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BILL STEVENSON A respectful and somber crowd of about fifty gathered at the corner of East River and Groh Roads on Saturday, Oct. 21 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the official opening of Grosse Ile’s newest bike path trail.

While many there were avid cyclists or outdoor lovers, the majority of the crowd were there to honor the memory of Adrienne “Addie” Byars, a seventh grade Grosse Ile Middle School student, who died unexpectedly of a rare but natural cause in 2021.

Addie’s parents, Dr. Helen Mabry and Andrew Byars, choked back tears as they remembered their loving daughter and thanked everyone involved in the extensive process to complete the connecting trail from the Groh Road bike path to the Gibraltar Bay Nature Area.

Dr. Mabry said, “This path isn’t just a trail – it’s a testament to Adrienne’s spirit and the unwavering love our community has shown in her memory. When we first came to Grosse Ile, we rented a condo nearby and Addie loved riding her bikes on the bike paths or rollerblading.

She loved it so much. She had a unique sense of reverence for the world around her, finding joy in experiencing and respecting what life had to offer.”

After her death, the family requested SEE SPIRIT, Page 8

Page 2 • November 9 — December 11, 2023

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 3

FROM THE TOWNSHIP

Grosse Ile to update Master Plan

BY ROSS QUERRO

Grosse Ile will update its Master Plan for the first time in over 20 years. The plan will serve as a guiding policy for development, preservation and zoning regulation on the Island, while reflecting the community’s goals and visions for the future.

The Township is collaborating with SmithGroup, an award-winning design firm with over 170 years of experience and CIB Planning, a community and economic development firm that specializes in local government planning. This partnership was made possible by a $40,000 grant provided by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation through their Redevelopment Ready Community program.

The program encourages local communities to be competitive in today’s economy by investing in everyday planning activities.

What is a master plan?

A master plan is a living document that serves as a framework for growth and redevelopment that is guided by a collective community vision. It also serves as a strategic document that identifies goals, objectives and needs of the community that can be accomplished over time. The plan is used by local governments to help produce the best outcomes for the community it serves.

Why is the Township updating the master plan?

A lot has changed in the Township since 2002. Most importantly, the median age of our community in 2002 was 43 years, wherein 2023 the average age is 52 years.

As the Township continues to grow in age, we want to ensure that we address the needs of our community.

Furthermore, Island has seen a steady decrease in population of children aged 5 to 17, which indicates that the Township should find more creative ways to attract young families. The update will focus on similar data trends and create strategies from the input of the community to address current and future issues.

What is the process?

The process is broken down into

three phases: Understand, Explore and Realize.

First, in order to determine where we are going as a community, we must first understand where we are today. During this phase, the Township and the team will work to develop an in-depth understanding of existing conditions, past planning efforts and various strategies to engage the public.

In the second phase, the Township will facilitate public input by hosting a variety of in person events, roundtable discussions, and surveys with community members, while also meeting with commissions and committees at Town Hall.

In the last phase of the planning process, the Township and the team will bring all of the data and the input of the community into a cohesive document. This document will provide the Township with strategies on how to implement best practices and policies that were developed through the first two phases.

What happens after the plan is finished?

The plan is estimated to be completed in October of 2024.

Once the updated master plan is approved by the Township Board of Trustees, the Township will begin the process of implementing strategies outlined in the plan.

This process occurs over the course of several years where short, medium and long-term goals of the community are assessed on an annual basis.

The Planning Commission will continuously review the master plan every five years to determine its relevance.

How do I get involved?

There are several ways to be involved during this process!

The Township will launch a website in December so that all community members can take surveys and stay informed.

Several public hearings will be held throughout the next year, where the Grosse Ile community is invited to come and provide input.

For more information on how to provide your input will be seen on grosseile.com or you can call 734676-4422 ext. 238.

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November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 5

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November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 7

Page 8 • November 9 — December 11, 2023

SPIRIT

Continued from page 1 donations in her name to the Grosse Ile Bike Trails.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Trustee Jamison Yaeger said, “The Byars were able to put this together, raising one-third of the funds necessary.

It reflects not only the beauty of this place, but also about this community.”

Brian Pawlek, Chairperson of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission said, “While we did spearhead this project, this is all about partnership.

This is a project that the Airport (Commission and Manager) and the Board of Trustees tried to do for several years utilizing federal funds.

“We worked with Dr. John Hartig who helped us write the grant through the Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan, and the Ralph C. Wilson Legacy Fund None of us could have done this on our own in helping to build this trail.”

Dr. John Hartig, former manager of the International Wildlife Refuge, and current chair of the Community Foundation’s “Great Lakes Way,”

expressed the significance of the connections in more ways than one.

“The interconnected greenways and blue ways stretch all the way from Port Huron to Toledo, and come right through Grosse Ile,” he said. “Gibraltar Bay and the Airport Natural Area are like hidden jewels, but this trail is going to increase public access to it. Gibraltar Bay is probably the most significant wetland on the Detroit River.

“It’s a spawning and nursery area for fishes, it’s a staging ground for waterfowl over the winter, it’s a great place to watch the hawk migrations in the fall and it’s got the American lotus which is Michigan’s symbol of clean water.”

The goal of this project is to “reconnect people to nature, inspire a sense of wonder, and then develop a conservation ethic.”

Andrew Byars poignantly reflected, “It’s our hope that every time someone walks down or bikes this trail, Adrienne would be walking along with them.

Adrienne really embraced the freedom and opportunity to be outside.”

GROSSE ILE GRAND

GROSSE ILE GRAND

November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 9

20’s Gala One for the ages

Bootleggers’ Bash is a “Roaring” success “In his blue gardens men and women came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby Glitz, glamor, Grosse Ile glitterati, moonlight and magic—all the trappings of a riotous era gone by.

Partygoers are still talking about it, reliving both the moment then and the times past.

Fittingly, the Grosse Ile Educational Foundation met its goals—partnering with the Grosse Ile Historical Society in its annual fundraising event, held Oct. 7 at the Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club and throwing a party that Jay Gatsby would be proud of.

It became apparent early on. Grosse Ile likes to dress

for a party. Nineteen-twentiesstyle Flappers arrived with diamonds and pearls or elegant vintage evening gowns. Handsome escorts donned fedoras and tuxedos or newsboy caps and knickers.

There was even a hard luck partier dressed in suspenders and an empty bourbon barrel.

At the door, guests posed with Tom Miller’s classic Model A roadster, meticulously restored for the perfect Jazz Age photo. The entrance and main ballroom were transformed in black and gold Art Deco design, with reserved tables sporting an

engraved scale model vehicle and bottle of “special heart medicine.”

After bidding on more than a hundred silent auction items, partygoers dined on sumptuous food and desserts, while listening or dancing to the sounds of the 19 piece Gary Greenfelder Orchestra.

