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!
FROM THE MAYOR
Falling for fun: autumn updates
Dear Fellow Riverview Residents, Our city is alive with exciting community and school events, and it’s heartwarming to see so many of you involved. The RCHS Pirates are off to an incredible start this football season, boasting a perfect 5-0 record and outscoring their opponents 238 to 73!
Huntington Elementary School recently hosted a Family Fun Night, led by Kristen Clifton Higgins and Falicia Kolias. The night featured the school’s first-ever Glow Parade, a true community event made possible by the support of the Riverview Police and Fire Departments. I was honored to help lead the parade through the neighborhood, and the energy and excitement were contagious! In other news, the brand-new Riverview Rotary will be holding their meetings at the Riverview Veterans Memorial Library on the first and third Mondays of each month at 5:00PM. The Rotary is currently a satellite of the Southgate Rotary, but we are well on our way to forming our own chapter once we reach 18 members. If you are interested in joining a group that is dedicated to making a difference, come check us out.
One of the more “Hallmark Style” events in our small-town community is the annual Glens Park Buffet and Sleepout. Over two hundred neighbors and friends came together to enjoy a buffet dinner, games, and a bouncy house generously donated by Riverview Bounce House. The night was filled with live music by “Just Joe” Lambrix, and the park glowed with laughter and joy as kids played until 10:00PM. A fire pit kept everyone warm, providing the perfect spot for roasting marshmallows. Special thanks to Eve Howell for once again organizing this fantastic community event! We encourage more groups to plan and host similar events in their neighborhood parks. Our city does a wonderful job of keeping residents informed about upcoming recreation and library
programs, and there are several coming up that you won’t want to miss. For our seniors (60+), the City of Riverview is hosting a free Seniors Tailgate Party on Friday, October 25th at city hall with delicious coneys and fries provided by local favorite, Parthenon Coney Island and owner, Eddie Elsayed. Seniors are encouraged to show their team spirit by wearing Michigan or Michigan State gear. Another popular event is the Halloween Trunk or Treat, Hayride, and Movie in the Park at Young Patriot’s Park. Keep an eye out for more details on those throughout this paper. And looking ahead to next month, do not forget about the Mayor’s Gala and the Tree Lighting Ceremony—two can’t-miss events that bring us all together!
One of the lesser known, yet incredibly impactful, groups in our community is the Riverview Knights of Columbus, based out of St. Cyprian Church. They work tirelessly to support those who may need a little extra help. On Sunday, October 20th, they are hosting a pancake breakfast at 10:00AM, with donations accepted as a free-will offering. For more information, reach out to Bill Loeber at wjloeber@comcast.net.
Another vital organization is the Riverview Goodfellows. This dedicated group ensures that no child goes without a Christmas, and they need your help to continue fulfilling this important mission. For more information email Goodfellow President Tim Bohr at tbohr@ riverviewschools.com.
For our senior residents, we have received inquiries about available services. The Senior Alliance offers a free Information & Assistance Call Center that provides resource options for older adults, their families, and caregivers. You can reach them at 734-722-2830, Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM, to speak with a knowledgeable specialist.
Before closing, I’d like to ask everyone to keep the victims of Hurricane Helene in your prayers. And finally, let us keep the positive energy going in our community: GO PIRATES, GO TIGERS, AND GO LIONS!
ANDREW SWIFT
Riverview Community Schools
NON-HOMESTEAD
MILLAGE RENEWAL TO APPEAR ON NOVEMBER BALLOT
WHAT IS AN OPERATING MILLAGE? Information every taxpayer should know about the operating millage proposal:
All Michigan school districts must levy 18 mills on non-homestead property to receive their full foundation allowancethe major source of funding for Michigan schools.
The 18-mill levy costs the primary residence homeowner zero dollars ($0) per year. Owned primary residences do not pay the 18-mill tax. It is a levy on NON-Homestead properties in the school district.
NOT a tax on primary residences
Approval of the millage will NOT increase anyone’s taxes, it is a continuation of the existing 18 mills levied on commercial, business, and rental properties within the City of Riverview limits.
Approval of the millage would give the district the continued ability to collect the full state per pupil funding for Riverview Schools which makes up 78% of our operating budget.
