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During a recent visit from BASF’s Kid’s Lab, Wilson Middle School students in Mrs. Montemayor’s 7th-grade science class got an eyeopening, up-close look at the world of science and chemistry. Simple experiments helped the students gain hands-on knowledge how chemistry affects our everyday lives. Kid’s Lab is presented by BASF in more than 30 countries.

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WYANDOTTE WARRIOR < February 23 - March 22, 2019 < Page 3

Wyandotte is first stop

Tin Can Tourists Celebrate 100-Year Anniversary

fraternally all auto campers.” Their guiding principles were clean camps, friendliness among campers, decent behavior and to secure plenty of clean, wholesome entertainment for those in camp. The group grew rapidly during the ‘20s and ‘30s. By 1932 estimates of club size ranged from 30,000 to 100,000.

But the Great Depression and the second World War took their toll on the organization and it never really recovered. By the 1980s there really was nothing left of the Tin Can Tourists.

In 1998, Downriver-area residents Forrest and Jeri Bone renewed the club as an all make and model vintage trailer and motor coach club A renewal gathering was held at Camp Dearborn, Hank Minckiewicz Wyandotte Warrior

Almost as soon as the first mass produced cars rolled off Henry Ford’s assembly line, people got the urge to travel. And travel they did. And those travelers formed clubs.

The Tin Can Tourists, America’s oldest trailer and motor coach club, is celebrating its 100th anniversary with events and rallies scheduled throughout the United States in 2019.

The group will kick off its Michigan celebrations on Friday, April 26 in Wyandotte. Showing off an array of vintage campers, the group will hold forth in the theater lot, located at Elm and 1st Streets, from 5-9 p.m. Tours are free to the public.

In keeping with TCT history, the public is asked to bring canned food goods to benefit the Waynewright Community Community Meals (The Wyandotte Soup Kitchen) or in step with today’s TCT, clean plastic bags to be recycled and repurposed into sleeping mats for the homeless by the Downriver group - We are Planers. Members from these organizations will be on site to personally receive the public’s donations and to answer questions about their missions.

This historic club, once the domain of travelers in the early 1920s who drove Model T Fords and tented along the sides of America’s two-lane roads, represents the very beginnings of our nations $13

The group grew rapidly during the ‘20s and ‘30s. By 1932 estimates of club size ranged from 30,000 to 100,000 billion dollar recreational vehicle industry.

In the early 20th century, people travelled south in large numbers and many communities opened up city parks for them to set up and stay for the night.

Because these travelers carried food with them mostly in can form - they became known as tin can tourists. The name stuck and a group officially named the Tin Can Tourists was formed in 1919.

The group’s stated objective was “to unite

Milford and twenty-one rigs attended. By the end of the year, fifty members were accepted as charter members of the renewed version of the Tin Can Tourists The group has grown steadily, currently holding Annual Gatherings in Michigan, Florida, and regional rallies at various locations in the U.S. Recently regional representatives have been added to represent England, Japan and France.

The new version of Tin Can Tourists is open to all.

Its goal is to abide by the original group’s objectives and guiding principles as well as the promotion and preservation of vintage trailers and motor coaches through gatherings and information exchange.

To celebrate its 100th Year, the TCT will hold rallies, caravans, and special events across America in many places where the Club’s members historically traveled, always following the guiding principles of clean camps, friendliness, decent behavior, and enjoying plenty of wholesome entertainment.

Today, the group, originally known for the distinctive TCT logo, has regrown and now boasts SEE TIN CAN, Page 4

Page 4 > February 23 - March 22, 2019 > WYANDOTTE WARRIOR

Welcome to Wyandotte

Last month, Community Choice Credit Union opened the doors of its Wyandotte office. They held a special ribbon cutting on Jan. 29 and the guest speaker was Brian Wilson, Community Choice’s Vice President of Retail Delivery. The new office, smack downtown, is open and accepting new customers.

Photos by Larry Caruso

TIN CAN Continued from page 3 over 2,000 club members and over 40,000 Facebook followers.

“Our tour of these classic campers is a reminder of a simpler time and place, says Forrest Bone, the Club’s national president. “Our members are eager to display their own personal campers and motor coaches, ranging in age from the 1930s to the 1980s. Each one is a beautiful example of America’s love affair with the emerging concept of leisure time, family vacations, and freedom on the open road.”

“Our members also enjoy showing off their collections of vintage tow vehicles, luggage, camping items, tools and appliances,” said TCT Hall of Famer and member John Truitt of Wyandotte. “Whether you’re looking to enjoy classic camping in a smaller more efficient space, or just want to bask in the nostalgic glow of past family vacations, you will enjoy this event.”

Approximately 30 vintage trailers and coaches ranging in age from the 1930s to the 1980s can be toured

during this evening event. It’s well worth the drive to see these original “tiny homes” and meet the people who have lovingly restored them to their former glory.

The Tin Can Tourists were in Wyandotte during the fall two years ago and Truitt said the weather was just

beautiful that time.

“We’re excited to becoming back and just hoping for good weather again, he said.

Truitt, the unofficial/official photographer for the group, said that one of the big draws of Tin Can Tourists is the friendliness and

camaraderie of the group.

“These people like to have fun, they like to talk with visitors,” Truitt said.

The Tin Can Tourists don’t just show off their campers, they stay in the as well and different people approach these events different ways, Truitt said. Some just come and display their vehicle, staying low key, while others dress in vintage clothing and stage their trailers with period appropriate camping items.

“You’ve heard of Civil War reenactors, well we have people who are camping reenactors,” said Truitt, who himself owns three vintage campers.

Truitt added that he is thrilled to have what he calls “real jewels” coming to the Wyandotte event, including a 1952 Vagabond steel body trailer and a 1935 Bowlus Chieftain, of which there are only 13 left on the road today, according to Truitt.

So when the trailers arrive, come on down and take a look, but be forewarned, you may leave this event with a firm urge to start searching for your own stylish vintage camper!

