Grosse Ile Grand November 2024 by GO BIG MULTI-MEDIA

Grosse Ile celebrates homecoming week

By AUDRIE KALISZ Superintendent of Grosse Ile Township Schools

Homecoming week took place during the week of October 21st, and Grosse Ile Township Schools were filled with excitement, school pride, and a true sense of community. The festivities began with Spirit Week, where all school buildings participated in theme days to showcase their Red Devil enthusiasm. From wacky outfits and pajama day to country western attire, students and staff embraced the fun and creativity, energizing the entire district.

As the week progressed, excitement built up to Wednesday’s Junior vs. Senior Powder Puff flag football game, where the seniors secured a 16-8 victory. The juniors rallied in the final moments, but time ran out before they could pull ahead. The game was a perfect reflection of the competitive spirit and camaraderie that Homecoming Week fosters. Leading up to Homecoming,

students worked hard on building incredible floats, all centered around the theme of Disney Villains, in celebration of the week’s proximity to Halloween. The creativity and teamwork in designing and constructing these floats brought a creative touch to the celebrations.

The cheerleaders and football players kicked off their Friday morning by greeting K-5 students at Meridian and Parke Lane Elementary Schools. The younger students were thrilled to see their high school role models in action, and it was clear the high

FROM THE TOWNSHIP

A grand goodbye...

For the November edition of the Grosse Ile Grand, we hosted a farewell for those who are leaving the Board as they end their public service roles in Grosse Ile. Thank you for your service!

It is amazing how fast time goes by. I can’t believe how quickly these four years have gone by, but then I started to think about the twenty-five plus years I’ve spent on our township’s committees, commissions, and twelve years on the Board. It has been a wonderful experience for me. It has been my honor to serve my community in all the various capacities I have been in. Certainly, there have been frustrating times as well as rewarding times. Serving the Island community has been very fulfilling and I thank the Grosse Ile residents for having me do so

I am especially proud of what we accomplished in my four years as Supervisor. We have new roads and a program to keep them that way. The Bridge project on the ballot in November is an accomplishment by itself, but if it passes it is something that will benefit the Island long into the future. Having said that, I would be remiss not to thank all of the employees of our township for their efforts which makes all the good things happen. I need to especially thank Derek Thiel, our township manager and Margie Gape our little miss everything, whom I worked with daily. Thanks for putting up with me and for all that you two do. I think we made a good team and I will miss you.

I wish the new Board well and hope they do good things for the community. It is a new Board and all seven need to learn the position they are coming into. Lastly, I wish the people of Grosse Ile an exceptional future. This is a great place to live and I am grateful to have served my community.

DAVID R. NADEAU Township Treasurer

As my term as Township Treasurer draws to a close, I want to thank the residents and employees of this community who have made my position fulfilling and rewarding.

First, I want to thank Derek Thiel (Township Manager) for his knowledge, hard work, and patience in assisting me in gaining an understanding of the workings of this Township. He and his team of department managers have been extremely helpful and instrumental to me in my work with all the Township departments. I also want to thank the dedicated men and women who serve this community as members of the various commissions. They provide a guiding light to the Board in administering the myriad of issues that are brought to the Board for action. They provide (along with the department managers) the knowledge and insight needed to effectively and efficiently govern the Township. In addition, I want to send a huge Thank You to the hard-working employees of the Township who work daily to keep the Township open and operating for the benefit of our residents. A special thank you goes to the Finance Department employees for their assistance in carrying out the duties of the Treasurer’s Office. I want to thank the residents of Grosse Ile for the opportunity to serve as a member of the Township Board. It has been a satisfying journey over the last four years. The betterment of this community and its residents has been the focus of all of the issues and decisions that I have faced over my tenure on the Board.

Lastly, I want to thank my fellow Board members for their efforts to governing the Township. I also want to wish the incoming Board all the best as they embark on their journey through the next four years.

It has been my great honor and privilege to serve as your Township Clerk for nearly 3 decades. Your ongoing support, your faith, and your confidence in my service over the years have provided me with much courage and the encouragement to continue my service as both your Township Clerk and as your community advocate. I had the great honor to serve alongside a series of Township Supervisors, Township Boards and Commissions, and Township Administrations, and I certainly could NOT have done ANY of this without you and your votes of support!

I have found that serving one’s community as an elected official is not something to be taken lightly. There is a great learning curve, as well as a HUGE responsibility to be open-minded, informed, and approachable. I have also found that we must often also be non-partisan in order to serve the best interests of our community as a whole. Since that balance is not always easy to achieve, I have learned that there is also a large portion of diplomacy necessary to move important community projects and initiatives forward.

I wish the incoming Board members all the best of luck and strength. You will have access to excellent professional staff and consultants – do not underestimate their value and their insight in helping you make the best informed decisions for our local government and our community. In taking the Oath of Office you have sworn to uphold the tenets and values of the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Michigan. Regardless of the differences you may discover you have with each other, your duty remains to serve your Community and ALL of its Electors, Residents, and Taxpayers.

