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DAVE GORGON A high school writing assignment about patriotism has led to $16,000 worth of scholarship funds for a Southgate teen-ager. Crissa Esse, a senior at InterCity Baptist in Allen Park, won the Michigan state championship and finished third in the nation with her essay “America, Where Do We Go from Crissa Esse Here?” The nationwide competition, the Voice of Democracy, is sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Crissa represented the Lambert Pfeiffer Jr. VFW post in Southgate. The essay “talked about how it’s important to know your history – your past,” she said. “You can learn from your
past. It also talked about it’s important the destination is your goal, not the path, even if it doesn’t matter how hard the path is.” Crissa earned a $1,000 scholarship for placing first at the district level. She earned another $5,000 for winning the state championship in Kalamazoo – the first from the area to win the state’s top prize. And she earned a $10,000 scholarship prize with her third place in the national contest, which attracted more than 25,000 entries a year ago. Crissa said the funds are crucial to her goal of attending Cedarville University, a Christian college near Cincinnati in Southwest Ohio. She said she chose the college because of its strong academics and its emphasis on writing skills, adding that she plans to major in “professional writing.” “This was easily one of the most incredible experiences of my life,” the SEE ESSE, PAGE 3
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Page 2 • May 11 — June 10, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
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SOUTHGATE STAR • May 11 — June 10, 2022 • Page 3
ESSE
Continued from page 1
“I’m super excited for Crissa,” he added. “I’m really thrilled and really thrilled for her. Crissa is a really hard worker… To me, she’s a good example of what we’re trying to produce” at Inter-City. Crissa did plenty of research into
who has a grade point average of 3.98, said other winning essays of the past included an overarching metaphor – which is defined as “an expression of the shared perceptions and practices of a people living in a particular age. An age constitutes the boundaries of
17-year-old said. “I’m so thankful for the VFW’s generosity and kindness, my family’s support and love and my classmates’ and teachers’ encouragement. The whole thing was such an awesome and clear answer to prayer, and I want to give God glory for it.” This was the fifth year in a row that Crissa finished in the top five in a VFW contest at the Southgate post and the second time she’s gone past the top five locally. Inter-City Baptist English teacher Tim Sherf has assigned Voice of Democracy essays the past 20 years. “I do it for a couple different reasons,” Sherf said. “Mainly because kids nowadays don’t take a lot of time to think about patriotism and the gratitude we should have for veterans… I want the students to take their time when they do it and think about it.” Younger students compete in the VFW writing contest Patriot’s Pen. High school Crissa Esse reading her speech at the VFW state banquet. students take part in the Voice of Democracy. “The VFW actually puts money what makes a winning essay. She did the perceptions and practices which behind the contest, which is a good her “homework.” define the limits and possibilities of incentive for the kids,” Sherf said. “I think it’s a good writing events identifiable as an ensemble or “They are people who care. assignment,” she said. “Part of the pattern.” reason the Southgate VFW Trustee and VFW does Voice of Democracy Chairman it is to get John Fleming said the essay contest students is about 75 years old. Each year, thinking post members go to local schools, about being distribute applications and then return American for the essays. and a good Individuals from inside and outside citizen. the post are gathered as judges and Since you determine the top essays. This year, know so Fleming said, there were nine high many other schools and middle schools from the students are area that submitted entries. doing it, Sharon Lewinski, senior vice you need to president of the VFW Auxiliary in be creative Southgate and a Voice of Democracy and do co-chair, said Crissa “has a future in something writing.” different – “Crissa is a dedicated student,” something Lewinski said. “She has been with our outside the program for years. She has excelled Crissa Esse withher parents and high school teacher Tim Sherf, box.” in her writing capability and her who assigns Voice of Democracy assignments to his students Crissa, speech presentation along with all of each year.
her research she has done from the prior years. She took all the research she has done and that made her a winner… “She’s a tiny little girl but comes across as a very mature young woman. If other students would follow her lead, she would just be an example for other young students. I’m just awed by her, and it has been that way since the first time I met her.” Crissa was celebrated for her essay at every level. In a typical year, the finalists for the national prize are flown to Washington DC. This year, with COVID-19 restrictions, the finalists read their essays virtually. She was gathered with classmates on a class trip near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, when they heard the announcement and cheered together. Mark Esse said he and wife Karis are so proud of their oldest of four children, who also has earned another $17,000 in academic scholarships, plus a $5,000 scholarship from Cedarville. “Crissa knew that writing was an important skill to have,” said Esse, who works for the marketing company Jackson Dawson Communications that hires professional writers. “Crissa is a very driven individual. We didn’t have to push her hard. She works hard and has a lot of smart and talented people in class. They are naturally talented.” Esse said Crissa works so hard that they sometimes “have to tell her to stop studying so hard and have fun.” “She’s a great kid – the best daughter her dad could ask for, honestly,” he said. “She keeps herself busy with schoolwork and playing sports.” Crissa is a defensive center midfielder on the varsity soccer team and a shooting guard on the varsity basketball team at Inter-City. Evan Kraatz, a former star athlete and current teacher and coach at the school, is a Cedarville graduate. At this point, Crissa is not entirely certain what she will do after college. Perhaps she’ll go to work for a nonprofit organization or write for a website or magazine. “Something I care about,” she said.
Page 4 • May 11 — June 10, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
Southgate Flyers State Champion 1980-81 team - FRONT ROW (L-R): Paul Youngs, Keith Oneill, Jeff Wright, David Peveler, Tom Caliguire, Nate Sutak, Doug Johnson. MIDDLE ROW (L-R): Assistant Coach Pete Sutak, Joe Kielb, Phil Pressotto, Joel Bias, Darryl Peltier, Todd Watson, Paul Severinski, Assistant Coach Gordon Hurst, Sr., Head Coach Bob Nagy. BACK ROW (L-R): Dan Gretzner, Mike Dudek, Chris Sage and Gordie Hurst.