WYANDOTTE WARRIOR < February 23 - March 22, 2019 < Page 5

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WYANDOTTE WARRIOR < February 23 - March 22, 2019 < Page 7

Filmmaker cop named to his high school Wall of Fame Paula Neuman Wyandotte Warrior

Throughout his adult life in many roles, Scott Galeski of Wyandotte has mentored thousands of children.

Some of those kids have survived the worst kinds of abuse. Some are considered disadvantaged or at risk. And some are honor roll students. Galeski came into contact with them as a police detective, as a sports coach and as founder and director of the Downriver Detroit Student Film Consortium.

Always, he empathized with those kids and saw their potential.

And for that and for his awarded police work, he’s been named to the Roosevelt Galeski High School Wall of Fame, an honor that both thrills and humbles him, he said.

He was nominated by LaToya Chatman of Wyandotte, mother of two sons mentored by Galeski.

She wrote in her letter of nomination that he has played a significant role in her children’s lives ever since he first met them as a police detective responding to a crime in 2011.

“Scott is coordinator of the Downriver Student Film Consortium, where he plays many roles in

these children’s lives — role model, advisor, listener, teacher and friend, and most of all a father figure,” Chatman wrote. “He has given so much of his time and love to the children of this community.”

Galeski was a standout athlete at Roosevelt, where he earned eight varsity letters and regional and state honors. He went on to serve students as a coach for 30 years in Downriver school districts, and as a coach with Little League and various recreation teams.

He joined the Wyandotte Police Department, after serving as 1990 class president at the Wayne County Regional Police Academy. Galeski was promoted to detective in 2004 — the third generation of his family to serve in that capacity. From 1999-2004, Galeski worked as an undercover narcotics officer in Detroit with the Michigan State Police. A highly awarded officer, Galeski served as a DARE officer, as lead investigator of crimes against children with the Downriver Violent Crimes Task Force, with the Downriver Arson Task Force, with the Downriver Crisis Negotiator Team and with the Rapid Response Team known as SWAT. As a police officer, he earned numerous honors, including the Police Meritorious Citation in 1992, 1997 and 2009; the Chief’s Unit Service Award in 1993, 1998 and 2014; a Congressional Police Medal in 1999, and he was named National Narcotics Operative of the Year in 2003. In 2002, he was Wyandotte Police Officer of the Year, and in 2004, he was honored with the Child Advocacy Award.

Galeski continued to coach and serve as a mentor to

young people throughout his law enforcement career.

Acting on a childhood dream, he became an independent filmmaker in 2009, five years before he retired from the police force. Some of his films, including “The Tank,” which featured real convicts, have been shown all over the world and won many awards. Galeski is founder of Ring of Fire Entertainment, which has produced dozens of independent films and videos.

In 2016, with his wife Noel, Galeski founded the Downriver Student Film Consortium — a way to unleash young talent, help disadvantaged youth, and make more movies. Under Galeski’s guidance, the students’ films have won honors, including a Best of Show award at the Digital Arts Film and Television Festival.

Galeski works as a school truant officer, as well — a job in keeping with his lifelong passion to help children at risk.

His community contributions have earned him recognition, as well. He is president of the Trenton/ Wyandotte Lodge of Masons, and a board member for the Downriver Council for the Arts. He was honored with President Volunteer Service Awards in 2008, 2009 and 2010; and in 2015, President Barak Obama honored Galeski with a President’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Galeski is also a devoted family man. He and Noel are parents to Brittany and Stephen and grandparents to Weston

Long-time elected official named to high school Wall of Fame

Palamara

Paula Neuman Wyandotte Warrior

Joseph Palamara has public service in his blood.

He’s been an elected official representing Downriver since 1984.

His father, Sam Palamara, who died Jan. 10 at the age of 90, was an administrator in the Wyandotte Recreation Department for 25 years, an elected member of the Wyandotte City Council and active in many community

organizations.

Joseph Palamara, a resident of Grosse Ile, has been named to the 2019 Roosevelt High School Distinguished Graduate Wall of Fame for his decades of public service. His father earned the same honor in 1994, and that means a great deal to the son.

“That’s what makes this so special and humbling,” said Joseph Palamara, who graduated from Roosevelt in 1971.

“I am honored beyond words. The first thing I thought of when I heard about it was my dad.”

Joseph Palamara was first elected as a state representative in 1984, and he served for seven terms until term limits first took effect. In 1998, he was elected to the Wayne County Commission, where he currently serves as vice chairman. He also serves on the commission’s committees of Ways and Means, Economic Development and Public Services. The district he represents comprises Grosse Ile Township, Wyandotte, Ecorse, River Rouge, Gibraltar, Riverview, Southgate

and Trenton.

Palmara was first nominated for the Wall of Fame by former Southgate Mayor Norma Wurmlinger, another Wall of Fame inductee who graduated from Roosevelt in 1949. That was a few years ago. More recently, Palamara was nominated for the honor again by former Wyandotte Mayor James Wagner.

Palamara — like his father who played professional minor league baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox and Brooklyn Dodgers — was a top-rated athlete.

In his senior year at Michigan State University, he led the Spartans’ baseball team in hitting, received his team’s Sportsmanship Award and was named to the All-Big Ten and AllAmerican teams as a second baseman.

He graduated from MSU with a degree in business, and in 1985 he earned his juris doctorate degree from the Detroit College of Law (now MSU College of Law), going to school at night while he worked during the day.

He been licensed to practice law for more than 30 years.

His wife Aline and both of his parents are Roosevelt High School graduates, and, while Palamara has been honored before in many ways, he considers being named to the school’s Wall of Fame as “one of the greatest honors of my life,” he said.

And coming so soon after losing his father makes the honor that much more meaningful.

“It’s very emotional for all of us,” Palamara said. “I’m grateful.”

