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January 16 - February 7, 2020 • Gi-GrandNews.com

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

Township supervisor is retired military fighter pilot

A leader from the start

L

PAULA NEUMAN

eadership comes naturally to former fighter squadron commander Brian Loftus, who has traded flying jets for boating now that he’s retired.

“I grew up as the oldest of eight in a small house in Inkster,” he said. “The neighborhood was full of kids of all ages, mostly children of Word War II vets. Every day was fun, and if my mother isn’t a saint, then no one has a chance. I was a fairly good student, average athlete, and often charged with looking after my brothers and sisters.

“Leadership 101.”

SEE LEADER, Page 3

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Page 2 • January 16 - February 7, 2020

GROSSE ILE GRAND

In 2019 Leo Stevenson has been recognized by:

2019.

2019

GROSSE ILE GRAND

January 16 - February 7, 2020 • Page 3

LEADER

position, to which he has been reelected ever since.

At that time, the township, like many other communities in Michigan, was in financial jeopardy. Since then, Loftus and his staff have helped the township toward financial recovery.

“The most challenging part of the position is understanding the breadth of it,” he said. “There is very little statutory guidance, so much of the responsibilities are the result of township policies or previous practice.

“The staff was quite patient as they educated me in all the peripheral aspects of being supervisor, but there are always surprises. The best part, at least for me, is when I get a chance to help someone who just needs some guidance or assistance. I also truly enjoy being able to recognize staff members who have done an outstanding job.”

In retirement, Loftus has replaced flying jets with another pastime.

“Since I don’t fly anymore, I have taken up the next most expensive hobby — boating,” he said. “Actually, we live on the world’s greatest body of water, the Great Lakes, and Ann and I really enjoy exploring some of the more remote regions. We always seem to find neat little port towns and villages, and meet wonderful people everywhere.”

He and Ann thoroughly enjoy their grandchildren these days, and Loftus looks back on his military service with pride.

Continued from page 1 In June 1970, Loftus joined the U.S. Air Force. Four years later, he graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and went on active duty as a pilot. He simply loved flying planes.

“With my father a development engineer for Ford Motor Co., I was destined to be a gearhead,” Loftus said. “I liked things that made noise and went fast. Airplanes were much, much more impressive than automobiles, and what better way to get into airplanes than the Air Force?”

One day, he returned from an assignment to his base in Georgia, and met Ann, the woman to whom he’s now been married for nearly 40 years.

“I was coming back from a long deployment, “Loftus said.

It was long flight home.

“After 20 hours in cockpit, I was just dead tired,” he said. “It was a Friday.”

Loftus went to the base’s officers club and met up with some friends.

And there, sitting at the bar, were three young women, including one whom Loftus immediately sized up as “a keeper.” That was Ann. She and friends were at the club at the invitation of one of them, who was married to an officer.

Loftus proposed to Ann on a New Year’s Eve, and married his “keeper”

airplanes, moving to new locations and ever-present uncertainty. But with risk comes rewards.”

His promotion to the command post with the historic 107th Flying Squadron brought new challenges.

“I was now responsible for maintaining that proud history, which

Jersey to Grosse Ile, where his mother had friends.

“I think I was on a military deployment when my wife and mother went house shopping,” he said. “I returned in time to agree with my wife on the selection of our new home. We moved here in 1987, shortly after my

What remains with me is the integrity and accountability expected of a military officer. Those traits exist nowhere else.

~ Brian Loftus

in September 1980.

“We moved eleven times in the first 10 years we were married,” Loftus said.

In 1981, Loftus, now a captain, transferred to the Michigan Air National Guard, where, in 1992, he became commander of the 107th Flying Squadron, wing executive officer and director of plans and programs for Michigan Air National Guard headquarters.

“The Air National Guard seemed to present better opportunities, although with some risk,” he said. “The next several years led to learning new

included the care and feeding of 20 F-16s (fighter jets), 54 personnel and a multimillion-dollar budget, all focused on keeping the squadron trained and combat ready. Command was the best job I’ve ever had and the worst job I’ve ever had. I loved every minute.”

While still in service with the guard, Loftus went to work as a pilot for Federal Express Corp., which involved worldwide flights. In 2003, he retired from the military with more than 33 years of service. He retired from Federal Express in 2012.

Meanwhile, he and Ann and their two children had moved from New

daughter’s first birthday, and in all my travels I have not yet found a place I would rather live.”

They got involved with the community, and Loftus has remained a member of the Grosse Ile Historical Society, which he served has president in 1999, and is a member of Friends of the Detroit River and the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Alliance.

He also served on the township’s Airport Advisory Committee, and helped write Grosse Ile’s initial Emergency Response Plan.

In 2008, he was “sort of drafted” to run for the township supervisor’s

“What remains with me is the integrity and accountability expected of a military officer,” Loftus said.

“Those traits exist nowhere else.”

And he admits that sometimes, late at night, he can be found sitting alone in front of his TV set watching “Twelve O’Clock High,” a black-andwhite 1949 movie about the challenges faced by the commander of a U.S. Air Force unit overseas.

“It’s that commander thing again,” he said.

Page 4 • January 16 - February 7, 2020

Grosse Ile Country Club prepares for next century Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club celebrated its 100th anniversary in grand fashion in 2019. The year started with a New Year celebration, renovation of the dining areas, new tees for the golf course, and installation of a scoreboard patio. Through the summer it was a visit from Frank Sinatra, numerous family parties at the pool, the Grosse Ile Pro Member golf tournament, further development of plans for golf course improvements, and the anniversary gala in September.

A year full of splendor concluded with a children’s New Year’s Eve party and a black-tie gala with a grand midnight celebration. What a fabulous year!

Now plans are in place for a new century of family fun, great golf, and entertaining social events. The Club realizes that its membership is young and is planning for the future. The new Mixed Grille dining room and Ballroom renovations have created quite the buzz at the Club. The next step of new carpet, paint, and

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Send us your pet photos

accessories throughout the lobby and hallways of the Club is already underway. In the spring, Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club plans to open the Donald Ross Pub, a new family and casual dining area. The pub will feature casual dining with sports on large screen TV’s and spaces for children to play while parents dine.

Along with the new dining space, Executive Chef Nathan Yorke will provide an innovative menu with affordable appetizer, salad, and sandwich selections for families to enjoy. As stated by president Bill Tuinier, “Forty percent of our members are under 40 years old, we have to build the Club for their future.”

GIGCC continues to grow and expand its services for members. To learn more about great membership opportunity available for 2020, please contact Elisabeth Maurer at Elisabeth. maurer@gigcc.com or call 734-6761166 for details.

Pets. You’ve got them, we’ve got them, and we all love them. We also love looking at them. We love looking at our pets and your pets and all the pets we can see. If you have a pet that you’re proud of - a cat, a dog, a lizard, whatever - send a photo our way and we’ll do our best to publish it in our publications. Email photos to sherry@gobigmultimedia.com. Please include your name, the pet’s name and the community you live in.

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January 16 - February 7, 2020 • Page 5

FROM THE SUPERVISOR

Happy New Year and welcome to a new decade Let me begin by wishing everyone a Happy New Year and welcome to the second decade of the first century of the new millennium.

Also the second census of the new millennium. I’ll get to the census later, right now I want to reflect on the year we just finished So far, our new refuse service seems to be working out well, some BRIAN LOFTUS transition issues and a bit of a learning curve but most comments have been very positive but questions remain about recycling.

Curbside recycling is not a ‘given’ and many communities do not offer it.

When our contract for refuse removal expired, the new market realities became apparent – none of the companies bidding were particularly interested in curbside recycling and those that would provide it had serious limitations.

Hopefully, most of us have adjusted to the new recycling … We will continue to investigate opportunities to recycle glass – I’m still somewhat baffled that no one can find a profitable re-use for this commodity and we have to send it to a landfill.

As we are making plans for the near future, one of our biggest concerns was our ability to hold IslandFest with a potentially closed county bridge.

While status of repairs to the Grosse Ile parkway bridge are still uncertain, we needed to start contracting with vendors before their schedules were full.

We convened a joint study session between the Board of Trustees and the Festival and Community Events Commission to consider our options and get all the current information to the decision makers.

First, we looked back to 2007 when the bridge was closed from May through December and we managed to hold the festival then. Our primary attraction provider, Skerbeck Family Carnival, has been very accommodating, thanks to our long relationship, and promises to provide the best show possible, so the festival

is ON! Mark the date, May 29-31, the weekend after Memorial Day. As always, possible bridge issues, possible weather limitations, who knows but expect to have a great time and fireworks will be on Saturday night.

While we are on recreation related topics, the Grosse Ile Recreation Master Plan is due for an update. This is important!

During the last update, the possibility of removing the ‘sled hill’ to make room for more baseball diamonds was discussed and no objections were voiced at the several open house events that were held.

While that option is currently, or maybe permanently, on hold, prior to this update we will again be holding public comment sessions, your opportunity to make your concerns known or to get your ideas to the Community Recreation Commission.

Community is the operative word – you can make a difference but we need to hear from you!

I have been very disappointed by much of what I see on social media, primarily Facebook: so many irresponsible statements, rumors or outright ‘fake news.’

