Trenton Times, January 25 – February 23, 2023

Trenton Recreation & Schools

Agent 8146 Macomb St. Grosse Ile, MI 48138-1574

Bus: 734-675-6870 Fax: 734-675-0492 rita@ritacole.com

Welcome to Winterfest!

Downtown Trenton to host hockey fans and other visitors

Last year the Trenton Business Association had the great idea of creating the Trenton Winterfest and connecting it with the Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League Showcase hockey event held each year at Trenton’s Kennedy Arena.

Even though we were still battling COVID-19 and still recovering from the pandemic and subsequent shut down, the event was a major success.

Organizers are hoping this year’s event will be even bigger and better.

The MIHL Showcase is in its 10th year at Kennedy Arena and it draws thousands of spectators and having something for them to do outside of the ice rink is a major plus for the fans and for Trenton’s business community.

More businesses are participating this year and there will be even more fun outdoor activities, food, vendors, ice sculptures, beer tents with live entertainment and more!

The Winterfest runs Feb. 3-4. Hours are 4-8 p.m. Feb. 3 and 10 a.m. until

8 p.m. Feb, 4. The beer tents and live entertainment will remain open until 11 p.m.

Among the anticipated entertainers is Blockhouse Valley, an acoustic band from southeast Michigan that specializes in reinterpreting the songs they grew up with from the 1980s to the present day.

The band is known for their unique

arrangements and style, which give a new voice and perspective to the songs they perform. The band’s repertoire includes a mix of classic hits from the 1980s through the 2000s, as well as more recent pop, rock, and country hits. Whether they’re performing their own original material or putting their own spin on the classics.

The band’s lineup would make you think of a folk or bluegrass band, but you’ll quickly be surprised as these talented musicians start to rock a Michael Jackson or Red Hot Chilli Peppers song.

Blockhouse Valley has played at a variety of venues across southeast Michigan, including festivals, clubs, bars, and private events.

For those simply interested in hockey, the MIHL Showcase begins the evening of Feb. 2 with six games beginning at 5:20 p.m.

There are games throughout the day on all three ice sheets on both Feb. 3 and feb. 4.

Arthurs robotics team makes first-year splash

SHEILA R. MCAFEE

In its rookie season, the Arthurs Middle School robotics team achieved more than students imagined last fall when they joined the new extracurricular activity.

Within two months, TorqueNados JV built a robot that earned the team a spot at the 2022 FIRST in Michigan Tech Challenge State ChampionshipSE, held in early December at Macomb Community College in Warren.

Victory at the state level would have qualified the TorqueNados JV for world competitions in Houston, Texas, in April, but only two teams advanced from the field of 72. Actually, Michigan will be represented by four teams. Two others were selected at a similar regional contest.

“They did quite well (at states), finishing 14th in their division and among the top rookie teams in the competition,” said Jennifer Griffiths, the head coach. “They have had quite a season.”

FIRST is the acronym for For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, founded in 1989 by Dean Kamen to engage young people (K-12) in mentorbased programs that build science, engineering and technology skills.

Kamen and the late Woodie Flowers then developed the FIRSTRobotics competitions to be

played in an arena setting, generating the noise, the spectator crowds and excitement typical for college and professional sports.

At the start of a season, FIRST simultaneously ships teams worldwide, parts, the game design, and a list of challenges the robot must complete. The 15-member teams take it from there, collaborating on ideas and designs for the robot, acquiring sponsors and funding to support their efforts to build an unbeatable ‘bot, and working together when things go awry, like a robot’s claw breaking during competition. In the process, they gain invaluable life skills.

“We encourage them to look at this as a business – they are planning, coordinating schedules, managing time,” said Griffiths.

FIRST Robotics is no stranger to the Trenton district – the Trenton High School team was state champions in 2022 – and Griffiths has been a mentor for the THS team for eight years, having gotten involved as a parent.

Chris Rosen, one of several adult mentors for the Arthurs team, said the journey has been amazing for everyone involved.

“I’m so incredibly proud of this team,” said Rosen. “I love watching their eyes light-up with ideas and watching them work through making those ideas reality, and the confidence they gain whether their idea works or

doesn’t. They still hold their heads-up high and keep trying something else until it works.”

When the THS team, TorqueNados FRC, won the state championships, news of their success caught the attention of Rosen and other middle school parents, who discovered FIRSTRobotics offers a program for sixth- through eighth-graders, as well as for elementary students.

Rosen, the father of two, and Sheryl Boller, another mentor whose daughter, Taryn, is a team member, approached Arthurs principal, Debbie Rhodes, Griffiths and fellow THS coach, Katherine Nelson, for guidance about starting a middle school team.

Around the same time, Taryn was researching how her peers had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and suggested to school administrators that robotics would have a positive impact on students’ mental health.

Everything fell into place, the program was approved and the group began meeting over the summer at Kennedy Recreation Center, in anticipation of the arrival of the shipment from FIRSTRobotics. Meetings and building sessions moved to Arthurs after school began.

Joining Rosen and Boller as mentors were Michel Stapula, Josh Wheeler and David Kaiser.

“Our mentors are not connected with the schools, but rather parents and professionals who want to share

their expertise and excitement about robotics,” said Griffiths. “We’re lucky; because of the aerospace and auto industries, Michigan has one of the highest concentrations of teams anywhere in the world.

Programs like this aren’t sustainable or successful without the support of parents and volunteers who are willing to offer their time, their knowledge and expertise.

Folks with experience or knowledge in AutoCAD, Solidworks, Java Programming, Open CV, mechatronics, grant writing, fundraising, or who just want to get involved with the middle school or high school teams, should contact Griffiths by email: jaunvie@gmail. com

To get them started last year, FIRSTRobotics awarded TorqueNados JV a Rookie Year grant to cover some costs.

Team sponsors included Girl Scout Troop 76277, General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co, Thrivent Financial Services, the DEKA Foundation, Trenton High School FRC Team 5090, E.W. Smith Insurance Agency, Safe Spot Storage, along with donations from parents, coaches, and mentors.

For information about the team’s financial needs, email Griffiths. Donations can be made payable to Trenton Public Schools Robotics and mailed to Trenton High School, 2601 Charlton Road, Trenton MI 48183.

Everyone at Trenton Parks & Recreation is excited to see all of our SNAP campers this spring & summer!

The Trenton Special Needs Activities Program (SNAP) is a six-week summer camp program that serves 30 youths with cognitive impairments living in the downriver area. The program meets Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and provides the participants with educational and recreational activities within the community and Detroit Metro area.

These activities have included attending a Detroit Tigers game, Toledo Zoo, Turtle Cove, Splash Universe, Humbug Marsh, Heritage Park, movies, restaurant tours, bowling, and visiting the local street fairs!

The SNAP objectives are to provide a safe, fun and caring environment where campers can make new friends, develop a sense of accomplishment and build self-esteem while exploring new and unique opportunities and travels. Each day, we attend an event either in the Metro Detroit area or the event comes to our home base.  These events include tours of local attractions such as special restaurants or city buildings, sporting events such as the Detroit Tigers, Toledo Mudhens, bowling, swimming, water park trips, street fairs, the zoo, and many others!

Campers pay a registration fee to cover the cost of staffing the program. All other program expenses are covered by our fundraising efforts and donations from businesses, organizations and individuals.So stay tuned for information on bottle drives and car washes – with proceeds going towards staff salaries, daily field trips, busing, and other camp day to day expenses such as sunscreen, craft supplies, etc.

To learn more about becoming a SNAP sponsor or donating to the program please contact the Trenton Parks and Recreation Department at (734) 675-7300. The generosity of our donors and sponsors is the driving force behind the success of the program. Our staff is available to make presentations and speak to your organization in order to provide more information.

