with its only losses coming against Benton Harbor and Detroit King.

Predictably, Grosse Ile had trouble handling River Rouge on either end of the floor and wound up falling 62-19.

The Red Devils, who won five of their final six games this season, had a strong run up to the championship game.

Grosse Ile clobbered Detroit Cesar Chavez 86-16 in the first round and then handled Detroit University Prep 50-43 in the second round.

But it is a different sort of a ball game against Rouge.

Rouge beat host Summit Academy 59-40 in its only other district action. With the win, Rouge moves on to face Chelsea in the first round of regionals. Ida and Dearborn Divine Child are the other two teams in that regional.

Grosse Ile finished the season with 13 victories, including wins over Division 3 district champ Gabriel Richard, area rivals Trenton and Southgate and big Huron league rivals Riverview and Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central.

Photos by Larry Caruso

The Grosse Ile Devils beat Cesar Chavez and University Prep before bowing to powerful River Rouge in the district finals

March 9 - April 10, 2019 • Page 37

The Grosse Ile hockey team beat RIverview and Wyandotte in regional games before falling in the finals to Gabriel Richard Photos by Larry Caruso

Gabriel Richard beats Grosse Ile in regional final It was a good season for the Grosse Ile hockey team, which claimed a league championship and won 17 games, including two in the Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs.

But it came to a conclusion March 2 at the Yack in Wyandotte as the Devils fell 6-1 to Gabriel Richard in the regional championship game.

The title the second straight

By Hank Minckiewicz regional championship for the Pioneers, who last year advanced all the way to the Division 3 state semifinals before falling to Livonia Churchill.

Against Grosse Ile, the Pioneers dominated from the first drop of the puck, although the Devils did a good job of limiting good scoring chances and Grosse Ile goalie Carter Pattenaude stood on his head on the early going.

Despite outshooting Grosse Ile 11-1 in the opening period, Richard found itself in a scoreless tie at the first intermission. During the early minutes of the period Pattenaude stopped two point-blank one-onone chances from Richard players.

Later in the period, Richard did everything but score on a power play. During the two-man advantage, Richard took three shots, hit a goal post behind Pattenaude and somehow missed a wide open net.

That changed in the second period when the Pioneers scored five times, including a back-breaking twice in the final minute.

Richard finally got on the scoreboard early in the second period when Nathan Vasquez charged down the ice and let go a hard shot that got past Pattenaude.

The Grosse Ile goalie got his stick on the puck, but it

seemed to overpower him and wound up in the back of the net.

It was the first of three goals Vasquez would score in the game and, strangely, seemed to spark Grosse Ile a little. In one of their few periods of sustained pressure in the game, the Red Devils carried the play to the Pioneers for several minutes.

Richard soon took a penalty and Grosse maintained pressure through the man advantage, but could not get one past goalie Drew Adams.

The score stayed 1-0 until just about 5 ½ minutes remained in the period and then the roof fell in on coach Jason Durbin’s Red Devils.

A bad line change by Grosse Ile led to Richard’s second goal. As the Devils were scrambling on and off the ice, Richard hit a long pass to Jake Emery, who went in 2-on-0 with teammate Chase DeSana.

Emery’s pass in front was perfect and DeSana tapped it in for a 2-0 lead.

A minute later, Austin Harrison took another long breakout pass and cruised in on Pattenaude. He skated across the front of the net, fired the puck back to his left and scored.

With 50 seconds to play, Gavin Fink carried the puck deep into Grosse Ile territory and dumped in it front where Vasquez was waiting to slam it home. If the Devils had any hopes of stopping the bleeding, they were dashed when Vasquez scored again 27 second later. This time DeSana assisted.

The buzzer finally sounded ending the second period, but the damage had been done. Although Grosse Ile managed nine shots in the period, they surrendered a staggering 18 and the five goals would prove to be too deep a hole to dig out of.

In the third period, DeSana netted his second of the night during a Richard 5-on3 advantage. He was assisted again by Emery.

Grosse Ile broke up the Adams’ shutout minutes later when Cody Keenan scored on a nice pass from Chris Mihai.

The final shots on goal favored Richard 36-19.

Grosse Ile reached the regional championship game by virtue of a 5-2 win over Roosevelt in the semifinals. Roosevelt had reached the semis by knocking off Carlson 4-1 in the first game of the tournament.

The Devils got the postseason started with a narrow 1-0 win over arch rival Riverview in the first round of the state playoffs.

In an evenly played game, Grosse Ile outshot Riverview 29-24 and won on the strength of a second-period goal from Anthony Naso. It was the first goal of Naso’s high school career and sent the red Devils into the second round of the tournament. wwGoalie Pattenaude stopped all 24 Riverview shots and earned the shutout.

READ AND SAVE AT WWW.GI-GRANDNEWS.COM

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Page 38 • March 9 - April 10, 2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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