Christmas cheer covers Biddle Ave
The Wyandotte Tree Lighting took place on November 15th at 5:30PM at the corner of Sycamore and Biddle Avenue. The event kicked off the holiday season with festive bell ringers and carols before the lighting of the tree, bringing the community together in festive cheer. At the same time, the Food Truck Festival was held in the Yack Arena parking lot, offering a variety of delicious food from local vendors. The combination of the tree lighting and food trucks created a lively, family-friendly atmosphere, making it a memorable evening for all who attended.
But the festivities didn’t stop there—just the next morning, on November 16th at 10AM, the Christmas Parade rolled through Downtown Wyandotte. The parade featured the 2024 Grand Marshall Ken Milewski, who was honored for his contributions to the community. The event brought families together for a joyful celebration, featuring colorful floats, the marching band, and holiday cheer.
Photo credit: Don Gutz
Downriver’s Business Network
Join the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber’s Morning Spark Networking Series at X-Golf in Woodhaven. Connect with business owners and vendors from across the Downriver region and kickstart your year with new opportunities.
Discover the benefits of Chamber Membership and how it can help you grow your network. Learn more at swcrc.com/membership.
Ron Hinrichs, CEO/President SWCRC
DCFCU’s Distinctly Downriver: a picturesque success
On November 14th, Downriver Community Federal Credit Union hosted its 1st Annual “Distinctly Downriver: A Photo Exhibit” event, showcasing the top 24 photos submitted to the Downriver Community Photo Contest. The exhibit featured stunning images that highlighted the beauty and character of the Downriver area, including local landmarks, cityscapes, seasonal scenes, and nature from Wayne and Monroe counties.
The photo contest encouraged photographers to capture what makes Downriver unique, with categories including landmarks, “Welcome” signs, landscapes, and other distinctive scenes from the community. Participants were urged to explore beyond the usual riverfront images and capture a broader range of locations from the surrounding areas to stand out in the competition.
At the event, the winners of the photo contest were announced: Gerald Thomas took first place, Adam Blake earned second, and Christopher Stearns claimed third.
In addition to the exhibit, attendees were the first to receive the 2025 Downriver Community Calendar, which features the top 12 photos from the contest. The calendar is available for free, while supplies last, at the Southgate branch located at 15261 Trenton Rd.
The event was a great success, drawing attention to the region’s vibrant and diverse landscapes while giving local photographers the chance to share their work with the community. The 9th edition of the Downriver Community Calendar is a beautiful tribute to the area, and a wonderful keepsake for anyone who appreciates the local scenery.
Warmest Wishes
Wishing you a festive and joyful Thanksgiving surrounded by friends and family.
Former elected official Don Schultz passed away on Friday, November 15th. A lifelong resident of Wyandotte, Mr. Schultz dedicated many years of service as a City Council Member and Commissioner. He was also actively involved in several civic organizations throughout the community. His contributions will be remembered fondly. The deepest condolences are extended to his wife, Susan, and the entire Schultz family during this difficult time.
Wyandotte Art Class Pumpkin Decorating Contest winners announced
Before we fully jump into the holiday season, we must first wrap up some of the fall festivities!
The Wyandotte Art Class recently held its Pumpkin Decorating Contest, showcasing the incredible creativity of its students. The pumpkins were voted on through the school’s social media, and the top entries celebrated beloved characters and inventive designs.
• 1st Place: Curious George
– Created by Lizzie Lundien and Alli Morgan, this playful and detailed representation of the classic monkey took the top spot with its charm and attention to detail.
• 2nd Place: Tow Mater –Gunner Jackson’s pumpkin brought the quirky character from *Cars* to life with impressive accuracy, earning him second place.
• 3rd Place: Double Bubble
– Jairus Robertson’s bright and fun design, resembling the iconic bubblegum brand, captured third place with its colorful appeal.
Congratulations to all the participants for their hard work and creativity in making this contest a fun and memorable event!
BUBBLES
Every evening, Bubbles rings the bell for a treat. At 13 years old, she has her owners, the Clark Family of Southgate, trained very well!
Medicare Annual Enrollment Is Oc tober 15 to December 7
The Inflation Reduction Act and rising utilization of health care will mean big changes for Medicare beneficiaries:
• Increased copays and maximum-out-of-pocket
• New deductibles for prescription drug coverage
• Many plans dropped coverage for several medications
• Double-digit premium increases for Medigap plans
• Cuts to Supplemental Benefits (i.e. Dental, OTC)
Do not wait (or let mom or dad wait) until January to get a huge bill at the pharmacy or find out an important drug is no longer covered. It could be too late to fix it.
Many companies introduced exciting new plans for 2025. Our office is open weekdays from 10am -5pm. It is best to call ahead for an appointment during our busy season.
Worried you might be “sold” coverage you don’t need? We are zero pressure. Don’t take our word for it, read Google reviews from our happy clients!
We are proud recipients of the 2024 Wyandotte Beautification Award!
Our clients never pay us directly for our services and having an agent will not increase the cost of your coverage.
Supporting your local independent agency helps us maintain this valuable resource in your community.