Registration

Returning Camper Registration: March 20th – March 26th, 2023

New Camper Registration**: March 27th – June 1st, 2023

Please note: Campers must be ages 11-25 to register for SNAP.

**New Campers and their guardians will need to complete an interview with the Parks & Recreation Program Coordinator and the SNAP Coordinators before admittance to camp will be granted. New campers will not be admitted to the program after the start of SNAP.*

SNAP Camp Cost

Trenton Resident: $432.00

Non-Resident: $945.00

Fee is a fixed-cost for your camper to attend and will not be prorated based on attendance. Registration price includes staffing costs, all activities, and transportation on travel days. Lunch is not included in cost and lunches will need to be brought by camper each day.

TRENTON SCHOOLS

A special craft show at Trenton High School

ANDREA THORN

What started out as an economics unit for a group of Trenton High School students ended as something that will likely become a welcomed annual tradition.

The students of the PAES classroom at Trenton High School, under the leadership of teacher Christina Grooms, embarked on an adventure that far exceeded their expectations.

The students set out to learn about some of the skills necessary to be a successful entrepreneur by designing, problem solving and creating a variety of products to offer to the staff at THS.

Their creations included products such as pencil holders, calming bottles, noise makers, fairy lights, pet beds, dream catchers, picture and chip holders and more. By the end of the two-day craft fair, all that was left were empty tables and full hearts from those involved.

Reflecting on the project, it was evident that so much more was learned than just what it might take

to start your own business. Increased self-esteem, motivation and a desire to work are just a few things that the students took away from the craft fair.

It was also empowering and motivating for

the students to see a product go from concept to completion. But once the products were done, seeing that people were excited to take their products home either for themselves or as a gift for others, took the project to the next level.

At one point, a student said to Mrs. Grooms, “I feel like you are my boss and I am your employee and we are running a business!”

That was the hope for the project, but hearing the student recognize that just solidifies the impact that it had on the students in the classroom. It was the perfect opportunity to bring work and life skills together within the school setting.

The students in the PAES class at Trenton High School are already a group of familiar faces who support a variety of projects all over the building. While the craft show was initially viewed as a way to give back to the staff, it was just as much a gift to the students.

We cannot thank THS enough for their support of this project and the program.

leadership

Ms. Heather Lear became the new Trenton Public Schools’ Board President on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023 organizational meeting. Trenton is unique in that office positions are rotated. Ms. Rebecca Caldwell took over as the Vice President, Mr. Thomas Kinney is now the acting Secretary, and Ms. Anna Mierkowicz is the Treasurer. In the picture, Ms. Lear is presenting a plaque to Ms. Maegan Drake for her service as Board President.

Elementary students learn principles of electricity, engineering

KELLY MILLER AND VINCE PORRECA

All Trenton students in grades one through five at both Hedke and Anderson elementary schools are assigned to an Encore class called STEAM.

The term STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. STEAM class took the place of Computers/Technology class two years ago and added to the existing focus of keyboarding, typing, computer skills and coding with a heightened emphasis on the engineering process and projects that combine other disciplines as well.

The steps in the engineering process include ASK, IMAGINE, PLAN, CREATE, EXPERIMENT and IMPROVE. In the current unit on electricity students will be asked to construct a working circuit.

Kindness Week at the elementary schools Jan. 23-27

While we want our students to always be kind and show caring toward others, this focus is highlighted during Trenton Public School’s annual “Kindness Week.”

At the elementary schools the week kicks off with mini assemblies to discuss the elements of kindness and ways that students and teachers can be kind in and outside of school.

At Hedke the student council put together a slideshow to go along with the School Social Worker’s presentation on Kindness.

TPS honors school board members

Trenton Public Schools is joining 537 local and 56 intermediate school districts across Michigan to celebrate January as School Board Recognition Month.

“In another year full of challenges for public education, our school board members persevered through the adversity of 2022 to provide the best possible education for our students,” said Superintendent Douglas Mentzer. “Celebrating School Board Recognition Month is one of the very small ways to express appreciation for all they do.”

School board members represent the views and priorities of their community in the complex system of maintaining and running a district’s public schools, Mentzer said. They also reinforce the principle of local control over public education, which is an important, highly valued aspect of education in Michigan. “Too often, the efforts of school board members go unrecognized,” Mentzer said.

The school board’s main goal is to maintain a focus on the district’s Strategic Plan: Student Achievement, Teaching and Learning, Community Relations, and Financial Responsibilities and Operations.

The board also focuses on the following needs:

~ Creating a vision for what parents and citizens want their school district to become and how to make student achievement the top priority.

~ Setting standards for what students must learn and be able to do.

~ Assessing whether schools achieve their goals and whether students are learning.

~ Accounting for the outcomes of decisions and by tracking progress and reporting results.

~ Aligning the use of the district’s human and financial resources.

~ Creating a safe and orderly climate where students can learn and teachers can teach.

~ Collaborating to solve common problems and to support common successes.

~ Focusing on continuous improvement by questioning, examining, revising, refining and revisiting issues related to student achievement.

At the January 9, 2023 meeting, the Board will receive:

~ A State Certificate of Proclamation as signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

~ A MASB State Certificate of Recognition signed by Stephen J. Hyer, President, and Don P. Wotruba, the Executive Director.

~ A Trenton Trojans fleece blanket. ~ Board meeting agenda recognition and an acknowledgement of years served.

“Even though we are making a special effort during January to show appreciation for our school board members, we recognize their contributions reflect a year-round effort on their part,” Superintendent Mentzer said. “No matter what challenges lie ahead for our district in 2023, our school board members will continue to govern to improve student achievement and provide exceptional education for all our community’s children.”

Mentzer closed with, “Ultimately, we would be remiss to not take time to share our gratitude for all of their commitment, devotion, and service.”

The individuals serving Trenton Public Schools and their years of service are:

Ms. Rebecca Caldwell – 2 years

Ms. Heather Lear – 3 years

Ms. Kellee Howey – 6 years

Ms. Maegan Drake – 4 years

Ms. Anna Mierkowicz - 1 year 9 months

Mr. Sean Gearhart – 10 years

Mr. Thomas Kinney – 11 years

734-676-5630

Since 1974

Anderson and Hedke Elementary Schools had a special visitor before Christmas Break. Santa with Rudolph and a special Elf helper (first grade teacher Megan Masserant) walked around the perimeter of the school Dec. 22 just before Santa returned to the North Pole for his big Christmas Trip. Students were very excited as they peaked out windows to catch a glimpse of Santa and his helpers.

Trenton 5th-graders see Wynton Marsalis performance

KELLY MILLER AND VINCE PORRECA

The music teachers at both Anderson and Hedke elementary schools brought all of the 5th graders in the district together for a field trip to Ann Arbor to attend an educational musical performance by nine-time Emmy winning musician Wynton Marsalis at the University of Michigan’s Hill Auditorium.

Wynston Marsalis is an internationally acclaimed jazz musician who plays trumpet as well as many other instruments and has led big bands and orchestras since 1981 while traveling the world performing. He has performed on over 180 albums and movie soundtracks while also writing or contributing to 20 books and now primarily performs for students to provide educational music programs across the country.

Mr. Wernette believes that “Giving the students the opportunity to see a world class musician may be a once in a lifetime opportunity and hopefully this inspires their own lifelong love of music.”

Jump rope champ

Anderson’s Kids Heart Challenge

KELLY MILLER AND VINCE PORRECA

The students of Anderson plan to “Be the Torch” and light the way to healthier and happier hearts with the “Heart Heros”. Our School is kicking off a service-learning program, Kids Heart Challenge in conjunction with the American Heart Association on Jan. 20.

