Wyandotte Warrior, December 15, 2022 – January 24, 2023

Wyandotte Christmas Parade! The 79th version of the parade, held Nov.

Photos by Larry Caruso

Biddle Bowl is largest fundraiser for Wyandotte Goodfellows

Dave Gordon

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.

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.

“The Woelkers and the whole team there has been extremely generous to Goodfellows.”

The Woelkers family said it’s important to be good to the community that has been so good to them throughout the years.

The bowling center has been in the family since 1948. Their grandfather Fred Woelkers established Biddle Bowl and sold it to his son Robert Woelkers Sr. in 1972. And Robert Sr. sold the establishment to Robert Jr. and Judy Sadler in 2002.

Sadler said the brother and sister decided they wanted to do some fundraising for a group that does good things in the community.

“There are so many good causes out there,” she

said. “We wanted to pick something our customers could get on board with. The Goodfellows do such good things.”

Bowlers donated proceeds from their 50/50 drawing to the cause. The owners started holding raffles of new televisions, laptop computers, barbecue grills, Boese radios, power washers and other items.

“As soon as somebody won one of the raffles, they would ask ‘when is the next one?’” said Sadler, who lives in Trenton.

She said Rob would dress up like an elf at Christmas

time and they would raffle off Christmas baskets. Beer distributors would donate coolers and chairs. There was a “Christmas in July” raffle as well.

While they didn’t have a fundraising goal at first, the collection grew every year. Customers who remembered Goodfellows helping their families when they were children made donations to the cause.

In 2007, Biddle Bowl collected $900 for Goodfellows. The amount climbed to $1,200 the next year and then $1,300 and then $1,500. By 2011, the family

reached $2,000. The next years saw jumps to $2,500, $3,700, $5,200 and $6,069. The donation soared to $7,000 in 2018.

Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck and the state forced bowling centers and other places to close in an effort to help contain the disease. For months, Biddle Bowl had no customers through the shutdown and then not as many as usual during the partial shutdown.

To make up for the sudden lack of fundraising, they started collecting returnable bottles and cans. The bowling alley garage was “loaded,”

Sadler said. Woelkers would fill space under the deck of his home in Riverview. A neighboring business allowed Biddle Bowl to store bottles and cans in a bin area normally used for trash.

When bottle returns were available, Judy, Rob and Rob’s wife Val made regular trips to stores. Even 93-year-old Robert Sr. helped. Sometimes, the effort took 12 hours a day.

“We weren’t thinking about the money,” Sadler said. “We were thinking about helping the kids.”

Lo and behold, they had their best fundraising years yet. They reached $10,000 in 2020, $13,000 in 2021 and $14,000 this year – their 16th year of collecting and donating.

By April, they had collected $8,000 and wanted to turn it over to the Goodfellows “to do some good with it.” There was a ceremony at Biddle Lanes. Then Woelkers presented a check for $6,000 during a Nov. 21 City Council meeting.

Biddle Bowl’s grand donation total through 2022 is $74,000. Of this year’s $14,000 donation, about $10,000 of it came from cashing in returnable bottles and cans at 10 cents apiece, Sadler said.

Woelkers said Goodfellows’ reputation keeps growing, calling the group “an excellent choice” to throw their support behind. He said they hear stories from some bowlers who had been helped in the past by the organization.

“They say something came up and Goodfellows stepped in,” he said.

“We feel so blessed we’re able to do this,” Sadler said. “The Goodfellows in Wyandotte is a very good organization. We’ve never heard a negative thing about them.”

Photo by Dave Gorgon

Rob Woelkers presents a check to Goodfellows and city treasurer Todd Browning at council meeting

Old fashioned Detroit muscle

Toys for Tots benefits from famous classic car drawing at Southgate Ford

Southgate to capture its arrival.

Mayor Kuspa has been asked to speak during the program. He said Detroit Lion Jamaal William and actor R.J. Mitte are scheduled to be part of the program.

“It is not very often that our city is featured in a television show,” Kuspa said. “So special thanks to Angela and Mark Babala for bringing such positive attention to our community and the entire Downriver area.

“This event is open to the public and I hope to see many of our residents there to support the Toys for Tots program. It is a great opportunity to witness the drawing, experience the production process, meet the special guests and be a part of the finalized program when it streams on the Peacock Network.”

The Mayor praised Southgate Ford and its many contributions to the local community.

DAVE GORGON

Representatives of the Southgate Ford dealership are excited to host a highly-touted drawing for a famous classic Mustang to benefit the Toys for Tots Foundation.