The mixed grill became a dimly lit speakeasy – which became a total misnomer – as the party morphed into two venues where one could easily move as fluidly as the libations being poured, and where the laughter and voices SEE GALA, Page 10

Page 10 • November 9 — December 11, 2023

GALA

everyone who made this night such a special event:

roared joyously.

And, at the end of the evening, the only thing that was missing was “the owl-eyed man in the library, old sport.”

Everyone agreed, the Grosse Ile Education Foundation knows how to throw a party.

It’s because of the generosity of patrons supporting fundraising events like the Roaring 20s Bootleggers’ Bash that the Foundation has awarded over $1.7 million in grants to our community and schools, since its founding in 1995.

The Grosse Ile Educational Foundation would like to thank

SPONSORS: THE GREAT GATSBY: Jon and Lori Rumley, Holly Gores DAISY’S DIAMONDS & PEARLS: JSP Dental, Paisley/Norlander Families, Greg and Nicole Karmazin, GOTOX Aesthetics and Wellness, Leo Stevenson / Merrill Lynch, Huron Valley Steel, Fritz Enterprises, Inc., Silk Thumb Flower Boutique BOOTLEGGERS: BASF, Susie Armiak, Realtor, Booker Family Dentistry, Dr. Jody and Rosemary Rogers, Discount Drinks, Kim Draper Homes, Trinity Transportation, Edward Jones Investments, Michael and Kelli

Continued from page 9

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Sims, The Kobiljak Family, Waltraud E. Prechter, Scott and Casey Hamelin / Homespun, Groulx Buick GMC, SRM Group, Sav’s Welding Services, Inc. S. Scott Stewart, ,Mans Lumber & Home, Southland Eye Clinic BEE’S KNEES: Jan and Roger Smith Family Charitable Trust S.L.A.T.S. Enterprises, Inc., Xpress Urgent Care, Jim Bennett, Tom Moczulski and Lindsay Bielski, Andrea and Bill Stevenson, John and Nancy Colina, Tony and Jeanne Krukowski, Joe and Jan Connors, John and Karin Cozzi, Target Steel, Duncan and Kathy Murdock, David and Cheryl Zula Margaret and Rick Bargardi, Dr. and Mrs. William Athens/Precision Orthopedics Certified Alarm, Inc.,

Gorno Ford, Kids First Dentistry, Chris & Trisha Mans, G.V. Cement Contracting, Barbara Klemans, Colonial Tools Sales and Service/Paul and Michelle Thrasher Martenson Funeral Homes, Inc. RUM RUNNERS: Bob and Linda Drzyzga, Epic Property Management, Century 21 Riverpointe, Howey & Associates Insurance, Flying Suitcase, Shane and Andrea O’Donnell NuGlow DETROITSAVAGE.COM, Kathy Levillier, Kearney Financial Services, LLC Douglas Electric Company, Tom and Jennifer Dluzen, Michael Stevenson Esq., Grapevine Realty, Jo-Anne Gronlund, River Oaks SEE BASH, Page 11

GROSSE ILE GRAND

BASH

Continued from Page 10 Realty, Drs. Michael and Doryce Iverson Scott and Danielle Mearns, Advanced Business Solutions, Stephen and Whitney Lojewski Grosse Ile Hardware Store/Bootlegger’s Den, Julie A. Sweeny, Jack and Jo Wood, Kernan Funeral Homes, Ramsey’s Family Restaurant, Julie Piesz Interiors, Sugar Island Clothing, Jason and Elissa Tackett, Ume Asian Cuisine, Patrick Mech Art, Garden Artistry Maggie and Jonathan Wojtkowiak, R.A.I.N.A. Reaching All In Need of Assistance, ShowdownAuto. com, Adam and Oxana Crysler, MD, The Nabors, Collie HooperYan Tracy’s Nail Bar, Carlin and Larissa Danz.

Thanks, also to John Paul and the Grosse Ile Golf & Country Club, John Filkins and his ’29 Studebaker, Tom Miller and his Ford Model A Roadster, Johnny Mac’s Market, Stewart Printing, Kroger of Grosse Ile, Hatteras, Inc., Side Street Signs, Key Awards & Engraving, Tobacco Town Cigar Lounge, Paragrafix,

November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 11

Bizarre Marketing, and MI Cookie Project.

Additional thanks to the Grosse Ile Historical Society Board of Directors: Jane Barnes, Vanessa Chaverri-Gratz, Karin Cozzi, Pam Frucci, Jo-Anne Gronlund, Gary Kadau, Greg Karmazin, Tony and Jeanne Krukowski, Jon and Lori Rumley, Joan Strickler, Jo Wood, and Sue Zink.

Special thanks go to the Grosse Ile Educational Foundation Board of Directors for all their good work on behalf of the families of Grosse Ile: Kurt Kobiljak, President; Maggie Wojtkowiak, Secretary; Andrea Stevenson, Treasurer; Sheila Boardman, Mary Booker, Casey Hamelin, Joseph Hrabnicky, Dr. Michael Iverson, Joyce Leslie, Sara Mello, Duncan Murdock, Andrea O’Donnell, Michael Paisley, Kelly Papp, Bill Stevenson, Sarah Szymaszek, and Paul Thrasher.

If you would like to donate to the work of the Grosse Ile Education Foundation, Inc., visit us at: gieducationalfoundation. org. Stay tuned for more exciting Foundation news in support of worthy community and school grants in 2024.

Nice job, old sports!

Page 12 • November 9 — December 11, 2023

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 13

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Page 14 • November 9 — December 11, 2023

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Real Witch Wives of Grosse Ile again rock Halloween Parade

An Island tradition

DAVE GORGON

The Spirit Award For the second year in a row, a panel of anonymous judges selected Patti Bohl to win the Spirit Award as the most spirited witch wife.

She celebrated with fellow members of the volunteer dance troupe at the end of the parade route at the office of MBA Realty near the Kroger supermarket. Bohl took home a bag full of goodies, bragging rights and memories of another great weekend.

“It’s super fun,” said Bohl, who was unrecognizable to the crowd – one of the factors she enjoyed about the Real Witch Wives when she joined the group in 2018 and promptly won the “Golden Witch Award,” as it was known at that time.

Bohl said it takes her about a half-hour to apply makeup that creates her disguise. She tweaks her costume once in a while, adding a new chin and nose this year. Fellow “wife” Renee Cross said Bohl’s

They came, they danced with broomsticks, they entertained.

The Real Witch Wives of Grosse Ile turned heads again as they marched in the annual pre-Halloween costume parade October 28 on Macomb Street. =Thirty-seven of the costumed witches danced in unison for countless onlookers along the parade route.

Tons of costumed kids and their families, firefighters and even a familiar Ghostbusters car joined in the fun, which was presented by the Grosse Ile Recreation Department.

The “Spooktactular” daytime excitement continued with trick-or-treating at participating business places and some residential homes along Macomb.

In 150 minutes or so, it was all over until 2024 – another successful day to remember.