Victoria Miles, the PE instructor at Anderson, leads this annual event where students complete “missions” to practice healthy habits and raise funds for the AHA.

Students compete in jump rope competitions each week. The 2022 jump rope champion was 5th grader Leo Quigley jumping for 8 minutes and 43 seconds –without stopping.

Since 2017, Anderson has raised almost $90,000 to help achieve the mission of the AHA – “Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke”. This year the goal is to raise $12,197 to bring the total raised for AHA to $100,000. I think we are up for the challenge.

Leo Quigley

Credit Union receives approval for charter expansion

Downriver Community Federal Credit Union was granted approval by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) to expand its charter, and therefore its fieldof-membership, to include those individuals who live, work, worship, or go to school in any part of Wayne or Monroe Counties.

“We are excited about the opportunity that this expansion brings,” says Robert LaPalme, Downriver CU’s President and CEO, “and our whole team is eager to serve the individuals and businesses in both counties in the Downriver Detroit region.

“A federally-chartered credit union has a field-of-membership that is limited to specific persons, organizations, and other entities. Under Downriver CU’s previous field-ofmembership, individuals and businesses who were not located directly within one of the specific 18 cities outlined in the Credit Union’s charter were unable to join.

“Under our previous field-of-

membership, many of our friends and family members who live in adjacent communities did not have the opportunity to utilize the full range of financial services that the Credit Union could provide,” LaPalme explains, “so this not only allows us to expand into new areas, but also makes the account opening process less complicated for those who would like to join. This action is directly tied to fulfilling our mission of ‘providing simple access to resources that help our members accomplish great things!’”

Downriver Community Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution founded in 1942 and is owned and controlled by over 13,000 members with three office locations, including Ecorse, Southgate and Woodhaven.

Services are available to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Wayne or Monroe Counties. Businesses or other legal entities located in these counties can maintain accounts at the credit union, as well.

Downriver Community announces promotion of Karen Blade

Downriver Community Federal Credit Union is proud to announce the promotion of Karen Blade to Branch Services Manager.

“This well-deserved promotion is a direct result of Karen’s demonstrated commitment and dedication to both our organization and to our members,” according to Robert LaPalme, Downriver CU’s President & CEO.

“Her passion for member service and many years of experience has strongly contributed to the success of the Credit Union, making her a natural choice as we continue to focus on providing simple access to financial services within our communities.”

Blade has been with Downriver CU for more than 40 years.

She started as a part-time clerk through the Student Co-Op Program while at

Ecorse Public High School. Over the years, she has moved up through several positions learning various aspects of retail banking.

Most recently, she held the position of Cash Leader, and was instrumental in the opening of the Credit Union’s Southgate office in 2020.

Blade has served for many years as the Financial Secretary of the United Steelworkers Local 2659 and holds a number of financial training certifications. In 2022, she added to her list of qualifications by completing The Dynamic Leader Program, a 7-month leadership program presented by Tom Borg Consulting, LLC.

She was born and raised in the Downriver area. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and has been an active member of the United Steelworker’s Women of Steel.

For more information about joining the Credit Union, please contact a Member Services Representative at (313) 3862200 or visit www.DownriverCU.com

Karen Blade

Neoliberalism is not a good thing

Folks, thank you to a lot of readers that took the time to express condolences and personal sadness about the loss of my parents to another dimensional realm we cannot see or sense at all.

Efficiency takes you to materials that explain a lot.

towns that serve each community.

It is by design. A 50-year plan.

It is brilliant, it is evil.

No, I do not really think that. But, well, you know…. it feels really bad to me that I have lost the direct link to the past, for they were time machines whose general knowledge and wisdom dates to 1932 and 1935.

I was reading and learning from ILSR 5 ½ years ago as I started writing. (I’ll supply the written links: find them at the end of this column. Be like Peter: Subscribe to ILSR, support them, read their work, and piece it all together yourself!).

PETER ROSE

Think about it. Think about what was just about to change dramatically at that point in history.

When I began writing for Go Big (which meant the inaugural issue of The Grosse Ile Grand), my opportunity was to share what I knew about buying locally. This topic has been an obsession of mine long before that, but I thought I might reach a few more by taking Mr. Evans up on his request to write a monthly column.

I am going to repeat myself here, now, from prior writings.

I knew quite a bit about my topic then. But the truth is, through what I have learned since then, if I started today the columns would be very different.

The words below came to me today, from one of my hero organizations called The Institute of Local Self Reliance (ILSR). This was going to be what I addressed, but suddenly, serendipitously, I am better equipped to write.

Evidence is mounting that

“neoliberalism” — the paradigm that has long dominated policymaking and brought us runaway corporate consolidation and globalization — is losing its hold.

A recent conference hosted by Columbia Law School and the Financial Times, “Rethinking Globalization, Intermediation, and Efficiency,” gathered academics, journalists, and others to explore the elements of a new paradigm.

Creating strong local communities should be the guiding principle of a new approach, ILSR Co-Director Stacy Mitchell argued as part of a panel discussion. “Community is a deeply held biological and spiritual need,” she noted. “Neoliberalism has actively demeaned and destroyed communities as self-conscious and self-governing places. It has stripped places of their economic and political power and rendered them subservient to distant entities,” namely powerful corporations.

These are ideas I strongly urge you to explore. The site Rethinking Globalization, Intermediation, and

The name Neoliberalism was coined that way to counteract the words and support of those that seek to get all the money, no matter the cost to the bottom 95 percent of us here in America. They named it something clever by using the word Liberal in their name to fuzz it up just a little. But Neoliberalism serves in the same way that all doublespeak works. Lie relentlessly, blame the “liberals” and blame you for not being a good enough citizen, all the while shoveling as much money to the businesses that lobby Washington for advantageous bills (written by companies that seek more money and more power).

I am perpetually interested in conversation, especially when we are talking about things that we disagree with politically. If we don’t understand each other, we all remain just “assholes on the other side.”

Precisely as it is, and precisely as it has been designed to do: Divide and conquer the American people, see what awaits you.

We do that in part by diminishing the communities of towns everywhere across the nation. By getting people to not pay attention to what malls, big boxes, and internet sites actually are. They are all efforts by “big money” to move wealth and influence away from

There are no companies within our readership here that play any role in this plan. There are no people that benefit from such actions and schemes. Yet local people towards the upper income tiers have been taught to perceive people like me as Socialists, as people that weaken the resolve of those that want to believe that somehow, this path that has been laid upon us will result in staggering wealth for all. Less taxes for the wealthy, more taxes for the masses (the 95 percent of us, of which my debaters all belong.

When we bash anything that talks about paying more in taxes as redistributive against the industries that lobby so hard to maintain the redistributive policies that have already been levied against small for the sake of “big”, we are deliberately calling for what we’re getting.

My company prevailed against these alien invaders. We’re still here. Most failed, to be replaced by corporate versions that send as much money as possible to shareholders and executives elsewhere.

We’ve seen firsthand on the battlefield that killed thousands of smaller local companies that once served their communities.

More light to shed next month. Here are your links. Sorry you have to type them in!

Written article: ilsr.org/communityis-central/

Podcast: ilsr.org/blp-shifting-theparadigm/

If you are looking for a place to have a great meal in a fun, interesting and unusual place, The Vault Restaurant is for you.

Located in Downtown Wyandotte on the corner of First and Maple streets, the fine-dining eatery is housed in the historic building that once housed the National Bank of Wyandotte, hence the name, The Vault.

The Teller’s Room

Book your next party in The Vault’s private banquet room. Up to 20 people

The Vault’s exceptional menu features prime cut meats, wild-caught seafood, locally raised chicken, locally-sourced baked goods, an extensive wine list and craft cocktails. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner six days a week and there is a lunch special featuring a $10 Wagyu beef burger.