While some members of the Board decline to follow social media (and, to an extent, I envy them) I feel responsible for clearing up misconceptions and getting the facts straight as soon as possible.

The end result is I get to spend a lot of time “cleaning up other peoples’ messes” in order to prevent misconceptions from becoming problems that will take even more time to resolve.

Some of the latest – the Township Manager does nothing! By my observation he puts in around 50 hours per week and answers my calls on weekends. The reality is that he hasn’t done what YOU want him to do.

Another is that, as Supervisor, I operate “in secret.” Not exactly sure what that means, but my office phone number and email are published on SEE LOTUS, Page 10

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Page 6 • January 16 - February 7, 2020

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Shining brightly as the sun

Grosse Ile’s Ian Stewart helps power U of M solar car success BILL STEVENSON Grosse Ile Grand

When University of Michigan student, Ian Stewart, attended an event to join one of the College of Engineering’s many project teams, he had no idea what he was getting into.

As an ambitious freshman, he was cautioned by upperclassmen that, “the Solar Car people work way too hard.”

Accepting the challenge, he felt that was the kind of people and project he wanted to be a part of. In a cosmic confluence of fate, talent, and providence, his decision to join the University of Michigan’s Solar Car team, literally changed his life and took him on an historic adventure on the world stage.

This past October, the U of M solar vehicle, Electrum competed in the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, racing in the Australian Outback over an 1800 mile/3019km course, starting from Darwin and ending at Adelaide.

Stewart (GIHS Class of 2018) was one of four freshmen who passed grueling standards to join the solar car team of 20 that helped design, build, and race the Electrum, which placed third in their Challenger Class.

The Electrum outpaced international entries from Japan, South Korea, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Australia, and American powerhouse vehicles from Stanford and the University of California-Berkeley.

Stewart earned a spot on the BWSC race crew as the team’s race

microsystems engineer, designing, building, and testing the electrical components that allow the car to function.

He attributes his high school experiences of becoming an Eagle Scout and his four years as the lead programmer for the GIHS first robotics competition team, the Wired Devils, as great preparation for his solar car experience. That, and growing up with super-supportive educator parents, James and Kristin, who nurtured his love

“My specific duties aside, every member of the team worked on car production - sanding, making molds, and laying-up parts to hand-build our car.

We had a full team effort.”

According to their website, “Since 1989, the University of Michigan Solar Car Team has been building and racing America’s best solar vehicles. With nine (9) National Championships, six (6) Top-3 World finishes, and one (1) International Championship, we are America’s number one team. Our

for learning.

Stewart relates, “I had quite a few jobs on the car. I worked on designing and programming all the small computer systems as well as wiring them together to allow communication between the different computers on the car as well as wireless communication to our support vehicles.

“I also worked on other low-voltage systems in the car, such as the horn and lights, as well as soldering and wiring our solar array, alongside my general duties as an electrical engineer in maintaining all of the car’s electrical systems.

team’s legacy of excellence has been upheld over its 30 year history.”

The University of Michigan Solar Car team operates on a two-year cycle, spending every odd-numbered year building a car for that year’s Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, and every evennumbered year tweaking that car for that year’s American Solar Challenge.

Their budget for a given cycle is approximately, $1.5 million dollars, provided by platinum level corporate sponsors such as Siemens Corporation, Eaton Industries, the Ford Motor Company, the Bank of America, the University of Michigan Department of

Engineering, as well as over 80 gold, silver, or bronze supporting companies.

Remarkably, the faculty advisors, Professor Neil Dasgupta (Department of Mechanical Engineering), Umesh Patel (Senior Director, Business Engagement), Charles (Chuck) Hutchins (#1 Fan and co-founder of Manufacturing Data Systems, Inc.), Ignacio (Chito) Garcia (Scientific Instruments) allow the students a great deal of autonomy. So much so, that the budget is basically student-run by the business subdivision of the solar team.

While in Australia, the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge features two main classes of competition.

The “Challenger Class,” is a pure race, with the first car to cross the finish line in Adelaide declared the winner.

Challenger cars are designed to carry one driver and be as efficient as possible.

The “Cruiser Class” scores cars on a point-based system based on not only their performance on the road but also through metrics such as innovation and consumer-readiness.

Cruiser cars are designed to carry multiple occupants and often look much more like production automobiles than Challenger cars.

A week before the actual race, the solar cars make their final preparations in assuring all components meet regulations and specifications. Vehicles undergo a “static scrutineering,” and a “dynamic” scrutineering before they run a timed hot lap on a controlled course to determine pole position. The Electrum earned a 10th-place position to start the race.

Competitors follow the course on the Stuart Road, (not to be confused with SEE SHINING, Page 7

GROSSE ILE GRAND

January 16 - February 7, 2020 • Page 7

SHINING

Continued from page 6 the Stewart family—although Ian and Co. owned the road!) a two-lane paved highway, through the sunsoaked yet rugged Australian outback.

Somewhat incredibly, all solar cars must be street legal and follow the speed limit of 110-130km/hr (6680) mph to 80-90km/hr (50-55) mph in urban areas.

But the sun-powered bullets or catamarans, are not alone.

Besides the irregular terrain, drivers must be wary of kangaroos bouncing across the course, flocks of emus inspecting the vehicular oddities intruding on their territory, or lizards and scorpions crossing the road.

But most dangerous are the strong winds that sweep across the vast, arid, open areas. Stewart recalls that at least four solar cars were blown over in wind related accidents in this year’s race, and their own Electrum faced a “willy willy,” i.e. an Australian Dust Devil the first day out - right on top of their solar array.

Daily, throughout the competition, the race teams wake up at 4:30 a.m. and start charging their solar arrays whenever the sun rises. The teams drive from 8-5 p.m. with two control stops per day.

In the evenings they need to camp out in the desert and face what race directors call “self-sufficient living.”

Each team brings a caravan with them to brave the 3,000 kilometer journey.

The twenty members of the U of M solar race crew were distributed among several non-solar powered vehicles.

First in line is the weather team, carefully monitoring meteorological developments and relaying the information to the entourage.

Next is the scout team, scouring the landscape for real or potential obstacles en route, and scoping out a campsite at day’s end.

A lead car is generally no more than 500 meters away from the Electrum, in order to assess traffic, slowdowns, or safe passage through urban intersections.

Following the Electrum is the chase vehicle,

responsible for data analysis and communication. The media team follows, providing the day to day progress of the race, and the external communication to the global public. Lastly, a semi-truck houses a mobile workshop for tune-ups or repairs along the way.

After nine (9) days of chasing the sun, and racing against time and competition, the Electrum placed third in the Challenger class, with an average speed of 79.60 km/h (49.5 mph). In second place was the Tokai Challenger from Tokai University, Japan with an average speed of 86.10 km/h (53.5 mph) and the winner of the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge was the Bluepoint from the Agoria Solar Team from Belgium with an 86.60 km/h (53.8 mph) average.

Reflecting on his adventure, Ian Stewart muses, “race crew was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Working 100 hours or more every week for six months takes a lot out of you, both physically and

mentally.

“With all said and done, however, I don’t regret signing up one bit. Every single one of us sacrificed so much to put that car on the road, and crossing the finish line at the end of the journey is without a doubt the highlight of my life. Finding success on the world stage was well worth every sleepless night.

“It’s really incredible to have - in the span of only one year - gone from being an average college freshman doing homework to working on the world’s most advanced solar technology and really making an impact on our search for renewable energy sources. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that my work will have an impact on the lives of future generations. I guess it just goes to show that changing the world is easier than we think.”

Page 8 • January 16 - February 7, 2020

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January 16 - February 7, 2020 • Page 9

CULINARY CAPERS EVELYN CAIRNS

Grosse Ile Grand

Is there anything more satisfying on a cold day than something hot, like a hearty stew or a bowl of steaming soup.

Ronnie Padmos of Trenton offers a recipe for a winter warmup she takes to her family’s annual Christmas gathering and many other potlucks when asked to by friends. The recipe, Savory Sausage and Sauerkraut, is not only quick and easy to put together, but it cooks in only 40 minutes. Ronnie serves it with marbled pumpernickel bread and her Polish Apple Cake (placek z jabikami).

If you’d like the cake recipe, send me your email address.

SAVORY SAUSAGE AND SAUERKRAUT 2 tablespoons butter 1 medium onion, chopped ¼ cup chopped green pepper 1 large apple, peeled, cored and chopped 2 tablespoons brown sugar ¼ teaspoon caraway seed 3 red potatoes, peeled and sliced 1½ cups sauerkraut, drained, rinsed well and packed ½ pound kielbasa (or more if desired), cut into 3-inch pieces Melt butter in saucepan, add onion and green pepper. Cook until tender. Add chopped apple, brown sugar, caraway seed, potatoes and sauerkraut. Mix well. Place sausage on top of sauerkraut. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 40 minutes.

••• I received the following recipe for a delicious lentil soup from a fellow culinary professional named Dorothy (sorry, I don’t remember her last name) years ago when we were employed by Marshall Field’s, now Macy’s). I was assigned to Southland, and Dorothy to another store in the chain to teach cooking classes and demonstrate recipes and products. Unfortunately, Macy’s discontinued the popular program in all of its stores. My tasters loved Dorothy’s soup, and I love it, too. And by the way, January is National Soup Month.