Elizabeth M. Abshire
Shaun Z. Abshire
Agent Pi
Lovable S heepadoodle
Wyandotte teen hits the runway at 2024 NYFW
Marie Robinson, 13, recently took to the runway in a stunning red and green ensemble, marking her memorable debut at New York Fashion Week. The pre-game fashion show, held at Yankee Stadium on September 10th, showcased Marie’s evolving talent and poise. She wore a dress designed by Alexa Dumitru from the New York School of Design, with her hair styled by Brittany Beauty Academy in the Bronx. The event featured a lively pregame runway show, including special appearances by the ladies from TLC’s sMothered, who also walked in the show. Marie was invited to participate by fellow model Serenity Atkinson and worked alongside a variety of designers and models during her time in New York.
Marie’s love for performance is long-standing. She began dancing at age two and continues to compete, earning numerous awards. Her gymnastics journey started at age four, and she’s now a level 8 competitor with Downriver Gymnastics, boasting state and regional victories, including gold medals on beam and floor. Additionally, Marie has been a pageant participant since she was four, receiving accolades at both the pre-lim and state levels through Sunburst. Her passion for modeling began just over a year ago, leading to various photo shoots and runway shows. She is also in her second year with Wilson Middle School’s choir and has participated in school and club track, winning awards in both.
Beyond the runway and stage, Marie loves horses and enjoys working with children, always eager to lend a helping hand. Her dedication to selfimprovement and her desire to guide others reflects her commitment to excellence. She continues to thrive in her many endeavors, driven by her love of performance and community. Despite facing significant challenges over the past year, Marie has also experienced some of her best moments. When asked for a quote, she penned an inspiring message:
“I’m sure you’ve heard ‘you got this,’ ‘go get it, tiger,’ or ‘believe in yourself.’ Those are all great things to think about. Though we are all human, and we do tend to make a lot of mistakes. Which is okay; that’s how we learn. As humans, we do run into problems, or, well, doubts. Those doubts could
be about your dreams, completing a task, a skill, fear, other people, their thoughts, or even ourselves. Sometimes, we feel pressure to work five or ten times harder. Some people might still think, ‘Oh, I’m not trying hard enough,’ or, ‘I should focus more.’ But you know what you really need? Sometimes, you need to just let go, run free, be a little goofy, and have fun. Maybe even forget about your goals for a bit. Take a moment to realize that you can do it, that it’s not just something you’re told by other people. So take a moment and remember your dreams and goals. Go and achieve them! Remember who you are and how far you’ve come. Have a nice day, and don’t forget to have FUN!”
Marie’s words and achievements embody her journey so far, a path marked by resilience, growth, and a passion for the arts and helping others. As she continues to reach new heights, her positive energy and determination will undoubtedly guide her toward even greater accomplishments.
Photos: April Robinson
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2024 Kiwanis Dictionary Project is arousing success
Understanding how to use a dictionary is an essential skill for third graders, and it provides lifelong benefits that extend far beyond the classroom. The ability to look up words empowers students with the tools they need to build strong writing skills, engage in active reading, and think creatively. Third grade is a crucial time in a child’s educational journey, marking the transition from learning to read to reading to learn. Mastering the use of a dictionary at this stage helps students become more independent learners, equipping them with the resources to explore language, expand their vocabulary, and better understand the world around them.
This year, the Kiwanis of Riverview continued their commitment to The Dictionary Project by distributing over 240 copies of A Student’s Dictionary & Gazetteer to third graders in the Riverview Community School District. This special edition, created exclusively for the project, contains 554 pages packed with valuable content—definitions, information on planets and animals, and even an American Sign Language chart.
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Southgate Parks and Recreation is proud to announce its first official Tot Lot at McCann Park, a lively play area created just for children aged 2-5. This exciting addition seamlessly combines fun and learning in a safe, inviting environment, making it a perfect destination for families.
The Tot Lot features whimsical structures that promote imaginative play and language development. At the heart of the playground is the SmartPlay Centre, where children can immerse themselves in a mini village. Here, they can roleplay in a Farmer’s Market and Café, enhancing their social skills while learning to identify and name various fruits and vegetables. This interactive experience encourages language-rich conversations between children and caregivers.
COVER
Football season could have been an historic one
By any measure the recently concluded high school football season was a fine one for the Trenton Trojans.
Trenton won six games this season and qualified for the Division 3 state playoffs. Along the way the Trojans scored 42 points in wins over both Wyandotte and Dearborn Edsel Ford and 52 in a shutout win over Taylor.
Incredibly Trenton lost four games this season by a total of six points. Six points! And, the Trojans lost the first game of the season by one point and the last game of the season by one point. They also lost to non-league Chelsea by a point and to Woodhaven by a field goal.
Trenton drew neighboring Riverview in the first round of the state playoffs. The Bucs and Trojans met in the first round last year, too, with Riverview snaring a 27-25 victory.
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GIEF annual fundraiser scary good success
There were no tricks, just treats. No hocus pocus. Oh, but there was a haunted hallway, and spooky decorations. Maybe the creepy guy on the dance floor yoked between two skeletons made you shiver. The only really scary thing was if you missed it.
The overarching goal of the gala is that partygoers and sponsors helped raise funds for this year’s cycle of grants for our community and schools. Since its founding in 1995, the Educational Foundation has awarded more $1.8 million
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Adventures await at Southgate’s first Tot Lot
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!