If you haven’t yet been to The Vault, you owe yourself a visit. Their hours are:

Monday through Thursday 11:30am to 9:00pm Friday and Saturday 11:30am to 10:00pm Closed on Sundays.

On-a-roll Trenton girls spank Lincoln Park

There was not a lot of suspense surrounding the Trenton girls basketball team’s game with Lincoln Park on Jan. 17.

The Trojans came in riding a five-game winning streak and the Rails came in in the midst of a ninegame losing streak. When the night was over, it was a six-game streak for Trenton and 10 straight games of misery for Lincoln Park.

Lincoln Park showed a little spark at times, but Trenton flexed its muscles and cruised to an easy 61-39 win that was really even more lopsided than the final score indicated.

Trenton wasted little time in showing who was the better team, jetting out to a 14-2 lead in the opening minutes.

It was 21-8 at the end of the first quarter. To Lincoln Park’s credit, the Railsplitters showed a lot of spunk in the second quarter and matched the Trojans basket-for-basket. The two teams each scored 13 points in the period and Trenton led 34-21 at halftime.

Trenton got serious in the second half and, led by its relentless full court press, squashed the Rails.

Trenton scored 18 straight points to start the third quarter and eventually win the frame 20-3 to take a commanding 54-24 lead into the fourth quarter.

At that point, Trenton coach Chuck Perez called off the press and brought his starters to the bench. With the defensive pressure gone and the Trenton starters on the bench, Lincoln Park had perhaps one of its best offensive quarters of the season, scouring 15 points.

Nine players scored for Trenton, three of them reaching double figures.

Brianna Thomas, whose three-point range knows no bounds, hit three long bombs and finished with 15 points. Claire Gionyea had 12 and Malya Bynum added 10.

Mia Maldonado chipped in with eight, Aleah Tanguay had six, Lauryn Holder had four, Sara Mugueta-Agudo and Jukia Mach each had two and Brooklyn Taylor added one.

The win kept the Trojan on a red-hot roll. The team’s last loss was a three-point decision against Downriver League rival Allen Park on Dec. 6.

Since that point the Trojans have beaten Wyandotte (51-41), Flat Rock (39-27), Southgate (49-18), Livonia Franklin (49-24), Dearborn Edsel Ford (55-22), Woodhaven (56-37) and Lincoln Park.

The Trojans are 7-4 overall and 5-1 in league games. They are in a virtual tie atop the league standings with Allen Park despite their loss to the Jags.

Trenton played Carlson on Jan. 19 and the Trojans have just eight games – all of the league contests – remaining.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association state tournament begins with district tournaments starting Feb. 27.

Trenton will host a district tournament and the Trojans will welcome in Woodhaven, Carlson, Monroe and Bedford.

Photos by Dave Chapman

Junior Brianna Thomas (24) had 15 points, including four three-pointers in the win over Lincoln Park.

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Catholic Schools Week is Around the Corner

By: Lily Paschke, GR Senior

Catholic Schools Week, a tradition started in 1973, is dedicated to the celebration of Catholic Education in the United States. While it is celebrated differently throughout the country, it is one of the students’ favorite weeks of the school year at Gabriel Richard Catholic. Throughout the week there are a multitude of activities promoting school spirit while also reminding students the value of their Catholic education and the sacrifices made to make it a reality. Gabriel Richard begins Catholic Schools Week with a spirit week for students. This spirit week has themes that are voted on by the student government. Every day includes competitions between students to win points for their grade. These competitions have winners for best spirit apparel for the day as well as matches between those winners in mini-games related to the theme. The week is always concluded in one of two ways, either one of the most anticipated events of the year, the annual volleybuff game, where each grade has a team of boys who play volleyball against other grades, similar to powderpuff, or a prep rally that includes more competitive minigames. Catholic Schools Week is a wonderful way to raise morale in the students at Gabriel Richard, and it is something that is eagerly anticipated as soon as students return from Christmas break. It is a great opportunity to reward such hard-working students.

Hello. Meet Kirbee! He is our 1.5 year old Australian Shepherd/Poodle Mix. He was adopted as a pup from the Woodhaven shelter. Now he resides with his human parents & three brothers. He loves walking the trails & is the biggest sweetheart!

Harlei is our new fur baby. She comes from Erie, PA.

Trenton skaters again on solid footing

Despite a couple of unusual slip ups – losses to local teams Gabriel Richard and Allen Park – The Trenton hockey team finds itself in the middle of another solid season.

Through January 18, the Trojans find themselves with an 11-4 record and they are ranked among the top 10 Division 2 teams in the state.

On Jan, 18, coach Chad Clemens’ team beat Grosse Pointe South 5-1. It was Trenton’s second win of the year over the Blue Devils and the Trojan’s third win in a row. It was also the team’s fifth win in six games.

Grosse Pointe scored first in the game, but Trentin Goalie Evan Sivi shut out the Blue Devils the rest of the night. He stopped 21 of 22 shots.

Netting goals for the winning home team were Josh Bogema, Nathan Sparks, Donovan Durbin, Blake Boike and Owen McAlister. Bogema and John Medvich each had a pair of assists.

Trenton is 4-1 in 2023 as the Trojans started the new year with a 3-1 win over Orchard Lake St. Mary followed with a stunning 3-2 loss to Allen Park and then beat Grosse Pointe North (10-0), Port Huron Northern (8-0) and Grosse Pointe South.

Those games set the stage for an intense stretch of the schedule as the Trojans hosted Brother Rice on Jan. 21 and will host old rival and nemesis Novi Detroit Catholic Central on Jan. 26. Catholic Central is undefeated this season and ranked as the best team in Michigan.

There has been no shortage of goal scoring during Trenton’s recent run of wins.

Against Grosse Pointe North, in an outdoor game played at Detroit’s Clark Park, nine different players scored for Trenton before the game was called after two periods because of the mercy rule.

Bogema had two goals that night and Micah Kneiding, Sparks, Finn Aitkens, Carter Allen, Medvich, Jay Cormier, Durbin and Will Barrett had the others.

In the blowout of Port Huron Northern, it was another share-thewealth night for Trenton as Durbin had two goals and six others also scored. The other goal-getters were

Sparks, Carter, Barrett, Landon Leone, Caleb Kidd and Gabe Polyviou.

Trenton outshot Port Huron 43-10 in the game and Trenton netminder Noah Miklos stopped all 10 Huskies shots.

Unlike the other games, the first game of 2023, against OLSM, was a thriller and Trenton did not close out the 3-1 win until Cormier scored an empty net goal with less than a minute to play.

The game was scoreless until late in the second period when Jake Wiseman scored on the powerplay. The lone assist went to goalie Miklos.

Trenton would never trail in the game, but Orchard Lake did tie the

game early in the third period.

It remained 1-1 until just over two minutes remained in the game when Durbin netted the game-winner.

Kneiding and Leone drew assists in the even-strength goal.

The one sour note in Trenton’s recent string of successes was a 3-2

loss to Allen Park in Allen Park on Jan. 7

In that game, Trenton more than doubled the Jaguars in shots on goal, but The Trojans fell behind early, tied the game, fell behind in the second period and could never catch up.

Trenton had 49 shots in the game to just 23 for the Jags. Wiseman and Sparks scored, but it was not enough.

Prior to the beginning of 2023, Trenton put together a 7-3 record with wins over Warren DeLaSalle, Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook, Grosse Pointe North, Woodhaven, Grosse Pointe South, Livonia Stevenson and Carlson. The Trojans lost twice to U-D Jesuit and to Gabriel Richard.

Trenton now heads into the final portion of its regular season schedule.