LENTIL BARLEY SOUP 1 tablespoon cooking oil 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced

½ teaspoon turmeric 2 teaspoons curry powder ½ teaspoon cumin 2 dashes Tabasco sauce 6 cups water 1 ½ cups chicken stock 1 cup red lentils ½ cup pearled barley 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste ½ teaspoon sugar Chopped fresh parsley garnish Heat oil in a large saucepan. Add onion, cover and cook gently about 10 minutes, until beginning to brown. Stir in garlic, turmeric, curry powder, cumin and Tabasco. Add water, stock, lentils, barley, tomatoes, salt, pepper and sugar.

Bring to a boil, cover and simmer about 45 minutes, or until lentils and barley are tender. Sprinkle with the fresh parsley to serve.

••• You may remember the Mushroom Barley Soup recipe that appeared in my February, 2018, column after I discovered the recipe in a Jewish newspaper. I’ve changed the recipe a bit and also added l/2 pound of Angus cubed beef for stew to make it even heartier. One of my tasters said the soup was the “best thing I have ever made.”

MUSHROOM BARLEY SOUP (Revised) ½ pound Angus stew beef, small cut (I cut each piece even smaller) 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 ½ cups chopped onions 1 ½ cups diced celery 1 ½ cups diced carrots 2 tablespoons dried parsley 2 bay leaves 2 32-ounce cartons beef broth 3 8-ounce packages sliced white mushrooms, chopped 1 cup pearled barley 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper Brown beef in about 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large soup pot and set aside.

Add remaining oil and sauté onions and celery. Add carrots, parsley, bay leaves, broth, mushrooms and beef.

Bring to a boil, stir in barley, salt and pepper and reduce heat to a simmer.

Cover and cook about 25 minutes or until barley is tender.

Contact me at Evycairns@aol.com)

Page 10 • January 16 - February 7, 2020

GIYC change of watch

The Grosse Ile Yacht Club recently installed new officers. They are Voce Commodore Jim Ferguson (left), Commodore Todd Duffett and Rear Commodore Will Evans.

GROSSE ILE GRAND

LOFTUS

Continued from page 5 the website, the App, and in the Rotary directory.

If I’m not in, my cell number is on my away message. I really do like hearing from residents and if I can’t answer your questions or address your concerns I will try direct you to a member of the staff who can. We are truly a service oriented organization, and I’m proud of what we can do with so few employees.

CENSUS 2020 It’s that time again. As most of you know, the United States Constitution mandates that an accurate count of the American people be taken every 10 years and this has occurred every decade since 1790.

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans considers the 2020 census critical to county because as much as 675 billion federal dollars are distributed based on census data, around $1,800 per Michigan resident per year.

His mandate – count everyone, one time, in the right place. You will be receiving much more census information in the coming months, with April being the official opening of the count and much can be done online Much more to come between now and April.

Thanks for reading (and letting me vent a little), now you know what’s on my mind and, again, feel free to let me know what’s on yours.

Happy New Year 2020!

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January 16 - February 7, 2020 • Page 11

American Association of University Women gather The Wyandotte-Downriver branch of the American Association of University Women gathered recently to mark the holiday season at the Salute Special Event banquet hall in Flat Rock.

New members Nancy Rouble, Marsha Bardoni, Ann Richardson, Barb Duran, and Barb Conroy were welcomed and those celebrating 50 years of membership, including Donna McLaughlin-Shuereb, Ruth Briggs and Corinne Worden, were honored.

Not in attendance were new members Karla Krahnke and Jeanine Little, and 50-year member Lucille Dokken.

Featured were a buffet dinner, a silent auction and a collection of an impressive assortment of personal hygiene items to donate to Mimi’s Mission, this being a tradition since 2016, when its founder, Lisa Vilella, was recognized by the Branch as Woman of the Year.

Senior AAUW branch members and newcomers Nancy Rouble of Wyandotte, Mary Sue Sickafus (Grosse Ile), Marsha Bardoni (Grosse Ile), Ann Richardson (Riverview), Donna McLaughlin-Shuereb (Trenton), Ruth Briggs (Trenton), Barb Duran (Wyandotte), Corinne Worden ((Brownstown), Barb Conroy (Grosse Ile).

Page 12 • January 16 - February 7, 2020

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

January 16 - February 7, 2020 • Page 13

What exactly is the multiplier effect?

As an owner of two retail businesses here in Wyandotte, getting more people to reconnect to how our economy works is “kind of” important.

As a citizen of the region, my efforts are far more extensive and far more representative of why I write; of the message I’m trying so hard to communicate.

If all I was talking about in these columns was, “Buy From mr! Buy From me,!” I never could have written even a single column.

Having PETER come ROSE through Grosse Ile Grand the holiday season many people told me in various ways as they shopped in my stores that they read my columns and appreciate the messages.

Clearly, the people that do value local and need no reminders. \ I need not preach to the choir.

Then again, perhaps there is no better army to mobilize than the people that understand the value of directing discretionary dollars to local and independent businesses.

I’m quite certain that few out there are very interested in challenging their friends, but man, I sure wish for that the more voices, the better!

Because it matters so much. It is not about any specific store, friends. I can’t stress that enough. While my stores do benefit from any shift away from national or internet, it is the economy in which we participate that benefits.

Try this: My personal boats rise with the rest of the boats on the water that

rises by the efforts of a community.

So, sure, I like that for me, but that improved water level benefits everyone that uses these waters.

This happens because of what we refer to as a multiplier effect.

Three and a half times more money stays local with purchases at local and independent operations because resources used to run national chains do not reside locally.

The services that businesses use to make their own businesses work are not local, so most of that benefit (and it is substantial) leaves the region, leaves the state.

Further, all profitability leaves the region as well. It goes to the shareholders and is not distributed locally. This is true of any business sector. Menswear, hardware, lighting stores, gift shops, restaurants - there are choices you make every day.

Local choices, national choices.

Local redeploys, keeps your spending contribution percolating all around you.

National decisions direct most of that benefit away from where you live and

work and play.

From where you own a home, the value of which is impacted by the degree of vibrancy of your local economy, which is impacted positively or negatively by your spending decisions.

I often feel that I should pull my punches a bit, here. I don’t want to sound too militant, too aggressive. But if you actually do believe that this is for the greater good, not my own direct, personal gain, then the way I say these things should not be taken in any other way than the championing of common sense for the common good. And that means I’m not being assertive enough.

I’ve been waving this banner since 2007 when I finally realized what was happening to local economies across America through this one phenomenon alone.

When you see distraught communities, it is because money has been siphoned away, and not by other local businesses.

Too few see it happening, let alone make deliberate choices to change

that reality for the sake of the entire communities that are distressed. We used to all be connected - it’s what made communities!

Now a huge percentage of the spending decisions are made from a purely unilateral, unconnected perspective. We get what we want, direct to our doors, or by shopping national, diminishing the dollars deployed locally. We simply don’t think of the effect of talking those dollars out of the network that feeds us back in a very direct way.

There are levels of impact in any spending scenario.

Direct Impact is spending by a business in the local economy to operate the business.

Indirect Impact happens as dollars the local business spends at other area businesses, recirculating.

Induced Impact refers to the additional consumer spending that happens as employees, business owners and others spend their income in the local economy.

When I relay the results of studies done by telling you about 3½ times more money staying here, it’s more effective for you if you put dollar signs on that equation.

If $1,000,000 stays local with national chain spending, $3,500,000 stays local by shopping at locally owned and independent choices.

Employing people, being spent repeatedly.

This is fact.

Make a difference! Spread the urgency of thinking local, Going local by intention, on purpose, with every purchase. Ask “Can I Get it Locally?”

Every time.

Want a tip for the New year? Just PSA Gail Albin

Grosse Ile Grand

Happy New Year!

If any readers are like I am, they start the new year with all kinds of good intentions. We will finish projects and not start a new project until all others are finished.

And the best way to get and stay organized is PSA. PSA in this case stands for “Put Stuff Away.”

It is a rule I - and others - need to follow more closely.

I live alone and I truly like for my condo to be orderly. I don’t want to waste time searching for the special scissors when I am minutes away from finishing my project.

Where is that special recipe that I intend to take to the senior meeting and try to make people think I know how to cook? How can I have so many recipes and still eat the same bland menu day after day?

If I spent less time searching for items, I would have more time to call or write to a homebound friend that I no longer can visit.

One recent day, I put all items that needed to be put away in a big roaster pan and at the end of the day before I sat down to crochet sleeping mats for the homeless and watch TV. I walked around and put the items from the pan where they belonged.

I felt more relaxed knowing all items were where they were meant to be … at least on that evening.

It is as easy as PSA

Page 14 • January 16 - February 7, 2020

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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January 16 - February 7, 2020 • Page 15

GI crew to host SRAM conference Prestigious coaching clinic coming Downriver BILL STEVENSON Grosse Ile Grand

The 2020 Scholastic Rowing Association of Michigan coaching conference will be held January 18-19, 2020 at the Wyandotte Boat Club, 1 Pine Street, Wyandotte, Michigan. Hosted for the third year

by Grosse Ile Rowing, the two day conference is open to veteran as well as novice coaches, or persons interested in expanding their knowledge of the competitive water sport.