SHA Alumni hockey game is slated for May 21
Remembering the old times Dan Gretzner The boys – and girls – are coming back to town for the Inaugural Southgate Hockey Alumni Game on Saturday, May 21 at the original Southgate ice rink with pre-game ceremonies and face-off at 5 p.m. More than 50 years of hockey memories and friendships will take center ice with high school graduates ranging from 1974 to 2019 from Aquinas, Schafer, Southgate and Anderson schools. Anyone who played in the Southgate Hockey Association or graduated from one of the four schools was eligible to sign up. Some started playing when Southgate only
had one outdoor rink. A new indoor rink was dedicated April 21, 1974 and the second indoor rink was added in 2007. The alumni game will feature 31 players, with grads from all four schools, and honorary coaches Ray Tylenda, Bob Engerer and Gordon Hurst, Sr. Jeff Rafferty, a 1986 Anderson grad, will be playing goalie along with his son Brendan, a 2019 Anderson grad. Chris Yurick, a 1986 Aquinas grad, is flying in from Florida. Even the refs, Steve Tallman and Craig Natt have Southgate ties. “We created a Southgate Hockey Memories group on Facebook in late SEE ALUMNI, PAGE 5
Players will wear commemorative Southgate Alumni jerseys
SOUTHGATE STAR • May 11 — June 10, 2022 • Page 5
ALUMNI
Continued from page 4 January and then started getting the word out about the game,” said John Szasz, who played Peewee (ages 11-12), Bantam (ages 13-14) and Midget (ages 15-16) in Southgate before graduating from Southgate High School in 1982. He still plays in men’s hockey leagues – taking a few seasons off to get both hips replaced. “We now have more than 300 members of the group, and the interest to play and support the game has been amazing. “I started playing hockey during the 1974-75 season and except for a few years I have played every year since, 42 in all. The Canada-Soviet Union series of 1972 is when I really wanted to play hockey.” Garret Presnell, a 1983 Aquinas graduate who has lived in Southgate all his life, will lace’em up on the same team as his older brother Brian, a 1979 Schafer graduate. Garret, a carpenter with Wayne County, now coaches a 12-Under Peewee team based in Southgate – Downriver Otters in the Downriver Hockey Club. “The thing I love best about hockey is the relationships that you build,” said Presnell, who started in Mite (ages 5-8) during the first year of the indoor rink. “I may have only played with some guys for one year or two, but we still keep in contact – even with a Sweden team that visited Downriver during Peewee.” Presnell and Szasz expressed gratitude to Julie Goddard, Southgate Parks & Recreation Director, and her team for working through the details and donating the ice for the game and practice. During the 70s and 80s there were several competitive girls’ teams in Southgate with girls also playing on boys’ teams. Michelle Aldridge Yurcak, a 1984 Anderson grad, and Marnie Rodriguez, a 1983 Schafer grad, will play in the alumni game. Rodriguez was an accomplished goalie in her youth, and Aldridge became a goalie as an adult. Both will skate out.
“I have such fond memories of playing hockey at the Southgate rink when I eagerly looked forward to open skating on weekends with my teammates and friends, playing in front of my family and wearing my association jacket with pride at the annual Skatea-Thon,” Yurcak said. “While I only played for two years as a youth, I missed it dearly. I picked up hockey again 10 years ago, this time as a goalie, and I love every minute of it. If you are a hockey player, it is part of your fabric and the friendships that are formed are like no other. The Southgate Hockey Association laid a great foundation in the 70s and all of us participating in this game can agree that they were instrumental in shaping our love for the game.” The alumni game will also feature five members from the Southgate Flyers Bantam B State Champion team in 1980-81. Paul Youngs, Mike Dudek, Gordie Hurst, Nate Sutak and Dan Gretzner later all graduated from Anderson – a few years before the Titans started a varsity hockey program and captured that school’s first state title in any sport in 1988-89. The Flyers team, which finished 39-3-0, will be honored before the game with a banner listing all players and coaches. Szasz, who plays in men’s leagues against others suiting up for the alumni game, has fond memories of youth hockey in Southgate. “In the 1977-78 season I played for the Bantam Southgate Coolers,” recalled Szasz. “We only lost two games that season, both to the Southgate Seals, 3-2 and 3-1. Bob Engerer was the coach of the Seals. As we were trying to go undefeated, Ray Tylenda’s Peewee North Stars went through their season (20-0-0) to become the first youth team in Michigan at that time to go through a season undefeated and untied. “In the 1976-77 season, Sweden sent two teams to Southgate to play, a house and travel. There were three teams from Southgate in Bantam House that year, the Maple Leafs, Coolers and Seals. They took a line from each team, and we tied them 2-2. The travel team, the Sabres, lost their game 4-1.”
The 1977-78 Southgate Blues 12-Under team with Michelle Aldridge Yurcak (back row, far right) and Marnie Rodriguez (goalie). They are both playing in the alumni game.
Garret Presnell, with dad Miles, plays first season on Southgate Mite team in new Southgate indoor rink.
Southgate Hockey Alumni Game Where: Southgate Rink B, 14700 Reaume Pkwy, Southgate, MI 48195 When: Saturday, May 21 – pre-game ceremonies and face-off at 5 p.m. Who: Those who played in Southgate Hockey Association and graduates from Aquinas, Schafer, Southgate and Anderson High Schools Cost: Free to attend Rosters TEAM WHITE Michelle Aldridge, Anderson 84 Dave Daniels, Schafer 82 Mike Dudek, Anderson 84 Gordie Hurst, Anderson 84 Dan Gretzner, Anderson 84 Joe Hughes, Westland Lutheran 92 Kevin Patten, Aquinas 84 Bobby Peters, Aquinas 83 Garret Presnell, Aquinas 83 Brian Presnell, Schafer 79 John Sheets, Anderson 84 Mike Stabnau, Anderson 86 Nate Sutak, Anderson 85 Paul Youngs, Anderson 84 BLUE TEAM Paul Ciaravino , Anderson 85 George Cole, Aquinas 86 Mike Cottle, Anderson 86 Dan Drys, Anderson 86 Todd Godfrey, Anderson 92 Wayne Gray, Southgate 74 Bryan Green, Aquinas 85 Bill O’Donnell, Aquinas 87 Ryan Proudlock, Aquinas 85 Marnie Rodriguez, Schafer 83 Jim Rose, Anderson 86 John Szasz, Southgate 82 Tony Walowich, Aquinas 88 Chris Yurick, Aquinas 86 Goalies (Alternate Teams): Matt Wierzba, Anderson 99 Jeff Rafferty, Anderson 86 Brendan Rafferty, Anderson 19 Honorary Coaches: Ray Tylenda, Bob Engerer and Gordon Hurst, Sr.