After playing Catholic Central, the Trojans will face a rematch with DeLaSalle and then host the 21-team annual Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League Showcase.

At the Showcase, Trenton will face state-ranked Alpena at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 3 and Calumet at 9 a.m. on Feb. 4.

New store manager at Dingell Visitor Center

I’m Michelle Sorensen and I’m the new Store Manager at the Canvasback Nature Store inside the John D. Dingell Jr. Visitor Center.

I’m a lifelong downriver resident and a recently retired teacher after 30 years in Trenton Public Schools.

If I’m not out on my bike or walking the trails all over Michigan, you will

most likely find me with a book in my hand, traveling, baking, or crosscountry skiing.

I’m excited to bring my love of learning and passion for the environment to the store. Stop in to say hello and see the great items we have in stock.

I hope to meet all of you soon!

New staff member at the International Refuge

Hello, my name is Ryan Wulf. I was born and raised in Colorado. I am a new maintenance worker at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.

Much of my career has been in the maintenance field. I started my career at Rocky Mountain National Park in Grand Lake, Colorado, and even earlier as a helper for my dad as he was a general contractor. As a Maintenance worker, I look forward to and strive to have a safe, efficient and as convenient a workplace as possible.

Before moving to Michigan in September I spent time in my home state of Colorado after leaving my last post at Glacier Bay National Park in Gustavus, Alaska. I worked at Glacier Bay National Park for four seasons 2018-2021.

Some of my favorite things to experience were the stillness, exploring remote areas, and utilizing the resources nature provided to the largest extent I could.

When I am not at work most of the activities and things I enjoy take place outdoors. I love hunting, fishing, foraging and processing everything I harvest from nature. I am a recurve bow hunter, and love to take my kayak on fishing adventures.

In addition to outdoor recreation, music, food and comfort are my other main interests.

I play the bassoon, baritone sax, and aspire to practice my fiddle.

I thrive off trying new recipes, finding new flavors, and exploring different ingredients. It is the little things in life such as ice water, a warm blanket, a hot shower after a long day amongst other things that I cherish most.

This area is amazing, and I am very excited to join the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge team as a maintenance worker. I look forward to getting to know everyone and having some fun here in Michigan.

Trojans cagers get right with win over Garden City

After a slow beginning to the 202223 season, the Trenton basketball team needed a bit of a kickstart.

They just may have gotten it on Jan. 18 when they ripped the visiting Garden City Cougars 74-51 in a nonleague game.

The Trojans trailed 4-3 a minute into the game, but after Michael Alexander tied the game with a free throw, it was all Trenton the rest of the night.

The game was by far the best of the season for the Trojan, who beat their previous high point total by 16.

Trenton’s previous high had come in a 58-52 win over Southgate.

Trenton moved the ball exceedingly well against the Cougars and the result was plenty of good looks at the basket. The Trojans scored inside, outside and from midrange. It was a complete offensive effort and many people contributed.

Nine Trojans scored in the game

and four – Alexander, Ashton Rooney, Jason Keresi and CJ Haddad – each reached double figures.

After tying the game early in the first quarter, Trenton went on an 11-3 run to get control of the contest.

It was 22-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Trenton scored the final five points of the first quarter and the first five of the second to up its lead to 29-10, but then the Trenton shots stopped falling and Garden City made a little run of its own, cutting the Trenton lead to 29-21.

But as quickly as the Trenton scoring dried up, it returned and Trenton outscored Garden City 10-0 over the course of the last two minutes of the first half. Garden City’s Brendan VanBelle did hit a long three-pointer at the buzzer and the team went off at halftime with Trenton holding a 39-24 advantage.

The halftime break did nothing to

cool off the red-hot Trojans. In fact, they came out in the third period even hotter. Led by Keresi, who had 13 of his game-high 22 points in the third quarter, Trenton scored 26 points and held the Cougars to just 13.

Leading 65-37 heading into the final eight minutes of play, Trenton coach Jay Babyak emptied his bench and every one got into the action.

Following Keresi on the score sheet were Haddad with 14, Alexander with 13 and Rooney with 10.

Also scoring for Trenton were Alex Pawlak, Andrew Hawkins, Nathan Ariganello and Andrew Haddad.

The victory led Trenton with a 2-5 overall mark this season. The Trojan were 1-3 in Downriver League games heading into a Jan. 19 meeting with Carlson.

Trenton’s other win this season was the decision over Anderson. That win came in overtime. CJ Haddad led the team that night with 18 points.

Rooney had 13 and Alexander 10.

In another close league game on Dec. 20, the Trojans showed their resolve.

Despite scoring only three points in the first quarter and trailing 13-3 after one and 30-13 at halftime, Trenton fought back and made a game of it before eventually losing 52-46.

Keresi had 15 points, Rooney nine and Alexander seven, but it wasnoght quite enough.

Trenton has also lost this season to Riverview, Gabriel Richard, Woodhaven and Lincoln Park.

The team will sandwich home games against Allen Park (Jan. 24) and Anderson (Feb. 2) around a trip to Wyandotte (Jan. 26.)

The Michigan High School Athletic Association state tournament begins with district on March 6. Trenton will go to Woodhaven for districts. Also there will be the host Warriors, Carlsin, Monroe and Bedford.

Photos by Dave Chapman

Andrew Haddad (11 plays defense.

Michael Alexander (13) snags a rebound against Garden City

Oddfellow Concert Lounge will feature local performers

The Odd Fellow Concert Lounge is a not for profit / fundraising music venue brought to you by The Downriver Council for the Arts and the charity ‘Be Well My Friends’. The purpose of the venue is to cultivate local original music.

The Odd Fellow Concert Lounge is a very cool and unique room in Wyandotte.

Imagine your band on the stage performing for hundreds of live music fans. The venue is booking now for 2023 dates. Visit our Facebook page and send us a message.

The plan is to have concerts featuring area acts on the last Saturday of each month throughout 2023. Organizers expect to feature four bands at each concert.

Concerts begin January 28.

The Oddfellow Concert Lounge is located inside The Downriver Council for the Arts building located at 81 Chestnut in Wyandotte.

Come and see Ray Street Park, along with three special guests at the initial show on Saturday, Jan 28.

Proceeds raised from bar sales will go to Be Well My Friends and donated to varying people, organizations and charities in Downriver. Be Well My Friends is the charity behind the popular annual Zombie Pub Crawl through the streets of Wyandotte each fall.

The venue is a non-profit venture where all the bar sales go to Be Well My Friends and the cover goes to the bands! The cost is $10 at the door; cash, credit and Venmo.

Poster for upcoming concert

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Schmittou said he has over 1,300 frames in his building and can make arrangements to get others if customers come in with a specific brand or style in mind.

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

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

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

Estate Planning 101 Which plan do

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! www.ForresterLawOffice.com

Have an Event or Fundraiser?

gobigmultimedia.com/grosse-ile-grand

New store manager at Dingell Visitor Center

offers several scholarships annually to female undergraduate students at Baker College, Henry Ford College, Lawrence Technological University and Wayne County Community College District. Interested students can pick up an AAUW application at their school’s counseling office. Candidates must have earned a minimum of 12 credits, be a United States citizen and a resident of the Downriver area. An essay is required. For more information, contact rjhart720@yahoo.com or visit downriver-mi.aauw.net...

On page 38

I’m Michelle Sorensen and I’m the new Store Manager at the Canvasback Nature Store inside the John D. Dingell Jr. Visitor Center.

I’m a lifelong downriver resident and a recently retired teacher after 30 years in Trenton Public Schools.

If I’m not out on my bike or walking the trails all over Michigan, you will most likely find me with a book in my hand, traveling, baking, or cross-country skiing.