The objective of the conference is to “provide an opportunity for ongoing professional development for coaches throughout the State of Michigan, the Midwestern United States and beyond.

The conference offers the highest quality presenters and utilizes multiple formats to maximize engagement and learning.”

This year’s conference presenters are: Dave O’Neill (University of Texas Women), Frank Biller (University of Virginia Men), Michiel Bartman (Temple University), Volker Nolte (Western University, Ontario), and

Kevin Sauer (University of Virginia Women).

Conference registration at the time of this printing is $150 and features full presentations from the five outstanding coaches, a panel discussion, and small group breakout sessions. Full lecture topics include: Start with the Finish:

Establishing a Rhythm as the Basis for Boat Speed; Positive Competitive Culture; Technical Myths in Rowing; Practical Sculling; Creating a Culture of Success.

The panel discussion on Crew Selection will be moderated by Gregg Hartsuff, from the University of

Michigan. Breakout topics covered will be Technical Trends in Rowing; Rigging; Sculling; Preparing High School Boys for the Next Level; Preparing High School Girls for the Next Level.

The registration fee also includes breakfast on both conference days, lunch and dinner on Saturday, and two drink tickets for the Saturday dinner provided

by Vespoli USA. You can register for the SRAM Conference at www.regattacentral.com In addition, there is a special “hands on” Rigging Clinic, held the day before the conference on Friday, January 17, 2020 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with Dr. Volker Nolte. The special session is limited to twenty (20) spaces available at a cost of $75 per coach. Interested riggers can register at scottsitek@ girowing.com.

Grosse Ile Rowing Coach Scott Sitek, hosting the event said, “The last two years of conferences were a great success, and showcased the Downriver area as a leader in the sport, not only in the state, but on a national level. We are honored and excited to bring together such a diverse group of experts to advance the knowledge and expertise of our coaches and athletes.”

Page 16 • January 16 - February 7, 2020

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Hospital offers Island residents good health programs for 2020 Start the New Year off on a healthy note by taking advantage of the latest wellness events for 2020 offered by Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital.

HEALTHY YOU: NEW YEAR, NEW YOU Is improved health your goal for the New Year? Join us for Healthy You: New Year, New You, a free informational seminar about weight loss and improving health led by a registered dietitian, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 in Multipurpose Room B at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital.

Topics will range from the basics of nutrition to eating healthy on the go. Attendees also will learn how to improve their blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. Registration is required by visiting henryford.com/ classes or calling 734-285-7420. Light refreshments will be provided.

TAI CHI FOR YOUR HEALTH A seven-week Tai Chi for Your Health class kicks off Jan. 14 and runs through Feb. 25 at the Downriver Council for the Arts, 81 Chestnut St. Class meets from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on the top floor theater level.

Tai Chi class requires a seven-week commitment, with each weekly session building on the previous session. It is performed standing and consists of a series of graceful, flowing movements.

Tai Chi is a moving exercise done slowly and deliberately and engages every part of the body.

It is a form of martial art known to promote internal strength physically, mentally, and emotionally. Tai Chi promotes relaxation, balance and coordination, muscle strength and stamina, concentration, pain management, and well-being. Taught

by Henry Ford Wyandotte Physical Rehabilitation, certified instructor of Tai Chi for Rehabilitation, Arthritis/Fall Prevention.

Class size is limited to 12 participants.

Call 734-284-4499 for more information.

BARIATRIC SURGERY SEMINAR Bariatric surgery can give you a new outlook on life. Join us for a free weight loss seminar from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, Feb. 20 and March 19 to learn about preparation for bariatric surgery, postsurgical care, diet and exercise. The event takes place in the Multipurpose Room at Henry Ford

Wyandotte Hospital. Registration is required by calling 734-285-7420.

STAND STEADY SEMINAR Learn about the impact of falls, how to make your home safer and simple exercises to do at home during a free Stand Steady Seminar from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30, Feb. 27 and March 26 in Multipurpose Room B at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital. Register at henryford.com/standsteady or call 734284-4499.

GIVING HEARTS CELEBRATION Save the date for the 11th annual Giving Hearts Celebration from 6:3010:30 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Bentley Banquet & Conference Center, 646 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte. The Valentine’s Day themed event benefits patients at the Downriver Community Clinic and honors clinic volunteers who provide medical care to uninsured or underinsured workers.

The evening features food, drinks, entertainment, dancing and a silent auction. Proceeds are used for patient care, including diagnostic testing, prescription assistance, cancer screenings and diabetes management.

Call 734-365-3560.

COOKING FOR A HEALTHY HEART AND WEIGHT Join dietician Nur Ayoubi, RDN, for a free cooking demonstration to help you achieve and maintain weight loss goals through healthy lifestyle changes.

The event takes place from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 in Multipurpose Room B at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital.

Registration is required by calling 734285-7420.

Other ongoing events include: BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS WHEN: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month WHERE: Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital-Main Lobby No appointments necessary.

WHEN: 8-10 a.m. the second Monday of each month WHERE: Lobby, Henry Ford Health Center-Brownstown, 23050 West Road No appointments necessary. $10 CHOLESTEROL SCREENINGS WHEN: Noon-2 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month

WHERE: Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital-Main Lobby No appointments necessary.

GOOD YARN CLUB WHEN: 5-8 p.m. Jan. 8, Feb. 12 and March 11 WHERE: Surgical Services Conference Room, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital The Good Yarn Club is a new community charity knitting and crocheting group that meets for drop-in knitting and crocheting from 5-8 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month.

The club has yarns and patterns to create life-changing items for the community.

The group also is an officially registered “Knitted Knockers” group that creates breast prostheses for breast cancer survivors who cannot obtain a prosthesis due to cost. Yarn and patterns are provided. Participants should bring their own hooks or needles. All items created will be distributed to the Downriver community and throughout southeastern Michigan. Call 734-287-9902 for more information.

MENTAL ILLNESS SUPPORT GROUP WHEN: 10 a.m. Jan. 15, Feb. 19 and March 18 WHERE: 2 Allen Conference Room, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital The National Alliance for the Mental Ill (NAMI): The Nation’s Voice on Mental Illness offers meetings to provide support through counseling and fellowship; guidance in times of crisis; exchange of information concerning treatment; promotion of public awareness/serving as advocates for the needs of the mentally/emotionally ill and protecting the rights of all concerned with mental illness. Meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month.

Call 313-292-3324 or 313-563-1245 for more information.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP WHEN: 1-2:30 p.m. Jan. 16, Feb. 20 and March 19 WHERE: 3 Allen Conference Room, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital If you’re grieving a loved one, a free support group is available the third Thursday of each month. Call 586-2769570 with questions.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP WHEN: 6 p.m. Jan. 16, Feb. 20 and March 19 WHERE: Cardiovascular Outpatient

Classroom, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital A free support group is available for anyone who provides care for a loved one and is interested in support, information and connections with local resources. Learn more at henryford.com/ caregiversupportgroup or call 313-8744838.

CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY SUPPORT GROUP WHEN: 7-8:30 p.m. every Monday and Thursday WHERE: Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital A Chemical Dependency Support Group meets every Monday and Thursday. The cost for each meeting is $5. Call 734-246-9431 for more information.

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT GROUP WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Jan. 14, Feb. 11 and March 10 WHERE: OB Conference Room, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital WHEN: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Jan. 7 and 21; Feb. 4 and 18; March 3 and 17 WHERE: 9 Month Bump, 113 Elm St., Wyandotte Mothers and babies can join a free breastfeeding support group that meets the second Tuesday of each month at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital and the first and third Tuesday of each month at 9 Month Bump in Wyandotte. Call Lactation Services at 734-246-7575 to register.

BREASTFEEDING CLASS WHEN: 6-8:30 p.m. Jan. 27 and Feb. 24 WHERE: OB Conference Room, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital Learn about the benefits of giving breast milk to your infant during our breastfeeding class taught by a knowledgeable lactation consultant. Cost is $30. Call 734-246-9601 to register.

INFANT CPR WHEN: 7-8:30 p.m. Jan. 20 WHERE: OB Conference Room, Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital Learn the proper techniques to perform infant CPR. Register by calling 734-246-9601.

GROSSE ILE GRAND

January 16 - February 7, 2020 • Page 17

Here are some resolutions for building a healthier you

Laughing has been proven to be beneficial to your health.

It’s that time again - the beginning of the New Year when resolutions are in full swing. We wish you a healthy and happy New Year.

Here are a few suggestions to help keep you and your spine functioning optimally this year: Exercise daily. Get moving. As little as 30 minutes of exercise a day isn’t just good for your spine, it’s great for your entire body.

Laugh often. Did you know that laughter can stimulate your muscles, lungs and heart? It’s also a great stress reliever. When you’re experiencing

less stress, you have a better chance of experiencing whole body wellness.

Forgive others. Physical well being starts with emotional well being.

Forgive everyone for everything.

(Including yourself!).

Get adjusted. Many of our regulars report that they don’t seem to get the bugs that are always going around.

Remember, it’s easier to stay well than to get well.

ADJUSTING CAUSE, NOT EFFECT You may notice that your adjustments aren’t delivered where your symptoms

seem to be originating. How come?