He serves as a member of the Michigan Association of Counties Board of Directors, is a former member of the Board of Directors of Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital and a former member of the Aerotropolis Executive Board. He was master of ceremonies when President Bill Clinton visited Wyandotte, and has served as a guest lecturer at the Detroit College of Law. A devoted family man, Palamara and his wife are parents to Lauren, Lance and Samantha and grandparents to four.

Page 8 > February 23 - March 22, 2019 > WYANDOTTE WARRIOR

Wyandotte student wins $25,000 scholarship Paula Neuman Wyandotte Warrior

Roosevelt High School senior Joshua Kish is an artist, a scholar, a volunteer, a worker at Taco Bell after school — and a winner.

Joshua is one of only three students in Michigan and 106 in the United States and Canada to be awarded a 2019 Horatio Alger National Scholarship.

Kish The award is for $25,000, divided into $5,000 for each year of college, and $10,000 for the fourth year if the student is ready to graduate.

It also includes a trip next month to Washington, D.C., so Joshua can go to the Horatio Alger National Scholars Conference, and he’ll also have free access throughout his college career to resources including counseling, alumni connections and internship

opportunities.

He’s thrilled, of course, so have won the scholarship, and has been accepted to Michigan State University where he plans to major in electrical engineer and minor in art.

“After college, I hope to be able to give back to my community and be someone who inspires others as my role models inspire me,” Joshua said.

He has a lot of people to thank for his success.

“This scholarship would honestly never have been possible if it wasn’t for my high school counselor, Mr. Derek Hoffman,” Joshua said. “He was the one who brought this scholarship to my attention, and he and I have been working closely since he started at Roosevelt. He truly has been a great mentor, and I am very thankful for him, and I know he will continue to be a true inspiration for me and everyone else he meets. Along with him, I want to thank all of the great teachers and administrators at Roosevelt.

“All of my family has been immensely supportive of me, and I love them for that. Most importantly, my mom, Frannie Kish, is someone that

I could never had done this without.

She has loved and believed in me even when I may have not, and I cannot thank her enough for that.”

Joshua has applied for other scholarships, and said he’ll keep applying for more. Meanwhile, his time is jam-packed with school, work and other activities.

“I’m a lieutenant on the Downriver Detroit Police Cadets through the Wyandotte Police Department. In that program, which I have belonged to since eighth grade, we build character, learn life lessons revolving around police work, and often volunteer for different community-related events,” he said.

“In school, I am a part of the Student Council, Art Club, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Key Club, Book Club, Quiz Bowl and the Teen Task Force. I will also be joining the golf team this spring.”

He loves art, but also enjoys English and science in school.

He has advice for younger students who might like to excel as he has.

“I think the most important advice I have ever heard was that tough time

don’t last, but tough people do,” Joshua said. “It is incredibly easy to forget that there is light at the end of the tunnel you may be in, but remembering that there is a way out means you do have something to be happy and motivated for. Without that motivation, I know I would not be pursuing my dreams.”

If he had the time, he like to read all the classics, try out various art media and follow his passion for film.

“I suppose that something not everyone knows about me is my love for both the creative and business sides of movie making,” Joshua said.

“As a kid, I wanted to become a bigtime movie director, and I have never really stopped being interested in the process.”

The Horatio Alger National Scholarship awards outstanding students who show commitment to furthering their education and serving their communities, even in the face of challenges. Winners must maintain a grade point average of 3.75 or higher and come from low-income households. The scholarship program is privately funded.

Wyandotte VFW’s nominee wins Teacher of the Year Paula Neuman Wyandotte Warrior

Her students normally see Minchon Lince walking up the and down the rows of seats in the classroom five days a week as she teaches them social studies at Riverview Community High School.

She assigns them papers to write, and they groan and roll their eyes, like students everywhere. But Lince is more than a commonplace teacher, and her classroom is more than ordinary.

Often, especially when she encourages her kids to talk about current events, they really think about the subjects at hand, light up Lince and participate. And when they talk about wars in class— an inevitable part of learning about American and world history — she invites veterans to come talk to the students, to share experiences first-hand about their military service and about the issues that affected them when they came home.

Lince, who since 2001 has been teaching in

Riverview, where she herself grew up and went to school, is appreciated by her students — and by the veterans who are members of the VFW, as well.

“Over the years, this remarkable teacher has had numerous former students return to visit her,” wrote David Beauchamp, a member of VFW Post 1136 in Wyandotte and chairman of the post’s annual Voice of Democracy contest. “They tell her how much they loved her class and how wonderful of a teacher she is.”

He wrote those words in a letter nominating Lince for the Voice of Democracy Teacher of the Year contest. She won the honor for District 4, and then she went on to be named VFW Teacher of the Year for the entire state of Michigan.

She’ll advance to national competition in April.

“Students from Ms. Lince’s class have expressed the importance of learning our Constitution and freedom it grants all of us, a privilege that most other countries do not have,” Beauchamp wrote.

The contest also honors students, who first write a two-page paper assigned by Lince on the theme the VFW has chosen for that year, and then — if students choose to go further — they record a video of themselves reading their essays. That video is judged

by VFW members.

“I usually have between 40 and 50 entrants every

year,” Lince said. “I ask them if they want to go above and beyond.”

Or students can enter the contest through artwork illustrating the theme, she said. Her kids don’t always win, although she had one win twice at the district level and go on to state competition.

But it’s about learning more than winning.

“Out of all the disciplines in school, I think it’s social studies that really targets the character of the kids,” Lince said. “It’s about the things that make students reflect on themselves and world and not repeat the mistakes. I think these kids are more in tune with current events than I was as a teenager.”

She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science at Albion College, her teaching certificate at Eastern Michigan University and her master’s in teaching and learning through Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

As a college student in 1988, she spent four months in the Middle East, studying the PalestinianIsraeli conflict, and in 1989, she completed Officer Candidate School for the U.S. Marine Corps in Quantico, Va. She declined her commission after graduating.