I’m excited to bring my love of learning and passion for the environment to the store. Stop in to say hello and see the great items we have in stock.

I hope to meet all of you soon!

On page 15

What’s happening Grosse Ile ...

Take it outside Photo Contest

Sponsored by the Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy. Entry deadline is Thursday, May 11, 2022 at 5 p.m. Open to high school students within Wayne, Washtenaw and Monroe Counties. We are searching for photos captured locally (within Wayne, Washtenaw and Monroe Counties) that inspire us to appreciate and steward our environment: air, water, land, wildlife, resources, and ecosystems. Categories are Dawn to Dusk; Fur and Feathers; Bark and Blooms. Total of $445 in prize money. For more information, visit see https:// www.ginlc.org/photo-contest

AAUW scholarships

The AAUW Wyandotte-Downriver Branch

Businesses line up for retail marijuana retail permits

First in line for a permit was Kinship Cannabis Company, which will take over the building formerly occupied by Slip Mahoney’s. Kinship is a family-owned business, which started over 10 years ago when owner Curt Molino was a caregiver to his brother who had Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The family wanted to help relieve his pain and stress, but back then, caregivers had to grow their own plants.

They said they plan on hiring 30 to 50 local people to run the business and hope to get up to full speed by the middle of this year.

In addition to the excise tax that the city will receive from each purchase, the city will also take in licensing renewal fees, which also have to be paid to the state.

Kinship has already purchased the building, and will make building improvements, landscape improvements, install new signage and generally just spruce the place up.

As there won’t be a grow operation there, the permeating aroma of marijuana will not waft over Fort Street or to their new neighbors. Their grow operation is out in Parma Township, near Jackson, with no plans of moving.

Online their ‘About Us’ information states: Welcome! We’re Kinship. A family of like-minded people who came together because we saw a way we could do some good in our communities.

As experienced cultivators and providers, we understand the profound benefits cannabis can bring to our lives– both as individuals and as a community. And we’re passionate about bringing those benefits to as many people as we can

Even though his brother eventually succumbed to the illness, they realized that there were many, many people out there who could benefit from this form of treatment, and it grew from there.

Kinship won’t have a grow operation at Slip’s, only retail/distribution.

gobigmultimedia.com/riverview-register

managers the opportunity to share their thoughts with her directly.

“Southgate is a great community,” she added. “Every community needs good leaders. Our community has a lot of active players. I’m working on lots of different things to develop community camaraderie.”

On page 1 gobigmultimedia.com/wyandotte-warrior

City honors junior football champs ...City of Wyandotte officials have honored the Wyandotte Indians freshman football team for earning the “Peanut Bowl” championship of the

Downriver Junior Football League. With players, cheerleaders, coaches and family members gathered in the City Council chambers, Mayor Robert DeSana read a certificate of recognition, which praised the squad for “bringing home the Peanut Bowl Championship Trophy for the first time in 19 years.”...

On page 18

Art exhibits in the works

The Downriver Council for the Arts is seeking artists’ contributions for the “About Face” exhibit scheduled for January 19-16, 2023, at the DCA, 81 Chestnut Street. The deadline for artwork is January 17. An opening reception will be held January 19. The exhibit focuses on the portrait theme. Artists are free to apply their own interpretation in representing the overall theme.

Artwork may include any work related to a single person, a group, a self-portrait, non-human and/ or animals. A variety of interpretations can be submitted in all media.

The exhibit “Resolutions & Regrets” continued through January 14.

The DCA hosts an online portion for all exhibits. To view the creative works, visit the website www.

Biddle Bowl is largest fundraiser for Wyandotte Goodfellows

For decades, the Wyandotte Goodfellows have been there to make sure there’s “no child without a Christmas.”

And Biddle Bowl has been along with them, growing to become the largest fundraiser for the annual gift-giving event.

Robert Woelkers, who with sister Judy Sadler owns the eight-lane Wyandotte bowling center on Biddle Road, Judy Sadler, presented the second of two checks this year totaling $14,000 to city Treasurer and Goodfellows Treasurer Todd Browning.

On page 19

Browning said the funds and other donations will be spent on Christmas gifts next year, which is the group’s system in place.

“Biddle Bowl has been our largest donor for several years now,” Browning said. “Every year, they seem to up themselves. This year was a thousand dollars more than last year. It’s hard for me to believe that such a small business – an eight-lane bowling alley – is the largest donor to Goodfellows.

On page 3

From Wyandotte Pets...

On Facebook

Lucy

downriverarts.org and click on the exhibit....

This is Luci Rey, who lives in Wyandotte with her human Dawn Howard. Luci is short for LuciFur, the blue-eyed devil.

No more climate doom!

The task is not too daunting for us to undertake

Susan Pinkowski

Nothing ruins a friendly conversation quicker than someone bringing up climate change. It’s even worse than religion or politics!

If you can find someone who is willing to talk, it’s usually just a recap of the depressing current and future state of affairs.

Many, many people are choosing avoidance because frankly, climate change is downright scary, according to Ariella Cook-Shonkoff, psychotherapist and a steering committee member of Climate Psychology Alliance North America.

She stated that there’s “no doubt avoidance works as a short-term strategy, offering temporary comfort or solace while keeping gritty emotions at bay. Compartmentalizing allows us to function. But suppressing our gut responses eventually catches up to us; the “dis-ease” can cause irritability, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, loneliness, and anxiety. It can even lead to chronic autoimmune conditions.” It can also make you crabby!

Have you noticed more crabby people out there? Avoidance is not healthy.

In her article published in August of 2021 on www.grist.org she indicated

that the “problem with avoidance is that we don’t engage or take action. Instead of walking or biking, we keep driving gas-guzzlers. Instead of buying second-hand clothing or furniture, we keep ordering overly packaged things online.

And groundswell calls for government action can’t occur if we won’t address what we don’t allow ourselves to see. Our defense mechanisms become our own worst enemies, particularly when we need to act on the collective level, and fast.”

But isn’t there always another side to everything?

What if we instead turn away from the ‘doom and gloom’ and choose

to seek out what is happening on the positive side? You will be amazed with just how much good news is out there. When we are aware of solutions, we can engage and feel like anything is possible. Then we can indeed ‘act on the collective level, and fast!’

Let’s take a look at what some Michigan moms are doing, how some teachers in Chicago are making a difference, and even what grandparents are doing to get into the positive mindset. Then we’ll briefly look at how you can get your employer to help, or how you can find a green job or create a company that

recycles tons of used solar panels and corner the market.

But wait. There’s more.

There are improvements worth mentioning in mini-wind turbines for rooftops, there’s an untapped source of power right in our Detroit River, and strangely enough, our roads can be put to better use by charging electric vehicles as they drive.

We’ll wind up with how successful we were in tackling the ozone problem, how a major bank is planning to cut emissions tied to loans, and how Texas saved their consumers $7.4 billion in reduced costs in eight months due to their solar and wind energy initiatives. And we’re only getting started. So let us start with what’s most important to almost all of us – our children. Moms Clean Air Force: Fighting Air Pollution & Climate Change has a Michigan chapter which can be found at Michigan - Moms Clean Air Force. Their website states that they “are working in Michigan to fight for clean air and a stable climate. We host events, share information about what’s going on, and create opportunities for mothers to talk to their legislators about their concerns” and priorities.

If you’ve wanted to get involved but didn’t know how, this appears to be an easy way to get through to your representatives. They also focus on toxic chemicals and environmental justice, all with keeping children healthy in mind. Nationwide, they’re over a million members strong, and dads are welcomed, too!

Chicago’s teachers took a different route to make their voices heard and protect their children. They voted to use the power of their pension and retirement fund to stop investing in fossil fuels. Their plan will reach fruition by the end of 2027. Almost five percent of that $11.5 billion fund won’t be available to fossil fuel (FF) companies. What is your pension/retirement fund investing in? Might be interesting to find out what your money is supporting.