Patti Bohl

SEE WIVES, Page 15

GROSSE ILE GRAND

November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 15

< Members of the Almond family of Grosse Ile had a great day trick or treating on Macomb Street. They are Kelly (left), Asher, Kaden, Violet and Matthew.

They brought their puppy along for the walk.

< Danielle and Justin Travis of Grosse Ile pose with their Spiderman, 7-year old son Chase, after a fun day of trick or treating at Grosse Ile businesses.

WIVES

Continued from page 14 “makeup is fantastic.”

“I love doing it just because nobody knows who I am,” she said. “I can be as animated as I want to be. I’m a scary witch but the little kids love me. I can get down and talk to them. They realize I’m ugly but nice. I love it. I will be in it as long as I can move.”

When she’s not in costume, the Trenton resident serves as dispatcher and bus coordinator for Dean Transportation in both the Trenton and Southgate school systems. She is married to Grosse Ile native Larry Bohl, who carries one of the oldest names on the Island.

Between them, Patti and Larry have five children and three grandchildren.

Patti said one of their daughters “made” Larry carry a sign that read “My wife is a super witch.”

“He knows I love it and he supports me,” Patti said. ”When people don’t know who I am, it makes me more

animated because I’m normally not like that.”

‘We love doing it’ The foundation of the Real Witch Wives of Grosse Ile started when Shelley Schmidtke of Grosse Ile saw a video online of a dancing group celebrating during a festival in Germany. It looked like so much fun that she invited about 30 of her friends to join her in a local effort.

The Grosse Ile Real Witch Wives learned a dance, practiced several times and surprised Halloween parade goers by showing up en masse “completely unannounced” to entertain spectators.

A drone video of the Grosse Ile wives went viral, drawing millions of views, and they soon became known both nationally and internationally. They became so popular that the membership doubled in 2019 and more than doubled again in 2020. By then, Schmidtke had passed on the leadership role to “lead witch” Jenna Moxlow, who is pregnant this year and gets help from friends Susie Armiak and Christine Rydlicki.

Due to the overwhelming popularity, the group is trying to limit new

participants to Grosse Ile residents, although Trenton resident Bohl is “grandwitched” into the group because she was there from the beginning.

“We love doing it,” said Moxlow.

“The community gets such a kick out of it. There are so few organizations that bring pure joy to something without seeking donations. We’re just out there to make people laugh and smile.”

Girls just wanna have fun Armiak, a realtor at MBA, serves as one of the group’s facilitators, helps run the practices and routines at the parades and then orchestrates the “after-party” at her office.

“We’re just a group of friendly ladies having fun. We’re not real witches, we’re just having fun on Halloween.

“The friendship and fun brings you back to when you were a child. You got excited to dress up for Halloween… It makes you feel like you were a child again.”

While returning to their vehicles after the parade, the Real Witch Wives visited friends, businesspeople and children, posing for photos and enjoying the day.

Occasionally, the Real Witch Wives spread joy outside the parade route.

During this year’s Halloween week, the women danced during a party at Island Goods, a store on Macomb, and then had a “pop-up performance” at the ElbaMar Boat Club the day after the parade.

Last year, members led a donation of 72 new Halloween costumes for the young foster children at the Downriver Foster Closet and co-coordinated a twilight bike ride in October that drew about 180 cyclists and promoted bike safety, Moxlow said.

With the Halloween season behind them, the Real Witch Wives of Grosse Ile will keep in touch with each other and “reconvene in the spring,” Moxlow said. They’ll learn a new dance and new song and plan to return in about 11 months to the streets of Grosse Ile. Meanwhile, if you missed the 2023 parade, check out videos and photographs on the group’s Facebook page, The Real Witch Wives of Grosse Ile. For more information, send an email to realwitchwives@gmail.com.

Page 16 • November 9 — December 11, 2023

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Veteran’s Day: Remember, freedom is not free DAVID DYER In the year of 1918 at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month an armistice was declared between our Allied Forces and Germany which ended World War I, which was also known as the “Great War” or “The War to end all Wars.”

The following year at that same 11th hour President Woodward Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day in honor of all who served in that Great War. World War II (1941 – 1945) brought about the greatest mobilization of our military forces in our nation’s history. Over 16 million served and another 5.7 million served in the Korean Conflict (1950 – 1953). In 1954 President Eisenhower signed legislation striking the word Armistice in favor of Veterans. November 11th became the day to honor all veterans.

The next development unfolded in 1968. Congress passed the uniform holiday bill. This was an attempt to create three-day weekends to encourage tourism and travel. Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day and Columbus Day were now celebrated on Mondays. Veteran’s Day was set as the fourth Monday in October.

Much confusion ensued. Many states disapproved of the change and continue to observe veterans on the original date.

In 1975 as it became evident that Veteran’s Day carried historical and patriotic significance to so many, President Ford signed a new law returning the observance of Veteran’s Day back to November 11 and it remains so today.

An official wreath–laying ceremony is held each Veteran’s Day at the tomb of the unknown soldier in the Arlington National Cemetery. Patriotic and other celebrations are held all over the country.

Veteran’s Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day, which is the fourth Monday in the Month of May. Memorial Day honors service members who died in service as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veteran’s Day pays tribute to all veterans who honorably served during War and/or peace time.

Notice the year 1975 was the last year mentioned in that short history.

The Paris Peace Accords were signed by America and North Vietnam in January 1973. This ended America’s involvement in Vietnam. All prisoners were released, and all Americans were withdrawn from Vietnam within the next 60 days. Fighting again broke out and it resulted in a victory for the North Vietnamese in 1975. In all there were over 58,000 American deaths in Vietnam and over 150,000 wounded.

Twenty-five percent of all those that served in Vietnam were drafted. Those were the ones that were forced to play that lottery game that every American male was required to play after reaching their 18th birthday.

They were issued a card that contained a number. If their number was chosen and they were not enrolled

in college, they had three options: They could leave the country, they could risk being jailed or they could become a member of the US Army.

Most of them chose the latter and were taken from their families, their jobs and whatever else was going on in their life. They were then sent to basic training for eight weeks and after another eight weeks of advanced training they were sent many thousand miles from home to fight in a war in a country they may never even knew existed.

More than 19,000 of them or 30 percent of all those killed in Vietnam were drafted. Those are the ones that would never be known as veterans and as the years continue to pass, they are mostly forgotten.

This is a scenario that did happen.

He was twenty-two years old. He had a very wellpaying job that he had worked very hard to secure without a college education. He had been going with his high school sweetheart for several years. Their wedding date was approaching. She told him of her pregnancy. They quickly tied the knot, but it was too late.

His number was chosen. He was drafted and there was no escape.

He was eventually sent to Vietnam. On the day his daughter was born he was killed in a land mine explosion.

There were over 19,000 stories. That was one of them.

