Combined State of the City and awards banquet sells out
By KATHY KANE
The Trenton Rotary and City of Trenton teamed up with Co-Chairs Mike McCullough and Kathy Kane to bring a brand-new event to town combining elements from the State of the City and The City Awards Banquet. Ten Outstanding Trenton natives were honored on Valentines Eve, February 13th, at the Westfield Center. The Boujee event was termed after a hip-hop slang for something “luxurious in lifestyle yet humble in character.” It was a sold-out success with over 200 people in attendance and the Westfield was transformed into a glamorous venue with pipe and drape and uplighting.
Mayor Steven Rzeppa gave his annual City update highlighting DTE energy plans and tax revenue for the city along with updates on Riverside Hospital property and McClouth property. The banquet program in its entirety will be placed on the Trenton Rotary Facebook page when completed.
He was followed by Trenton Rotary President Noel Jackson awarding three Paul Harris Fellows, Matt Vanlente, Jim Jacek and Mike Hawkins. A Paul Harris Fellow is a person of exemplary
character that embodies community. $1,000 was donated to the Rotary Foundation on their behalf.
Jeanell Felske, president of the Trenton Business Association, announced Mister Nicks and its owners, Ron and Roseanne Bruner, as the Business of the Year for 2025. They were nominated for their community service and outreach as well as facility updates. Their son Robert and granddaughter Allison accepted in their absence.
The Trenton Sports Wall of Fame inducted three new members, Ilene Flanagan, David Fisher and Howard Hammes. The Sports Wall of Famers must have 20 years of service or background in his/her sport or closely related recreational activity or has made an outstanding contribution in sports or the field of recreation that has brought fame and honor to Trenton.
Photos by Jim Jacek < Mayor Rzeppa addressed the crowd
TBA announces 2025 Leadership Scholarships for Trenton students
The Trenton Business Association (TBA) is offering two $500 scholarships to graduating seniors from Trenton High School or Trenton residents attending nearby high schools in the Class of 2025. The scholarships available are the Bradley Davidson TBA Scholarship and the TBA Leadership Scholarship. These scholarships are designed to support students who demonstrate leadership in their community and are planning to attend a college, university, or trade school.
To be eligible, applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.5 and show involvement in leadership activities. The application requires answers to several questions designed to assess leadership skills, community impact, and personal accomplishments. Responses should be thoughtful and well-written, with each answer requiring a minimum of two paragraphs.
The application deadline is March 1, 2025. Completed applications can be submitted to the Trenton High School counseling office or mailed to the TBA Scholarship Committee at PO Box 4, Trenton, MI 48183.
The scholarship will be awarded at the Salute to Education Luncheon, hosted by the TBA and Trenton Rotary, where scholarship recipients will be honored. This is an excellent opportunity for students who have made a positive impact in their community and are committed to furthering their education.
For more information or to download the application, visit trentonbiz.com/tba-scholarship.
2024 Leadership Scholarship recipient Aleah Tanguay
Watson, a member of the Groth Family of Southgate, enjoys his daily neighborhood walks, visiting his friends and meeting more along the way. He is always ready to lounge after making his rounds! Would
Managing obesity often involves making lifestyle changes, and in many cases, medical treatments or surgery are required.
At the Downriver Clinics in Grosse Ile and Trenton, we recognize the importance of addressing all all the factors contributing to obesity.
A fun-filled event for the whole family
On February 8th, the Trenton Rotary hosted Super Kids Day, a community event filled with fun activities for children and families. The event featured a variety of exciting activities, including the chance to have pictures taken with superheroes and princesses, decorate cupcakes, create Valentine crafts, color pictures, and spin a wheel to win prizes.
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In addition to these activities, attendees enjoyed lunch provided by First Merchant’s Bank. The event was free to attend, though a donation of a box of cereal for the St. Philip’s Food Pantry was encouraged and appreciated.
A special thank you goes out to all the businesses and organizations that supported the event, as well as the talented entertainers who made the day even more memorable. The event was a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, have fun, and give back to the community. It was a great success, and everyone had a fantastic time!
Photos by Jim Jacek
CITY
Continued from COVER
Flanagan served as a Parks and Recreation volunteer photographer for many sports events during her tenure, while Fisher was recognized for his athletic prowess during his time with Trenton schools. Hammes was named to the Wall for his many activities volunteering at Trenton games and events along with his dedication to the Boys Scouts programs.