Page 6 • May 11 — June 10, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
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SOUTHGATE STAR • May 11 — June 10, 2022 • Page 7
Remembering heroes during Southgate Memorial Day event Dave Gorgon The public is invited to honor the city’s veterans during the annual Memorial Day ceremony, scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at the veterans memorial outside the Southgate Veterans Memorial Library, 14680 Dix-Toledo Road. Jim Austin, a past commander of both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars in the city, will serve as master of ceremonies. Austin said the event will feature a laying of wreaths in honor of deceased veterans, along with a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps by the Downriver Veterans Honor Guard. All veterans organizations and families are invited to participate in the wreaths ceremony. Keynote speakers will be Southgate Mayor Joseph Kuspa and Marilyn Britton, a leading candidate for the American Legion Department of Michigan state commander. The early-evening remembrance “is very nice and very meaningful,” Austin said.
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Page 8 • May 11 — June 10, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
Eight-time singles champ William “Fred” Kemp.
Southgate VFW hosts statewide pool tournament Military veterans from across the state converged on Southgate April 21-23 to play in a one-of-a-kind pool tournament. The Cpl. Lambert A. Pfeiffer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9283 in Southgate hosted the 54th annual VFW of Michigan Pool Tournament. There were 118 players in eightball singles competition on Thursday, 64 teams of Dave Gorgon two played doubles on Friday and 17 groups of at least six players in the team portion of the tournament on Saturday – all competing for state championships. Tournament Director and VFW Pool League Director Don Smith said Michigan is the only state that offers VFW members the chance to become state champions.. “It’s been awesome,” said Smith, a Navy veteran who served in the Gulf War. “It means a lot to me. A lot of people look at pool and think. “it’s just pool.’ )But) for a lot of Vietnam combat veterans, it’s therapy. The camaraderie of this league makes it awesome. It’s pool that brings us together.”
To play in the league, a veteran must be a member of the VFW. In the state tournament, Norm Wisniewski out of the 4th District in Wayne County won the singles title. Eddie Meltz and George Stevens of the 13th District in Alpena were doubles champs. The six-person 13th District team Meltz, Stevens, Rich Wool, Bob Tessmer, Joe Satkowski and Tammy Doffek took the team title. Smith said Doffek was the first female veteran to finish first in the tournament in any event. In one popular decision, tournament officials voted to name the traveling team trophy in honor of William “Fred” Kemp, a long-time former member of the Southgate post who has played in the tournament since its inception. Officials said Kemp has won eight singles championships, has been part of eight doubles titles and has been a member of 11 team championships. The announcement drew a standing ovation during the awards banquet. Kemp, an Air Force veteran who served in the Korean War, is 91 and lives in Taylor. He SEE VWF, PAGE 9
Julie Farrell (right) and Pat Trombley, who played together in the doubles competition of the tournament. Julie is a combat Army veteran who served in Iraq. She is a member of the Southgate post. Her partner represented the VFW post in Trenton.
SOUTHGATE STAR • May 11 — June 10, 2022 • Page 9
VFW
Continued from page 8 said the recognition surprised him and he was flattered by the news. Members of the host post in Southgate fell short in the second round against Kemp and his teammates from their current post in Romulus in the team competition. Southgate players included Cliff Miller, Bill Peters, Rich Allen, Gary Gardner, Ed Smyth, Dave LaBodie and Chuck Sawicki. One of the doubles teams was Army combat veteran Julie Ferrell of the Southgate post and teammate Pat Trombley of the Trenton VFW. Director Smith said players either pay their own entry fee into the tournament or have the fee covered by their post. He said the host community benefits when VFW members who travel stay in local hotels, eat at local restaurants and shop in local stores during their visit. If the weather is right, veterans can even play golf during their stay.
Southgate VFW members who competed together in the team portion of the tournament. They are: Cliff Miller (left), Bill Peters, Rich Allen, Gary Gardner, Ed Smyth, Dave LaBodie and Chuck Sawicki.
Southgate VFW members received rave reviews for hosting the three-day tournament. The next three years of state tournaments are scheduled for Alpena in 2023, St. Louis (Michigan) in 2024 and Manistee in 2025. Southgate Post Commander Frank Puente said the post was ready to host the tournament a year before when the coronavirus caused the postponement of the event. This year, in a hall that has received major improvements, staff and
volunteers from the post and VFW Auxiliary were required to rent pool tables, have food ready to serve, make sure the Internet is working and perform other tasks before and during the tournament. “It’s an honor to have everybody here,” said Puente, who lives in Allen Park. “It’s really great to see new faces and old faces and their spouses. I feel we are family. Hopefully, everyone enjoyed themselves and everything was taken care of…. Hopefully, we’ll see you again soon.”
Southgate is part of VFW Michigan District 4 in Wayne County. Officials said players from nine posts in the district took part in the tournament. “I think it went well other than I didn’t win,” said Smith, a past champion. “Even on my way home on Sunday, people were calling me saying what a great time they had. The amount of love and happiness I received from the pool players and friends who have watched the league over the years said they were grateful this is still going and how well the staff did.”
Volunteers who worked the three-day tournament at the post. They were honored by tournament director Don Smith (right).