I couldn’t possibly face any of those mothers, wives or family members of those whose lives were taken and tell them there was no reason for his death and we shouldn’t have been in Vietnam in the first place. He answered his country’s call. He was killed in the war.

He died with honor.

I ask you, please give him that honor.

In 2008, or 37 years after returning from Vietnam, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. This resulted from a chemical called “Agent Orange” but that is another story.

I then visited the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. While there I felt like I had a moment with God. After staring at the names and numbers. I closed my eyes. I began to see those mutilated bodies and those faces of fear on those young men that I have grown to live with for these past 53 years.

I came away from that wall with the feeling that my calling from God was to do all I could to keep the memories alive of all those whose lives were taken to the horrors of war.

That is when I began writing.

For the past 13 years I have written stories for both Memorial Day and for Veteran’s Day. Most of them have been published in our local newspapers.

This Veteran’s Day I ask you to reach out to a veteran. They are easy to spot.

You don’t have to personally know the person, the uniform they are wearing represents your freedom.

You will never know the feeling until you have done it.

Extend your arm, look him/her in the eye, grasp him/ her hand and utter these words: Welcome home my friend and thank you for your service.

Today I heard those words over and over. It is like music to my ears. I never get tired of hearing them. It has more than made up for the way I was treated upon returning home from Vietnam in 1971.

One more thing as I close, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month take a special moment to remember all veterans who have honorably served our country.

We must never forget: “Freedom is not free.”

GROSSE ILE GRAND

November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 17

Experience the City at 100 Mph, 1000 Ft In The Air!

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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.

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Page 18 • November 9 — December 11, 2023

Grosse Ile Recreation Events

GROSSE ILE GRAND

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Grosse Ile Recreation Events

November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 19

GET GREAT NEW GLASSES, SAVE SOME MONEY! Many people - most, perhaps - go to an optometrist, get an eye exam and then follow the lady in the white coat over to the wall of frames and pick out a new set of glasses.

The story ends with the customer paying way more than he or she ever expected.

If that pretty much describes you, Bob Schmittou says there is something you should know: He can save you money, maybe lots of money.

Schmittou, a proud military veteran, owns New Eyes Optical, located on 1616 Ford Avenue, right at 16th Street in Wyandotte.

There are no doctors at New Eyes, just lots of frames and Schmittou, who can get you into fashionable new glasses for a lot less than all of the other chains and franchises out there.

Just bring your eyeglass prescription to him and see what kind of magic he can work for you.

“I am kind of like what the pharmacy is to your doctor,” Schmittou said. “Your doctor writes you a prescription. He doesn’t try to sell you the drugs. You go to the pharmacy. The same is true with us. You bring us a prescription and we will fill it.”

New Eyes Optical does not accept insurance, but their low prices mean that is often not an issue.

Schmittou has been in the eyeglass game for a long time. He enlisted in the Army after graduating from Lincoln Park High School and Uncle Sam sent him to school to learn how to make eyeglasses.

He did that in the Army for nearly four years and then worked for Lenscrafters and for private doctors after that.

In 2012 he opened New Eyes Optical and has been there ever since.

Schmittou said he has over 2,000 frames in his building and can make arrangements to get others if customers come in with a specific brand or style in mind.

For sunglass lovers, Schmittou said he has the largest selection of Ray Ban and Oakley sunglasses in the area.

If you come in, you will deal with Schmittou himself. He and his wife Pam are the only employees. Schmittou does the fitting of the eyewear, and Pam orders frames and keeps the shop looking fresh by arranging the frame displays and decorating.

So, if you are in the market for new glasses, would like a little personal attention and a really low price, give Schmittou a call at 313-587-4204, drop an email at neweyesoptical2012@gmail. com or contact them through their Facebook page, Facebook.com/neweyesoptical.

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Page 20 • November 9 — December 11, 2023

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Ready to board Flight to North Pole returns to put smiles on the faces of sick children

BY DAVE GORGON

A

fter a three-year absence, the Flight to the North Pole returns to Detroit Metro Airport on December 12 to put smiles on the faces of children with severe and life-threatening illnesses.

The event invites 50 children, ages 3 to 8, who are discharged from doctor’s care for several hours to board an actual Delta Airlines jetliner with a crew for a simulated flight to the North Pole.

With the window shades pulled down, the young passengers hear the plane engines and get the sensation of the plane taking off and flying. At the end of the trip, the youngsters believe they have arrived at the North Pole and are welcomed by Santa Claus and his elves.

A Christmas party – with Christmas presents – follows at the Marriott Westin Hotel. During all the fun, each child receives a bag of goodies.

The event is provided at no cost to the children and family members or caregivers by the Silverliners International Flight Attendant Organization. The flight started 41 years ago and ran annually until the last three years, when it was postponed due to the pandemic.

While much of the effort is donated, organizers are seeking monetary donations to help pay their expenses, which includes a meal for the children, gifts and much more.

“It has really changed my life,” said Trenton resident Madge McGoorty, a retired flight attendant, past president of the Motown Chapter of the Silverliners and chairwoman of the Flight to the North Pole. “I look forward to it.”

So does professional Santa Claus William Neelsen Sr., a Taylor resident who serves as the event’s “Father Christmas” each year. Neelsen, who is retired from the airport and Ford Motor Co., gets long hugs from the children and their families. As Santa, he has witnessed countless smiles and tears of

joy from the happy participants.

“Sometimes I get pretty emotional,” Neelsen said. “It’s so heartwarming.

I’m really proud to be part of this group. It’s all about the kids. My kids are healthy; my grandkids are healthy.

These children are going through some type of treatment for the particular illness they have.”

McGoorty said the youngsters will come from Henry Ford, Corewell, Mott, Children’s and Sparrow hospitals.

A doctor has approved each visit.

Caregivers will be on hand. Parents often relate that they haven’t seen their children smile so much in a long time, Neelsen said.

Check-in gets under way at 9 a.m.

Children are greeted by Shriner clowns and a variety of mascots, including those from professional sports teams, area restaurants and others. Members of the Downriver Symphony Orchestra perform Christmas music.

A number of Downriver organizations participate. McGoorty said. Grosse Ile High School students

serve as elves, direct the children and assist Santa. Pillows are made by the Allen Park Sewing Guild. US Park and Ride provides free parking and shuttle service to the airport. Woodside Meadows golf club in Romulus donates proceeds from a golf outing. The Woodhaven Target store packs toys and gives a donation.

Santa arranges to have a letter from the North Pole for each child and personally gets many of the gifts, which include children’s magazine subscriptions, gift cards and much more.

“Everyone is so helpful,” McGoorty said. “The volunteers, the airport firefighters and police, therapy dogs, Fairytale Entertainment and their costumed characters, restaurants and everyone else.”

“This is a great event,” Neelsen said.

“It’s so special. It’s all about the kids.”

Monetary donations should be made payable to William Neelsen Sr./Flight to the North Pole and sent to 25081 Richard, Taylor, Michigan 48180.