Chiropractors see the spine as an integrated whole. By doing so, we often see a problem in one area is being offset by a problem in another. We call these compensation reactions.

For example. Someone complaining of low back pain often has a compensatory issue going on in his or her upper neck. Their lower back problem may be a reaction to what’s going on in their neck. As we adjust their upper spine (where there are no symptoms) it can better support the weight of the body. And voilà! Their low back pain resolves. Or vice versa.

So, while adjustments are specific and precise, our focus is on the integrity of your entire spine, not merely the area exhibiting symptoms. It’s one more reason why you can’t judge your health by how you feel.

FOUR FOODS TO HELP YOU FEEL YOUNGER You’re never too old to start eating right and taking care of your body. The easiest place to start is with the foods

ON THE BOULEVARD

#1

you eat. Try to incorporate these into your diet to reduce inflammation and feel younger: 1. Apples — it’s true. They can help keep the doctor away. Plus, they can help keep your digestive system going strong.

2. Ginger — for aches and pains, ginger is packed with powerful antioxidants to help fight inflammation and calm aching muscles.

3. Cherry juice — it’s best to sleep on our side during our golden years. If you’re having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, opt for cherry juice in the evening as it contains melatonin.

4. Spinach — full of magnesium, spinach can help maintain nerve function and regulate blood sugar.

Wondering what else you can do to keep your body feeling young? Naturally our first recommendation is calming your nervous system with regular chiropractic care. ~ Cousineau Chiropractic

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One last look as we bid farewell to

2019

W

e’ve just turned the page on a new year, a whole new decade, really, but we can’t and won’t - let calendar year 2019 fade into the history books without one last look at the Grosse Ile Grand stories and moved us, touched us and informed us.

So here is the year that was 2019 through the filter of your local paper:

GROSSE ILE GRAND

GROSSE ILE GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB HITS 100 The year 2019 marked the 100th anniversary of the Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club and the club celebrated in style all year long.

Twenty-one GIGCC committees worked tirelessly all year long on improvements to the club as well as on charitable causes.

After a great late summer weekend that featured a bigmoney golf tournament with Michigan’s best professional golfers and a black-tie 100th anniversary gala for the members, the club contributed more that $30,000 to the Salvation Army.

RICHARD DALLEY ELECTED TO US FIGURE SKATING HALL OF FAME Grosse Ile’s Richard Dalley, who earned medals in nine U.S. Championships and was a five-time US World Team member, went into the hall of fame - along with ice dancing partner Carol Fox on Jan. 26, 2019.

In addition to his ice skating, Dalley served U.S. Figure Skating and the U.S. Olympic Committee as an International Skating Union judge and a national technical specialist. He also officiates during winter Olympics competitions.

“I am amazed,” said Dalley of his selection. “The biggest thing about it is that it’s voted

on by your peers - all the icons of the sport.”

Reports and other data to compile its rankings.

NICOLE MAREK IS USROWING ‘WOMAN OF THE YEAR Nicole Marek, who rowed at Grosse Ile High School and Michigan State University, was named by USRowing as its Women of the Year for her leadership role in her team’s and university’s response to the Larry Nasar assault scandal at MSU. The award, presented in San Diego, has been given annually for the past 36 years, is presented “in recognition of outstanding contributions to women’s rowing and/or an outstanding woman in rowing Marek was the youngest ever recipient of the award.

GROSSE ILE ICONIC LIGHTHOUSE NEEDS HELP Lake ice threatened Grosse Ile’s 1906 lighthouse, but Island officials and residents came to the rescue.

Blocks of ice from a strong northeast wind damaged the barriers around the lighthouse and threatened the structure itself until Compeau Brothers Excavating and Hurst Marine Boat-Hoist USA got to the site, cleared the ice and erected stronger barriers.

POLICE CHIEF JOE PORCARELLI RETIRES Longtime Grosse Ile Police Chief Joe Porcarelli retired from the force after more than 30 years.

He began his career as an intern with the GIPD, then worked for the Metroparks Police force, the Brownstown Police Department and then worked his way through the ranks at Grosse Ile. He had been chief for nine years.

A SAFE PLACE TO BE Grosse Ile was named Michigan’s safest city by the National Council for Home Safety and Security, which uses FBI Uniform Crime

ISLANDFEST CELEBRATES 35 YEAR One of the highlights on the Island each summer is Summerfest and the venerable festival celebrated it 35th year in the usual grand style.

Rain put a damper on some of the festivities, but when you are holding events outside in Michigan, you deal with what you get and festival-goers made the best of it.

GROSSE ILE RESIDENT IS ‘TEACHER OF THE YEAR’ Grosse Ile’s Jeff Bouwman, a teacher at Shumate Middle School in Gibraltar, was named 2019 Middle School Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Science Teachers Association.

The award recognized how SEE 2019, Page 21

2019

Continued from page 20 Buwman and his students are “getting science done” across a broad spectrum.

Raising and releasing a sturgeon and salmon fingerling are just two of the projects Bouwman’s students work on.

EVENT RAISES MONEY FOR GIEF The Grosse Ile Educational Foundation held its biggest fundraiser of the year - the Kentucky Derby themed Run for the Roses - at the Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club.

The fun event annually draws hundreds of people from across the Island and 2019 was no exception.

CHUCK WATSON STILL GOING STRONG Grosse Ile’s Chuck Watson built a multi-million dollar manufacturing business from scratch and he is proud of it. He also has a car collection that could rival Jay Leno’s.

But racing is what really still gets his heart pumping.

Watson, who is 72, has been competitively racing cars for more than a decade and he is still one of the best. In 2019 he set a record of 180.72 miles per hour in 7.86 seconds.

GROSSE GIRLS WIN STATE TENNIS TITLES Jessica Shutt and Jenna Sheets won individual state championships at the Michigan High School Athletic Association state tournament.

Shutt beat Royal Oak Shrine’s Ann Gladstone 6-1, 6-1 to win the No. 2 singles title and Sheets beat top seed Hannah Hodgespn of Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 7-5 6-1 to win the No. 4 crown.

MAKE-A-WISH COMES THROUGH FOR CANCER SURVIVOR Lindsey Labadie took on brain cancer head on, faced the scans, the bloodwork, the surgeries and long hours of rehabilitation to get back skills most of us take for granted.

The Make-a-Wish Foundation rewarded her hard work by providing her family - parents William and Kelli, older siblings William and Bridget and younger brother Patrick - a six-day trip to the Country Music Association Music Festival in Nashville.

“Going through all the concerts. It was so cool. I had so much fun,” Lindsay said.

January 16 - February 7, 2020 • Page 21 RESIDENTS WIN 38 MEDALS AT SENIOR OLYMPICS Grosse Ile residents put on a show at the Senior Olympics, winning 38 medals, including 19 gold.

Gold medal winners were Martha Butler, Armando Sardanopoli, Jack Frucci, Jeff Wozniak, Janet Randazzo, Viktor Brown, Larry Davis, Frederick Karn, Danayanti Chambers, Stan Farrell, Robert Shaw, Deborah Brown and Tom Patrosh.

CAROLYN FLEMING ATTENDS WOMEN’S SOCCER WORLD CUP Carolyn, a former soccer player at Grosse Ile High School and a current player at Adrian College, was in France with her college team to play several games and she and her teammates attend the World Cup championship game between the United States and the Netherlands.

“It was really, really cool,” said Fleming. “It was the coolest thing I have ever done.”

In addition to watching the U.S. win the championship 2-0, Fleming’s team won both of its games and the team got to meet U.S. Women’s Soccer legend Mia Hamm, who was on the same flight to France as the Adrian team.

GROSSE ILE SAILORS COMPLETE MAGICAL SUMMER Kip Stoneburner, Denise McLaughlin and Matt Dubois sailed the summer away and were on the winning boat - The Roxy - in three of the most prestigious races on the Great Lakes.

The trio won the Chicago-to-Mackinac race, the Port Huron-toMackinac race and the Trans-Superior Yacht Race.

GROSSE ILE EPA FACILITY CLOSES To the chagrin of many the federal government closed the Environmental Protection Agency’s Large Lake Research Station located at the Grosse ile Airport.

The 20 employees of the station were transferred to the EPA facility in Ann Arbor.

The move was particularly disappointing because of the ongoing demolition work at the former McLouth Steel site, which is on the EPA’s national priorities list for Superfund cleanup action, which is underway.

17TH ANNUAL SIMSONIAN KICK-OFF CLASSIC For the 17th straight year the residents of Grosse Ile helped keep alive the memory of beloved former Grosse Ile girls track and girld basketball coach Steve Sims with the running of a race named in his honor.

Sims died at the too-young age of 47 and this run in his honor has awarded $38,000 in scholarship money to young women to further their education.

GROSSE ILE WINS STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP The Grosse Ile Red Devils have been among the favorites to win the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 state soccer championship for the past few years. In 2019, coach Jon Evans’ team got the job done.

Grosse Ile beat Grand Rapids South Christian 2-1 in an overtime shootout to claim the title.

Grosse Ile finished the season with a 24-2-1 record.

The Devils, five time defending Huron League champs, shut out every playoff opponent until the final game and outscored opponents 30-1 during the tournament run.

HOORAY FOR HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARADE One again this fall Macomb Street was filled with ghosts, goblins, super heroes, fairies and witches -oh yes, witches.