Even grandparents, aunts and uncles have mobilized and got involved.

Elders Climate Action is a project of the Elders Action Network. Their mission is “to mobilize elders throughout the United States to address climate change while there is still time to protect the well-being of our grandchildren and future generations. You can all learn together the ways you can help make sure the planet is habitable in their future. There’s a local chapter in Ann Arbor and you may contact Joe Oren at info@ eldersclimateaction.org for more information.

Taking action at work is a good step forward, too. Form a green initiative committee at your place of employment to brainstorm on effective ways of reducing the company’s footprint. Investigate areas where costs can be reduced using renewable energy and then research sustainable sources for recurring supply orders.

Instill an owner-mindset in all the employees for

an effective way of reducing costs and expenditures. For more suggestions for employers, check out 10 Ways Companies Can do More to Fight Climate Change (hotjar.com). Another good source is Climate Solutions at Work | Project Drawdown. Better yet, get a green job!

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Information Network defines green careers as “. . .any occupation that is affected by activities such as conserving energy, developing alternative energy, reducing pollution, or recycling.” If you’re past your college years or even past mid-life, environmental volunteering is an excellent way to help and see the world. If you want to stay local, AmeriCorps Seniors has a lot to offer.

If you’re game for starting a new business at this stage of your life, there’s a market that’s practically wide open for exploring. Solar panels have been around for a number of years (since 1883!) and many of them have already been decommissioned.

Instead of trashing them, only one American firm is saving them from landfills and turning them back into valuable raw materials, to make more solar panels. Solar Cycle is harvesting all the copper, aluminum, silver and silicon from old panels.

Within the next 10 years, millions of metric tons of solar panels will be in the same situation, just ripe for harvesting.

Improvements in existing technology are also giving us hope for the future.

Wind turbines have come a long way, from being as tall as the Statue of Liberty to now a small bladeless box that outdoes 15 solar panels on a good day. Andy Corbley reported recently that ‘[t]hey are designed for small-scale, commercial use, as they’re noise free, and incapable of killing birds. Because they sit on the edge of roofs, they pair well with solar panels. If a building also has batteries to store the energy, it could be near to total self-sufficiency.”

They’re made by a company called Aeromine who is running a pilot project on the roof of a BASF factory near Detroit. They’re only for commercial use right now, but that could expand into residential use in the future.

While the rudimentary technology has existed for a while, more attention is being given to the power that can be utilized by tides, rivers, and ocean currents.

“The U.S. Department of Energy last week unveiled a major investment in renewable energy generated by ocean tides and river currents. Some $35 million from the federal infrastructure legislation that passed last year will be deployed to drive further research into the scalability of these technologies . . . Although ocean tides and river currents only generate a small fraction of the U.S.’s electricity today, the agency says they have the potential to account for nearly eight percent of the country’s annual power generation.”

For more information on this interesting topic, go to https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC2137118/.

Another experiment is going on locally between Ford Motor, DTE, and Electreon Wireless of Tel Aviv, Israel. Electreon has already been successful in Sweden, Italy and Israel and now they’re partnering to create an electrified road almost a mile long down at the Ford ‘mobility innovation district’ (the old train station on Michigan Avenue in Corktown). This road will charge electric vehicles as they’re in motion over the road and even just stopped on the road. The process is inductive charging, “which uses a magnetic frequency to transfer power from metal coils that are buried under the road to a special receiver on the underside of the EV.

The road will operate normally for all gas cars and EVs that are not equipped with the receiver.

The magnetic frequency method is not the only game in town. Researchers at Cornell University have been working on making a wireless charging process for US highways that would use electric fields instead of magnetic ones — a switch that lead researcher Khurram Afridi said would make the process cheaper and provide more energy.

We came together to solve the ozone problem years ago and we can do that again for the climate crisis.

The next round of global climate talks is in Egypt this month, and the push to transition to a lowcarbon economy must take center stage.

If you’re having a tough time seeing the positive side, there is additional help available at the Good Grief Network. They have a wide variety of articles, videos, quotes, poems, courses, music, and organizations all to help you and your family in this tumultuous time. Yale Climate Connections has an awesome quiz that you can take online that will funnel you right down to where you can do the most good.

For more good news, check out The Daily Climate - Good News.

The challenge is to pick at least one of these ideas and others mentioned in ‘Climate Mitigation: What Can I Possibly Do?’ previously published in this paper and available online at www.PinkowskiBytes. com under Published Articles, and run with it!

Our children and the world are counting on us.

Trenton student runner-up in Voice of Democracy essay contest

DAVE GORGON

An eighth-grader at Boyd Arthurs Middle School in Trenton won $200 and a trophy during the Veterans of Foreign Wars annual Patriots Pen essay-writing competition.

Amelia Doshoian, 13, finished runner-up in the VFW Fourth District contest and was presented her awards during the annual awards banquet on January 7 at the VFW Post in Southgate.

The 76 th annual competition encouraged middle school students to compete for prizes by writing essays. This year’s topic was “My Pledge to Our Veterans.”

Amelia is the daughter of Aaron Doshoian and Kristin Culpepper and the stepdaughter of Chris Culpepper. Her essay was sponsored by VFW Post 4422 in Taylor, where her grandmother Stephanie Krueger has been a long-time member of the VFW Auxiliary and was recently the state president of the organization.

There are two annual VFW competitions: the Patriots Pen essaywriting contest for middle school students and the Voice of Democracy speech contest for high school students.

John Fleming, chair of the Fourth District Voice of Democracy, said 17 posts in Wayne County sponsored speeches and 14 posts sponsored essays.

Amelia and other Trenton students received the Patriots Pen as a writing assignment.

The top essays at schools are presented for judging at VFW posts and then to the Fourth District level. At the district, or county, level, Amelia finished second to Sydney Christie, a seventh-grader at Inter-City Baptist School in Allen Park, whose essay was sponsored by VFW Post 2233 in Southgate. Sydney received $300. Third-place finisher Joshua Berwald of Grosse Ile Middle School received $100.

In her essay, Amelia vows to thank veterans for their sacrifices “through volunteering, good deeds, random acts of kindness or living a life of service to others.”

“My pledge to our veterans begins with promising to never take for granted the freedoms I have,” the essay says. “I think about my family members who have served and I am in awe of their bravery. I think of a family friend who is a single mom who served and I am\ inspired. The idea that people leave their families behind to serve our country is hard to imagine. Some pay with the ultimate sacrifice and that makes me both proud and sad. I hope when I grow up, I can be that brave.

“What can I do to honor and support our veterans? I can volunteer at the VFW like my family has done for generations when that opportunity comes, paying back in different ways to appreciate what they have given to me. I can treat all veterans with respect when I come in contact with them. I can live my life in a way that is inspirational, a manner that

is respected and a manner that is honoring those who fought and died for me and my freedom… the freedom that allows me to be me.”

Kristen Culpepper said her daughter wrote the essay “from the heart.” She said Amelia “is a normal kid who likes to hang out with friends.” She also plays volleyball, is a cheerleader

and has been a student of the month at her school. She is hoping to become a nurse someday.

Amelia’s classmate, Evan Beck, also represented Arthurs Middle School in the district competition of the Patriots Pen. He was sponsored by VFW Post 1888 in Trenton.

New record for Rotary

Amelia Doshoian accepts her prize. Amelia Doshoian

The Trenton Rotary Club helped fundraise $43,000 this December for the Salvation Army Wyandotte this December, an all time record. Trenton Rotarian Gloria Jabro and Bill Dillingham pack gift cards for needy teenagers. Others sorted and prepared Christmas packages that were then distributed the week before Christmas. If you would like to help, check out trentonrotary.net

Award-winning, one-person drama to benefit Historical Society

Sunday, Feb. 5, 7 pm.