To quote our Pledge of Allegiance: your duty is to serve ... “with justice and liberty for all.”

I have lived my entire 67 years in this wonderful community, and it is now time to say goodbye after 40 years of service. Easier said than done, as goodbye sounds so final and unappreciative. Fortunately, a better way of saying goodbye is to simply say, thank you.

Thank you, Grosse lle for the privilege of serving 5 years on the former DPW Commission; 32 years on the Police Commission; 8 years on the Greenways-Open Space Committee; 6 years with the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Commission; 1 year with the Fire Commission; 6 years on the St. Thomas Lutheran Church Council; 10 years with the Grosse lle Soccer Association; and 8 years with the Grosse lle Township Board. This cumulatively totals 1,000 regular meetings plus several hundred special meetings for budget review, study sessions, special projects - the list goes on and on.

Thank you to all of the many dozens of wonderful volunteers I have met and served with on the commissions, committees, councils, and boards and to all the employees of the Township who have worked with me to maintain and improve upon the Grosse Ile experience.

I would be remiss in not publicly thanking the three people that have been the best of the best: my wife Diane and our daughters, Kathryn and Rachel. With them, this wonderful journey was possible. Without them, I would have missed the experience of a lifetime. Thank you, ladies for your time, your sacrifices, for listening, your counsel, and your support. You are very special people.

It is not enough to say thank you without appreciating the potential for an even better future. I wish the new Board the very best and every success. When you succeed, the community succeeds. And all of us have, deep within us, the skills and talents and courage to make this world and our community a better place. May God bless each of you with the wisdom, courage, and vision to make that a reality, and may God bless our Island.

JAMES BUDNY Township Supervisor

CARL BLOETSCHER III Township Trustee

CELEBRATES

Continued from page 1

schoolers enjoyed returning to their former schools, reconnecting with familiar teachers, and soaking up the excitement. This tradition is a wonderful way to build community across our schools, bringing smiles to students and staff alike and strengthening the bonds that make Grosse Ile such a special place to learn and grow.

On Friday, Grosse Ile High School hosted a pep rally for its students, featuring friendly competitions, performances from the cheerleaders and high school band members, and recognition of the fall athletes. School spirit was abundant as students and staff cheered for their classmates and teams.

The Friday night Homecoming football game, typically held at Grosse Ile, took place at Woodhaven High School this year due to ongoing construction on our field. But that didn’t stop our Red Devils! They gave it their all and claimed a victory. While it was unfortunate not to host

the game at home, I would like to take a moment to honor all of our football players, band members, and cheerleaders for their resilience. Special recognition goes to our senior football players, cheerleaders, and band members, who were unable to participate in their final fall season at their home stadium. Your dedication to your teams and the band throughout your time at Grosse Ile High School is truly appreciated, and we salute you for keeping your heads held high.

The Homecoming Court was also a key part of the week’s festivities. This year’s Homecoming King and Queen were Sam Vesperman and Claire Coleman, who, along with the entire court, represented Grosse Ile with pride. Congratulations to all of the court members: Freshmen: Lucas Trevino and Olivia Perez; Sophomores: Nathan Taulbee and Stella Sukockas; Juniors: Andy Matzo and Sophia Mihalko; and Seniors: Jack Fox and Monica Arndt, Sam Vesperman and Taylor Karasinski, Jacob Sollars and Claire Coleman, Joey Christnagel and Payton Harp

The week concluded with a memorable Homecoming dance on

Saturday, where high school students gathered to celebrate and end the week on a high note.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognize our senior football players, cheerleaders, and band members who made this Homecoming one to remember.

Senior Football Players: John Boucher, Evan Brown, Mason Crowley, Samuel Flitt, Deron Heard, Jeremiah Heard, Anthony Rayburn, John Sorbo, and Samuel Weise

Senior Cheerleaders: Arianna Bianchi, Avelin Flynn, Sophia Hladchuk, Kelsey Jamnick, Marissa Trombley, Penelope Valascho, and Virginia West

Senior Band Members: Kyuubi Buber, Sarah Chao, Claire Coleman, Andrew Dmitruchina, Jack Fox, Cole Gilbert, Pauly Goddard, Ryan Loos, Spencer Marsh, Elyse Miller, Addison O’Dea, Lia Pistole, Alyssa Pullen, Ben Rhodehouse, Andrew Sanfilippo, and Ben Steffke

And finally, a special thank you to Roxanne Rusu, our dedicated Student Council advisor, whose tireless work behind the scenes made all the Homecoming events possible.

Roxanne’s passion and commitment to our school community helped bring each part of Homecoming Week to life, from planning Spirit Week to organizing the pep rally with her students. Her hard work and positivity made this week possible.

This Homecoming week has been a wonderful example of our Red Devil pride. Our community came together in full force to celebrate Grosse Ile Schools.

GIHS royalty: Sam Vesperman and Claire Coleman

Veterans Day history

It was at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in the year 1918 that an armistice was signed between our Allied Nations and Germany. This ended the hostilities and led to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, officially ending World War I, often known as the “Great War” or “The War to end all Wars.”