Page 10 • May 11 — June 10, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
Tower power
The long-abandoned Southgate Tower on Trenton Road, which began life as the Security Bank Bank Building, has been sold and, according to reports, will be redeveloped as residential and retail space. The purchaser, Southgate Tower, LLC will undertake a massive interior abatement, demolition, and rebuild project. Upon total build-out, there will be 201 multi-family units spreading across 14 stories with outstanding views of Detroit’s skyline and the Detroit River. The site consists of 12.8 acres, leaving room for future development. The project is estimated to take 24 – 30 months to complete. In an online post, Southgate City Council President Zoey Kuspa said: The project is slated to be higher end apartments. This developer has a successful record of taking older, antiquated buildings and turning them into residential. Photo by Larry Caruso
SOUTHGATE STAR • May 11 — June 10, 2022 • Page 11
Localism is all about actual people I rave about Wyandotte quite a bit, perhaps you’ve picked up on that. Since I started writing this column, my Wyandotte-centric orientation has intensified as an astounding explosion of investment on and around Biddle has taken place. I admit to being biased, but even if I had no such slant, what has happened in the last few years is worth marveling at, and we are nowhere near past that investment surge. But I’m eager to share any Peter enthusiasm that I feel in our Rose region, or anywhere else that inspires me. Small, medium and larger cities have the capacity to dazzle me, and when they do, I try to learn and share. I am never satisfied, and I never tire of the search for things that ignite my imagination. For all the buzz of Wyandotte, I see so much that should be, needs to be better. If other cities have lots of plants hanging on the light poles, I covet the vibe they give and want more in my town. If I see cool murals on the hidden sides and backs of buildings that would otherwise be dreary and run down, I want that too. Green belts, bike lanes, bike racks, public conversation arrangements of benches…. stuff like that. It’s not a matter of finding fault; it’s all about finding weak links and changing them into something wonderful, or functional, or efficient. All of the above, and more. But all of that is not what makes me obsess the way I do. The real inspiration comes from something different, and I think I have yet to name it in all these articles. It’s very simple, very obvious, and very magical: Everything that ignites this imagination - all of it - derives from individual people. Specific, real people, whose unique energies,“insanities” and visions, whose drive,
perseverance and joy are personified in the businesses that they created, and that, together and apart from all the other obsessed business owners around them, make a city compelling and irresistible. For every single local and independent business of every kind, there is a person, or a few people, which are the business. Start rattling off the names in your head of all the places you go that exist because of that one person, or few people. Wyandotte happens to enjoy a very concentrated variety of indies, but there are hundreds of businesses in our Downriver area alone
that are all about people that change our world. They know us when we walk in. Their take on food or drink, or apparel or furniture, on hair cutting or flowers, so unique and special, is irreplaceable, and not duplicatable. In one of my earliest columns, I called out a trendline in the country, perhaps the world. It’s what I refer to as a pervasive disconnect in so many people’s behaviors when it comes to being aware of the power they wield to make real differences in
how and where they spend. I find it even more obvious when I replace the idea of a business with the idea of a person. We all have the ability to make a person’s day, or to not think about it that way, and just get what we want from impersonal websites or fake, replicated mass market choices. We have real, and powerful abilities to support the personalities that make our communities, or not. People. How simple. How amazing. How did that disconnect happen? Through relentless marketing and power of media of the large and publicly traded businesses that have infested every nook and niche of American commerce. Every single thing we buy from them enriches people that have no interest in the business they’ve created to try to rip off the local businesses that local people built. CVS has enormous control over where drugs are available. Independent pharmacies are being squeezed out by huge corporations. Men’s Wearhouse can blitz airwaves and create top of mind awareness, while selling grossly inferior products to people they don’t know or care about – to benefit shareholders and CEOS that are not here. I’m describing a phenomenon, not criticizing anyone in particular, but rather, bemoaning the truth that we have been, and continue to be duped and robbed of our power. Yet independents still survive, still persevere. And we are the beneficiaries. Or, we’re disconnected, supporting the very forces that are deliberately, on purpose and by design, trying to divert as much money as they can from our communities we love. Localism is about protecting and nourishing our communities. On purpose, by design. When we do, we see the magic generated by countless people that insist on prevailing, to give us such better service, variety, and personality. Not bad, this magic thing.
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Page 12 • May 11 — June 10, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
Demystifying solar energy
Here’s what to know about all those panels you see Susan Pinkowski
Skeptic that you are, you hear it works, you see panels popping up here and there, but you just can’t figure out how the sun can possibly power your house? Well, there is so much power coming from the sun that if all of the sunlight that hit the earth’s surface was captured for just an hour and a half, it would handle a full year’s worth of energy consumption for the entire planet, according to www. energy.gov. Free energy – imagine that. There are two types of solar energy technologies – photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP). CSP is mainly for industrial use, so we’ll focus on PV for the homeowner and small business owner. Solar radiation (a/k/a electromagnetic radiation) is sunlight. Solar tech captures this radiation and converts it to energy that we can use. Once the sun hits the solar panel, the energy is absorbed by the PV cells. An electrical charge is created “that moves in response to an internal electrical field in the cell, causing electricity to flow.” You can attach these panels to homes, businesses and even electrical grids for a mixing of power sources. Here’s where the costs start to incur. While panels and hardware are cheaper than they’ve ever been, there are a large number of “soft” costs, such as permitting, installing, financing, power storage systems, overhead and more. But these costs are not enough to stop homeowners and businesses in our area, especially in light of the generous tax rebates currently
available, the increased savings on your monthly electric bill and the security of no more rate increases or blackouts! An early adopter of this technology was Nicholas Brigandi, who owns 3 Nicks Taproom on Eureka in Southgate. His solar panels were installed in 2005. The impetus for his decision was how solar helps the environment, what a great investment it would be, and how it would lower his DTE bills. While his solar package cost about $70,000, he was able to take advantage of a sizable rebate and generous tax incentives. The system currently often shaves $500-600 off his highest monthly electric bills. He was able to recover