This 18 mill renewal generated funds in excess of 2.5 million dollars annually for Riverview Schools and cannot be replaced by other sources.
A major source of funding for schools
Will NOT increase anyone’s taxes
Generates 2.5 million dollars annually
Known as a “non-homestead operating tax”
TURNING
Bucs hold on to hand Flat Rock its first loss
By HANK MINCKIEWICZ
For years – let’s be honest, for decades – the Flat Rock Rams have been a speed bump on the Riverview Pirates’ regular-season football schedule.
The Rams last beat the Bucs in 2017 and Flat Rock has beaten its Huron League rival just six times in nearly 50 years.
Talk about “Little Brother.” That’s domination. But the last two years have been a whole different story.
In 2023, Riverview battled its way to a hard-fought 36-34 victory. This year was even tougher as the Rams took a lead with under two minutes left in the game and forced Riverview to score a last-second touchdown to secure the 52-45 victory.
“I think the way we practice made us able to compete in this game,” said Riverview coach Derek MacLaughlin. “We were able to bounce back and be our best when our best was needed.”
Riverview running back Ian Adams injured his leg following a 46-yard run in the first quarter and he was carted off the field on a stretcher with an apparent serious injury.
It had an impact on the team, McLaughlin said. “Honestly, our team was a bit shaken tonight,” MacLaughlin said. “I was a bit shaken as well. We can’t control what happened but we can control our next decisions.”
With Adams out, Nathan Pinkava stepped up and scored five touchdowns for the Pirates, including the game-winning touchdown, which came on a rare pass from Lucas Thompson. Junior Ashton Robinson also scored two touchdowns, which came in the span of four plays in the second quarter.
After leading comfortably 29-6 midway through the second quarter, Riverview watched the Rams score three straight times to get back in the game. From there, the game developed into a track meet with the team trading scoring blows.
In the fourth quarter, a fourth-down halfback pass got the Rams into the end zone and gave them their first lead of the ball game. The score and the PAT gave Flat Rock a 45-44 lead with just 1:38 to play and the celebration was ready to begin in the Level Pebble.
But, seniors Pinkava and Thompson had something to say about that.
First, Thompson, who rarely throws the football, hit Pinkava with a 50-yard pass. Then, from inside the five-yard-line, Thompson again found Pinkava, this time in the corner of the end zone for the score.
Flat Rock had one last chance with the ball and the game ended on one of those crazy multiple-lateral plays that never work.
Afterward, McLaughlin and his team were able to
let out a sign of relief.
“This was a great high school football game, one these kids will remember for the rest of their lives,” said McLaughlin.
With the win, Riverview improved to 5-0 this season, 4-0 in the Huron League. It was the third straight time this season that Riverview has gone over the 50-point plateau in a game. On September 13th, the Bucs beat Monroe Jefferson 61-0 and on September 20th, the Bucs beat Huron 51-21.
The Bucs are averaging nearly 48 points a game this season and are winning by an average score of 48-15. But, there has to be at least a little concern with what has been going on with the defense. Riverview surrendered just seven points in its first
12 quarters of play this season and have allowed 66 in their last eight quarters.
Riverview bumped into old nemesis Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central on October 5th. The Falcons are the only team in the Huron League with a historical winning record against the Bucs. The schedule gets decidedly easier after SMCC as the Bucs finish the season at Milan on October 11th, at Grosse Ile October 18th and at home against Monroe on October 25th. All four of those teams currently have losing records, including the 1-4 Monroe Trojans and the 0-5 Grosse Ile Red Devils. Not only are the Devils winless this season, but they have scored just 12 points in five games.
Photos by Dave Chapman
Richard wins again, remains undefeated
The Gabriel Richard football team began the 2024 season with a hard-fought 15-10 victory over Montrose. Since then, the Pioneers have kind of been on cruise control, beating opponents by an average score 34-8.
Richard’s 29-8 victory over Detroit Loyola on September 27th improved the team’s league record to 2-0 and kept alive strong hopes of a berth in the Catholic League Championship at Ford Field later this season.
Richard’s other CHSL Intersectional 1 win came on September 19th when the Pioneers slapped around namesake Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard 40-18. At one point in that game, Richard held a commanding 33-3 lead before the Irish scored a few late, meaningless touchdowns.