“At first, she questioned her decision, but after just a few years of teaching, she knows she made the correct decision,” Beauchamp wrote.

WYANDOTTE WARRIOR < February 23 - March 22, 2019 < Page 9

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WYANDOTTE WARRIOR < February 23 - March 22, 2019 < Page 11

What’s old is new again

Local artist repurposes items into stunning art There is a plaque right in the lamp saying, presented for lifetime achievement from the citizens of Wyandotte.

Hank Minckiewicz Wyandotte Warrior

Paul Affholter, a retiree from DTE, has no formal art training, but you’d never believe that after checking out some of his amazing pieces.

Affholter specializes in “repurposed art,” the ability to take everyday objects and turn them into something more than just the sum of their parts; some bits of metal become a plane, a block of wood and a motorcycle gas tank becomes a lamp, tin ceiling panels becomes a beautiful, colorful wall hangings.

It’s hard to pigeonhole the work that Affholter does. He paints, yes, but he is not just a painter, he sculpts, but he is more than a sculptor. He carves, he stains and tinkers and when he is done - magic.

Recently Affholter created a lamp using an old fireman’s helmet and a brass nozzle he found at an antique store. It was a glittering masterpiece and Wyandotte Mayor Joe Peterson saw it online and bought with the idea of presenting it to the Wyandotte Fire Department and installing it in the newly renovated fire station.

After making contact with Affholter, Peterson found out he also made a police lamp so the mayor - a former Wyandotte cop - bought that piece, too, and gave it the police department.

After meeting Peterson and learning about his past - he has been in the military, been with the WPD and been a city councilman before being elected mayor - Affholter decided to build a personalized lamp for the mayor.

Using items from Peterson’s time in Viet Nam, his law enforcement years, like handcuffs and his original badge, and various items from his time in city government, Affholter crafted a one-of-a-kind personal memento and presented it to the mayor.

Affholter is quick to point out that his is not a personal gift from him, but a thank-you from all the citizens of Wyandotte.

“There is a plaque right in the lamp saying, presented for lifetime

Paul Affholter (left) and Mayor Joe Peterson

achievement from the citizens of Wyandotte,” Affholter said. “The mayor has done so much for the community and the country that it seemed right to do this.”

For his part, Peterson was blown away by the gift.

“When you see it, it’s my whole life,” Peterson said. “It starts when I was a 17-year-old kid and I went to Viet Nam, to my time with the police, to now. I see this thing and it’s like getting into a time capsule. I can’t believe how awesome this is.”

Peterson posted the lamp on Facebook and it gained a lot of notoriety, but it is just one of many, many pieces that Affholter has and has created.

“I’ve always had a mechanical mind and I’ve always liked to create things,” said Affholter. “I really just never had the time to really focus on that.”

After retiring, time became more readily available and “my mind started opening up,” Affholter said.

Affholter said he likes working in

steel and he likes making big projects, but the bigger objects take up lots of space and are harder to sell than smaller ones.

To make his projects more marketable, he makes much of his art “functional,” incorporating a clock or lamp into the mix.

To get material for his projects, Affholter says he cruises antique shops and resale stores. And he rarely has any idea what he’s going to do with his purchases.

“As long as it’s interesting, I’ll buy it,” he said.

As a painter, Affholter, who is a member of the Downriver Council for the Arts, tends to favor abstract works and he also finds himself drawn to pieces that require multiple materials and precise threading and fitting. That has led to quite and eclectic assortment of art pieces designed, exhibited and sold by him.

Shortly after starting his foray into the art world, Affholter’s good friend John Martin, bought a lathe

and began fooling around with his lifelong passion - woodworking - and before you know it, he, like Affholter, had what amounted to inventory.

So the two got together and formed “Repurposed Art Plus More.” You can find them on Facebook and connect there if you see items you like. The pair, along with their wives, who contribute their handmade jewelry and other items, also attend craft fairs around the area.

Some of the things Martin makes are cutting boards, pepper mills and beautiful, hand-turned pens. He has pens especially for hunters, firemen, members of the military and just about anyone you can imagine.

“The staining and finish John puts on wood is just unbelievable,” said Affholter. “It’s really beautiful.”

Martin actually turned, carved and finished the small mayor’s gavel that adorns the lamp that Affholter presented to Peterson.

“More people should know about these guys,” said the mayor. “They are real artists and their stuff is just amazing.”

If you are interested in the work of Affholter or Martin, find Repurpose or Plus More on Facebook.

You can also meet them and check out there art in person at the sixth annual Downriver Indie Art Fair at the James R. DeSana Center for Arts and Culture, 81 Chestnut, Wyandotte on March 8 and 9. The event runs 6-9 p.m. on Friday, March 8 and from 10 a.m. 6 p.m. Saturday, March 9.

There will be more than 50 artists at the three-floor art fest, jam-packed into the centuries old arts center. The event features of independent makers, artists and do-it-yourselfers. There will also be raffles, musics and food and drink for sale.

Page 12 > February 23 - March 22, 2019 > WYANDOTTE WARRIOR

Stepping out in style!

Chamber black-tie expo excites guests with Oscar theme Paula Neuman

F

Wyandotte Warrior

ifty or so diverse businesses — small, large and nonprofit — showed their wares and services to about 300 elegantly clad people at the annual Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber’s Black Tie Gala and Expo Feb. 8.

The event has an Oscar theme, which didn’t disappoint, said chamber President Ron Hinrichs.

“People seemed very excited,” he said. “They came in black tie and ball gowns, and that’s exactly what we were hoping for. Vendors also played along with the theme.

A chamber business member had a photo setup where people could hold an Oscar statuette and have their picture taken, and Sterling Office Systems of Livonia had a 3D printer set up and they were printing little Oscar statuettes.”

About 15 restaurant also offered sumptuous fare for the partygoers.