In doing so, not only will they be immersed in an historical drama, but will be helping to benefit the Grosse Ile Historical Society. According to a performance advance delivered by Historical Society President Karin Cozzi and past president Tony Krukowski, “Michigan author Breeda Kelly Miller has created a live love letter to her late mother in her new one-woman play, Mrs. Kelly’s Journey Home, a touching theatrical tribute in which Miller portrays her mom, Mary Kelly, through Mrs. Kelly’s immigration from Ireland to America, matriarchal role raising her family, and struggle with dementia late in life.

of experiences felt by generations of immigrants and adults caring for their aged parents.

BILL STEVENSON

“This is a theatrical memoir filled with humor and poignant moments, with Breeda performing each role, introducing us to her parents, their families, and friends. Mrs. Kelly’s Journey Home will keep audiences riveted from the opening line to the closing blessing. It is a moving, joyous exploration of love, roots, and family.’

“After caring for her mother for six years until her death in 2011, Miller became a nationally known speaker, raising awareness and supporting the importance of self-care for caregivers.

She is the author of the book, The Caregiver Coffeebreak, a skilled storyteller whose ‘Ticket to Heaven’ tale was on NPR’s ‘The Moth Radio Hour’.”

“Named winner of the Wilde Award for the best one-person show of 2021-22 by EncoreMichigan, Michigan’s leading theater news organization, ‘Breeda Kelly Miller brings to life a funny and often profound look at her mother’s journey from her native Ireland through the end of her life, charting the type

Directed by Brian Cox, Mrs. Kelly’s Journey Home will make its Downriver premiere at the Trenton Village Theater, 2447 W. Jefferson, Trenton.

General admission tickets are $25 and VIP seating at $40 can be purchased online at Eventbrite or by calling 734-675-1250.

What’s happening Trenton ...

STATE OF THE CITY

Mayor Steven Rzeppa will address the State of the City on Feb. 6 at the Westfield Center. The event begins at 11 a.m. and is expected to run until 1:45 p.m.

The Mayor will address all the things happening in the city and the Trenton Business Association will honor two businesses with “Trenton Business of the year” awards.

The event, sponsored by the Trenton Rotary and the Trenton Business Association, is open to the public and carries a $25 fee, which includes lunch.

Reservations are required.

Call 734-676-9561 for information or to RSVP.

MIHL PREP SHOWCASE

The annual Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League High School Hockey Showcase returns to Trenton’s Kennedy Arena for the 10th consecutive season beginning Feb 3 and running for three days.

Twenty-one of the region’s best high school teams will each play two games over the course of the weekend.

Games begin at 5:20 on Feb. 3 and conclude at 7:15 on February 5.

Trenton plays Alpena at 5:30 on Feb. 4 and Calumet at 9 a.m. on Feb. 5.

Tickets are available at the door.

WINTER TREE HIKE

Join a park ranger at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Gateway on Feb. 25 for a short hike and discussion about identifying trees.

The session runs from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Call 734-365-0219 for more information.

AAUW SCHOLARSHIP

The Wyandotte-Downriver branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is offering a $2,500 scholarship in 2023, through its foundation, for all eligible applicants. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2023.

“The intent of this scholarship is to provide financial support, including tuition, fees, books and supplies to a Downriver native who is currently enrolled fulltime,” said Sheila Blair of Southgate, the Scholarship Committee Chair for the Foundation. The scholarship is for the Fall Semester of 2023, and will be paid directly to the chosen college or university on behalf of the student.

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident residing in any of the following communities:

Trenton, Allen Park, Brownstown, Ecorse, Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Grosse Ile, Huron Township, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, New Boston, River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Romulus, Southgate, Taylor, Woodhaven or Wyandotte.

They also must have earned a minimum of 12 college credits and be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student.

All interested students who wish to apply for this scholarship should send an email with the subject: “Academic Scholarship 2023” to aauwwd@gmail. com to receive the application form and guidelines.

The completed application, required essay and a copy of the applicant’s transcript must be sent to AAUW-WDF, 12883 Plum, Southgate, MI 48195, or via email to scholarship committee chair, Sheila Blair, at: aauwwd@gmail.com by the deadline date of March 31.

Downriver theater goers will have an opportunity to attend the award-winning Mrs. Kelly’s Journey Home, a poignant

one-woman play written and performed by Michigan author Breeda Kelly Miller, at the Trenton Village Theater on

Remembering Dr. Bettie Kay McGowan

JOHN HARTIG

On October 4, 2022, Dr. Bettie Kay McGowan passed away at the age of 79 after an amazing life of advocacy for human rights, academic scholarship, and generosity and kindness to all.

Kay and her twin sister –Fay Givens – were born in Ripley, Mississippi in 1942 to Francis Jewell Lockhart and Herman H. Givens. The family, including the twins’ older sister Mary Murphy, moved north to Detroit in her childhood.

Kay was an American Indian of Choctaw/Cherokee heritage and a social activist her entire life.

Early in her career she worked as a lobbyist for the poor, helped found the Michigan Citizens Lobby which successfully repealed the sales tax on groceries and medicine in Michigan, helped pass generic drug and auto repair legislation, helped establish the Friend of the Court Reform Act, and championed other pivotal initiatives. She cofounded First Step in 1981, a domestic violence shelter in southeast Michigan, and tirelessly advocated for the underrepresented.

While raising five children, Kay obtained her doctorate in anthropology from Wayne State University in 1994. She later taught courses in anthropology, native studies, and women’s studies at the University of Toledo, Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University, and Marygrove College for two decades.

In 1995, Kay was a delegate to the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China.

In the late 1990s, Kay and her sister Fay were involved in the Downriver fight to save Humbug Marsh – the last mile

of natural shoreline on the U.S. mainland of the Detroit River.

They provided a critical Native voice on how the First Peoples long recognized Humbug Marsh as sacred grounds and called on all to protect these lands and waters where Council Ring ceremonies were held.

She then wrote a “Native American History of the International Wildlife Refuge” in 2004 to help guide future education, outreach, and stewardship efforts of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.

Kay also served as vice-chair of the National Indian Youth Council in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Kay and her sister Fay represented American Indians at the United Nations over a 10-year span, resulting in a United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Their advocacy work focused, in part, on water as

a human right. In 2008, Kay addressed the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Clearly, Kay and Fay made an impact on a national and international level.

In 2010, Kay and Fay –longtime director of American Indian Services in Lincoln Park, Michigan – produced a documentary film titled Indian School: A Survivor’s Story that detailed some of

the many cases of abuse in American Indian Boarding Schools in the United States. This documentary arose from a talking circle of survivors at American Indian Services.

Kay was also an accomplished writer who loved to share her knowledge.

For example, she contributed a chapter on Native Americans and the river to a book titled Honoring Our Detroit River,

Caring for Our Home (2003), contributed an essay to the book Make a Beautiful Way: The Wisdom of Native American Women (2008), and most recently contributed a chapter on First Peoples of the river to the book titled Rouge River Revived: How People are Bringing Their River Back to Life (2022).

Kay received numerous awards, including being inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 2009. She is survived by her children, Thomas Campbell (Ronda), Patrick Campbell (Dawn), Katie McGowan (Goran), Dan McGowan (Anne), and Michael McGowan (Andrea), her grandchildren, Steve, Leo, Mary, Owen, Liam, Nika, and Bruce, and her sisters, nieces, and nephews. Kay’s love, kindness, and generosity will live on in her family and all who were privileged to work with her and call her a friend.