Richard faced off with league foe Grosse Pointe University Liggett on October 4th, a needed to win to set up an October 11th firstplace showdown with Macomb Lutheran North. North and Richard are tied atop the league and the Mustangs faced Cranbrook on October 4th as they look to remain perfect ahead of their meeting with the Pioneers.
The showdown game with Lutheran North will be played on the burgundy turf at Gabriel Richard.
Richard closes the regular and league portion of the schedule on October 18th when it hosts Cranbrook.
Riverview hanging with the league’s elite
It has been a wild and turbulent soccer season in the Huron League with the top teams winning and tying games at a far greater pace than they are losing.
The Riverview Pirates, fourth in the league, have lost just three games this season (all of them in league play), while winning eight and tying five times.
The Pirates are 5-3-2 in league play.
Milan leads the division with a 7-0-4 mark (there are those ties, again). Always powerful Grosse Ile is second with a 7-1-3 record. Huron is 6-3-1, followed by Riverview, and 6-4-0 Carleton Airport.
Riverview was 4-1-2 heading into the Huron League plaintiff round, but the Bucs suffered back-to-back league playoff shutout losses to the league-leaders – Grosse Ile and Milan. Riverview fell 3-0 to Milan and 5-0 to Grosse Ile. The Bucs had tied each the Big Reds and Red Devils earlier in the season.
The squad bounced back on September 26th with – what else? – a tie. The Pirates played to a 0-0 draw with non-league Allen Park.
This year, Riverview has beaten Monroe Jefferson, Flat Rock, Airport, Monroe SMCC, Huron, Grass Lake, Wyandotte Roosevelt, and Trenton. The team has tied with Milan, Grosse Ile, Harbor Springs, Lincoln Park, and Allen Park.
The Bucs have shut out six opponents this season, and during one stretch, recording three straight shutouts, while outscoring Flat Rock, SMCC, and Trenton by a combined score of 19-0.
The season is drawing to its close and the Bucs have their eye on the next challenge: the Michigan High School Athletic Association Soccer district tournament. The Bucs will open the playoffs at home against Dearborn Heights Annapolis on October 9th. Before that, Riverview faced nonleague Monroe on October 3rd and inter-city rival Gabriel Richard on October 7th.
Trenton and Downriver Area Soroptimists’ scholarship awards
The Soroptimist Prime Award recognizes young women who are engaged in volunteer activities within their communities or schools. High school girls residing in Allen Park, Brownstown, Ecorse, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, Riverview, River Rouge, Southgate, Taylor, Trenton, Woodhaven, or Wyandotte are eligible. Two $1000 awards. Deadline to apply: 11-15-24. Contact Pat Bryan at soroptimistprime@yahoo.com.
The Live Your Dream Award assists women who have the primary financial responsibility for their families to obtain the skills/training and education necessary to improve their employment status and standard of living for themselves and their families. Judging is based on effort toward education, scholarship, extracurricular activities, and financial need. First place: $2500; second place: $1500. Deadline to apply: 11-15-24. Applicants are encouraged to apply through the Soroptimist International portal: http://bit.ly/LYDA-apply. For questions, contact Nancy Nagle at 734-558-7942 or nagle.nancy6@gmail.com.
The Virginia Wagner Award - Women who are attending a college or university in pursuit of a bachelor’s or master’s degree are eligible to apply. Judging is based on effort toward education, scholarship, extracurricular activities, and financial need. $2500. Deadline to apply: 1-15-25. Contact Fallon Donovan at 734-308-5466 or fdonovan811@gmail.com.
The Trenton and Downriver Area 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 @ Soroptimist International Of Trenton And Downriver Area.
Fall into a routine with the Huntington special education team
Did you know that creating a routine can benefit your child with school and behavior?
According to the article, Why Having a Good After-school Routine is Essential for Your Child’s Growth by Manuel Zaval, “creating a good after-school routine for your child can help them manage their time, focus on their studies and develop positive habits. After school is an integral part of the day when children can relax from schoolwork and engage in educational and fun activities. A well-structured routine will structure your child’s day while allowing them to explore different interests.”
The article goes on to say that setting up a good after-school routine ensures your child can create a balance between free time and school homework and helps to teach kids to manage their time and develop positive habits. By establishing a
regular schedule children know what to expect each day, this helps to reduce stress and reducing stress makes it easier for children to focus on their tasks.