The Police Department’s Chief Mike Hawkins named its Officer of the year, Garrett Hughes. He was lauded for his record traffic tickets written and his leadership in the department.
The Trenton Fire Department’s Chief Keith Anderson honored Outstanding Firefighter Captain Josh Hodge. He has served the department for 26 years and the Downriver SWAT team for 21 years.
Mayor Rzeppa recognized the Trentonite of the Year, 17-year-old Brody Thomson for his commitment to management of three high school sports teams, his extreme enthusiasm, kindness and sense of community in all he does.
Net proceeds of over $10,000 collected from sponsors will be donated to benefit Rotary charities. A special thank you goes out to Major Sponsors: City of Trenton and Trenton Rotary, JSP Dental. Additional sponsors who helped make the event a success include Champagne Sponsors Trenton Business Association, Puro Clean, JS Vig, CE Raines, and Al’s Asphalt; Candlelight Sponsors Mike McCullough, One Nine Catering, Plante Moran, VMT Law, Fishbeck, Trafford Square LLC, Trenton Times, Allegra, TEF, DTE, and Bussa; and Table Sponsors First Merchant Bank, Beckett & Raeder, and Mariner.
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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Rob Bovitz CPA
TURNING 65?
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A buck and a bond: Three generations of hunting fun
Abel Seipelt, a third-grader from Brownstown, made a memorable mark this past September by harvesting his first deer during the Michigan Youth Hunt. His successful hunt is the latest chapter in a long family tradition that began 38 years ago, when his family first started hunting a farm in Hillsdale, Michigan. This tradition, now spanning three generations, has seen each new member of the family add their name to the growing list of successful hunters on the farm, with Abel being the youngest to do so.
The Seipelt family’s connection to this property dates back to 1986, when a local farmer and his family graciously allowed them to hunt on their land. Over the years, this kind gesture blossomed into a lasting, intergenerational friendship. Abel’s father, Justin, shot his first buck on the same farm 26 years ago during a youth hunt. He was joined by his sister, Rachel, and their father, Doug. From
that point on, the tradition of hunting together became a key part of their family’s bond and continued to grow with each passing year.
Abel’s brothers, Jace and Avery, also had the privilege of harvesting their first deer on the farm—Jace while hunting with his PaPa Doug, and Avery alongside their father. Both boys have since gone on to harvest impressive bucks in subsequent seasons, continuing to build on the legacy that their father and grandfather started.
At just 8 years old, Abel was excited about the hunt but, like many young hunters, also a bit skeptical about the conditions. “I thought it was too hot for the deer to move,” he said, recalling the warm temperature of 78 degrees that afternoon. Despite the unseasonably warm weather, Abel was amazed when a buck emerged from the woods around 7:30 p.m. and made its way into the field. After taking the shot, Abel was ecstatic, knowing he had made a good hit. As his father congratulated him, Abel recalled that he eagerly exclaimed, “Let’s go!” When they found the deer, Abel couldn’t hide his pride as he stood beside his beautiful 8-point buck.
In 2024, Abel joined the ranks of his brothers and father by harvesting his first buck. While hunting
with his dad, he made an impressive 102-yard shot on the deer, further solidifying his place in the family tradition. On that special day, Abel’s PaPa, Doug, was hunting with Avery, while Abel’s uncle, Josh Rothe, and his son Easton also shared in the experience, making it a memorable occasion for all involved.
Hunting is far more than just a hobby for the Seipelt family; it is an integral part of their heritage, and it brings them together each year. The sport is taken seriously, with an emphasis on safety, education, and respect for the outdoors. Each member of the family, from PaPa Doug to the youngest hunters, has completed and passed hunter safety courses, ensuring that they practice responsible and safe hunting at all times. This close-knit group continues to share their love for the outdoors, passing down traditions, creating lasting memories, and fostering a sense of pride in the process.
PLAYMAKER
Trenton cheerleaders just shy of regionals
The Trenton competitive cheerleading team came within one performance of making it to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 regionals at Fenton High School.
The Trojans were in the fight for one of the top four qualifying spots through the event. Through the first two rounds of action, Trenton trailed fourth-place Riverview by less than a point. The top three teams – Carlson, Airport, and Southgate – all had sizable leads over both the Pirates and the Trojans, so the final qualifying spot came down to a battle between neighbors.