his initial investment back in only five years with all the tax breaks and incentives that were offered. He said knows others who have gone solar as well, and there are absolutely no regrets. In 2012, Hood’s Do It Best Hardware in Wyandotte had 12kw of solar panels installed on its roof for an initial cost of $60,000. However, John Christie indicated that there was a municipal rebate at the time of $12,000 and he also received a 30 percent tax credit. Those are some very nice incentives! In combination with his reduced electrical bill (down about $400 a month) and the increased value of the building, it was a very smart business move. Patrick Hand at Discount Drinks on Fort Street in
Wyandotte has panels that were installed in 2013-2014. They reduced his electric bill from approximately $3,200 a month down to about $1,800. That’s a savings of $1400 a month! His system, which is almost 10 years old now, cost about $80,000 but he received a $40,000 rebate from the solar company which made the deal even sweeter. Another environmentalist who jumped on the bandwagon early in 2015 was Barry Gillan of Barry ‘n Company Designs on Oak Street in Wyandotte. His system was installed because of his interest in saving energy costs and protecting the planet. He first needed some work done to his roof in order to support the system, so all
told his project cost $50,000. The generous tax credits, including the municipal one, available at the time were a very big incentive for him. He has loftier goals, though. He might like to take advantage of the geothermal benefits the earth offers, as well as installing wind turbines. There’s so much available to us that we just aren’t taking advantage of presently. The Wyandotte VFW went onboard in late 2019 and reduced their $2,000 a month electric bill down to $800. Their panels, equipment and labor came in at $100,000. They did receive a $5,000 municipal rebate from Wyandotte as well. The Post had numerous fundraisers for this project, SEE SOLAR, PAGE 13
SOUTHGATE STAR • May 11 — June 10, 2022 • Page 13
SOLAR
Continued from page 12 which are ongoing, as there is one phase left to install. Aaron Bartal indicated that their reasoning for going solar was the ability to use clean energy, receive lower electric bills and a desire to help, instead of hurt the environment. Last year, homeowner Gary O’Brien in Riverview took the optimistic plunge on a solar system without a battery backup. He plans on using his soon-to-be-purchased battery electric Ford F150 Lightening as his whole house backup system by connecting it to his solar grid. His 18-panel system only cost $20,000 for 6.8 kilowatts of power and his average electric bill, around $190 a month, now averages about $88. His concerns about electrical rate increases, inflation and the need to charge an electric vehicle he already owns convinced him this was a smart move. “I now have a fixed cost to generate my power so if inflation takes off, my return on investment looks even better,” said O’Brien. He hired Strawberry Solar in Detroit for his project. How can the average homeowner come up with a $20,000-$80,000 outlay for solar? I had been interested in going solar for years, but with that kind of outlay and a gigantic silver maple tree shading the entire front of our home, I knew it was a lost cause. But then the tree died and had to come down. At the same time, my hopes for solar shot right up! I decided to investigate but I didn’t want to pay that kind of money up front. I reached out to Power Home Solar (now in the process of merging with Pink Energy) to find out exactly what was involved in going solar. Imagine my surprise when they told me there was no cash layout on my end, and in fact, they would be paying us a couple grand. That piqued my interest! We had a year’s worth of electrical usage analyzed by PHS. Our house location facing due south was an important factor in determining how much solar we could harvest. When everything was figured out,
we would be paying a fixed rate less than our monthly electric bill for 25 years, after which we would never pay an electrical bill again. Technically, I’ve been paying an everincreasing electric bill for over 50 years, so that was welcomed news. We will not have any blackouts, nor rate increases, or power shortages ever again. The power company can’t cut our AC off in 110° weather and make us run to the basement anymore. We have a son we will leave our house to eventually, so it was a decision for the future, and for doing our part to contribute to helping build a resilient electrical grid, while protecting us from the uncertainty of a steady power source. We live on a street that frequently has blackouts and now finally have peace of mind. We received almost $15,000 in a tax rebate that we applied toward the financing of our system. If we choose to pay it off early, there is no penalty, and the interest rate is ridiculously low as it is. If we decide to sell instead, we can sell the system with the house or have it removed and installed on our new house. We just couldn’t see a downside to getting solar. The latest generation of panels are far superior to those from almost 20 years ago and can even generate electricity on cloudy days. The benefits and savings are greater as well. Research is ongoing around the world and new improvements are on the horizon to make them even better. In other words, not only is solar going to get better, it will also be more affordable to everyone. Some solar companies don’t require any money out of pocket which can benefit people from all income brackets. Robert Kulic, owner of CRESIT Energy in Wyandotte, handled the installations for all of these businesses mentioned, and is very knowledgeable about all the steps involved in bringing the project, and the paperwork, to fruition. In compiling this article, I didn’t receive any detractions from those who have gone solar. It seems there are no unhappy customers! It appears to be an all-around win, for the homeowner, the business owner, the job market, the economy, and for the tree-hugger in all of us
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!
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SOUTHGATE STAR • May 11 - June 12, 2022 • Page 17
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‘Have a Heart’
Students, faculty to benefit from gala held by Southgate Education Foundation Anderson High School seniors will receive scholarships and teachers in the Southgate Schools will receive grants thanks to the successful Have a Heart Gala hosted by the Southgate Education Foundation. More than 200 people attended the gala, which raised Dave Gorgon approximately $25,000 from sponsorships and events happening throughout the night. The gala was held on April 22 at Crystal Gardens in Southgate. “The night was a huge success,” said foundation co-chair Beth Hinzmann, who is assistant principal at Davison Middle School. “We had tremendous energy and showed Titan pride. We were able to showcase some wonderful things happening in the Southgate schools. We’re pretty excited.” “The gala was awesome,” added April Schuck, the other co-chair, who teaches at Davison. “The goal is to raise money for the Southgate Community Schools. We’ll be able to offer teacher grants and two $1,000 scholarships to the class of 2022. The grants will be for anything the general fund can’t afford.” Highlights were numerous, including a presentation of colors by the Jr. ROTC, a freshmen rendition of The National Anthem, a display of talents by the Robotics team and student artists, and the induction of four individuals into the Southgate Schools Hall of Fame. This was the second such gala. The first took place in 2019 and enabled the distribution of $20,000 in grants to educators, Hinzmann said. A subsequent planned gala in 2020 was postponed due to gathering restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. There was no stopping the Have a Heart Gala in 2022. “It was an awesome experience to bring that back and re-energize the district and the feeling of community and Titan pride,” n said. “It was wonderful bringing different stakeholders back together again. They
Hall of Famers, Grace Sietz (center), surrounded by Marilyn Svaluto (left) Beth Hinzmann, Liz McNees, Kristin Stewart and Jackie McKay.