The three-hour event, held at Crystal Gardens in Southgate, offered everyone a chance to dine, mingle and network, which is the intent of the expo, formerly held by the Downriver Community Conference and Downriver Metroplex Alliance. It used to be a three-day affair held at Yack Arena in Wyandotte.

The chamber took it over, and in 2018, moved it to Crystal Gardens after “reassessing the needs and desires of our membership,” Hinrich said.

And the event’s afterglow, featuring a live band, was “just a blast,” he added.

Edgardo Cabrera and Molly Russ of Whiskey on the Water in Wyandotte accept the award for “best entree” during the Southern Wayne County Chamber Black Tie event. The entree of choice was Whiskey Salmon.

Smugglers Run of Wyandotte earned the “Best Dessert” award during the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber Black Tie. Accepting the prize was owner Kevin Travers and cook Guinevere Meyhew.

Award winners from the expo are: • Best Chef Presentation: Grosse Ile Golf & County Club • Best Appetizer: Beaumont Trenton • Best Entrée: Whiskeys on the Water • Best Dessert: Smugglers on the River • Best Booth: Sterling Office Systems • Best Multiple Booth: Monroe Bank & Trust • Best Interactive Booth: Downriver Community Federal Credit

Chamber Black Tie committee members Krishelle Kohler Wiley (left) of Eldercare on Grosse Ile and Mary Jane Fallot of Mary Jane’s Gifts in Lincoln Park.

Marty and Kim Janeski of Wyandotte were named one of the best dressed couples of the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber’s Black Tie event. Marty owns Key Awards and Engraving.

Downriver linked greenways celebrates, looks to the future Bill Stevenson Wyandotte Warrior

The quality of life Downriver just got better. At least that’s what people were saying as they attended the Downriver Linked Greenways’, “Trail Triumphs” presentation at the Flat Rock Community Center on Jan. 22. And it was more than just sayin’. They were showing.

The Greenways event brought together civic and business leaders, environmentalists, outdoor enthusiasts, and members of the Beaumont Health Care system in a mini-expo program to celebrate the progress made in the growing network of land and water trails Downriver since 1998, and to announce future recreational enhancements to the more than 100 miles of blueways and greenways in our corner of southeastern Michigan.

The Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative began in 1998 at a meeting of mayors and government officials called by the late State Representative George Mans. Rockwood mayor Dan Guzzi was in attendance and recalls, “It was an initial visioning meeting where plans from other states with extensive outdoor networking plans were presented. It was like building Disneyland, except the question was ‘how are we going to pay for this?’”

The following year, a Downriver Summit, hosted by Congressman John D. Dingell helped to formulate the community-driven regional effort to coordinate non-motorized transportation like biking, walking, hiking, and kayaking in the Downriver area. Eventually, the state of Michigan approved a five percent allocation for non-motorized multi-use trails from the Department of Transportation funds given to counties and municipalities.

Anita Twardesky, President of the Downriver Linked Greenways said,” We have a great community Downriver and are very fortunate to have so many parks, hiking and biking trails, rivers, and other waterways. This gathering today acknowledges what an asset

we have and furthers the vision to make Downriver a statewide tourist destination.

“The communities, nonprofits, businesses, and health care community understand the importance of connectivity and partnership moving

ahead.”

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-U.S. 12th District), supported the collaborative vision in saying, “Every day, John (former U.S. Congressman John D. Dingell) asks me ‘what have you done for the Wildlife Refuge

today?’ “The water connects us.

“I grew up in St. Clair, Michigan and fished in the river, swam in the river.

The water connects us. And the trails connect us to the water. By working together, we can attract new businesses, celebrate our Downriver heritage, and improve the quality of life for all our citizens.”

“Yes, by working together, you can get something done.”

At the confab, Twardesky also announced a partnership with the Friends of the Detroit River, represented by David Howell, Chairman of FDR, and owner of Total Runner to further advance opportunities for outdoor recreation. Additional partners in the trail network include the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Iron Belle Trail, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Design and Access Funds, Riverside Kayak Connection, Michigan Sea Grant, Wayne County Parks, Downriver municipalities, and Beaumont Health.

The highlight of the meeting was the unveiling of eleven Downriver Linked Greenways kiosks, road decals, and signage markers that will be placed along the trails from Rockwood to Riverview to River Rouge, and parts in between. Many of the signs will not only provide direction, but also create places that reflect the heritage and unique culture of Downriver.

The expansion of the Downriver Linked Greenways includes linkage to the Iron Belle Trail. While the Iron Belle may conjure images of Rosie the Riveter or your favorite WWF wrestler, the origin of the name is less prosaic.

It’s the longest state designated trail in the United States, stretching from Belle Isle to Ironwood, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula.

More than 1,273 miles of multi-use trails along the eastern side of the state, traversing the northern shore of Lake Michigan along the Wisconsin border make up the bicycle route, with 791 miles of hiking trails cutting across the Lower Peninsula and traversing the SEE GREENWAYS, Page 14

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Natural Connection

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Continued from page 13 Lake Superior shoreline.

Also at the program, Beaumont Health produced a video promoting the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of an active lifestyle and healthy eating. Besides telling the story of 86 -year –old Trenton resident, Norma Baker who had quadruple bypass open heart surgery on her 80th birthday, the film showcases the Downriver Linked Greenways.

And to further spark motivation and wanderlust, SEMCOG announced a new virtual Southeast Michigan Trail Explorer where you can check out your route and points along both biking and hiking trails Downriver, using Terrain 360.

But just don’t take anyone’s word for it. Get out there, go see for yourself. Your quality of life just got better.

If you would like to see Beaumont’s video on their Get Walking/Downriver Greenways, go to youtube.com/watch?v=n5uhdBzSOO4 To view SEMCOG’s site, go to http://semcog. org “Southeast Michigan Trail Explorer.”