GROSSE ILE GRAND

November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 21

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November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 25

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Page 26 • November 9 — December 11, 2023

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Making lasting memories

It’s always good to be home for the holidays

BY BILL STEVENSON

Now is the time to plan for your best holiday season yet! The good news is that you don’t have to look or go very far to find a whole host of options to create those lasting family memories right here on Grosse Ile. The hometown festive events are as follows: Boar’s Head Festival, Dec. 7 through 10 One of the great granddaddies of Grosse Ile theater and performance art, the much-loved Boar’s Head Festival will return this coming Dec, 7 through 10 at Sacred Heart Church.

The grand Christmas pageant, which involves more than 600 volunteers, has become the premier celebration of community involvement, musical entertainment, and the Christmas spirit.

The actual serving of a roasted boar can be traced to ancient Roman times when the wild porcine was the preferred dish at great feasts. As early as the 14th century in medieval England, Christians considered the wild boar a ferocious beast and a symbol of great evil. They adapted the Roman custom of serving a boar’s head on a platter to represent the triumph of the Christ Child over evil. Particularly poignant

at Christmas time.

Grosse Ile’s Boar’s Head Festival has been held since its inception in 1980, launched by the late Josephine “Jo” Ramage with the Islanders theater group, and sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Churches on the Island. This year’s production will be directed by Open Book Theatre’s founder, award-winning Krista Schafer Ewbank.

Theater goers will be transported back to the Middle Ages and be immersed in an historic experience – singers, dancers, tumblers, jesters and townspeople. There’s a brass ensemble, recorders, hand bells, bagpipes, harpsichords,

a 25-piece orchestra and an adult, youth and children’s choir of over 100 voices.

Tickets are going fast, and can be ordered at boarsheadgi. com.

Help to make this a family tradition you’ll never forget.

The 10th 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, Nov. 23.

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 familyfriendly event and give back to those in need.

St. James Episcopal Church Historic Greens Market, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

After you and your family celebrate your Thanksgiving SEE LASTING, Page 27

GROSSE ILE GRAND

November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 27

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Your morning in paradise starts with sipping your coffee sitting at your nautical teak table overlooking lush tropical landscaping on your private balcony or taking a short stroll to the tiki hut at the end of the pier to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic.! The perfect start in paradise.

After a fun filled day of boating, fishing, scuba diving or soaking up the sun relaxing by one of the largest pools in the Florida Keys or relaxing by the pool overlooking the marina and Atlantic ocean, or even sinking your toes in the sand like the song says “only worry in the world is the tide going to reach your chair” on our private upland sunning beach.! There is always something for everyone!

LASTING

Continued from page 26 holiday, you might want to lend a hand in one of the longest running traditions on Grosse Ile. The 95th annual Greens Market will begin their good work lovingly crafting wreaths and bows, decorating tabletop Christmas trees, and selling miles of greenery roping, Volunteers are needed for the assembling work week, running from Monday, Nov. 27 through Friday, Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and in the evenings and 6 p.m. until “it’s time to quit.”

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, Dec. 2. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

You can order your holiday decorations ahead of time by Sunday, November 19. Contact St. James at 734-676-1727 for further information.

St. Thomas Lutheran Church Christmas Market, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

As you are about town, getting your holiday decorations, St. Thomas Lutheran Church 9393 Church Road will again be offering their popular Christmas Market. More than 50 vendors will present their wares for purchase. A wide variety of jewelry, decorations, SEE HOLIDAYS, Page 28

Paradise isn’t over yet as you walk through your own private courtyard, a bricked patio garden with relaxing furniture, then up just one flight of stairs, your private oasis awaits you…where you can unwind from a fun filled day.! You can cook your fresh day’s catch in your fully equipped new kitchen with lots of natural light glistening off the solid surface countertops and the stunning stainless steel appliances and eat in comfort.! Or go “out on the town” and relax in some of the best restaurants in the area where you are pampered as your fresh catch is being prepared to your specifications as you relax drinking a glass of wine watching the beautiful Florida Bay Sunset.! The perfect end to a wonderful day in paradise.

After dinner retreat to your 1480 sq. ft. Newly Decorated Beautiful two bedroom townhouse with a smart open floor plan, 14’ vaulted ceilings.! Relax with ELEGANT Tommy Bahama furnishings and a 65” HDTV in the great room.

Now time for a perfect night’s rest as you enjoy a wonderful view from the master bedroom giving the feeling of nestling in the trees.! A beautifully tropical draped four-poster, king size bed with ultra comfort mattress assures a perfect night’s sleep and offers the ideal spot to view the 48” flat screen TV.! An en suite bath features a corner spa tub, the perfect way to end a day of sightseeing.

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Page 28 • November 9 — December 11, 2023

GROSSE ILE GRAND

MEDICARE? OPEN ENROLLMENT IS NOW TURNING 65?

HOLIDAYS

Continued from page 27 baked goods, arts and 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.

As our dear friend Peter Rose always reminds us – Shop Local.

Grosse Ile Garden Club Christmas Auction, Dec. 4, 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 Potawatomi 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 525 Hummelo plants, the 2019 perennial plant of the year.

Garden Club President Beth McNeely explains, “The Grosse Ile Garden Club does more than maintain the many beautiful areas of Grosse Ile. Its 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, Dec. 4, the Garden Club will host its annual Christmas Auction fundraiser, and luncheon, held at Centennial Farm 25795 3rd Street.

Doors open at 9:30 a.m. The auction starts at 10 p.m.

Admission is two canned goods or non-perishable items. All proceeds and canned goods go to the Grosse Ile Goodfellows and the Salvation Army.

Questions? Call Beth McNeely at 734.789.7000 or Cyndy Nemon at 734.675.9521.

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November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 29

Soroptimist International of Trenton and Downriver Area will be hosting its fourth biennial “Battle for Freedom” on Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024.

This avant-garde hair and fashion show is entitled “Color Me Free,” where local salon stylists will dress, design hair, and apply make-up for the audience to vote for the best-styled models. Previous battles had over 500 attendees and tickets were sold out prior to the event.

Trenton and Downriver Area Soroptimist is a volunteer group that offers service by way of fundraising and donations, public awareness/educational programs, and hands-on assistance; as well as presenting yearly monetary awards to individuals to help support and further their future.

These women give their time and talents to local food pantries, Vista Maria, First Step, Sparrow Project, Stanford House, Alternatives for Girls, and to area women’s health institutions.

The proceeds from “Battle for

Freedom: Color Me Free” will be used for service projects and programs to benefit survivors of human trafficking.

Detroit is ranked as having one of the highest numbers of sex trafficking victims and is included in a global epidemic that annually nets over $2 billion.

The venue for this fundraiser is at Crystal Gardens, 16703 Fort Street in Southgate. Included in ticket prices are dinner, music, silent raffles, wine and a cash bar with a signature cocktail.