General Sales Manager Brian Bartholomew said everyone is welcome to stop by the dealership at 16501 Fort Street in Southgate on December 15. The program is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. with the public raffle set for about 7 p.m.

The 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1 was restored on the television program “Angel’s Garage” on the Peacock Network. The show’s producers selected Toys for Tots as the beneficiary of a raffle of the classic car.

Money raised will be used by the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to purchase toys for families struggling to buy gifts for their children this Christmas. Raffle tickets start at $5 each with an added processing fee. Discounts are given for multiple

ticket purchases. Tickets are available now online at https://myevent.com/ toysfortots.

“The U.S. Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is an amazing organization that has brought joy to needy families for 75 years,” said Southgate Mayor Joseph Kuspa. “It is great to see Angel’s Garage not only donating the classic 1970 Mustang to this charity, but also have the raffle drawing at one of our outstanding Southgate businesses – Southgate Ford.”

Kim Felske, the Downriver coordinator of Toys for Tots, said Southgate Ford was chosen for the drawing since it’s a Ford dealership located in a more populated area. She said Ford dealerships are staunch supporters of Toys for Tots and it will be convenient for people to stop by the dealership to see the Mustang.

“The car is phenomenal,” said Felske, who lives in Brownstown Township. “Unfortunately, I’m not eligible to win.”

Felske said Michigan was chosen to host the raffle drawing event. Once

the Mustang was restored, the car debuted in the state at Soo Motors in Sault Ste. Marie on Oct. 25 before it was trucked to Fox Grand Traverse from Nov. 7-21. From Traverse City, it made a stop at the Ford Mustang plant in Flat Rock before its destination at Southgate Ford for the raffle.

At the event, Santa Claus will draw the winning ticket.

“This Mustang is a one-of-akind and raffling it to benefit the U.S. Marine Toys for Tot program is a wonderful gesture by Angel’s Garage,” Felske said. “Every child deserves to find a present under the tree on Christmas morning and Angels’ Garage is doing more than its fair share to help.”

Angel’s Garage producers are originally from Michigan and want to help showcase the state in their program.

“We’re proud of where we come from and we want to share this place with others,” said Angela Babala, who is “Angel” on the show. A production crew will accompany the car while in

“Owner Walt Oben and his family are great examples of businesses giving back to their community,” he said. “Over the years, they have provided several contributions to our parks and recreational programs. So it is very fitting that this drawing takes place in their showroom.”

Detroit-area pizza chain Chubby Charlies has partnered with the TV show to not only transport the Mach 1, but also helped fund rare parts needed for rebuilding the car, Felske said. Chubby Charlies and Promenade Artisan Foods in Trenton will be onsite in Southgate offering samples on December 15.

Felske said the mission of Toys for Tots is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was created at the behest of the Marine Corps in 1991.

Now in its 75th year, the toy drive is part of a national campaign that was started by the Marine Corps Reserves. The toy collection is the largest in the country with 800 campaigns in all 50 states.

For more information on Toys for Tots, visit the website toysfortots.org

Sleigh bell ring, are you listening?

The 2022 Christmas season arrived on Nov. 19 amid music, bells, sirens and the laughter of children enjoying the 79th annual Wyandotte Christmas Parade. Kids, young and old, withstood the frigid temperatures to watch the action and collect the candy distributed by marchers. And, in his usual place at the back of the parade lineup was the guest of honor – Santa Claus. Merry Christmas, Downriver.

Photos by Larry Caruso

2nd Street Performing Arts Center

Former church is new home to Downriver Actors Guild

Dave Gordon

A more than half-million-dollar investment has transformed the former St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and school into the 2nd Street Performing Arts Center in Wyandotte.

The center – touted as “the premier performing arts community gathering space” in the Downriver area – is a place for performing arts, dance, music and visual arts. It’s home to the Downriver Actors Guild, the Downriver Dance Academy, 2nd Street Sound (an A Capella group) and the podcast “Curtain Call.”

Located at 1123 2nd Street, the new facility opened on Oct. 14 after a more than $500,000 investment to transform the former church and attached school into a 10,000-square-foot state-of-theart theater with room for more than 250

seats and stage, plus an attached studio complex.

Housed in the studio complex are a dance studio, costume shop, scene shop, rehearsal space and storage for props, costumes and set pieces.

Audiences have already been entertained by “Legally Blonde, the Musical” and “The Little Mermaid.”

Regular performances are scheduled by the Downriver Actors Guild and other groups. Performances of “Matilda” began Dec. 9. “The Marvelous Wonderettes” begins Jan. 6. “Be More Chill” gets underway Feb. 10. Productions are planned through May 2023.