The annual Hory for Halloween Costume Parade brugh hundreds to Grosse ile mainstreet for the real scene stealers were The Real Witches of Grosse Ile, who marched and danced and cackled their way down the street.

WILDLIFE REFUGE SETS OPENING DATE After years on the drawing board and numerous setbacks, the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and visitor center finally set an official opening date - May 9, 2020.

The refuge focuses on conserving, protecting and restoring habitat for 30 species of waterfowl, 117 kinds of fish and over 300 kinds of birds, while providing quality opportunities for people to connect with nature.

KYLE STACK PASSES AWAY SUDDENLY Kyle Stack, mayor of neighboring Trenton, passed away suddenly just after Thanksgiving. She was mourned not only by family and friends, but by community leaders from throughout Downriver and southeastern Michigan.

“I’m going to miss her,” said Grosse Ile Superintendent Brian Loftus. “I loved working with her. I learned a lot from her. She certainly had an impact on improving Downriver. She made all of Donriver a better place to live.”

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

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Page 22 • January 16 - February 7, 2020

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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

LISTENING IN ON THE ISLAND

The Island loses another outstanding woman Although she moved from Grosse Ile several years ago to be closer to her daughter on the west side of the state, Clare Koester left behind a legacy of service to the Island.

Very active in the Historical Society and equally active in the Kiwanis Club as a member since 1988, Clare passed away at age 88 in her sleep on Christmas Day. Clare was behind the PAMELA A. project of designing FRUCCI and selling coverlets Grosse Ile Grand that depicted all the churches of the Island which earned a lot of money for the Kiwanis Club. She also was a Sweet Adeline (women barbershoppers) for 25 years.

Both Clare and her husband Art (now deceased) were Rotary Club Citizens of the Year: Art in 1994 and Clare in 1999.

MARGIE GAPE SERVES THE TOWNSHIP AND FAMILY You’d think administrative assistant Margie Gape, who spends her day at the Township Hall, would relax at the end of the day.

Not so! Not only is she a good worker, but she also loves to cook. She goes home after work and prepares

dinner not only for her husband Ken but for her mother Jackie Lowler and her son Willie. Their meals are delivered with Margie’s typical cheerfulness!

GOOGLE ASSISTS IN OUTFITTING JACK FRUCCI FOR CHORUS My husband Jack Frucci sings in a senior barbershop chorus which required that all the guys wear matching outfits. He purchased the required blue shirt and had to buy “stone” colored slacks.

We questioned what color is “stone”? So we went to Chelsea’s Men’s Store in Wyandotte. The salesman had no idea what color stone was either, so he googled it and came back with a pair of stone pants he had in stock.

KURT KERSTEN HONORED BY 100,000 AT MICHIGAN STADIUM At a University of Michigan football game this fall, 95-year-old retired District Court judge Kurt Kersten, was recognized as an Air Force veteran of World War II and a stadium full of 100,000 well wishers cheered and thanked him for his service!

STUDENT HAS A KEYBOARD THANKS TO OLGA TSIPIS A young student at Harms School in southwest

a ar newfoyre s y o t w ne

Detroit, where volunteers tutor every Monday, is not in the regular program since his dad said he has no trouble with school work.

He wanted his son Marcelo to learn to play the piano and study German. Who better to work with Marcelo than Dr. Jim Parker, retired German teacher and a pro piano player?

At the final tutoring session at Harms School on Dec. 16, the kids were treated to a Christmas party and entertainment by Marcelo. He not only soloed but played a duet with Dr. Parker.

He owns the keyboard they played on thanks to Island resident Olga Tsipis, who donated the keyboard she no longer uses.

FRUCCIS HAVE CHILDREN’S KEYBOARD TO GIVE AWAY In the December Grand, I offered our granddaughter’s keyboard to a wannabe piano player if he or she would write a paragraph convincing me why I should give it to him or her. No responses!

I’d still like the keyboard to go to a piano student who would use it to practice on and maybe some day perform as Marcelo did for an appreciative audience of friends and family. Contact me at (734) 671-0170 and let me know if you could use a child-sized keyboard.

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The Vietnam Memorial is truely “The wall that heals” DAVID L. DYER

Grosse Ile Grand

I was thrilled to hear that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial traveling wall is soon coming to Riverview.

(May 28-31) It is very aptly known as the wall that heals and this is my story of the healing effect it had on me.

I spent the better part of two years in Vietnam. I was assigned to the 71st Evacuation Hospital in Pleiku, located in the central highlands near the Cambodian border.

My duties included the admission and disposition of all patients. I witnessed death and destruction on a daily basis.

After returning from Vietnam, I turned to alcohol to suppress my memories.

I did find some type of solace in alcohol, that being the ability to sleep nights.

I rarely talked about my experiences in Vietnam since there were no pleasant memories.

Thirty seven years after returning from Vietnam, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. This was attributed to a chemical called Agent Orange, which was spread indiscriminately throughout the country.

The medication I was taking did not mix well with my alcohol consumption. There were times when I felt like I was on my deathbed.

Some personal counseling by my late brother Wayne (Dr Wayne Dyer, nationally renowned author/speaker often seen on PBS) brought about a burning desire to visit the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC. While there all the memories came back: The mass casualties, the faces of fear, the DOAs, the blood-soaked floor of the emergency room and the mutilated bodies and, of course, the 22-year-old burn patient who died in my arms, while crying for his mother with his final breath.

There are over 58,000 names on that wall and over 19,000 of them were drafted and taken from their families, their jobs and whatever else was going

on in their lives.

They were given about sixteen weeks of training and then sent to Vietnam and were killed. Yes, over one third of all those killed in Vietnam were drafted.

While on my knees at that wall I felt like I had a moment with God. The revelation of that moment was to do all I could to keep the memories alive of all those who lost their lives to the horrors of that war.

A couple of years ago I wrote my story in poetic form and I’d like to share it.

MY CALLING FROM GOD I collapsed on a treadmill and lost control, and I thought my life was through.

An incurable disease called Parkinsons was the start of something new.

He who knows all knew that I’d, never give up my beer.

Since I was now near seventy, he felt the time was now here.

God reached me through my late brother Wayne, knowing what the outcome would be.

Knowing I had a story to tell, Wayne uttered these words to me, “David don’t give up, you must continue Do not die, with your music still in you.”

Next came a trip to the Vietnam Wall.

That’s when I gave up alcohol.

It took quite a while to understand.

It was God who put that pen in my hand.

There are fifty plus thousands of names on that wall.

God’s calling to me, was remember them all.

I began writing stories, even a book.

My efforts continued, whatever it took.

Eight years have passed, I’m now seventy seven.

I’ve been lifted from hell and I’m halfway to heaven.

I’ll continue to write and take my stand.

Till I can no longer hold a pen in my hand.

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

Page 24 • January 16 - February 7, 2020

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January 16 - February 7, 2020 • Page 25

TELESCOPING THE TOWNSHIP

Women enjoy lunch together and donate “Jammies” PAMELA A. FRUCCI

Grosse Ile Grand

Sisters-in-laws Wendy Moco and Suzy Williams have organized for many years the worthy project of providing warm pajamas for needy kids.

On Thurs., Dec. 5, 340 women gathered at the Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club for lunch and to bring their contribution of pjs.

This was a record crowd but not a record collection of jammies. The organizers were slightly dismayed that only 1,302 jammies were contributed, but since $2,500 was collected for the project, it was plenty to buy extra pjs to meet their quota.

The women attending the event came from the Downriver area and as far away as Ann Arbor and Rochester.

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL MUSIC SERIES TO PRESENT “MUSIC OF CHANGE” ON JAN. 18 The public is invited to enjoy another in a series of concerts at St. James Episcopal Church organized

by James Johnson, their Minister of Music.

On Sat., Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. in the chapel, the Grosse Ile Wind Quartet will present a program of music important to the civil rights movement and more. This program is meaningful since the observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is on Jan. 20.

YOUNG COUPLE FIND THEIR MUSICAL NICHE IN KANSAS Lara Semetko has been singing since she was a little girl growing up on Grosse Ile. A graduate of Central Michigan University, Lara

is now Mrs. Robert Brooks and after graduating from the University of Illinois with her doctorate in May, is now Dr. Lara Brooks.

Her husband Robert also earned his doctorate in May. In a recent visit to Lara’s parents on Grosse Ile, they paid a visit to long time fans, Jack and Pam Frucci.

Unlike too many young people who earn their doctorate degrees, both Robert and Lara have fulltime positions in Kansas, a state they are very happy to be living in.

Although Lara has to travel to Washburn University in Topeka, where she handles the opera and musical theater classes, the Brooks bought a home in Wichita where Robert was hired by Friends University as assistant professor of music and

director of jazz. (They’ve filmed a segment of House Hunters, a TV show to be aired the end of January.)

Both universities do a lot of outreach in the community.

Lara’s work at Washburn has her music department head very supportive since she’s expanded the number of students in a department that was struggling before she arrived. And as an accomplished singer, she’s also performing.

WEST RIVER SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW ATTRACTS HUNDREDS OF VIEWERS Kevin and Kim Albright’s family, who used to drive all over the Downriver area to enjoy lights at homes during the Christmas season, has assembled its own spectacular light show set to music at their home at 27105 West

River Road.