The doors will open at 6 p.m. with the runway show beginning at 7:30 p.m. A party will follow the show.

General seating tickets cost $50; the price for a reserved table (seating 10 per table) is $450; VIP tables are $600. Online tickets are available at https://formsmarts.com/form/2bba.

The event is still looking for salons and stylists to participate.

Check Facebook for past event photos at facebook.com/BattleForFreedom. For more information, contact

Abby Premoe at abbo48166@yahoo. com or (734)755-7926.

A Human Trafficking Awareness Symposium hosted by SI of Trenton and Downriver Area is scheduled for March 23, 2024, at Summit Academy North.

You can help improve the lives of women and girls in the Trenton and Downriver Areas and around the world by donating to Soroptimist International of Trenton and Downriver Area. Your donation will help fund our service projects.

This is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Make an online donation via Venmo or by sending a check to Soroptimist International of Trenton

and Downriver Area, 1644 Vernon, Trenton, MI 48183.

The Trenton Soroptimist organization meets on the first Wednesday of the month at the Woodhaven Community Center. All women are welcome to attend. You may contribute to the foundation that the Soroptimists support on krogercommunityrewards. com.

If you are interested in learning more about the Trenton and Downriver Area Soroptimists and our other activities, contact us at sioftrentonanddownriverarea@gmail.com or check out our page on Facebook@SoroptimistInternationalOfTrentonAndDownriverArea.

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Page 30 • November 9 — December 11, 2023

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November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 31

Near as I can tell, a new threshold of jumping the gun was reached during this holiday season. It made me re-write the first paragraph of this column!

Oh, it’s not that dramatic. It’s just a matter of Macy’s running holiday shopping ads before Halloween.

Macy’s is an invasive species that cannot survive if PETER they fail to convince ROSE enough investors that owning their stocks is a smart thing to do. There are only so many dollars that are going to be spent this holiday season.

This breed of parasite is pernicious, but it is fighting an uphill battle against ferocious competition from local quarters across the nation.

Besides doing my day job of running one of the independent and locally-owned companies that falls under the “Genuine Article” umbrella, I have another job: Convincing enough shoppers to adamantly decide that giving any money to any of the invasive species is the wrong thing to do.

It’s not just that Indie businesses are so much better at what they do than any imposter business ever could, although that’s an excellent reason.

Local business is operated by local people that live very close to where they live, and spend money themselves. Local retail owners know a lot of the people that shop with us.

We have a much greater sense of what our fellow residents want.

We’re obsessed with maintaining a

business that enjoys that connectivity in our own community. That obsessiveness comes home with us and goes on vacation with us. We are always soaking up whatever inspiration we can find so as to reinvent it at our own stores. It makes for awesome stores to shop at any time. It makes us almost impossible to beat.

It’s not just that three times (3 times!) as much of the money we spend at local and independent stores actually stays in our communities, being spent in echo transactions at… you guessed it…other local and independent businesses that do the same thing. That’s a pretty potent reason, though, isn’t it?

Assuming that your choices to spend include examples of awesomeness as claimed above so you actually can spend there, your money gets spent over and over and over again, in your community. More local businesses are more prosperous…because of you.

It is a remarkably simple concept, but it’s not theory, it’s fact.

A fact to be acted on, one way or the other. You can either accept it as true and try to be a bigger part in your community’s health and vibrancy, or you can pretend you didn’t read this, and send even a dime of your spending away by spending anywhere else but a local and independent business.

This column gets printed in five locally owned publications. Some ahead of and some during “Black Friday” (a stupid, stupid moniker for a day that seeks to suck as much money to corporate chains as possible) and ”Small Business Saturday”, the one day of the year that American Express

calls your attention to for spending locally.

American Express makes money from charge transactions either way, of course, but I do have to tip my hat to their hubris for making themselves seem great for that one day of focus on Small.

I’ll take it, I’m not stupid, but I’m also not fooled.

Which is as good a way as any to come to the most meaningful, impactful reason for shopping at small businesses over large, stock marketfunded businesses this holiday season on any other time at all, ever (unless you have no choice).

That reason is solidarity with businesses that exist despite the relentless, powerful efforts of one scheme after another to redirect as much money as possible to as many distant, disconnected, meaningless options as possible.

Towards those entities that exist only to satisfy bean counters, and away from your community. Thousands of local businesses were ended this way in the 1980s and 90s, on purpose.

I did business through this time.

My company happens to be one of the fractional few that defied the odds and persevered to see the tables turned, but purposeful destruction of those that closed up shop was (and still is) a very sad thing to watch happen.

Thousands of stores that warmly greeted and treated their customers like human beings, not beans to count, gone.

The scourge of overbuilt retail that begins their marketing blitz earlier and earlier has made the holidays so much less rewarding. A stressful, harried

pain to be endured, not savored.

Finding wonderful gifts for your wonderful people at smaller stores from people you know (or will come to know) is so different. It makes Christmas shopping more genuine and absolutely more about the spirit of the holidays we celebrate.

Slower, more thoughtful, with mindful, friendly assistance.

When corporate stores are gone because the demand has shifted back to real options in niche after niche in the restaurant and retail realm, the growing resurgence of small, independent businesses will accelerate and surge.

Personal service won’t be such a rare commodity. A better variety of options for consumers will be back. Shopping will be a thing to look forward to, and there will be greater prosperity in the land.

What has been lost will be found, and cherished. That process is already in motion.

Again, my moonlighting job is to encourage that surge, and writing about this is so gratifying. I get to do this! Not just sit back and let the chips fall where they may, but actually use my words to hopefully make a difference!

Gratitude is something to express as often as possible, for all of us.

Our family-owned men’s and women’s apparel business is 80 years old here in 2023. I myself have been able to spend over 51 years doing something I really enjoy. That longevity can’t be achieved without strong support from the community we serve. Thank you very much.

And once again, thanks for reading, and thanks for taking my advice!

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 35

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Page 36 • November 9 — December 11, 2023

GROSSE ILE GRAND

Queen of the greens Chelsea Collura called Downriver’s best female golfer DAVE GORGON Chelsea Collura is a rising star in Michigan’s amateur golf scene. The 30-year-old Wyandotte resident has had her best season yet, winning multiple tournaments and earning the No. 2 ranking in the state.

Retired Grosse Ile High School boys and girls golf coach Julie Gloor said Collura is already the best amateur female player Downriver.

“Her game is so consistent,” said Gloor, who is a member of the board at the West Shore Golf and Country Club on Grosse Ile. “Chelsea works hard on her game, from setting goals on her game to working with teaching pros.”

One of the professionals, Ben Bockin of the Golf Leadership Academy in Novi, said Collura is already one of “the better female golfers in the state.”

“I’ve never met anybody more passionate about the game,” Bockin said. “I don’t know too many other women with the work ethic she has.

Chelsea is a business owner with a fulltime job. She spends all of her free time continuing trying to get better at the game of golf.”

