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Leads were played by seniors Christopher Connolly and Rahne Olson; juniors Ava Allen, Keila Gonzalez and Benny Miller; and sophomores Jason Kolbusz, Alex Rodd and Kira Saiti.

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Hometown hero honored

Veteran of Foreign Wars site is named for Joseph P. Berkey

...At a March 15, 2023 dual ceremony,Grosse Ile VFW building was officially named after Joseph P. Berkey for his life of service, dedication to our country, and his tireless efforts on behalf of VFW Post 7310, and the greater community it serves.

Wind chills hovered around 11 degrees, but that did not stop the more than 1,000 runners from hittin’ the streets to Rock Cystic Fibrosis.

Overall winner in the half marathon was Andrew Bowman of Rochester Hills with a blazing time of 1:06:03. Not far behind, the women’s champion in the half was Sydney Devore of Ferndale in a scorching 1:16:19.

In the 5K, Christopher McFarland of Cleveland, Ohio was chill with a time of 19:20, while Lauren Couls from Brighton was really cool in 21:14.

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Cast and Crew totaled 55 students who sang and danced their hearts out to audiences who sang and danced along with them.

The Winners Took it All in a weekend that proved Riverview’s got talent all over the place!

Thank you to all who supported Drama Club’s efforts!

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St. Cyprian Crafters make a difference for many

About 13 years ago, Anne Gilhool of Riverview suggested to Sister Anne, a nun at St. Cyprian Catholic Church, that they start a knitting group in the parish.

“I said, ‘I knit and I would like to knit with other people,’” Gilhool recalled. “She said ‘no.’ Six months later, someone donated 100 skeins of yarn.”

And equally officious— veterans, family, friends, and dignitaries also celebrated his centennial birthday. Remarkably, to top it off, his wife Ann also celebrated her 100 th birthday!

Longtime friends and fellow veterans, Gary Latendresse, Bill Iverson, and Post 7310 Commander Barry VanEngelen led the team that helped make the day possible, and keep it a secret from Berkey.

Even though the United States Navy doesn’t have an offi cial motto, the one most often used is Non sibi sed patriae—“Not self but country.” Other sources claim that “Semper Fortis,” is the Navy’s unoffi cial battle cry— “Always Courageous.” Whatever the case, those words aptly describe the life of Joe Berkey...

On page 1

Runners brave a frosty 2023 Rock CF race

...The 12th annual Rock CF Rivers Half Marathon and 5K races were held on Sunday, March 19 in what had to be the coldest race ever on Grosse Ile.

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Mamma Mia! What a show!

The Riverview Community High School Drama Club turned us all into Dancing Queens and Kings from March 16-18 at the high school!

Students began rehearsals in mid-January and transcended a bounty of obstacles to premiere three joyous, hilarious, entertaining performances to packed houses every night.

And the St. Cyprian Crafters were born.

Today, 40 women who knit, sew and crochet are making a difference and bringing joy to people and groups in the Downriver area. Their creations range from neonatal hats for tiny infants to blankets for wheelchair-bound veterans and senior citizens.

The crafters meet from 10 to 11:45 a.m. Thursdays at the social hall at St. Cyprian in Riverview. Besides infant caps and blankets, they create hats and scarves for people of all ages, baby items, quilts, dish cloths, adult bibs and even stuffed toys – whatever the need is that day, Gilhool said.

“Everyone has their own special gift and talent,” Gilhool said. “When I challenged the ladies two months ago to make toys for Easter, they responded by making 191 bunnies.”

On page 15

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Art Ambience Show and Sale call for artists

The 34th annual Art Ambience Show and Sale will be April 28-30 and the show is reaching out to area artists to participate.

Southgate Rotary invites the community

Free shred day on April 29 at Dick Genthe Chevrolet

The annual Free Community Shred Day hosted by the Rotary Club of Southgate is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 29, at Dick Genthe Chevrolet, 15600 Eureka Road. The service will be provided on site by a secure mobile document shredding company. Monetary donations will be accepted for a veterans project. Non-perishable food items will be collected for a local food pantry.

There is a limit of five boxes of paper. Permissible items include standard office paper, computer printouts, credit card receipts, envelopes, binders, photocopies, photographs and checks. Non-permitted items include books, magazines, X-ray film, computers and accessories.

Kenny Beesley has played a lot of sports in his lifetime, but he has never been as close to professional athletes until now.

Beesley is a ballboy during Detroit Lions home football games.

As the Rev. Kenny Beesley Jr., he also is lead pastor of First Baptist Church of Wyandotte.

The pastor oversees a 10 a.m. Sunday worship service at the church at 1925 Ford and then heads to Ford Field in Detroit on days when the Lions are playing there. Some days, he cuts it close, but he has never missed the start of a game yet.

Beesley and fellow Wyandotte native Rob McMahon, who has been a friend since kindergarten, are part of the game-day staff...

On page 1

Annual Miss Amazing Pageant scheduled for May 6

...The annual Michigan Miss Amazing Pageant is set for Saturday, May 6 at Novi Civic Center.

It’s open to girls ages five and up with a disability

This is a unique show since it highlights only the Downriver artists. There is a juried fine art show and sale and a non-juried smaller works show and sale.

Dick Genthe Chevrolet is the sponsor of the day. Rotarians said last year’s shred day had a “huge turnout.”

For more information call Fran Waszkiewicz at (313) 633-9916.

On page 1 and there’s no fee to participate.

Spread the word! You can find out more about the organization, and sign up to participate or volunteer here: https://missamazing.org/chapters/MI

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Three Bears place at wrestling state finals

Last year there were more than 150 pieces of original artwork on display. Cash Awards are over $800.

The Fine Art section will be juried by a qualified artist who resides outside the Downriver area. This art exhibit show and sale will be held at the beautiful Woodhaven Community Center 23101 Hall Road

On page 9 gobigmultimedia.com/wyandotte-warrior

Wyandotte church pastor is a ballboy for the Detroit Lions

Three Roosevelt wrestlers went to the Michigan High School Athletic Association state wrestling meet at Ford Field and all three placed.

Senior Christian Byrne led the way with a fourthplace finish at 144 pounds. Junior Michael Stathakis (175 points) and Max Biundo (157 pounds) each finished up sixth.

Byrne lost his first finals match 8-4 to Ethan Wood of Byron Center. He then embarked on a four-match winning streak to get himself into the match for third place.

To get there he beat Milford’s Grant Stec 10-4, he pinned Romeo’s Zach Zehnder, he beat Jake Ferguson of Macomb Dakota 3-2 and he won by forfeit over Evan Harriman of Davison.

In the third-fourth place match, Byrne ran into Rockford’s Jak Keller and lost by pinfall.

Byrne concluded his senior year with a 43-4 record. At 175 pounds, Stathakis won his first two matches before running into undefeated and eventual state champ Josh Barr of Davison. Barr won by technical fall, sending Stathakis into the match for fifth-sixth place. There Stathakis lost by forfeit to Brock Trevino of Clarkston.