The signing was in June of 1919. November 11th which was the day the fighting ceased was generally regarded as the end of the war. The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I on June 4th of 1926.

An action approved on May 13th, 1938 made November 11th a legal holiday, or a day dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be celebrated, and known as Armistice Day. It was primarily a day to honor Veterans of World War I.

In 1954, after World War II required the greatest mobilization of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen in our Nation’s history, and after American Forces fought aggression in Korea, Congress amended the act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and installing the word “Veterans.” President Eisenhower signed that bill, and November 11th became known as Veterans Day.

In 1968, the Uniform Holiday Bill was signed. This was intended to ensure three day weekends by celebrating four National Holidays

on Mondays, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day.

The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed on October 27th, 1971. It became apparent that the 11th day of November carried so much historic and patriotic significance to a great number of citizens. So, in September of 1975, President Ford signed a new law returning the annual observance of Veterans Day to it’s original day of November 11th, and it remains so today.

In my previous Veterans Day stories, I have always focused on Vietnam since that is where I spent the two most challenging years of my life. I will mention that there were over 58,000 Americans that never experienced that feeling of being a Veteran. They gave their lives to the horrors of that war. They did, however have their names etched on the Vietnam Memorial or “The Wall” in Washington, DC.

Now as I close, I ask you to reach out to a Veteran, not just on Veterans Day, anytime - but especially during the month of November. They are easy to spot. If they are in uniform or if they are wearing one of those Vietnam hats, reach out your arm and shake his/her hand and recite these words, “Thank you for your service.”

You don’t have to know the person, the hat or uniform they are wearing represents your freedom. You will not only make his/her day you will also make your own. The bottom line is: “Never forget – FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.”

DAVID DYER

Estate Planning 101 Which plan do you need?

Time to clear up the confusion about Estate Planning ... The following deﬁnitions lack legal precision, but makes it easier to get a clear picture of what may be needed in your case.

■ Will – letter of intent of where you want your personal property to go – or not go.

■ Living Will – Documents your wishes during your ﬁnal days including ﬁnal healthcare choices and possibly your burial wishes.

■ Trust – This is a “company” that you start, and you become the CEO, “Trustee” and “Settlor.” The company outlives you, but continues to manage your assets as if you were alive by the successor CEO – whom you designate.

■ Power of Attorney – Financial and Healthcare – you need both – the ﬁrst so someone can pay your bills, the second, sometimes called a Patient Advocate, designates someone to make “hallway at the hospital” decisions to take the stress oﬀ the family.

■ Ladybird Deed – probably the best thing that has happened to owning a home. I love these deeds – you grant yourself a life estate – in your own property - but retain the power to sell or borrow against the property. If you do not sell before you pass, this “springs” the house out of your estate, and your heirs have instant ownership, subject to any mortgage or taxes owed or similar.

Again, this is just a general description of the more popular terms – no one choice is a “silver bullet” but depending on how your estate gets planned out you can expedite a clean and clear process for the assets you worked a lifetime to save. Why wouldn’t you want to do that? Stop by or call and make an appointment and I’ll tell you what you’re going to need to do this right.

To my numerous former clients – thank you for allowing me to draft your estate plan!

Annual Christmas charity auction set for December 9

On December 9th, the Grosse Ile Garden Club will be hosting its annual Christmas Charity Auction, which benefits the Grosse Ile Goodfellows and the Salvation Army. The event is held at the Centennial Farms, located at 25797 Third Street, Grosse Ile. Doors open at 9:30 and the auction begins at 10 AM. A continental breakfast precedes a live auction, and a light lunch will be served afterwards. Items to be auctioned are donated by members and businesses. Admission is only two canned goods.

“The auction started more than forty years ago on a much smaller scale. The annual event now welcomes the entire community to attend.

Guest auctioneers from Island non-profits such as the Grosse Ile Historical Society and the Nature and Land Conservancy, as well as the Chief of Police have selected items to auction,” said Gloria Florin, Auction Co-Chairperson. The Grosse Ile Garden Club was organized in 1927 and has put on the annual Christmas Charity Auction for over 40 years. Everyone is welcome.

GIEF annual fundraiser: a scary good success

By BILL STEVENSON

There were no tricks, just treats. No hocus pocus. Oh, but there was a haunted hallway, and spooky decorations. Maybe the creepy guy on the dance floor yoked between two skeletons made you shiver. The only really scary thing was if you missed it.

But, whatever the case, Grosse Ile ghosties and ghoulies had more than a bump in the night at the “Monster Bash,” the Grosse Ile Educational Foundation’s annual fundraiser held October 12th at the Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club.

Cutting through the fog and ominous music, partygoers were met at the door by one of those, ahem ... larger than life animatronic skeletons and an all too real scary hearse with which not many people seemed to want their picture taken. Once inside the club, revelers snaked their way through the dimly lit haunted house to partake of specialty Halloween drinks, delectable dishes, and a wild night of dancing to the ever popular, Killer Flamingos. Partiers bid on more than a hundred upscale silent auction items, which included such exclusive prizes as Thanksgiving Day Lions tickets, a full service suite at a Pistons game, and a chance to climb the Mackinac Bridge tower. Talk about scary ...