brought the energy we felt from the first one.” The co-chairs thanked two community sponsors, Dean Transportation and Granader Family Restaurants for contributing the highest level of donations. “Heart and energy are the two key themes for the whole night, I think,” Hinzmann said. “It was an awesome night – a great night to be a Titan.” The Southgate Education Foundation, a tax-exempt organization,
was formed exclusively to enhance educational opportunities for the students in the Southgate School District. The group’s mission is to build partnerships between the community and public education that enhances educational excellence by providing independent funding for innovative and enriching programs. Attendees said they had a great time at the gala. “I was incredibly impressed with all the hard work that the Southgate
Members of the Anderson Robotics team.
Education Foundation put in to create such a successful gala,” said 28th District Court Judge Elisabeth Mullins. “SEF’s support of our Southgate schools, teachers and students is what makes me so proud to be a Titan mom.” The evening also honored four inductees into the Southgate Education Foundation Hall of Fame: SHERYL DENMAN graduated from Southgate High School in 1968 and resided in Southgate with her husband Fred and their three children for nearly 50 years. She served on the Southgate Board of Education from 1990 to 1994 and held various offices in the city from 2007 to 2018, including city treasurer and City Council president. She was honored posthumously after passing away in 2018, three days before her 67th birthday. TERRY LAUBER was a Learning Center teacher at Asher School, but is best known for creating charitable connections between the Southgate School District and the community at large. Lauber started the Southgate Food Co-op and Community Centers Gardens at Asher. She also ran the district Angel Tree projects that helped many families in the community at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. GRACE SIETZ, a former director of Southgate Alternative Education and Adult Education, was integral in starting the Advantage Academy, which gave younger students alternative options for high school education. After her retirement, she continued to and support Asher to make sure students got the very best. MIKE TOSCHI graduated from Southgate High School and was a lifelong Southgate student. He returned to the district as a paraprofessional in the Business Department and through hard work and education ultimately became the first director of technology for the district. His creative vision of “what could be” marked Southgate as a pioneer in educational technologies that was envied by other districts. He also mentored many young people as a football coach.
SOUTHGATE STAR • May 11 - June 12, 2022 • Page 19
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MELVA BONIS’ EASY ASPARAGUS QUICHE 1 premade unbaked 9-inch pie shell ½ pound asparagus spears 2 scallions (green onions), thinly sliced 1 tablespoon flour 2 cups shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese 3 eggs 1 cup heavy (whipping) cream ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon dried basil leaves 1/8 teaspoon cayenne Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Bake the pie shell for 6 to 7 minutes. Set aside. Place the asparagus spears in a skillet with water to cover and cook until tender crisp, about 5 minutes. When cool enough to handle, set aside 3 stems and cut the remainder into ½-inch lengths. Then slice the reserved stems in half lengthwise and set aside. Combine the asparagus, onion and flour and pour into the crust and sprinkle with the cheese. Whisk the eggs, cream, basil, salt and cayenne and pour over the cheese. Bake at 325 degrees 25 minutes, then arrange the reserved asparagus on top of the quiche in a wheel pattern. Return the quiche to the oven for another 5 or 10 minutes until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
Optional: 2/3 cup crisply cooked bacon can be placed in the crust before adding the asparagus mixture. Last month, I observed National Carrot Day (April 4) by baking an awesomely easy and healthful recipe for carrot raisin muffins provided by Ronnie Padmos of Trenton, who said her grandchildren love them. (I do, too.) Ronnie said she used to distribute the recipe at Detroit Area Agency on Aging programs for senior citizens years ago. The recipe calls for shredding the carrots, but I followed her suggestion for chopping them to about ¼ inch dice instead in my food processor. GRANDCHILDREN’S FAVORITE MUFFINS 2 large carrots (1 ½ cups), grated or finely chopped 2 large eggs ½ cup applesauce 2/3 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 cup flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1/2 cup raisins Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat a 12-section muffin pan with vegetable cooking spray. Peel the carrots and grate (or finely chop to about ¼ inch). In a large bowl, combine the eggs, applesauce, sugar, vanilla and oil, mixing until well blended. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the applesauce mixture until just blended. Stir in the carrots and raisins. Divide the batter into the muffin cups, filling about ½ full. Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool 5 minutes. Remove and cool completely. Makes 12 muffins. \ (Do you need a special recipe, or do you have a favorite recipe or tip you would like to share? Please send your request or culinary contribution to Evycairns@aol.com and include your email address or telephone number.) HAPPY COOKING!
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A golden homecoming
SOUTHGATE STAR • May 11 - June 12, 2022 • Page 21
Dave Gorgon Plans are under way for the 50-year reunion of the Theodore Roosevelt High School Class of 1972 in Wyandotte. Organizers have scheduled the reunion for 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 at the Wyandotte Boat Club, One Pine St. It’s the same weekend as the high school homecoming activities. “We’re coming home after a half century,” said Mark Slagle, a class member who is leading the planning committee. The reunion will include a buffet dinner, cash bar and a raffle to win Roosevelt High School items. All classmates will receive a memento to remember the occasion. “The Wyandotte Boat Club has an enormous wooden deck to enjoy conversation during the nice weather along the Detroit River in addition to the inside dining area,” said Slagle, who lives in Riverview. “There will be lots of room for everyone.” Tickets are $40 per person ($45 if purchased after August 31) for classmates; $20 per teacher. “We fondly remember many teachers who taught us lessons not only from books but also life,” Slagle said. “We’d love to see our teachers and encourage them and administrators to join us for this special celebration as we would like to reminisce with them as well.” Classmates are encouraged to attend the homecoming football game starting at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, at the football field. The gathering will be hosted by Roosevelt Athletic Director Tom DeSana, a recent inductee into the Roosevelt Hall of Fame. On Saturday morning, participants are invited to a tour of the high school starting at 10 o’clock. The tour will be led by Alana Paluszewski, another distinguished Roosevelt graduate, respected historian and author of several books, including The Pride of Wyandotte, History of Roosevelt High School. Slagle said Paluszewski “is the expert on the history of Roosevelt High School, from the initial building of the school in 1921, its opening in 1923 and through the current time.”