Joe Gruber, executive director of the City of Wyandotte Downtown Development Authority (DDA), congratulated organizers for the acquisition and redevelopment into a

“beautiful performing arts center and world class theater.”

Overseen by a Board of Governors, 2nd Street Performing Arts Center (doing business as Downriver Actors Guild) is a nonprofit organization providing “quality programming and performances that strive to be educational, affordable and enrich the arts within our diverse communities.”

Their mission statement says: “We build bridges between diverse members of our community through highquality arts entertainment in the region and the state. The objectives of the organization are to produce the highest quality arts entertainment, to be a positive impact on our community and to be an organization where everyone is welcome, equal and can create in an open and accepting environment. We do this for the love of the arts.”

they say have been a long time coming.

The location is the fourth for the Downriver Actors Guild, which began as the Taylor Youth Theater under the auspices of the City of Taylor Department of Parks and Recreation. Aue said when the group lost its space in Taylor, the group eventually moved in 2010 to Out of the Box, a 130-seat venue in Wyandotte. After losing its lease, the group relocated in 2014-15 to Theater on the Avenue, which had 180 seats, at Biddle and Superior.

“We were doing great and were looking to expand when COVID

Artistic Director Debbie Aue, Director of Operations Joel Bias and Director of Development Denny Connors spoke with pride about the new facilities, which

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hit,” Aue said. “That shut us down.”

Bias said an exploratory group was formed to look at alternatives.

“We had just a theater,” he said. “Our storage and dance studio were in different locations. We knew we wanted to start an educational program and wanted it all under one roof.”

With the help of insurer Joe Daly and the Archdiocese of Detroit, the guild was able to acquire the St. Elizabeth property. Organizers had a “test run” in August without seats, opened in September and had the grand opening on October 14.

She said funding has come through grants, small business loans, selling buildings owned by the group, donations and

fundraisers.

“We rely on the public,” Aue said. “We have no paid staff other than the dance instructors.”

She said all of the leaders of the 2nd Street Performing Arts Center got involved in the effort because “our kids were in it.”

“It’s a passion,” Aue said. “Once we lost our space for the Taylor Youth Theater, I reached out to five core families, invited them to my house in Taylor and asked ‘what do you want to do? Do you really want to take this on or keep renting places?’

“We had no idea what we were doing. We had no idea where we would end up. We’ve gone from my deck to here in 11 years. We had some money in the bank, but we have no major corporation donations at all, other than Joe Daly’s individual generosity. It’s all grassroots funding.

We’re excited when we get a $1,000 donation. To us, it’s like candy.”

Big expenses to get the building ready included the construction of infrastructure, plumbing, heating and cooling and electrical and boiler work.

Construction included the risers, walls, stage, seating and even building bathrooms, which was a major expense. Now, instead of worrying about their next home, they’re preparing for expansion, including the educational

program, workshops, classes and musical instrument lessons.

Why Wyandotte?

“Wyandotte has been good to us,” Aue said. “Joe Peterson was a strong supporter and put us in touch with Joe Daly. Opportunities always presented themselves to us. People always seemed to be looking out for us. We had a good relationship at the time with the DDA.

“Wyandotte is a very cultural and diverse community that is open to anything artsy. They love art, culture and music. It fits very well here.”

For more information on upcoming performances, call the ticket line at (734) 4077020.

Artistic Director Debbie Aue and Director of Operations Joel Bias.

This is a great time of year if you look forward to and love gatherings and ages-old traditions that allow, encourage, and almost force us to slow down, relax and love…if we let it happen.

To slow down and slip into a different mode, we have to want to. It seems to me that otherwise, the mad rush of time itself rushes us along in a tsunami flood, with too little if any time for appreciation. Or even noticing. Every generation copes with transition points in which people come to terms with change they don’t identify with. Many older folks make a good go of it. Most just can’t don’t want to. As a 68 year old person, I have no problem with tech, even though my brain is not wired the way 20some year-olds are. I do have issues with society that didn’t used to bother me. I won’t tell you about them because I hate hearing it from older folk, and sure don’t want to be one of those older folks. But it’s not minor stuff, you know? But I digress. Darn it, and so early in the column!

My business is and has always been all about helping people get what they want. We have always done our best to present clothing and other things in ways that communicate the essence of the brands we sell. We take seriously the mission of keeping our stores clean an orderly, and painted and kept up, day after day and year after year. But those things are the givens. What makes the difference for people’s experiences in stores is the person that assists.