There was even a best costume contest. Eric Flood won the best overall costume dressed as the Queen

of Hearts. For couples, there were three winners-Tasja Sachs and Seth Klinger won for Silence of the Lamb, Wes and Dianne Paisley won for Beetlejuice, and Brian and Lori Pawlik for “The Outlet.” For best group costumes, it was the Bragadins and Vitales for the Addams Family. In addition to a monstrously good time, the overarching goal of the gala is that partygoers and sponsors helped raise funds for this year’s cycle of grants for our community and schools. Indeed, since its founding in 1995, the Educational Foundation has awarded more $1.8 million “committed to lifelong educational experiences for the students and families

of Grosse Ile.”

The Grosse Ile Educational Foundation would like to thank everyone for their generosity in making this night such a wonderful event: Special thanks go to John Paul and the Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club, MICookie Project, Johnny Mac’s Market, Kroger of Grosse Ile, Molnar Funeral Homes, Hungry Howie’s of Grosse Ile, and ALL the spooky sponsors.

As we have seen throughout the years, the Grosse Ile Educational Foundation knows how to throw a party.

Praises go out to the Foundation Board of Directors for all their continued good work on behalf of Grosse Ile families: Kurt Kobiljak, President; Andrea Stevenson, Treasurer; Maggie Wojtkowiak, Secretary; Susie Armiak, Julia Callahan, Sarah Ford, Victoria Gargasoulas, Casey Hamelin, Joseph Hrabnicky, Dr. Michael Iverson, Duncan Murdock, Andrea O’Donnell, Michael Paisley, Kelly Papp, Bill Stevenson, Sarah Szymaszek, Ava Thrasher, and Paul Thrasher.

If you missed the fundraising party, but would still like to donate to the work of the Grosse Ile Educational Foundation, Inc., visit us at gieducationalfoundation. org.

Looking forward to sharing more Foundation news in support of worthy community and school grants in the coming months.

Nothing scary about that!

Photo courtesy of Joe Maroon Photography

Lt. Graduates from EMU’s Executive Leadership Program

The Grosse Ile Police Department is proud to announce that Lieutenant Kevin Counts has successfully graduated from the prestigious Eastern Michigan University School of Staff and Command Executive Leadership Program, Class #41, on October 11th, 2024. This rigorous program, which spans ten months, is designed to prepare future leaders in law enforcement with the essential skills and knowledge necessary to excel in command roles. Throughout the course, Lt. Counts dedicated significant time and effort, completing 40 hours of coursework each month. The program is known for its comprehensive curriculum,

covering a wide range of topics critical to law enforcement leadership. Lt. Counts was also recognized at graduation for his exceptional work on his class project, earning the “Research Paper & Presentation Excellence” award from the Center for Regional and National Security Executive Leadership Program. This honor reflects his commitment to excellence and his dedication to advancing his knowledge and skills in service to the community and his department. Congratulations Lt. Counts on this significant achievement and thank you for your unwavering hard work and dedication to the law enforcement profession.

THANKSGIVING MORNING November 28, 2024 at St. James Episcopal Church 25150 East River Road Register Now @ saintjamesgi.net

1 MILE KID’S DASH 8:30 a.m.

5K FUN RUN — 9:00 a.m.

The route follows beautiful East River Road on the sunrise side of the Island

Race Fees are a freewill donation. All donations support local families through the ChristNet Warming Shelter, the Sacred Heart Food Pantry, and Saint James ministries.

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Red Devils snag a victory in 2024 finale

By HANK MINCKIEWICZ

The 2024 Grosse Ile football team saw a mostly disappointing season, devoid of true home games, end on a positive note on October 25th as the team celebrated homecoming at Woodhaven High School with a 28-21 victory over state-playoff-bound Allen Park Cabrini.

in touchdowns.

It was a good night for Grosse Ile’s receivers, too, as senior Mason Crowley in his last Grosse Ile game had 10 catches for 79 yards and a touchdown and junior Dominic Cucinella had seven catches for 98 yards and a score.

Grosse Ile led for most of the game, but the lead was never big enough for

scored just 33 points all season heading into the Cabrini game. The Devils suffered shutouts this year.

Defensively against Cabrini, it was a true team effort as 16 Grosse Ile players had tackles or assists. Juniors Chris Budziak, with nine total tackles, and Evan Raithel, with seven, led the way.

Budziak also caused a fumble that

scored a two-point conversion.

Obviously, a 1-8 season with just 61 points being scored is disappointing, but this is a largely junior team that loses just nine seniors, so there is reason to believe that 2025 will eclipse 2024.

Here’s a quick recap of the 2024 season:

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

The victory broke a 14-game losing streak dating back to last year for Grosse Ile.

Junior quarterback Tanner Symons and senior running back Jeremiah Heard had big nights to lead the team to victory.