There is no cost for the tour. There is no registration. Attendees are asked to show up by 9:45 a.m. at the Eureka Road entryway doors at the west end of the building. The tour will last about 90 minutes based on the interest by the classmates in the school’s history. Paluszewski’s book will be available for purchase along with a biography of Ann Marston, the first professional female archer and USA national archery champion who grew up in Wyandotte; and a recently published book, Wyandotte at War: A Michigan Town Fights Back in WWII. The current reunion committee has been organizing the Class of 1972
reunions every five years for the past 30 years. The committee members say they are a very close-knit team that stays in contact with one another, even in reunion off years. Current and past team members live in Wyandotte, Riverview, Trenton, Grosse Ile and many other Downriver communities. “I was really shy and wall-flowerish in school and didn’t have a lot of friends,” said Darlene (Morton) Randazzo, who lives in Trenton and serves as recording secretary of the reunion planning committee. “What’s really interesting to me now is that the walls are down when you get to a certain age. I’m not intimidated
to talk to people like I was before. It’s nice to get to know people that I wasn’t friends with in high school. I think life is too short to not reconnect and remember the fun times we had together and discover the things we had in common.” Like Randazzo, Beryl (McNeil) Robbins has served on the planning committee for 40 years. “I meet new people every time I go to a reunion,” said Robbins, who returned to Wyandotte in 2020 after retiring from the Department of Justice at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “Members of the planning committee are like family. None of us hung out with each other in school, but we’ve become close friends since then.” Slagle said that with the exception of the 10-year and 20-year reunions, recent class get-togethers have been more casual, focusing on a relaxed atmosphere so classmates can catch up with other classmates on the many activities encompassing their lives since the prior reunion – or longer. “A portion of the famous brick wall that once enclosed the Roosevelt High School football field is often painted by students for various school events,” Slagle said. “Classmates painted the wall just before our graduation in 1972 and the reunion committee kept up this tradition and painted the wall again in 2002 with our class graduating year of 1972 written on it.” Classmates are encouraged to bring spouses and/or significant others to the reunion. “While many classmates live Downriver and within Michigan, we look forward to seeing classmates from all over the country, including Hawaii,” Slagle said. He encouraged class members to “help make this the best reunion yet by sharing the information with classmates you stay in touch with so they too can attend this special event.” All of the information is posted on the website rhsclassof1972.blogspot. com. Questions can be directed to Mark Slagle at (734) 341-0793 or wyandotteroosevelt72@gmail.com.
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Roosevelt High School Class of 1972 planning 50-year reunion
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Let the good times roll …
The Special Olympics are back to putting smiles on faces It’s been a long time since our Special Olympians have been able to compete and have a good time but we are back! The Special Olympics Michigan Area 23 encoumpasses all of Wyane County, excluding Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park. Nearly 1,800 sherry participants in 16 halko sports are under Area 23’s justitiction. The sports are athletics, skiing, basketball, bocci, bowling, cycling, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, speed skating, cross country skiing, golf, poly hockey, snowshoeing, softball and swimming. The first sport to make a comeback for the Area 23 Olympians was bowling. More than 30 athletes filled the lanes at the recent regional tournament and the strikes and spares were bowling the participants over. The regional was the culmination of a season that featured some stringent health and safety protocols. The Special Olympics of Michigan had a plan to keep the teammates safe and it paid off. Competitors had to wear masks and maintain six feet separation and they were willing and able. Whatever it took to get back up, running and competing, they waited patiently. When they were put on hold for two years because of COVID-19, it was hard to keep the athletes healthy, both physically and mentally. I am part of this experience as I have a daughter who currently participates in the Jo Brighton Special Athletes in Wyandotte and has over the past eight years. When sports went down, so did my daughter’s spirits. It was almost painful to see her face fall when the next sport was canceled until further notice. You don’t realize how important a simple game of basketball can be to a person until they can’t do it. The interaction that The Special Olympics provides is more than just rolling a ball, making a basket,
kicking a goal or competing for first place in a variety of sports. It is about making friends, getting a smile, hearing that big “Yeah” from the quietest to the loudest. For those of you who know my daughter, she is not in the first category. The Special Olympics of Michigan has become such an integral part of our lives. When you first learn that your child might be different, you wonder how they will fit in. You wonder how they will find friends. You wonder how they will learn about the world. You wonder, you wonder, you wonder. Then you find your way. The Special Olympics has helped us find our way. So keep looking for those smiling faces, those proud athletes, those proud coaches, those proud volunteers, those proud parents, those proud families. We are back! If you are interested in more about The Special Olympics, check their
Titan baseball team enjoys some high points The highlights have been a little in short supply for the Anderson baseball team the past few seasons, but this year, and especially lately, things have been looking up. On May 28 the Titans hit the road and beat Taylor in a Downriver League contest 7-5. Two days later, playing in the Bob Kreszyn Classic, the Titans knocked off Rochester 5-2. Anderson never trailed against their Oakland County rival as they scored once in the first inning, three times in the second and once in the fourth. Rochester managed two runs in the fifth inning, but it was too little, too late. Those victories were fun, but they paled in comparison to the comefrom-behind Titan victory over Downriver League rival Allen Park on April 20. It was a thrilling game with lots of
action on the bases, but little scoring. Allen Park scored a run in the first and led 1-0 heading into the sixth when the game changed, thanks mostly to freshman Juan Llanes. Anderson worked the bases loaded on walks to Brayden Cammaratta and Gavin White and a bunt hit by Ryan Kruzak. Llanes then came to the plate and smacked a long double to left and all three runners ahead of him scored. Llanes was out trying to turn his double into a triple, but no matter, the damage was done. Allen Park got one run back in the top of the seventh, but relief pitcher Jake Peer shut them down and the Titans celebrated a big win. As the Titans head down the home stretch, they have second games against all their Downriver opponents and a May 21 home doubleheader
2022 roster
against Grosse Ile, now coached by former Southgate Anderson standout Mario Garza, Jr. When Michigan High School Athletic Association districts roll around on May 26, Anderson will find itself at Wyandotte with the host Bears, Woodhaven, Carlson and Taylor.