Mr. Zaval includes that the schedule should include times for things like homework, free time, a chore, dinner, bathing and bedtime, and could include time to pick out an outfit for school the next day and get their backpacks and shoes by the door to help with their morning routine as well. Schedules always need some flexibility, so talk to your kids and include them in making up the routine. This allows them some ownership in the routine and may even help them to follow the routine better since they had a hand in making it.
Here is to a wonderful fall season and falling into a healthy routine that works for your family!
TIPSY FISH
NEWS FROM OUR NEIGHBORS
Schools to Tools program opens doors to careers
Even though the new school year has just begun, Grosse Ile High School and Middle School students were among the first Downriver to start the year thinking about their career pathways. The “Schools to Tools” mobile classroom paid a visit to the high school, and judging by the excitement of both students and teachers, was a huge success. Schools to Tools is a program of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights designed to “provide students, parents, teachers, and school counselors the information, training, and hands-on experiences they need to make informed career decisions, aware of all their options.” Schools to Tools was developed in response to the dire shortage of skilled workers in many industries, including manufacturing and construction trades.
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Fall into a routine with the Huntington special education team
Grosse Ile’s football struggles continue
The 2024 season has not been kind to the Grosse Ile football Red Devils. First, construction delays have kept the team off their new turf field for the entire season. Then, the losses started piling up. Grosse Ile is 0-5 this season and 0-4 in Huron League play. The team has been shut out in three of its five games and has scored just 12 points this season. So far in 2024, Grosse Ile has lost to Ida 48-6; Flat Rock 50-0; SMCC 49-0; Milan 27-0; and Airport 42-6. The Red Devils did tangle with winless Monroe Jefferson on October 4th, so someone was going to come out of that battle with a win. Grosse Ile finishes the season against Huron, league-leading Riverview, and Cabrini. The Riverview game is on October 18th and the Devils hope to be home that night to celebrate homecoming.
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Shaking up wellness: Southgate Nutrition marks five years
On September 23rd, Southgate Nutrition proudly celebrated five years of serving the Downriver community with nutritious shakes and teas. Owners Lisa Craig and Kyrra Wojtuniecki and their team commemorated this milestone with a week-long celebration, featuring special shakes, teas, and local vendors, all designed to honor the loyal customers who have supported them throughout their journey. When Lisa and Kyrra opened Southgate Nutrition, they identified a significant lapse in the community for healthy, convenient choices. “We saw a huge gap in the Downriver community for nutritious and quick options,” Lisa shared, emphasizing their mission from day one.
Over the years, Southgate Nutrition has fostered
a warm and welcoming environment, where customers are encouraged to explore and find products they love. The Southgate Nutrition team takes special care to help first-time visitors navigate the menu, ensuring they discover something that delights both their taste buds and their nutritional needs. Lisa expressed, “One of our goals is to have people walking out the door always feeling better than when they walked in!”
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Undefeated defending champs too much for Titans
So, with the 2024 Michigan High School Athletic Association football season just past its halfway point, it seems a good time to sit back and take stock in how the Southgate Anderson Titans are doing this year.
The Titans got clobbered 63-13 at home on Sept, 26 by the defending Downriver League champ, Cartlson. The Marauders are undefeated this season and came into the Southgate game winning their first four games by an averaged score of 46-7, so while the loss likely felt bad to the Titans, in reality they are pretty much in the same boat as the rest of the Marauders’ opponents this year.
It’s also true that Southgate, which lost a 20-19 overtime heartbreaker at Allen Park in the second
week of the season, has likely seen the two toughest league opponents it will this year
Carlson, meanwhile, has the toughest portion of its schedule ahead. The Marauders must still face unbeaten Allen Park, Woodhaven and Trenton, in addition to a resurgent Lincoln Park team which has won three of its five games this year.
There was not much to highlight about the Titans’ performance against Carlson. It was a very breezy night with the remnants of Hurricane Helene in the air, which took away some of Anderson’s vaunted passing attack, but even it the night had been calm, the Titans’ offense could not have kept up with the dominant, aggressive Carlson rushing attack that accounted for an astounding 518 yards. The Marauders had 651 yards worth of total offense.