From 5 to 11 p.m,. starting on Thanksgiving Eve and ending on Jan. 6, cars assemble in front of their home and enjoy 40 minutes of music they’ve programmed to 107.9 FM. Basically it’s Christmas music, but daughter Audrey added songs from Frozen II this year. (She also handles publicity about the show on social media.)

Kevin Albright has engineered most of the equipment for the show and uses a low powered radio station to broadcast the music.

Being handy helps, since he’s constructed or obtained most of the props on their front yard. For example, the Santa, sleigh, and reindeer came from a house in Ecorse.

The show consists of 10,000 individual RGB LEDs

and a sign with the radio station to tune in to has over 12,000 pixels.

The whole show is handled by a computer in the Albright home. The show takes about two weekends to set up and about one week end to take down and put away.

Then there’s always work during the year to build and repair the props. Sequencing the songs to the lights can take anywhere from four to 20 hours depending on the complexity of the song.

Putting in such long hours is a labor of love for the Albrights who get a lot of compliments from viewers.

Even their neighbor Barbara Denman sends them a gift card thanking them for their light show.

SEE TELESCOPING, Page 26

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

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Page 26 • January 16 - February 7, 2020

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

TELESCOPING

Continued from page In all the years they’ve staged the light show, they’ve only had one complaint and that was solved immediately. Apparently, a lady called the police dispatcher and said she couldn’t get through all the cars parked along West River watching the show. A police officer knocked on their door and said make sure there’s passage for cars coming down West River Road.

When our daughter and granddaughter were

GROSSE ILE GRAND

here visiting at Christmas from NYC, we drove down to take in the light show. They agreed you didn’t have to go to New York City to see top notch entertainment!

LOW KEY BUT ACTIVE SPORT ENJOYED BY MIXED GROUP OF PING PONG PLAYERS Going on its 8th year of offering a fun sport, the Grosse Ile Ping Pong Group was organized in 2012 by John Conroy, now deceased but then with the township Recreation Department. Tables were donated and now the group has 24 active players

who meet three days a week; Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:30 to 5:30 at Centennial Farm at 25797 Third Street off Bellevue. The Downriver Senior Olympics even uses the Centennial Farm for their ping pong tournament. Several medal winners are members of the group. Currently, the players have five tables which are stored at the Farm. The group welcomes both experienced and inexperienced players since they feel it’s a great way to learn the sport and make friends. Off-Islanders are welcome. For more information call the Rec. Dept. at 675-2364.

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January 16 - February 7, 2020 • Page 27

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Michael Zadoorian, local author, to speak

Author of Beautiful Music addresses the Book Club of Grosse Ile

Michael Zadoorian, a renowned Detroit area author, will address members of the Book Club of Grosse Ile at their annual dinner. The event will be held at the Grosse Ile Country Club on Feb. 21 at 6 p.m.

The evening will begin with cocktails followed by dinner and Mr. Zadoorian’s presentation afterwards.

He will speak about his recent publication Beautiful Music and then entertain questions about his book.

This novel, a 2019 Michigan Notable Book, was one of several in rotation among members of the book club, and it was very well received.

It’s a coming of age tale in which Danny Yzemski maneuvers through a dysfunctional home life, a turbulent high school and personal tragedy, all with the aid of rock and roll.

It will transport you right back to the early seventies, resurrecting memories of furniture from Arlans,

records from E.J. Korvettes, and songs from the Who, Led Zeppelin and the MC5.

It’s enjoyable, it’s tender, and it’s compelling.

Before publishing this book, Mr. Zadoorian enjoyed some notoriety when his second novel, The Leisure Seeker, was made into a movie starring Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland. It tells the story of an elderly Detroit couple who escape their adult children to take one last road trip.

The public is invited to attend; book club membership is not a prerequisite.

If you would like to make reservations for the dinner, please contact Ilona Macek at jimacek@aol. com by Feb. 7, 2020. The price is $25 per person.

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January 16 - February 7, 2020 • Page 29

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What’s Happening Grosse Ile ...

SAVE THE DATE On Saturday, Feb. 22 the Grosse Ile Animal Shelter will hold its Mardi Paws event at the Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club.

The event, which will feature costumes, the Sunny Side Street Band and a New Oleans-themed menu, will run from 6-11 p.m.

Call the shelter at 676-7157 for more information

Young” for it’s upcoming Spring concert, “Most Anything Goes.”

The concert is set for May 1 and 2 at Flat Rock High School. Auditions will take place on Jan. 7, 14, & 21 at First United Methodist Church in Trenton.

Call Edie Raleigh at 734-671-5530 for further information on scheduling an audition with Director, Anthony Lai. You can also visit the website at www. seawaychorale.org.

TAKE IT OUTSIDE High School Nature and Wildlife Photo Contest: The deadline Thursday, May 7, 2020 Open to all high school students. Sponsored by the Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy. Enter at www.ginlc.org.

YOGA Tuesdays at the Downriver Council for the Arts, 81 Chestnut, Wyandotte from 5:30-6:30 p.m, every Tuesday.

Suitable for all levels, this Hatha Yoga Flow will focus on linking breath to movement, deep stretching, building core strength and improving balance and overall well-being.

Bring your own yoga mat. Drop-in for $10 a class or $35 for (4 classes).

For more information call 734-720-0671 or visit www.downriverarts.org.

COME AND CONNECT The annual Mother-Son Date Night will be Friday, Jan. 17 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Grosse Ile Middle School gym.

There will be inflatables, a photo station and a pizza and ice cream bar.

Contact the Recreation Dept. for more information.

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

Refreshments followed by a short business meeting, programs, bingo. This is a social club for men and women 55 years and up living on Grosse Ile. AAUW SCHOLARSHIPS The AAUW Wyandotte-Downriver Branch offers several scholarships annually to female undergraduate students at Baker College, Henry Ford College, Lawrence Technological University and Wayne County Community College District.

Interested students can pick up an AAUW application at their school’s counseling office. Candidates must have earned a minimum of 12 credits, be a United States citizen and a resident of the Downriver area.

An essay is required. For more information, contact rjhart720@yahoo. com or visit downriver-mi.aauw.net.

CALLING ALL SINGERS Seaway Chorale will be auditioning Adults and Youth, “Voices of The

2020 ANNUAL METROPARKS PASSES Access to all 13 Metroparks for 2020.

Cost is $40. For seniors (62 and older), a 2020 annual pass will cost $29.

All you need is ID verification.

All senior passes must be purchased in person. Shop online or visit your favorite Metropark to purchase your 2020 annual pass today. www. metroparks.com.

BETTER BACKS AND BALANCE CLASSES Offered by by Orthosports beginning Wednesday, Jan. 29.

AARP Wayne County Heritage Chapter #4676 meets the first Tuesday of the month at Downriver Wayne County Community College, 21000 Northline, Taylor, MI, usually in the Ray Mix Room at 1 p.m. (it may change due to the college schedule).

The meetings are open to everyone, regardless if you are an AARP member or not. We offer fellowship & education through our speakers. For more information, call 313-382-1378.

SERVICE WITH LOVE PROJECT A daily telephone reassurance program for homebound seniors; sign up to receive a phone call daily from

a volunteer to keep you connected and brighten your day; to receive an application call 313-278-8455.

YMCA AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM: Kids attending the program and the Downriver Family YMCA will receive snacks, help with homework and the chance to explore literacy, STEM and arts enrichment programs; to learn more, contact Stefanie Patrico at spatrico@ ymcadetroit.org.

VAN TRANSPORTATION Senior citizens, low income, disabled, essential errands. $5 on island, $6 offisland, round trips. Reservations at least 24 hours in advance, two to four days preferred. Call (734) 675-2364 or (734) 216-2905.

ISLAND WALKERS Mondays through Fridays from 6:45-7:45 a.m. year round at Centennial Farm Activity Room; aerobic walking to music.

OPEN PICKLEBALL FOR ADULTS On Tuesdays and Thursdays through May at Meridian Elementary School Gym from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

MANTRA MEDITATION From 5-6:15 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday of each month at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital – Multipurpose Room. Introduction and benefits of meditation. Learn mantra meditations and take a stress reduction break.

Everyone is welcome. Call 734-2466057 to RSVP. VOLUNTEERS The Township is always on the lookout for volunteers.

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

Volunteers are also needed 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.

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.

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.

SPORTS

January 16 - February 7, 2020 • Page 31

Red Devils skate into new year on solid footing REMAINING SCHEDULE January 22 at Riverview

HANK MINCKIEWICZ

January 24 H Cheboygan

Grosse Ile Grand

Once again this season the Grosse Ile hockey team spent the weekend before the Christmas holiday in Gaylord where the Red Devils took part in the Division 3 Showcase.

There, the team divided a pair of games, beating Sault Ste, Marie 5-0 before falling to 2-0 to PainsdaleJeffers. Both of Grosse Ile’s opponents traveled from the upper peninsula to attend the showcase.

The win over the Soo was the fourth straight at the time for coach Jason Durbin’s Devils. Grosse Ile entered the new year with a solid 6-4 mark.

In addition to beating Sault Ste. Marie, Grosse Ile also knocked off Carlson, Huron, Divine Child, Chelsea and Cabrini during the 2019 portion of its schedule.