Symons aired it out, throwing the ball 33 times and completing 21 of them for 205 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He did throw an interception, but the Devils were able to overcome that. Heard was the game’s leading rusher with 84 yards on 17 carries. Two of his carries resulted

the Devils or their fans to get comfortable. Grosse Ile led 14-7 after one quarter, but it was 14-all at halftime.

Grosse Ile did the only scoring in the third period to take a 20-14 lead and the teams traded fourth-quarter scores. It was also a big night by the numbers for the Red Devils as the team racked up 305 total yards in the game.

The 28 points scored by the Devils was by far the most they scored this season, The previous high was seven points in losses to Monroe Jefferson and New Boston Huron. In fact, the Devils had

was recovered by senior John Sorbo and Deron Heard chipped in with a pass interception.

It was a pretty complete game for the Red Devils, who also got contributions from the special teams. Three different Red Devils had good kickoff returns that led to positive field position.

Sophomore Colton Bodner had the best return of the night, a 54-yarder, but Cucinella gave the crowd a rush with a 16-yard return, and Devon Heard had a 14-yard return. In addition, Crowley made two extra points and Cucinella

Ida 48, Grosse Ile 6

Symons passed for 158 yards but had two balls intercepted. In a foreshadowing of the troubles to come, Grosse Ile was held to 18 rushing yards.

Flat Rock 50, Grosse Ile 0

Flat Rock is currently fielding one of its best teams in years and the Rams proved it against Grosse Ile. The Devils were held to 80 yards of offense.

SMCC 49, Grosse Ile 0

In a game played at Wyandotte Roosevelt High School, the Red Devils were simply blitzed by the Huron League champions. SMCC rushed for over 450 yards and Grosse Ile had -18 total yards.

Milan 27, Grosse Ile 0

Milan scored 20 points in the second quarter to salt this one away. Four of Symons nine completions were caught by Mason for 103 yards. His longest catch was a 47-yard beauty.

Airport 42, Grosse Ile 6

The Devils were able to move the ball through the air as Symons was 14-for24 for 205 yards and a score. But the rushing game was absent again. Thanks largely to sacks, Grosse Ile rushed for -10 yards.

Jefferson 27, Grosse Ile 7

Five pass interceptions and fewer than 50 yards rushing were the team’s downfall against the Bears. Crowlety had three catches for 56 yards and Sorbo caught a 31-yard pass.

Huron 31, Grosse Ile 7

The Devils were held to under 100 yards from scrimmage in this game. Symons passed for 85, but the team rushed for just seven.

Riverview 49, Grosse Ile 6

Symons threw for 157 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 40 yards. Sorbo was his top target, picking up 55 receiving yards.

District champs fall in regionals

The Grosse Ile soccer team, runner-up this year to Milan in the Huron League, capped an 11-5-4 season with a 4-2 loss to Williamston in the regional semifinals. Williamston, like Grosse Ile, a state powerhouse, later lost 2-0 to eventual Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 state champion Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, which beat Elk Rapids 3-2 in the championship game. Grosse Ile reached the regional semis by winning a district title. In districts, the Red Devils clobbered Flat Rock 7-2, and then took some revenge on Milan, beating the Big Reds 4-1 in the game that mattered most.

Grosse Ile tennis team 10th at Division 3 state finals

The Grosse Ile girls tennis team finished 10th at the MHSAA Division 3 state meet in Kalamazoo with six points. There were 29 teams at the event.

The state title was claimed by Detroit Country Day with 33 points. Bloomfield Hills KingswoodCranbrook was second with 29 and Chelsea was third with 24.

The Devils did not have much luck in the singles matches at the finals as only Sophomore Ava Dame was able to win a match. She beat Callie Morrison of St. Johns 6-1, 6-1 before bowing 6-1, 6-0 to Avah Jerke of Grand Rapids Christian.

Doubles teams winning matches were Allison Darzniak and Anne Dame at No. 1, Abbie Moore and Nora Mello at No. 3 and Nya Lee-Wah and Arianna Lopez.

Grosse Ile reached the finals by finishing second at the D3 regional hosted by Chelsea. Chelsea won with 32 points, followed by Grosse Ile with 19 and fellow Huron League team Milan with 12.

Hanna Hargtove reached the final at No. 2 singles where she fell to Sam Bieber of Chelsea and Ava Dame made the finals at No. 4 singles when she was defeated by Cyprus Gabriel-Menegay of Chelsea.

In doubles action, Darzniak and Annie Dame reach the No. 1 flight final only to lose to a team from Chelsea, No. 3 team Moore and Mello were beaten in the finals by a Chelsea team, and Nya Lee-Wah and Ava Kowal made it to the No. 4 finals only to lose to a Chelsea team.

GOLFERS SEVENTH AT REGIONALS

The senior-less Grosse Ile girls golf team finished seventh at the 10team Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 regional hosted by Adrian at Wolf Creek Golf Club on October 7th.

The meet was won by Detroit Country Day with a score of 347. Bloomfield Hills Marian (356) and Williamston (360) were the other two schools to qualify for the MHSAA

Division 3 state finals.

Grosse Ile shot 442.

Just one Grosse Ile player – Junior Nora Wharton – broke 100. Wharton shot 98.