Riverview led 223.2 - 223.0 after the first round and 436.08 - 435.74 heading into the final round. But Riverview scored 306.7 in its final effort, and Trenton could respond with only 291.0 and fourth place. So, the final qualifying berth went to Riverview.
At the Downriver League championship, hosted by Southgate Anderson on February 5th, the Trojans ran into Carlson and Southgate again, as well as powerful Allen Park. The Trojans also saw Woodhaven and Wyandotte have fine outings, pushing Trenton back to sixth place, ahead of Lincoln Park and Taylor.
The teams finished in this order at the league meet: Allen Park, Carlson, Southgate, Woodhaven, Wyandotte, Trenton, Lincoln Park, and Taylor.
MHSAA regionals were February 22nd and the state finals are February 28th - March 1st at Central Michigan University.
Trojans charge into state hockey playoffs
By HANK MINCKIEWICZ
The Trenton hockey team –the Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League Blue Division champion this season – raced into the Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs riding a three-game winning streak.
The Trojans, 17-6-2 overall this season, beat league rivals Grosse Pointe South on January 7th and Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook on Valentine’s Day to wrap up the league title. The Trojans crushed Grosse Pointe 10-3 and knocked off Cranbrook 4-2. In between those games, Trenton annihilated Downriver Unified (Southgate) 13-0.
In the title-clinching final game of the season played at Cranbrook, the Trojans found themselves down 2-0 early in the second period, but Trenton scored the last two goals of the second period, and the only two of the third to win the game and the league crown.
Nathan Sparks, Donothan Durbin, Landon Stark, and Zach LaMay had the Trenton goals. Stark’s goal midway through the third period stood as the gamewinner.
At the start of February, Trenton hosted the annual MIHL Showcase featuring the best hockey teams from Michigan and the region. There, Trenton put on a show, beating Marquette 5-0 and Escanaba 5-2.
Durbin had three goals and two assists in the win over Marquette and a goal and two assists in their win over the Eskymos.
Trenton hosted a MHSAA regional this year and the Trojans played the winner of the Adrian-Woodhaven game in
their first playoff contest.
Roosevelt played Bedford on the other side of the bracket, with that winner playing the winner of the Trenton game. The regional championship was February 22nd. All the playoff games were played after the Trenton Times’ press deadline.
The Trenton regional
champion advanced to the Division 2 state quarterfinals against the winner of the Allen Park regional. Teams at Allen Park were Birmingham Brother Rice, Allen Park, U-D Jesuit, and Grosse Pointe South.
The quarterfinal game will be played March 1st at Allen Park’s Frank J. Lada Arena.
Photo by Emily Caruso
Donovan Durbin
Brock Culpepper off to state wrestling finals
Trenton junior, Brock Culpepper, finished third at 215 pounds at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 state wrestling regional hosted by Chelsea on February 15th. That finished qualified the Trojan for the individual state championships at Ford Field from February 28th - March 1st.
Culpepper, the Downriver League individual champ at 215, won his first match at regionals, pinning Brayden Egan of Mason in 2:49.
Culpepper was then pinned by eventual regional champion Layne O’Neill of Fowlerville to fall into the loser’s bracket.
There, the highly regarded Trenton wrestler bounced back to win by technical fall over Southgate’s Cameron Muszynski in his penultimate match before beating Cayden Bell of Lansing Waverly. Bell had to retire because of injury.
Culpepper had reached the regional stage by finishing second at districts, where he lost in the finals to Holden Otter of Airport. Otter was second at regionals, losing 12-10 to O’Neill.
The only other wrestler at regionals for Trenton was 138-pound James Harrison.
Harrison, who finished fourth at district to reach the regionals, went 0-2 in his two matches.
In team state tournament action, Trenton did a quick one-and-done as the Trojans lost to host and eventual district team champ, Southgate Anderson 64-16. Southgate then went on to beat Riverview 58-20 to claim the district title. In the first round of regionals, Anderson beat Ypsilanti in the regional semis before losing in the regional final to New Boston Huron 35-29. Huron,
Trenton also had two regional qualifiers in the MHSAA girls individual wrestling tournament.
the No. 3 seed in the state tourney, was still alive in the tournament as of this writing.
At the Downriver League meet held just before the state wrestling tournament, Trenton got points from 11 wrestlers, including 30 points from 215-pound league champ Culpepper and third-placed
efforts from Cole Scrimenti at 120 pounds and Parker Saches at 165.