The game against the Soo was a close one for two periods and Grosse Ile led just 2-0 heading into the final 17 minutes of play, but three thirdperiod markers handed the Devils the comfortable victory.

Hunter Proctor scored twice for Grosse Ile in the game and Patrick Karn, Adam Kargenian and Dylan Pattenaude had the other goals.

Pattenaude Kargenian, Proctor, Travis Symons and Joe Kosztowny all had assists.

Goalie Owen Bonhan got all 16 Sault Ste. Marie Shots to earn the shutout, The next night, Grosse Ile’s fourgame win streak was snapped and it was Grosse Ile’s turn to be shut out.

It was a good game and there was no score in the first period, but the Jets scored in the second period and again in the third to put the game away. The third-period goal came while Painsdale-Jeffers was enjoying a power play.

Bonham played well again in goal, stopping 28 of 30 shots, but he was

January 25 H SMCC January 29 H AA Pioneer February 1 H Wyandotte February 5 at SMCC February 8 at Divine Child February 12 H Huron February 15 at Dearborn February 18 at Cabrini February at AA Richard February at Woodhaven

Photo by Larry Caruso

tagged with the loss.

The Devils did worry about the loss long as they bounced back to beat Cabrini 5-4 several nights later. It was a big offensive night for Pattenaude as he netted a three-goal hat trick to lead his team to victory. Brennan Karn scored the other two Grosse Ile goals and Ben Cater had a pair of assists.

Bonhan played shutout hockey in the first and third period, but Cabrini got four past him in the middle period.

Just before breaking for the holidays, Grosse Ile played a barnburner against archrival Riverview.

This was a game that matched the intensity of any Grosse Ile-Riverview football or basketball game.

The Bucs won by a 2-0 count, a score that included an empty-net goal.

Riverview has not been strong the last few years, but the Bucs are back - they have already won 10 games this season and they won the recent Gabriel Richard Christmas Tournament - so this rivalry figures to be rekindled.

The Devils and Bucs will meet again Jan. 22 in a Riverview home game at Kennedy Arena in Trenton.

The teams could also meet again in the Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs in late February.

Grosse Ile and Riverview are each again paired in the same MHSAA regional, along with Wyandotte, Temperance-Bedford, SMCC, Gabriel Richard and Carlson.

In another game of note last year, Grosse Ile hosted and beat Chelsea 4-2. Grosse ile got two goals in the first period and never trailed.

Pattenaude, Carter, Presley Hubler and Luke Auger scored for the Red Devils. Both Chelsea goals came on power plays.

Bonham claimed the victory with another solid outing, stopping 31 shots.

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Page 32 • January 16 - February 7, 2020

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January 16 - February 7, 2020 • Page 33

TOM TIGANI

REMAINING SCHEDULE

The 2019-20 season so far has been pretty unkind to the Grosse Ile High School girls’ basketball team.

The Red Devils as of press time were 0-6 and still looking for their first win, coming off a 43-32 loss at Flat Rock Jan. 7. It was a familiar storyline this season: staying close for three quarters before falling short in the end.

Coach Bill Fleming said his team has been struggling to find offense, but even with the losses has been playing good defense.

“I knew I was filling in this year with a bunch of kids who haven’t played at this level before, but we’ll get there,” he said.

As expected, Helana Formentin has been a bright spot, averaging 17 points and 13 rebounds a game, but the problem, Fleming said, is that the Red Devils haven’t gotten much secondary scoring.

“It seems like each game somebody steps up and scores nine or 10, then goes down to drops back down to two the next game,” he said.

He remains optimistic for the long term, however, saying, “It’s a growing thing and we’re getting better.”

Fleming said he knew Flat Rock is one of the toughest teams in the Huron League, but believed his girls could hang with the Rams if they played four quarters of good basketball. And hang they did, leading 16-15 after one quarter and 25-17 at halftime, meaning they held the Rams to a single basket in the second quarter.

“We’ll be in a game, do pretty well in the beginning, then go through a period where we make mistakes, then we fall behind,” Fleming said. “We’ll score four or so, and then the other team goes on a 10-0 run.

“That’s kind of how our season’s been going.”

He’s pleased, however, that the Red Devils have been in every game, except for Monroe, who “lit us up pretty good” in a 57-33 defeat, with one Trojans player racking up 21 points. Formentin had just 11 for Grosse Ile. “We’ve tried to have this be a growing season,” Fleming said. “We thought we’d have a couple of wins

January 15 at St. Mary Catholic Central January 21 Jefferson January 23 at Jefferson January 27 Airport January 30 Milan February 3 Flat Rock February 6 at Huron February 10 at Riverview February 13 St. Mary Catholic Central February 20 at Airport February 25 at Cabrini at this point, but hopefully soon we’ll play a whole game instead of three quarters.”

The Red Devils were set to play Riverview at home Jan. 7, with Huron coming in Thursday, Jan. 9, before hitting the road to play Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central Thursday, Jan. 16.

There’s still reason for optimism this season, Fleming said, including junior Emmi Pinkowski, who has long legs and arms and uses them aggressively.

“She puts a lot of pressure on the ball and we get a lot of turnovers, but our problem is not always converting those into points,” he said.

Additionally, Grosse Ile’s junior varsity is undefeated.

“A couple of those girls tried out for varsity, but if I’d brought them up, we wouldn’t have had a freshman team,” Fleming said. “I look for them to contribute next year and continue to grow this year.

“We had a lot of time over the holidays to work on our shooting and offensive game. Hopefully that eventually pays off in better scoring.”

Photo by Larry Caruso

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Struggling Grosse Ile girls hope to turn things around

Page 34 • January 16 - February 7, 2020

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GI basketball coach believes victories will come TOM TIGANI Coach Mohammed Elhaj believes his Grosse Ile High School boys’ basketball is just a couple of missed opportunities away from winning two of its first three games.

They opened the 2019-20 season Dec. 10 with a 58-27 loss at Riverview Gabriel Richard, who he called “a really good team.”

“They were pushing it hard and put us behind the eight ball, and that really hurt us,” Elhaj said. “They played really well and we lost really bad, but I believe we were a much better team than the way we played. But we took a lot from that game.”

A 54-50 loss at Gibraltar Carlson on Dec. 17 came down to the wire, with the Red Devils losing in overtime. They made it close, however, coming from 15 points down in the fourth quarter, when they started trapping and working hard.

“Then we missed a free-throw, and they grabbed the rebound,” Elhaj said.

“It’s been our struggle.”

Grosse Ile then beat Taylor Preparatory High School 61-58 on the road Dec. 19 in a game that also went to OT and could have – should have, Elhad said —put them at 2-1 going into the Jan. 7 Huron League opener at Milan and the Friday, Jan. 10 game at Flat Rock.

“This week is going to show us what we’ve learned,” he said. “We’ve been working on rebounding and boxing out during the (holiday) break. We’re still trying to get that team chemistry and see who can play with who and who can do what.

“I feel like the kids are responding pretty well. They know why we lost and how we lost. That was a learning process.

The Richard loss was tough for us, but now we know what’s our main issue.”

Elhaj said so far he’s been impressed with the play of Daniel Stevens and Walter Hladchuk, who he called “a tough kid and basically the coach on the floor.”

Offensively, Keegan Mott has been great and Joey Cappellino is playing really well. On defense, John Blanzy and Sam Lemerond have been the main guys.

“They played their hearts out in the Taylor Prep game and gave us a huge spark off the bench. We won because of those two guys.”

GROSSE ILE GRAND

GROSSE ILE FALL

Most Valuable Players

The Grosse Ile High School recently announced the most valuable players for the 2019- 2020 fall season. The MVP is awarded to a player on a team chosen by the coaches who has had the largest positive impact on the team on and off the playing field. Winning this award encompasses dedication to the team, putting teammates and coaches first, maximum effort at the player’s position and contribution to the team being victorious.

This year’s fall MVPs are: boys cross country: Joey Gall and Luke Porter; girls cross country: Caitlin Korte; equestrian: Julia Winter; Football: Johnny Blanzy and Joey Pizzo; girls golf: Lily Bargamian; sailing: Maren Matthews; sideline sheer: Reanna Wludyka; swimming and diving: Erika Pietras and Abigail Lauth; boys tennis: Lucas Kopp; volleyball: Meg Balogh. Grosse Ile High School is very proud of these student-athletes for their dedication to both academics and their chosen sport.

GIHS names new girls varsity tennis coach Grosse Ile High School has named William Riggs as their Girls Varsity tennis coach beginning with the 2020 spring season.

Riggs has been a teacher for the Allen Park Public Schools for 23 years and the Allen Park girls varsity tennis coach for 24 years. In addition, Coach Riggs was the 2016 MHSTeCA Hall of Fame member, the 2011 Allen Park Sports Hall of Fame member and the 2005 MHSTeCA Girls D-2 State Coach of the Year.

Riggs’ teams have qualified for state finals 18 times (17 years in a row). He is16 time regional coach of the year, has 16 league championships and the only eight regional championships in Allen Park school history.

Athletic Director, James Okler, said, “We are excited to see what the future holds for our girls varsity tennis program under the leadership of coach Riggs.”

Riggs

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