Grosse Ile’s other four scorers were Sophomore Alex Ganzberger, Junior Anna Munzenberger, Sophomore Kaitlyn Robinson, and junior Linda Luppino.

The top three teams in the meet, along with the top three individuals from teams that did not qualify earned berths in the state finals at Bedford Valley Golf Club in Battle Creek.

At the two-day state finals, played October 18-19th, Grand Rapids Catholic Central ran away with the title, shooting a crazy low 652. GRCC was the only one of 18 teams at the D3 finals to break 700. Adrian regional champ Country Day finished a distant second with a score of 717 and Williamston was third with 722.

THREE RUNNERS GO TO STATE

The Grosse Ile boys cross country team finished sixth at the 12-team

MHSAA Division 2 regional hosted by Wyandotte Roosevelt at Lake Erie Metropark on October 26th, but three runners qualified for the state meet.

Junior Matt Carbajo, Senior Jack Fox and freshman Nick Ranka all finished among the top 15 runners in the 88-runner race and that was good enough to get them to the finals.

Carbajo ran 17:05 and was north in the race, Fox ran 17:08 and was 10th and Ranka ran 17:15 and was 14th.

The Grosse Ile girls were 10th at regionals and failed to qualify any runners for the finals.

At the state finals, held annually at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, MI, Grosse Ile’s qualifying trio took to the track on November 2nd.

There were 254 runners in the Division 2 race and Carabajo finished well among the top 100. He was 82nd in a time of 16:32. Fox was 152nd with a time of 17:13 and Rankin was 218th in 17:31.

Connecting the Community through Networking Opportunities

BY ASHLEI DANG

On September 26th, the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce (SWCRC) had its latest ABO (After Business, Ours) meeting hosted by the Downriver Community Federal Credit Union. These bi-monthly events are designed to provide local business owners with a free networking opportunity to make valuable connections and learn about the benefits of Chamber membership. Any business, regardless of industry, is welcome to attend, and guests are always encouraged to join.

The evening started with the usual SWCRC Board of Directors, which included a mini-expo showcasing displays from several chamber members. However, this meeting featured a wide range of activities. Attendees enjoyed food catered by Mission BBQ, refreshing drinks served by Roaming Spirits Mobile Bar, and live entertainment from the Gratitude Steel Drum Band. The event also included some friendly cornhole competition and an exciting Electric Vehicle Drive Event, facilitated by DTE Energy, where guests had the chance to test drive electric vehicle models like the Ford F-150 Lightening and the Chevy Silverado. Nearly 100 people attended, making it a vibrant and successful evening.

For anyone looking to join future networking opportunities, the Downriver Community Federal Credit Union will host The Morning Spark on Friday, November 1st, from 8:00am to 9:00am—another free event open to the public. Additionally, the Chamber Connections Networking Groups meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday, as well as the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, and welcome anyone who wants to learn more about growing their business through the Chamber.

These events are excellent ways for local business owners to build relationships and explore the benefits of becoming a SWCRC member Don’t miss out on the chance to expand your network and support the Downriver Community!

To learn more about the upcoming events: The Morning Spark: swcrc.com/events/novmspark24 • The Chamber Connections Networking Groups: swcrc.com/chamber-connections

Claus

Election results 2024

On November 5th, the 2024 Presidential Election occurred. Grosse Ile had a 90.94% voter turnout this year.

Donald J. Trump defeated Kamala Harris with 50.7% of the vote (Note: At the time of publication, Nevada and Arizona have still not been finalized). Trump won Grosse Ile with 58% of the vote. In the race for U.S. Senator, voters had the choice between Democrat Elissa Slotkin and Republican Mike Rogers. Slotkin beat Rogers by 19,291 votes. Democrat Debbie Dingell faced Republican Heather Smiley in the race for U.S. House. Dingell took it with 62% of the vote. For the 27th District State Representative seat, Republican Rylee

Linting defeated Democrat incumbent Jaime Churches with 52% of the vote. Wayne County incumbents Kym L. Worthy (Prosecuting Attorney), Raphael Washington (Sheriff), Cathy M. Garrett (Clerk), Bernard J. Youngblood (Register of Deeds), and Joseph Palamara (Commissioner) all returned to their seats.

In Grosse Ile, the only contested race was for trustees; 5 candidates ran for 4 seats. 1 Democrat appeared on the ballot, Kyle Alexander de Beausset, along with 4 Republicans, Michelle Bartlett, Bill Heil, Mark A. Mills, and Margaret A. Shelton. de Beausset came up 850 votes short.

There were two proposals on the ballot: one for Grosse Ile and one for the Intermediate School District.

The Grosse Ile proposal was regarding the Grosse Ile Township Grosse Ile Toll Bridge. It looked to borrow the sum of not to exceed FiftyNine Million Seven Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($59,740,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds, in one or more series,

payable in not to exceed thirty (30) years from the date of issuance of each series, for the purpose of paying all or part of the costs to acquire the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge and construct renovations and improvements to the Bridge, together with all related site improvements. This passed with nearly 73% of the vote.