Also scoring for the blue and gold were Elijah Benskey, Kevin Fritz, Blake Scrimenti, Harrison, Austin Cooper, Michael Rowland, Luke Heffinger, and Carter Casey. Trenton also had two
regional qualifiers in the MHSAA girls individual wrestling tournament.
Evelyn Rennie finished second at 100 pounds at districts and Avalina Williamson finished third at the same weight. Neither wrestler advanced past regionals.
Trojans ballers ready for upcoming playoffs
In early February, the Trenton basketball team found itself with an 8-4 Downriver League record and a position among the league leaders.
But the Trojans suffered a three-game, two-week losing skid that knocked them out of the league championship race and has them focusing now on the upcoming Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs.
After beating Southgate Anderson and Taylor to get to 8-4, the Trojans lost back-to-back-to-back games to league rivals Lincoln Park and Allen Park and non-league rival Crestwood. After the tough
stretch Trenton found itself with an 11-9 record overall, 5-6 in the DRL.
Trenton closed out the regular season with league games against win-less Wyandotte and Carlson.
The Trojans will go to Monroe for MHSAA regionals.
Trenton earned a first-round bye and will face the winner of the Bedford-Monroe game on February 26th at 7 p.m. at Monroe High School.
For the Trenton girls, 2024-25 has been the toughest season in a long time. The Trojans, usually at the top or near the top of the Downriver League
standings, find themselves this year at the bottom with just one win.
But the time for redemption is almost here as the MHSAA girls district tournament begins the first week of March.
Trenton (1-16) will go to Woodhaven, home of the 2024-25 Downriver League champions, for district play. Also there will be the host Warriors, Carlson, Monroe, and Bedford.
The district tournament begins March 3rd.
Photos by Dave Chapman
Did Your Doctor Just Break Up With You ?
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Art, music, and reflection: Trenton celebrates MLK Jr.
The Trenton Cultural Commission sponsored the city’s second annual Observation of the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 19th. The program was hosted at the Trenton Village Theater on West Jefferson in the city of Trenton, and organized by Commission Chair Hana Mitsusada-Boylan and Commissioner
Jack Eggleston.
The program began with a Land Acknowledgment read by Commissioner Bonnie Forrest, followed by an introduction to the Cultural Commission’s purpose and goals for the event.
Students from Trenton High School were up next, sharing presentations
on their research.
Alexis Lopez, Nick Lear, and AJ Kayal presented on Art With Relations, and Marisa Chuey presented on Environmental Justice.
Dr. Noel and Mrs. Debbie Jackson then spoke about the theater, DYPAC, and how those programs are inspired by the messages of love, hope, and inclusion championed by Dr. King.
Joanna Whaley sang a magnificent rendition of “We Shall Overcome”, a song that was sung at many of the Civil Rights Era marches and protests, and the lyrics of which were quoted by Dr. King in his final sermon.
The keynote speaker at this event was Steve Spreitzer, the co-Executive Director of the Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities, where he has
served for the past 29 years. Mr. Spreitzer spoke on Dr. King’s legacy of love, the faith tradition that grounded his works, and the message and inspiration that we can take from his life.
To end the program, Commissioner Jack Eggleston lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, reminding the audience of the inherent pledge in the final line, “With Liberty and Justice for ALL.” He then led attendees in a call and answer reading of an excerpt from Dr. King’s Letter from the Birmingham City Jail.
Afterward, attendees enjoyed artwork from local elementary students that were displayed in the lobby, along with refreshments donated by the Trenton Rotary Club.
Empowering Attendees One Workshop at a Time
Downriver Community Federal Credit Union’s Pizza & Power Lunch Series is Empowering People One Workshop at a Time.
For over 17 years, Downriver Community Federal Credit Union (DownriverCU) has been dedicated to helping individuals and businesses “Accomplish Great Things” by providing valuable educational workshops. Having concluded its Grow Your Business Series in 2024 with over 200 successful sessions, the credit union continues to provide valuable resources for professionals looking to grow, develop, and overcome challenges through its new Pizza & Power Lunch Series.
What is the Pizza & Power Lunch Series?
The Pizza & Power Lunch Series is a monthly workshop designed for employees, entrepreneurs, and business owners who want to take their personal and professional growth to the next level. Each session tackles important
topics such as goal-setting, leadership, financial strategies, business growth, and productivity. Participants can enjoy a slice of pizza (or bring their own lunch) while engaging in insightful discussions and learning practical strategies from industry experts.