The Marauders scored the first time they had the ball. It was 35-6 at halftime and the Gibraltar team kept pouring it on in the second half.
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Trojans finally find the winning path
After an opening two weeks of heartbreak, the Trenton football team cracked into the win column for the first time in 2024 with a 21-7 victory at Lincoln Park on Sept. 13.
The victory followed a one-point, opening-day loss to Southgate at the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State University and a three-point loss to Woodhaven a week later. The Trojans are 1-2 this season and all three of their games have been against Downriver League opponents.
In the road win over Lincoln Park, Trenton got two rushing touchdowns from Drew Carson and another from bell cow running back Ashton Rooney and that
was all the points the Trojans needed.
Trenton racked up 283 total yards on the game, all of it on the ground.
Rooney was the offensive leader with 157 yards on 18 carries. The smooth-running senior averaged nearly nine yards a carry and broke one for 48 yards. Leading scorer Carson added 55 yards on 14 carries, junior Brennan Gulliver had 30 rushing yards and a two-point conversion and Anthony Hawkins added 29 rushing yards.
The game was a close one with each team scoring one touchdown in the first half. The score was 7-all at halftime, but Trenton pitched a second-half shutout against the Railsplitters and scored a TD in each of the third and fourth quarters to pull away.
The week before the Trojans hosted their home
opener and fell 24-21 to Woodhaven. Woodhaven led 7-0 after the first period and the game was tied 14-all at half. Woodhaven then kicked its third-quarter field goal and the team traded touchdowns in the fourth.
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2024 “Save the Girls” final motorcycle charity run
The day was cold, cloudy, and blustery, but sixtythree hardy bikers and their riders came out for The Trenton and Downriver Area Soroptimists’ 20th and final “Save the Girls” motorcycle rally. Motown Harley-Davidson in Taylor welcomed everyone to begin and end their ride at their dealership. A Wishbone chicken lunch was ready for them after the outing.
The event concluded with several types of raffles: spin the prize wheel, 50/50, the grand prize, an outdoor fireplace donated by Linda Crisi, and a silent auction of several specialty items donated by local businesses and generous individuals.
The Soroptimists wish to extend gratitude to the volunteer reserve police and Motown H.O.G. Chapter who acted as escorts, as well as Motown Harley-Davidson for hosting this grand fundraiser. We would like to acknowledge our many sponsors: Sibley Gardens, Cathy Teifer, Michael Booth, Iron Bandogs LE/MC Central-The Roadhouse, Mercure Agency Insurance, Jackson, Snider, and Parker DDS, Arlene and Tracy Turner, Marty Evans, Nancy and John Colina, Kallas Restaurant Accounting, Splasher’s Auto Wash, Sharon Kelly, Chris Speedie, Linda Crisi, and an anonymous donor. Sincere appreciation goes to all the bikers and riders who rode to support the Soroptimists’ many charitable foundations. All proceeds of the ride will benefit the worthy causes of donating to and raising awareness of women’s health issues, domestic violence, and human trafficking.
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Artist unveils mural honoring community pillar, Gib Rose
If you walk along the bustling streets of Wyandotte and happen to pass the back side of River’s Edge Gallery, you’ll be greeted by a striking new mural. The mural, unveiled on August 29th, is a vibrant mix of bold colors and abstract patterns depicting a stoic Gilbert Rose standing front and center, framed by swirling colors and energetic brushstrokes surrounding him. His poised, nononsense expression, with his neatly combed white hair and glasses, is a beautiful contrast against the chaotic vibrancy of the background — a perfect representation of the man himself.
But who is the inspiration behind Jeremy Hansen’s colorful piece of art? If you asked anyone who knew Gib Rose, they’d tell you he was a man who left an unforgettable mark on his community. Owner of both Chelsea Menswear and Willow Tree Women’s Fashion, Gib was more than just a local business owner—he was a beloved mentor and a champion of Wyandotte, relentlessly bettering his city and those around him.
At the mural unveiling, friends, family, and community members gathered to honor the man who worked tirelessly to improve the city. His son, Peter Rose, gave a heartfelt tribute, capturing the essence of his father’s character. “He was more complex than he really wanted anyone to deal with,” Peter shared.
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