The other proposal was on Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency Renewal Of Regional Enhancement Millage. This proposal asked voters the following: Pursuant to state law, the revenue raised by the proposed renewal of the enhancement millage will be collected by the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency (“Wayne RESA”) and distributed on an equal perpupil basis to local constituent school districts including eligible public school academies within the boundaries of Wayne RESA. None of the enhancement millage revenue will be distributed to Wayne RESA, and all funds shall be independently audited by the local constituent

school districts and eligible public school academies as part of their annual school audits. As a renewal of authority which expires with the 2027 levy, shall the limitation on the amount of ad valorem taxes which may be imposed on taxable property in the Wayne County Regional Educational Service Agency, Michigan, be increased by 1.9812 mills ($1.98 per thousand dollars of taxable value) for a period of six (6) years, 2028 to 2033, inclusive, to provide operating funds to enhance other state and local funding for local school district operating purposes? It is estimated that 1.9812 mills would raise approximately $108 million when first levied in 2028. The revenue from this enhancement millage will be distributed on an equal per pupil basis to the constituent school districts and the public school academies within the boundaries of Wayne RESA which are eligible to receive enhancement millage under the Revised School Code.

This passed with 68% of the vote.

Holiday happenings: Home is where the heart is

By BILL STEVENSON

It’s that time of year again, and as quickly as the leaves that are falling, the holidays will be upon us. You don’t have to go very far to find fun, exciting, and memorable activities for the entire family. Here’s just a few to help make your holidays complete:

The 11th Annual Thanks+Giving Fun Run

Start your Thanksgiving off on a healthy, happy note by running or walking in the morning with your family and friends, on Thursday, November 28th. The 1 mile Kids Dash starts at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K walk or run begins at 9:00 a.m. Kids, pets, strollers, and loved ones are all invited. Prizes and free snacks are part of the fun. Entry fees are free-will donations to support local families through St. James Episcopal ministries, Sacred Heart Food Pantry, and Fish & Loaves Food Pantry. All donations are tax deductible. Register online at SaintJamesGI.net. Time to join in the family-friendly event and give back to those in need.

St. James Episcopal Church Historic Greens Market, December 7th, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

After you and your family celebrate your Thanksgiving holiday, you might want to lend a hand in one of the longest running traditions on Grosse Ile. The 96th annual Greens Market will begin their good work lovingly crafting wreathes and bows, decorating table top Christmas trees, and selling miles of greenery roping, Volunteers are needed for the Greens Market Workshop, which runs from December 2nd through December 5th, starting at 9:00 a.m. You do not have to be a member of St. James in order to be a “Greens crafter.” The more the merrier.

The market began in 1928 in the kitchen of Mrs. Hazel Alexander. She and her friends from their book club got together to make wreaths and table decorations from greens and pinecones gathered from nearby woods. They fashioned their wreaths on twisted coat hangers, using natural ingredients for Renaissance-era ‘Della Robbia’ styles, or made simple holly and berries designs. In addition to Mrs. Alexander, the women who originated the market were Mrs. Duncan McNabb, Mrs. John Mayers, Mrs. Daniel Agnew, Mrs. Frederick Glover, Mrs. E. Porter West, Mrs. Storm Vanderzee, and Mrs. Clark Bishop.

While gathered in Mrs. Alexander’s kitchen, the women also decided to decorate St. James’ historic 1867 Chapel, and sell their creations for charity. The concept of a “Greens Market” sale was born. Shopping begins on Sale Day Saturday, December 7th, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You can order your holiday decorations ahead of time by Sunday, November 17th. Beautiful wreaths, decorated table trees, roping, greens, swags of all sizes, baked goods, and other gift items will be available for purchase. Credit cards are accepted. For further information, contact chairpersons

Chris Robertson at 734.306.1519 or Collie LeClair at 734.775.8012 for further details.

St. Thomas Lutheran Church Christmas Market, December 7th, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

After you have gathered your holiday decorations at the Greens Market, you can head on over to St. Thomas Lutheran Church 9393 Church Road who will again be offering their popular Christmas Market for the fourth year. More than 50 vendors will present their wares for purchase. A wide variety of jewelry, decorations, baked goods, arts & crafts, Christmas cookies, wood art, and stocking stuffers will be available. There is also a raffle for a delightful Christmas basket, you may want to win.

St. Thomas still has room for local vendors, who can contact Linda Landis at 734.552.2937 to reserve a space. Admission to the Christmas Market is free.

Grosse Ile Garden Club Christmas Auction, December 9th, 9:30 a.m. to Noon

Another historic Grosse Ile service organization, around since 1927 is the Grosse Ile Garden Club. During each year, they plant and nurture at least eight gardens scattered throughout the Island: The “Welcome to Grosse Ile” plot near the county bridge, the “Four Corners” garden, the Blue Star Memorial, the award winning “Flowering of Macomb” hanging baskets, the Wildlife Sanctuary, Rosie’s Garden on 3rd Street—in memory of Rosie Meyer, Centennial Farm Butterfly Garden, and the Treaty Tree tablet recognizing the purchase of Grosse Ile by the Macomb brothers from the Potawatomie natives.