March Workshop: “What Dream is Ready for Your Yes?”
The next Pizza & Power Lunch
will be held on Tuesday, March 18th at DownriverCU’s Southgate Office (15261 Trenton Rd.) with check-in and lunch starting at 11:45AM and the workshop lasting from 12:00 Noon to 1:00PM.
This month’s session will focus on turning intentions into action. Whether you’re working toward a personal or professional goal, you may have
encountered setbacks, distractions, or a lack of momentum. This workshop will help you:
- Clarify, leverage, and energize your goals
- Dissolve limitations and break through barriers
- Use visualization techniques to boost success
As always, the Pizza & Power Lunch workshops are free to attend, but registration is required to secure your spot. Whether you join us in person or online, this is an opportunity to gain valuable insights, network with like-minded professionals, and take meaningful steps toward your goals.
To register for any of these workshops, or to find out details regarding the speaker, topic, and date of the next workshop, please visit www.DownriverCU.com/ PizzaPowerLunch.
March 22
NEWS FROM OUR NEIGHBORS
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read more news on our digital publications.
Grosse Ile’s rah-rahs have been golden in 2025
It’s been an amazing start to 2025 for the Grosse Ile competitive cheerleading team, a squad that won a pair of invitationals and finished second in a Huron League jamboree during the month of January.
The high-flying Red Devils struck gold at the 22nd annual Cougar Spirit Invitational at Stoney Creek High School in Rochester and then again more recently at the Woodhaven Invitational.
The team started the 2025 portion of the schedule by fishing second to Airport at the first league jamboree.
At Woodhaven on Feb 1. The Red Devils won the Division 3 title. It was an 11-team, threedivision competition and the Red Devils had the third highest score among the teams regardless of division.
PAGE 14
Titans storm to league wrestling title
On the strength of two individual championships and four runner-up finishes, the Southgate Anderson wrestling team topped the field at the recent Downriver League championship meet and with that victory the Titans wrapped up the 2024-25 league crown.
The Titans outscored meet runner-up Carlson 266.5-253.5 to secure the title. The rest of the league finished in this order: Wyandotte (193), Dearborn Edsel Ford (154.5), Allen Park (150.5), Trenton (150.5), Woodhaven (123) and Lincoln Park (79).
Leading the way for the Titans were 120-pounder Habibullah Majedi and 150-pound Sean King, each
of whom won individual league titles. Majedi started his day with a bye, then pinned Woodhaven’s Humza Iqbal in a minute. He then tech-fell Cole Scrinenti of Trenton 17-1. In the finals, Majedi scored a 5-3 decision over Carlson’s Tyler Kamm.
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Popcorn Pirates provides a tasty treat at RCHS
Popcorn Pirates, led by school social worker Marci Heulitt, is a school-based enterprise (SBE) which provides realistic and practical work-based learning experience. High school students make and sell fresh popcorn at Riverview High School. For many students, this program provides their first work experience; for others, this program provides an opportunity to build management, supervision and leadership skills. The Popcorn Pirates are comprised of over 30 students who are at different levels of learning how to run a small business. The Popcorn Pirates also work with other outside agencies such as The Guidance Center and Michigan Rehabilitation Services which also provide business classes and work readiness skills classes. The Popcorn Pirates are socially responsible by donating money to local community organizations. Popcorn Pirates is a socially conscious business and is learning about how to share with others. We appreciate our customers most of all and love to provide fresh and delicious popcorn for the staff and students.
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Officer Barwig honored with Community Champion Award
Officer Cade Barwig’s unwavering commitment to the community has earned him the Community Champion Award from the Rotary Club of Wyandotte. Officer Barwig’s work goes beyond his duties as a police officer; he plays a critical role in overseeing the hiring, testing, and training of new recruits, ensuring that the police department continues to serve the community with dedication and professionalism.
Officer Barwig and his wife have shown a strong commitment to local initiatives, particularly through their involvement in the Shop with a Cop program. This program, which pairs police officers with children from the community for a holiday shopping experience, has been a meaningful way for him to connect with the community and make a difference in the lives of local families.
Officer Barwig’s contributions are a testament to his character and his passion for serving others. The recognition from the Rotary Club highlights the positive impact he has made, both as an officer and as an active member of the community.
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