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GREENWays

Hands-on science Photos by Larry Caruso

Mrs. Montemayor’s 7th-grade science class at Wilson Middle School was recently turned into a working laboratory as BASF’s Kids Lab program showed up for a day of roll-up-your sleeves science fun. The program, which is run in more than 30 countries, is an interactive, fun and free chemistry education program designed for kids aged 6 to 12 years to discover the world of chemistry through simple and safe experiments. The aim of the program is to nurture children’s interest in chemistry and to help young generation recognize how chemistry around us can help protect the environment and create a sustainable future.

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Alice Baker celebrates 30 years with Police Department Paula Newman Wyandotte Warrior

Members of the Wyandotte Police Department surprised long-time staff member Alice Baker recently with balloons and a cake to mark her 30th year on the job.

The department posted photos of the celebration on social media, and Baker got scores of congratulatory comments.

Some of those wishing her well thought she was retiring. That’s not the case. Baker continues to do stellar work at the records supervisor at the Police Department “It’s going to more than cake to get rid of me,” she said with a laugh.

She loves her coppers and she loves her job. The officers, 13 of whom weren’t even born when Baker started working for the department, love her right back, although she’s a force to be reckoned with from time to time, and they treat her with respect.

“Some of the young officers call me Mrs. Baker, because they were raised right and it’s respectful, but it’s terrible,” Baker said again with her characteristic laugh.

She’s now older than nearly everyone she works with, but that’s OK. “All those little kids who are cops are running around with guns,” Baker said, laughing. “They know they have to keep me happy.”

And that means doing the formfilling and writing the incident reports — work that is drudgery to most cops.

Baker knows her coppers have more important things to do.

“Their job is not to worry so much about the paperwork, although in the long run, it becomes very important,” she said.

In 1989, she was taking orders and waiting on tables at Young’s Kitchen, where officers often came in to grab a bite. They encouraged her to apply for a job opening as a dispatcher at the Police Department.

She did, and the rest is history.

The work was completely different 30 years ago than it is now, Baker said.

“I was the dispatcher on the shift when I hired in,” she said. “You sat with your command officer and everyone else was on the road. There were no cell phones, no way to figure out where someone was at by pinging their cell phone.”

Baker

She had to find out where callers were, sometimes by asking them to describe things around them so she could figure out their location.

“I was there even before calling 911 was involved,” Baker said. “Oh, gosh.

It’s a whole new animal now.”

She went from being a dispatcher to working as a secretary in the Detective Bureau.

Wyandotte Mayor Joseph Peterson was a police detective then.

“I loved working with her in the Detective Bureau,” the mayor said. “I want to tell you, she was the best! She was like a training supervisor for the young officers.”

Eventually, her job led to her current work as supervisor of the Records Bureau. She moved from Lincoln Park to Wyandotte in 1971, when she got married, and, of course, Baker knows a lot of people in her town. She also sees every police report. And that means she has to be discreet — something she’s known for.

“It’s a small town,” she said. “Word gets around, and you don’t want to be the cause of that. You have to be very careful.”

In fact, her first word of advice for new Police Department staffers

anywhere is to protect the information they see and not blab about any of it, whether they know the people involved or not.

“The first thing is discretion,” Baker said. “That’s of the utmost importance.

The next thing is accuracy. You’ve got to be accurate. If you transpose a number, you’ve now merged two separate people. You might be giving someone a criminal record when they’ve done nothing.”

She ends up knowing a lot of what might be embarrassing things about some of the people in town, but Baker doesn’t judge.

“You have to have empathy,” she said. “People get themselves into situations they never imagined getting themselves into.”

She knows that a lot of people think poorly of police officers, and she wishes that wasn’t the case.

“If you get yourself in a bad situation, they’re there for you,” she said. “They’re there to take care of you.

When push comes to shove, they’re great.”

When an officer is sick or dies, as happened last year when veteran Wyandotte Detective Jay Sharpes lost his life to leukemia, the members and

staffers of the department pull together and show their true mettle, she said.

“What I’ve noticed more than anything is how the people I work with work together,” Baker said.

“Everyone’s your team.”

And that’s the best part of the job — the people she works with.

The hardest part of the job is keeping up with the legal changes and requirements from the state and federal governments.

“You’re constantly changing your way of doing things to comply with the requirements,” Baker said. “And you have to comply.”

One specific type of report cannot be copied. Baker types that record on a typewriter, not on a computer where the report could be easily copied or shared.

Her part-time assistant is 23, and was amazed to see a typewriter in use.

“She’d never seen a typewriter,” Baker said with a hearty laugh — another thing she is known for in the Police Department where she’s worked for the last 30 years.

“She does a great job of keeping everyone and everything in order around here,” Police Chief Brian Zalewski said.

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Sports The Mighty Thor

Former Roosevelt standout excited about future Hank Minckiewicz

T

Wyandotte Warrior

yler Thorington was on the turnpike returning to Michigan after spending the summer in New York when the phone rang. It was a representative of the Cape Cod Baseball League, calling to see if Thorington would be available to pitch for one of the league’s playoff-qualifying teams.

It was a tempting offer, the Cape Cod League is one of the best summer leagues in America for college baseball players. Thorington thought about turning around and heading back to the east coast, but he had some minor surgery scheduled and it had been put off several times and, additionally, he wasn’t guaranteed to pitch in the Cape Cod playoffs - the team wanted him as a Game 3 starter and it was a 2-out-of-3 series, which meant there might not have been a third game.

It was a difficult decision, but he decided not to go.

“It was an honor, really, just to be asked,” he said.

That he was asked was a testament to how good a summer season Thorington had in 2018.

Playing for the Westhampton Aviators in the Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League Thorington was - in a word - great.

Pitching for the Aviators, Thorington appeared in 11 games, starting five. He was 3-1 with a 1.82 ERA and 51 strikeouts and just 16 walks in 39.2 innings of work. He led the league in ERA and was second in strikeouts.

“Yeah the summer could not have gone better,” he admitted.

You understand now why the Cape Cod Leaguers were interested.