Collura owns Nuggett Leasing in Flat Rock. The company provides storage trailers and steel containers used for outdoor storage. Those who know her say she works as hard on improving her golf game as she does on her company.

“It’s been a good couple of years,” Collura said modestly.

In 2022, Collura’s victories included the Golf Association of Michigan’s Mid-Amateur championship at Gull Lake View Golf Club and Resort’s Stotin Brae course in Augusta, near Kalamazoo.

This past July, she won the Michigan Women’s Golf Association state championship at The Medallist near Marshall. The victory gave her points in the GAM player of the year competition.

On Oct. 2, she won GAM’s Tournament of Champions for the second time in three years, at the Oakhurst Golf and Country Club in Clarkston. Earlier in the year, to qualify for the tournament, she won the club

championship at West Shore, competing against women from all over Michigan, Ohio and Canada.

She also qualified for the Women’s USGA Mid-Amateur Tournament and played at the Stonewall Golf Club in Pennsylvania.

“This year has been a great year for Chelsea as her game has gone to another level,” Gloor said. “She has worked hard on the mental part of her game, leaving a bad shot aside and moving on to the next shot.”

“My goal is to be the player of the year and the top amateur in the state,” Collura said.

Being up to the challenge has always been part of Chelsea’s DNA since her father “Coney Dave” Collura taught her how to golf as a youngster. She played in junior tournaments since age 12, even as a student at St. Joseph Catholic School in Trenton.

At Gabriel Richard High School in Riverview, she was the only female on the boys varsity golf team – there is no girls team at the school. She also played volleyball and was on the dance team.

She said she developed her work ethic while working at her dad’s coney island restaurant. She worked at Riverview Highlands Golf Club and later for six

years at Fox Hills in Plymouth.

Playing golf in high school earned Collura a college scholarship to Madonna University, where she competed on the women’s golf team, was player of the week multiple times, qualified to play in the national tournament twice and was selected to a handful of all-tournament teams. She also was honored three of her four years at Madonna with the Bernie Holowicki Award for the best work ethic of the year.

She commuted to Madonna from the family home in Riverview and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and an associates degree in business.

Collura has worked at Nuggett Leasing for seven years. Three years ago, she purchased the firm from her grandfather, Jim Matthews of Grosse Ile. Matthews owned the company for 42 years and was well-respected in the industry. Jobs range from providing commercial on-site during the massive renovation at Walmart in Woodhaven to smaller jobs at mom-and-pop shops.

Collura moved to Wyandotte nearly a year ago. Her Realtor was uncle Lou Collura, whose daughter – Chelsea’s cousin, Carly – is a popular country music singer.

Along the way, Chelsea discovered she enjoyed teaching the game of golf to young players. She said she would like to coach high school golf down the road.

Meanwhile, she runs the Wednesday night ladies league at West Shore and enjoys playing with friends and contacts at the Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club.

Both courses seem to take pride in her success.

“I want to help people and grow the game of golf,” she said.

Collura’s passion for golf has only grown since her days on the college team. She plays seven to nine tournaments a year and plays in other events hosted by the Women’s Detroit Golf Association at Oakland Hills, Franklin Hills, the Detroit Golf Club and other country clubs.

Since amateurs do not get paid, Collura is driven by the opportunities to travel, to play in so many great golf venues and meet top players everywhere she goes. She said she gets “chills” and “butterflies” during adrenaline rushes of playing in top tournaments at great golf courses.

“You’ve got to be upbeat,” Collura said. “I don’t do it for a living. I don’t get paid to golf. I get to travel around the country. I love it so much. I try to excel and play the best I can.”

She said she faces amazing competition along the way and gets to play on golf courses and private clubs most golfers never get a chance to see.

At some national events, the golfers are “treated like royalty,” she said.

Coach Ben Bockin said Collura was not considered one of the best golfers in the state during her time at Madonna and she uses that in her drive for improvement, “sacrificing her blood, sweat and tears as the underdog.”

“Her resume is outstanding,” Bockin said. “To be honest with you, Chelsea had one of the more successful seasons I can remember in a long time. She won a ton of events, made the final four in the Michigan amateur. The success she has had is remarkable.

“I’m proud of her,” he said. “She should be proud of herself. It’s a cool story: a Downriver girl continues to grind and grind and grind… I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

GROSSE ILE GRAND

November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 37

The Grosse Ile varsity tennis team capped another successful campaign with a third-place finish at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 regional hosted by Ann Arbor Greenhills and a trip for three players to the state finals in Holland.

Host Greenhills won the regional championship with a whopping 32 points, followed by Frankel Jewish Academy with 18 and Grosse Ile with 16. The top two teams qualified for the state finals, as did Grosse Ile’s No. 1 singles player Kayden Johnson and the No. 1 doubles team of Trent Chlebek and Dresden Keding.

At the finals, Chlebek and Keding beat Seth Radosa and Jaren Kipfmiller of Midland Bullock Creek 6-1,

6-0 in the second round. Both teams had first-round byes.

Johnson fell in his first match to Cole Sutherland of Maple City Glen Lake 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.

Greenhills went on to win the state championship, its fourth in the last six years. Last year, Greenhills was the Division 3 state champ and despite losing seven seniors from that team, the Gryphons came back and claimed the top prize in Division 4 this year. Greenhills was just as dominant at the state finals as it was at regionals, topping second-place Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett by 17 points.

Frankel finished seventh at the state finals with 12

points and Grosse Ile tied for 14th with two points.

At regionals, Greenhills won every flight.

For Grosse Ile, Johnson reached the finals at No. 1 singles and Chlebek and Keding reached the finals at No, 1 doubles, cementing their trip to the state finals.

Also winning matches at regionals were Sal Cunningham (No. 3 singles), Tyson Harp (No. 4 singles), Jack Calcut and Brayden Keding (No. 2 doubles), Eli Randles and Rocco Stoney (No. 3 doubles) and Reece Reaume and Andy Matzo (No. 4 doubles).

Nick Joly-Naso also competed at regionals. He was the team’s No. 2 singles player.

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Page 38 • November 9 — December 11, 2023

GROSSE ILE GRAND

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GROSSE ILE GRAND

November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 39

WINTER IS APPROACHING! There is still time to get your job done!

LANDSCAPING

Tough season comes to a close for Devils Every other year since 2014 the Grosse Ile football team has made the Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs. That pattern held this season as the Red Devils struggled to a final 1-8 record and missed the playoffs.

Coach John Bodnar’s crew capped the 2023 season with a disappointing 30-14 road loss to Romulus.

Grosse Ile scored once each in the first and second quarter and led 14-12 at halftime, but the visitors were shut out after halftime and Romulus scored 18 points to secure the victory.