Bradley Berner Dylan Berrios Kaden Booth Brayden Cammaratta Brennan Emans Jake Fell Nate Jones Ryan Kruzal Juan Llanes Charles Mickel Jake Peer Hunter Rowland Connor Swiney Jeremiah Valdez
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SOUTHGATE STAR • May 11 - June 12, 2022 • Page 25
Location and amenities, those are the main reasons members and guests love the Grosse Ile Yacht Club. Located on the Southeastern tip of Grosse Ile, the club commands one of the most scenic spots on the island. The club features a lake-facing “front lawn” with access to the water and a swim raft for those who like to get into the water. It’s a place to meet and make friends. It’s a great place to eat or spend quality family time. It’s a great place to get easy access to the area’s best resource - Lake Erie and the Detroit River. “This is a great location for Lake Erie and the Detroit River boating and sailing,” said Club Commodore Will Evans. “There is protected anchorage nearby, it’s a wonderful place to hang out and it provides access to one of the world’s best fisheries.” GIYC is a great place for power boaters and maybe even a better place for sailors The sailing programs - both youth and adult - are the pride and joy of Grosse Ile Yacht Club. The junior sailing program provides learn-to-sail instruction and on-the-water safety to youth aged 8-18. The program also includes a junior sailing racing team to foster competition throughout the Midwest. The junior program is open to both members and non-members alike. For adults, the club has a sailing program headed by noted local yachtsman Brian Hartwell. The club offers sessions of four classes, taught both on the water and onshore, over a one-month period during the summer months. Classes are held once a week on weeknight evenings and focus on basic sailing techniques and on water safety, using the curriculum followed by US Sailing in their learnto-sail classes. Students (members or non-members) get the opportunity to steer, trim sails and learn to safely take their boat away from the dock and return. And the amenities GIYC offers can’t be beat: Waterfront Enjoyment The club has a beautiful front lawn for families to enjoy, including a swim raft, for an authentic “swimming hole” experience.
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Page 26 • May 11 - June 12, 2022 • SOUTHGATE STAR
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Patriotism and leadership program
American Legion Auxiliary recruiting students and sponsors for Girls State The American Legion Auxiliary is recruiting Downriver female students who will complete their junior year of high school in 2022 for participation in Michigan Girls State. As part of the legion auxiliary program, the students will study local, county and state government Dave processes over a Gorgon weeklong nonpartisan political learning experience. The virtual program is scheduled for June 12-17. Beryl Robbins, a Wyandotte resident who is state chairman of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Michigan Girls State, said students will receive knowledge and desire to get involved in their communities and continue the mission they have worked hard to achieve. She said the program changes lives by bringing together dynamic young women for an intense week of leadership, patriotism and community. Girls State attendees, known as “citizens,” receive special instruction in parliamentary procedure and organize themselves into two mock political parties. The teen-agers campaign, hold rallies, debate and ultimately vote to elect city, county and state officials. Once elected to office, delegates are sworn in and perform their prescribed duties. Attendees not elected to office are given appointments and visit the offices of those elected to share their viewpoints as citizens. The program is modeled as nearly as possible upon the actual governmental process in the State of Michigan. “This program not only instills in its attendees a sense of pride and loyalty in America, but also prepares these women for a career in politics, public service and excellence along their career paths,” said Robbins, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 426 in Trenton. Robbins said the Girls State committee and other auxiliary volunteers encourage the young citizens to continue their community
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State elected officials are sworn in during the 2019 event at Michigan State University. 2019 was the last in-person session for the American Legion Auxiliary. The Honorable Elizabeth Clement, Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, is doing the swearing in.
service by becoming members of the American Legion Auxiliary as well as leaders in their communities and local governments. The auxiliary is the primary sponsoring organization, although other organizations such as Kiwanis, Lions Club, Exchange Clubs, private businesses and relatives of students have supported the program in the past. The cost to sponsor one student is $175, a small investment in our future, Robbins said. Every spring, approximately 25,000 young women across the country are selected to attend Girls State programs in their respective states. Two outstanding citizens from each of the 50 American Legion Auxiliary Girls State programs are then chosen to represent their state as “senators” at the Girls Nation in July in Washington DC.
Beryl Robbins The current American Legion Auxiliary Girls State chairman for the State of Michigan retired July 1, 2020, after 40 years with the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan and bought a home in Wyandotte. She joined the American Legion Auxiliary in 1994 and became involved with Girls State a few years later, first as a volunteer and then a committee member, before her appointment as state chairman in 2008. Robbins also is president of the American Auxiliary Unit 426 in Trenton and serves as Trenton’s Girls State chairman. She chairs the 16th District, which covers American Legion auxiliaries located in Trenton, Wyandotte, Riverview, Taylor, Allen Park, Lincoln Park, Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. Robbins said the premier leadership program enhances a student’s college resume and could make a difference between a school of choice and a backup school. Anyone interested in attending or sponsoring a student can contact
Beryl Robbins at (313) 318-6845 or berylrobbins1980@gmail.com. Delegate applications and sponsor reservation forms are available at www.michalaux.org (click on Girls State).
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