For Thorington the summer was a glorious reaffirmation after two so-so seasons to begin his college career at Western Michigan University.

Thorington appeared in 18 games over the course of his first two seasons with 17 strikeouts and an ERA north of 10.

“My freshman and sophomore years were far below where I should have been,” he said. “I came in expecting to be ‘the guy’ and I really put too much pressure on myself.”

It was a humbling experience for a kid who has really experienced nothing but success on the playing field - any playing field.

In high school at Roosevelt,

Thorington was a four-time allconference baseball selection in the Downriver League and a three-time team MVP. He helped lead the Bears to league and district championships and he was a two-time academic allstate honoree As a senior, he locked up his WSU scholarship by going 7-1 with a 0.72 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched.

For good measure, he was a beast in the fall and winter, too.

As a quarterback in football, he was a two-time all-conference selection, all-state and named the offensive team MVP and helped lead his team to Downriver League and district championships.

In basketball, Thorington played four years on the varsity and was a two-time all-DRL selection and once

team MVP, in four years on the varsity squad.

That background of athletic success made his first two college season difficult to swallow.

After Western Michigan wrapped up a disappointing 2018 season - 23-25 overall, 12-13 in the Mid America Conference and missing the MAC playoffs for the first time since 2013 Thorington got the chance to play ball in New York state and it was a like a switch was flipped.

He had a great summer on the field and an awesome experience off, staying with a host family and seeing the likes of Adam Sandler, Eli Manning and Jerry Seinfeld at the games and around town in the Hamptons.

His great summer was followed by an equally successful fall season for WMU and now, on the brink of a new college season, his confidence is soaring.

The coaching staff apparently has taken notice and Thorington said he has been told that he will be in the starting rotation this season, but if games are close he might be called in some times to shut the door.

“He is a great kid with a tremendous work ethic that could play a significant role for our team. Maybe as a starter, maybe as a reliever, maybe as a closer,” said Western Michigan coach Billy Gernon.

Asked which he prefers, starting or relieving, Thorington has a hard time deciding.

“I like the routine of being a starter, I like knowing when I am going to pitch and being able to get ready, but I like the adrenaline you get when you come in as a closer. That adrenaline might help my velo a little bit, too” he said.

“I’ll do whatever coach asks me to do.”

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Three Bears off to wrestling state meet

Shane Preston Wyandotte Warrior

With the district and team tournaments in the books, Roosevelt will look ahead to the individual state tournament after three Bears qualified for after turning in top-four finishes at regionals last week.

Freshmen Alex Biundo (103 pounds) and Nick Jenore (125) highlighted the individual performances for Roosevelt at regionals this year with a pair of third-place finishes for the ninthgraders.

Biundo won his opening match with a 53-second pinfall over Saline before falling to the eventual champion from Detroit Catholic Central 9-5.

The freshman came back with a 7-2 decision over Northville before securing the third-place finish due to injury with a would-be matchup with Southgate Anderson.

At 125, Jenore scored a pinfall at 2:32 over Canton in the opening round before a technical fall loss to Westland John Glenn. Jenore gained momentum on the other side of the bracket with

Freshmen Alex Biundo (103 pounds) and Nick Jenore (125) highlighted the individual performances for Roosevelt at regionals this year. a 5-2 decision over Salem before a pinfall victory over Temperance Bedford at 2:05 locked up third place.

Junior Nick Biundo turned in a fourth-place finish for the Bears with a 10-6 decision victory in the opening round against Saline before falling by decision to Temperance Bedford. A pinfall victory over Livonia Churchill put Biundo in contention for a third-place finish, but the junior fell Southgate Anderson’s Ryan Cacicedo 3-2.

Juniors Kyle Cox (140) and Dominic Duprie (145) also competed at regionals for the Bears, but did not score a victory.

Both Biundos and Jenore will travel to Ford Field on March 1 for the individual finals.

Roosevelt’s top district finish

came from Alex Biundo’s runner-up performance at 103 pounds with wins over Livonia Franklin and Southgate Anderson before falling to Westland John Glenn in the finals.

Jenore put forth a strong showing at 125 with a win over Dearborn before suffering a close 11-9 loss to Dearborn Fordson. Undeterred, Jenore went on the top wrestlers from Southgate Anderson and Temperance Bedford to secure a bronze.

Nick Biundo also turned in a topthree finish at 130 pounds with wins over Livonia Stevenson and Livonia Churchill before falling to the eventual champion from Temperance Bedford.

Biundo would rebound with wins over Westland John Glenn and a repeat win over Livonia Churchill to secure the third-place finish.

At 140 pounds, Cox earned a win over Temperance Bedford before falling to the eventual champion from Woodhaven. Cox responded with a win over Dearborn in the consolation bracket before falling in a razor-thin match with Lincoln Park 3-2 for a fourth-place finish.

Duprie had a similar run with an early loss against Woodhaven before back-to-back wins over Dearborn Fordson and Temperance Bedford before suffering another loss to Woodhaven in the battle for thirdplace.

Jake Campbell (103), Jared Deichelboh (152) and David Cerda (215) each earned two victories in their weight classes while Lu Peterson secured on match win at 189.

At team districts, Roosevelt hosted the District 120 tournament and rolled through Dearborn Edsel Ford (60-12) and Dearborn Fordson (71-9).

The Bears went on to the Regional 105 tournament at Livonia Franklin and fell in the opening round to Temperance Bedford 46-21.

Roosevelt’s girls looking for an exciting finish Shane Preston Wyandotte Warrior

The 2018-19 girls basketball season is shaping up to have an exciting finish for the Roosevelt as postseason aspirations and a potential Downriver League championship loom in the coming weeks for the Bears.

Roosevelt (12-5, 12-2 Downriver League) will travel to Allen Park for MHSAA districts on March 4 to take on Taylor in the opening round. The winner will go on to face Southgate Anderson in the semifinals.