The club also volunteers at the Piet Oudolf-designed garden at the Belle Isle Conservancy in Detroit, where last year they helped purchase and plant exquisite flora to enhance the beauty of the “Jewel of Detroit.”

Garden Club CoPresidents and long-time Grosse Ile educators, Jacqi Cummings and Ann Schiebner explain, “The Grosse Ile Garden Club does more than maintain the many beautiful areas of Grosse Ile. It’s purpose is to operate for the ‘benevolent, charitable, scientific, and educational well-being of the community, the Michigan and National Garden Clubs of America.’

Many people do not

know about the charitable fundraising aspect of our organization.”

“We have had a supportive relationship with the Salvation Army since 1968, and began our Christmas Charity Auction in 1974. Now, more than ever, the needs for giving are much greater, so we had to do something to carry on our tradition of making our little corner of the world, a much better place to live.”

On Monday, December 9th, the Garden Club with host their annual Christmas Auction fundraiser, and luncheon, held at Centennial Farm 25795 3rd Street. Doors open at 9;30 a.m. Auction starts at 10:00 p.m. Garden Club member, Jennifer Engle will be the auctioneer, with special guest speed sellers to help the cause.

Admission is two canned goods or non-perishable items. All proceeds and canned goods go to the Grosse Ile Goodfellows and the local Salvation Army. You don’t need a green thumb to bid! Whatever you choose, you don’t have to go very far to find your holiday joy—Home is where the Heart is.

•Best

The Teller’s Room

you haven’t yet been to The Vault, you owe yourself a visit. Their hours are: Monday through Thursday 11:30am to 9:00pm Friday and Saturday 11:30am to 10:00pm Closed on Sundays.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

NEWS FROM OUR NEIGHBORS

2024 Kiwanis Dictionary Project is arousing success

Understanding how to use a dictionary is an essential skill for third graders, and it provides lifelong benefits that extend far beyond the classroom. The ability to look up words empowers students with the tools they need to build strong writing skills, engage in active reading, and think creatively. Third grade is a crucial time in a child’s educational journey, marking the transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Mastering the use of a dictionary at this stage helps students become more independent learners, equipping them with the resources to explore language, expand their vocabulary, and better understand the world around them.

This year, the Kiwanis of Riverview continued their commitment to The Dictionary Project by distributing over 240 copies of A Student’s Dictionary & Gazetteer to third graders in the Riverview Community School District. This special edition, created exclusively for the project, contains 554 pages packed with valuable content—definitions, information on planets and animals, and even an American Sign Language chart. For many students, receiving their very own dictionary is a thrilling moment, and for some, it’s a tradition,

following in the footsteps of older siblings who still cherish theirs.

PAGE 10

Adventures await at Southgate’s first Tot Lot

Southgate Parks and Recreation is proud to announce its first official Tot Lot at McCann Park, a lively play area created just for children aged 2-5. This exciting addition seamlessly combines fun and learning in a safe, inviting environment, making it a perfect destination for families.

The Tot Lot features whimsical structures that promote imaginative play and language development. At the heart of the playground is the SmartPlay Centre, where children can immerse themselves in a mini village. Here, they can roleplay in a Farmer’s Market and Café, enhancing their social skills while learning to identify and name various fruits and vegetables. This interactive experience encourages language-rich conversations between children and caregivers.

COVER

The Trenton football team giveth and the Trenton football team taketh away.

On Oct. 4 the Trojans took their 3-2 record to Gibraltar for a crucial contest against the undefeated, Downriver League-leading Carlson Marauders.

Like the Detroit Lions, the Trojans have settled into a great two-back approach in the backfield with seniors Ashton Rooney and Drew Carson taking turns pounding opposing defensive lines. Against Carlson, Rooney had 116 yards and two touchdowns and Carson had 109 yards and one touchdown. Each back carried the ball 21 times and each averaged more than five yards per tote.

PAGE 16

PD’s first Trunk or Treat is a spooktacular success

On October 11th, the Wyandotte Police Department celebrated a successful inaugural Trunk or Treat event, drawing a remarkable turnout from the community. Attendees expressed their enthusiasm as every trunk ran out of candy, highlighting the event’s popularity and community spirit.

COVER

Trenton football team stuns both Carlson and Allen Park

Medicare Annual Enrollment

Is Oc tober 15 to December 7

The Inflation Reduction Act and rising utilization of health care will mean big changes for Medicare beneficiaries:

• Increased copays and maximum-out-of-pocket

• New deductibles for prescription drug coverage

• Many plans dropped coverage for several medications

• Double-digit premium increases for Medigap plans

• Cuts to Supplemental Benefits (i.e. Dental, OTC)

Do not wait (or let mom or dad wait) until January to get a huge bill at the pharmacy or find out an important drug is no longer covered. It could be too late to fix it.

Many companies introduced exciting new plans for 2025. Our office is open weekdays from 10am -5pm. It is best to call ahead for an appointment during our busy season.