Grosse Ile senior Matthew Pizzo had a monster night in his last game in a Grosse Ile football uniform. He rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for another 52 yards. His TDs were Grosse Ile’s only points of the night.Sophomore quarterback Tanner Symons found four

different receivers in the game and was 11-for-18 for 124 yards. Pizzo, Dom Cappellino, Mason Crowley and Jeremiah Heard all caught passes from Symons.

Grosse Ile ended the season on a six-game losing streak. The team’s lone win in 2023 was a 21-20 decision over Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central on Sept. 8.

SMCC won its final four regularseason games of the year and qualified for the MHSAA Division 6 state tournament, where the Falcons fell to Clinton in the district finals.

Here is what the Devils did in games this year: Lost to Ida 41-7; lost to Flat Rock 35-6; Beat SMCC 21-20; lost to Milan 34-0; lost to Airport 44-6; lost to Monroe jefferson 28-25; lost to Hurin 21-7; lost to Riverview 54-7; and lost to Romulus 30-14.

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Page 40 • November 9 — December 11, 2023

GROSSE ILE GRAND

NEWS FROM OUR NEIGHBORS Go to... GoBigMultimedia.com to read more news on our digital publications.

mission.

The fundraiser is set for 2 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Park Gardens attached to the Southgate Senior Center at 14600 Reaume Parkway in Southgate. Admission is $25 in advance; $30 at the door; $10 for children 10 and under and free for children 5 and younger.

The party will include Mediterranean food, pizza and desserts, music and dancing, line-dancing lessons, a 360-degree photo booth, a silent auction for raffle baskets and a raffle for a wheel barrel of spirits, 50/50 drawings and a cash bar.

A big-screen television will broadcast the University of Michigan vs. Michigan State University football game. “Come tailgate with us” is a tagline being used for the party.

gobigmultimedia.com/riverview-register Senior Sunrise 2024 ... The Class of 24 Senior Sunrise was a success!

Members of the Class of 2024 gathered on the football field for the traditional senior sunrise viewing. Class leaders had the students out on the field, enjoying some wonderful refreshments and

“chill” time. Thanks to Jeff Edwards and our food service crew for helping with the lattes, hot cocoa and coffee, to Elliott’s Bakery for cutting us a great deal on donuts and to our wonderful parents for donations for napkins and water and such!

On page 7 Huntington Elementary throws open its doors Thank you to all the parents who came to the Huntington Elementary School Open House!

Thanks to all our teachers for all their hard work in preparing their rooms and making everyone feel welcome! Thank you to our parent club for selling shirts and Kona Ice to help raise money for our

Huntington family of teachers, students and parents.

We appreciate all of you!

POPSICLES IN THE PARK A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at our first Popsicles in the Park!

Such a beautiful day having fun with friends!

A special thank you to all who volunteered, Ms. Muñoz, Ms. McCarthy and Ms. Fink for making the day extra fun and exciting.

Here’s to the end of summer and start of a fabulous school year ahead.

On page 9

gobigmultimedia.com/southgate-star Fundraiser for Fab 4 Rosies to take part in Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Hawaii The Fab 4 Rosies – a local group of Rosie the Riveters – have been invited to participate in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in December and will hold a “fun-raising” event to support their

The Fab 4 Rosies pay tribute to the women who worked in Michigan during World War II. They include Southgate resident Brenda Presnell, plus Wendy Albers of Willis, Lenore Bolthouse of Gibraltar and Debra Carver of Farmington Hills....

On page 18 A new way to read StoryWalk outside Library aims at increasing reading and time outdoors The newly installed StoryWalk outside the Southgate Veterans Memorial Library appears to be making a difference already.

Described as “an innovative and delightful way for children and adults to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time,” StoryWalk consists of laminated pages from a children’s book covered by a weather-proof material and attached to wooden stakes in a permanent display along an outdoor path.

In Southgate, the path starts at the front of the library and weaves its way around the building two

GROSSE ILE GRAND

November 9 — December 11, 2023 • Page 41

Echo Dance Team delivers message of hope at Anderson The Echo Dance Team from New York paid Anderson a visit that left a lasting impact on

pages at a time, ending on the walkway between the library and City Hall. Besides reading the book, users are given the opportunity to answer related questions and perform fun tasks before moving on to the next set of pages. There are 12 signs in all with two pages per sign....

On page 1

the students, not only through their amazing performance, but also through a powerful message of hope and an unwavering stand against bullying.

The team wowed the students with their stunning dance routines. The energy and enthusiasm they brought were contagious, filling the school’s hallways and gymnasium with an atmosphere of positivity and excitement...

On page 8

gobigmultimedia.com/wyandotte-warrior

gobigmultimedia.com/trenton-times Elementary PBIS framework creates positive school culture Anderson and Hedke Elementary School are both PBIS schools, working to create a positive culture where students’ individual needs are met.

PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.

This tiered framework is designed to support students’

Wyandotte resident has been wrestling for 30 years

For 30 years, Rob Clooney has wrestled in amateur and professional matches. He’s won championships, earned All-America honors and shared the wrestling ring and the locker room with some top professionals.

The Downriver native and current Wyandotte resident also has written books and is studying marketing in college. He works full-time as a press operator at Trenton Forging, in a factory that manufactures car parts. And he’s the father of a daughter who is about to turn 6 years old.

Life “keeps me busy but it is rewarding,” said Clooney, who is 44 years old. “Sometimes I struggle to balance everything. As long as I stay focused, it all gets done.”

It also keeps him moving.

Clooney was born in River Rouge, lived in other parts of Michigan and always seems to return Downriver. He moved from Clinton Township to Wyandotte three years ago.

“I’m a jack of all trades, almost,” Clooney said.

“Wrestling is definitely my passion. I enjoy chasing that passion. I would hope most people would go after whatever dreams they have.”

On page 5 Wilson robotics team receives $2,000 donation from Mayor DeSana ...“I see the importance of the future of technology,” Mayor DeSana said. “What’s really neat is watching these kids work. They are dissecting a robot. What makes it work? Why doesn’t it work. If it doesn’t work, you learn why it didn’t work and you go back and try to correct whatever the mistake was. They are continuously learning.”

DeSana and wife Denise made the donation directly to the team at the school in September after receiving a letter from eighth-grader Eli Michael, who requested sponsorship and explained all of the “amazing things going on in our program.” After reading the letter, DeSana was moved to double his usual donation to the robotics team.

Robotics involves the design, construction, operation and use of robots. The goal is to design machines that can help and assist humans.

Wilson Middle School has offered a robotics program for the last decade. There are currently 13 eighth- and seventh-graders on the roster. The team, known as the Wilson Warriors, is coached by Greg Brovont and Jennifer Reynolds. Several volunteer mentors also contribute their knowledge.

On page 18

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behavioral, academic, social, emotional and mental health needs.

Our Allstars and Bulldogs focus on “The 3 to Be.” Students learn what it means to be safe, to be respectful, and to be responsible at school. They learn this through lessons taught and modeling done both school-wide and in the classroom...

On page 6

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