Hitting their stride as the season has progressed, coach Ron Adkins and the Bears have featured a balanced offensive attack to stay near the top of the DRL standings all season.

“We’re getting the in-side-outside game going really well and our guards are hitting shots, so we’re tough to stop when we do that,” Adkins said. “Our first options are to go down low with it and we’ve been doing a much better job with the inside-out game with our guards knocking them down.”

The Bears are familiar with their upcoming opponent, having bested Taylor on Feb. 15 in a 50-39 road win.

Samantha Smith scored 22 points in the win while

Jordan Tarrence added 11 and Lillian Corby chipped in with nine.

Before this game, the Bears established some momentum entering the latter part of the season by racking up five wins in six games, beginning with a big home victory over another team near the top of the Downriver League standings.

On Jan. 25, the Bears earned an important league win with a 52-46 victory over Allen Park in Wyandotte.

Corby led Roosevelt with 23 points while Smith added 17 for the home team.

Four days later, Roosevelt traveled across Fort St. to take on rival Southgate Anderson and smashed the Titans in a 58-13 road victory on January 29.

On Feb. 1, defense reigned supreme in Roosevelt’s 37-21 home victory over Woodhaven, which saw the Bears hold the Warriors to only six points in the first half.

“Defensively we did a great job of closing out on their shooters,” Adkins said. “They spread you out and we did a great job of closing out and getting a hand in their faces.”

Smith led the Bears with 25 points in the win.

On Feb. 5, the Bears withstood a hungry Railsplitter team in Lincoln Park for a close 31-28 victory.

Smith scored 15 points in the victory.

Roosevelt had an easier time with Dearborn Edsel Ford two days later with a 62-23 road victory over the Thunderbirds.

Corby and Smith each scored 17 points for the Bears while Anna Samek scored six and Laila Carrol and Shantynae Atwater each scored five.

Roosevelt’s five-game winning streak came to an end on February 12 in a 46-43 home loss to Gibraltar Carlson.

The Bears trailed by nine in the third quarter, but rallied back in the final period to send the game into overtime after tying the game 40-40.

Free throw shooting ultimately did the home team in as Roosevelt went only 1-for-6 from the line in the extra period (4-for-12 for the game) while Carlson made 6-of-8 attempts from the charity stripe to secure the victory.

Smith scored 16 points in the loss and Tarrence and Corby each scored eight.

The Downriver League champion will be decided in the final week before districts begin as Roosevelt attempted to avenge one of its two DRL losses with a home matchup against league-leading Trenton (13-1 DRL) before traveling to Allen Park (12-2) to take on the Jags in the league finale on February 26.

The Bears will wrap up the regular season at home on Feb. 28 when they host Inter-City Baptist.

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Here come the playoffs It’s late February and that can mean just one thing for high school sports watchers - the Michigan High School Athletic Association state playoffs are right around the corner.

Here’s a look at where Roosevelt’s teams will be Boys Basketball The Bears have a first-round date with Downriver League rival Southgate on Feb. 25 at Lincoln Park High School. The winner of that game will face Allen Park on Feb. 27.

On the other side of the bracket, host Lincoln Park will square off with Taylor on Feb. 25 and that winner will face Riverview on Feb.27.

The district finals are set for March 1.

Girls Basketball Roosevelt’s girls will head to Allen Park to open the

state playoffs. There, they will face Taylor on March 4.

That winner will then battle Southgate on March 6.

On the other side of the bracket, Allen Park faces Riverview on March 4 and that winner will tangle with Lincoln Park on March 6.

The district finals are March 8.

Hockey The Bears begin the playoffs are home at the Yack Arena, although fellow Yack resident Gabriel Richard is the host school Feb. 25 is a busy first day in this regional as three games will be played .Wyandotte faces Carlson and Riverview faces Grosse Ile on opening night and the winners of those games will play on Feb. 27.

Also on the 25th, Gabriel Richard will play Temperance Bedford, with that winner facing Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central on Feb. 27.

The Regional finals will be March 1, with the winner advancing to the state quarterfinals at the Dearborn Ice Skating Center on March 6.

Swimming Diving regionals are set for Feb. 28. Afterward, all qualifying swimmers and divers will prepare for the Division 2 state meet at Eastern Michigan University March 8-9.

Bowling Roosevelt’s boys and girls were at the Division 1 state regional at Woodhaven Lanes. If either team or any individuals qualified, the next stop is the state tournament at Allen Park’s Thunderbowl March 1-2.

THOR Continued from page 19 With his recent work and with a fastball that currently cruises in the 92-93 MPH range, Thorington is on the screen of pro scouts, but not yet drawing consistent attention from them.

He hopes change that with a big season in 2019.

“His performance on the mound will dictate if he has a career beyond WMU,” said Gernon. “Working into a starting role and demonstrating

command of three pitches, especially his fastball, along with sustained velocity will be characteristics that will help us win and get him noticed by pro scouts.

“Regardless, he is a special young man and a special teammate and I am pulling for him to have a special season.”

In addition to looking forward to a big individual season, Thorington said he sees a chance for the Broncos to redeem themselves after last year.

“I think we have a chance to be

really good,” he said. “We have a lot of pitching depth. It’s a deep staff with a lot of talent. Our shortstop, Connor Smith, got drafted, but other than that we have most of our hitters back.

That list starts with senior outfielder Nate Grys, who batted .306 with 10 homers and 58 RBis last season.

Twenty-six of Grys 48 hits last year went for extra bases.

The Broncos have started the season with five games in Missouri against Southeast Missouri State. They’ll head to Tennessee for four games in

the Mule Mix Classic and then head down to Florida to play three against the University of South Florida, three against the University of North Florida and then five more games in the Snowbird Classic.

The Broncos first home game is March 12 against Chicago State and their first home MAC contest is March 22 against Ball State. Also on the schedule this year for Western are games against Michigan, Michigan State and Notre Dame.

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