Our job is to facilitate your shopping experience through product knowledge, comparative fits, etcetera. But that’s not the factor, either is it. The key to everyone’s experiences in everything we do is the people that represent the companies. When a nice, respectful, funny, and engaging, competent person is your contact point for the items you want, your experience is happier. It is the factor, across every genre of retail there is, that makes us love the places we go…or not.

Such interactions make us slow down, and relive

stress and tension, if only for a little while. But the experience I talk about almost reverentially is not unique to stores. The thing that makes for a nice experience in a store is the exact sort of nice experience we get when someone lets us merge in. When we smile at people and greet them as we pass by. You could rattle off a whole bunch of things that qualify for you, that serve perfectly to share in my point.

Retail at my level, at the level you experience in Wyandotte and Trenton and at so many scattered cool places through downriver and everywhere is what makes life happier. The unique assortment of wonderful items at Abundant Living, combined with help from the owner as she shares her passion…or the feeling of discovery as you enter a store that could be nothing but local and independent…is rewarding, my friends. More than rewarding in a world that is insanely stressed on every front (it often seems)….it is so powerful that it can change our day. Happiness.

I struggle every month to rephrase my thoughts about the topic. Having done so for so long now, the act of writing helps to think it through. The thing is the places we go that have NONE of what I’m talking about in terms of satisfying times shopping are woven into the experiences that are all about that good feeling.

Just as we have to be better at self-talk that inspires us or steels us or reassures us, we need to seek out places to go for the necessary things we wish to buy that make us feel good. And it DOES make me feel good, every time I let myself feel good about having shopped locally, with people I like and respect and need to be here down the road….for me to patronize. It does make me as little happier to

shop with the lunatics that are passionate about what they do.

And what is the difference for your shopping choices? Yes, you have been paying attention, it’s the difference between being a good merchant and simply just being a bean counter that cuts payroll even though it’s totally counterproductive. It’s local that is engaged in our community and folks everywhere around here vs national, which tries to mimic the real thing but with indifferent, uninterested help.

Folks, it’s that simple. Do yourself the favor of shifting even more of your shopping to local and independent, and see how you feel this holiday shopping season. My guess is that you’re happier. Let me know if you think I’m right, won’t you? Because we can use a lot more happiness in our everyday lives in which we go about, interacting with people we encounter.

From Chelsea, Willow Tree, Love Wyandotte and Love Local, I thank you for what you bring to the community in which we ply our trades.

Merry Christmas. Peaceful Christmas to all.

PETER ROSE

She is also the first women’s state champion diver from the Downriver area – ever.

Molnar, a junior at Grosse Ile High, dominated this year’s season, winning the Huron League and regional championships. She and fellow diver Evelina Hovis, both qualified for the MHSAA state finals

On page 1

St.

Thomas Lutheran welcomes new pastor

Grosse Ile’s St. Thomas Lutheran Church has a new pastor. At a formal installation ceremony held on Saturday, Nov. 4, the Reverend Kari Rinas was officially certified as the new spiritual leader of the congregation. Former St. Thomas pastor and current Assistant to the Bishop, Sean Ewbank led the celebration of shared ministry between Pastor Kari Rinas and the church.

Among the celebrants at St. Thomas were family, friends, and local clergy.

The Pastor’s husband, Joshua, is also an ordained minister of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), who was called and installed the next day as pastor of Faith Lutheran in Brownstown. The couple has two young children, and have made their home in Brownstown.

Pastor Kari hails from the Rochester, NY suburbs, and later moved to central Pennsylvania. She earned her undergraduate degree from Hobart and William Smith College with a major in Medieval and Renaissance history, with a double minor in European literature and Religious Studies... On page 1

RCSD picks Care Solace for mental health care services

Riverview Community Schools selected Care Solace, an organization determined to calm the chaos of mental health care coordination, to expand access to community mental health and substance use treatment providers for students, staff, and their families.

Care Solace provides a Care Companion™ team who can quickly and confidently find available providers in the community. Care Solace also equips school systems with a customized online tool that gives community members a way to anonymously search for community-based providers matched to their needs

On page 7

Riverview Kiwanis complete another Dictionary Project

The Dictionary Project: The goal of this program is to assist all students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners by providing them with their own personal dictionary. The dictionaries are a gift to each student to use at school and at home for years to come.

Educators see third grade as the dividing line between learning to read and reading to learn, so we encourage our sponsors to give dictionaries each year to children in the third grade. The sponsoring organization for the Riverview Community School District is the Kiwanis of Riverview.

On page 27.

Riverview’s historic football season ends

The Riverview football team put a cap on one of the greatest seasons in school history on Nov. 19 when the Pirates lost 51-26 to Goodrich in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 4 state semifinals in Rochester.

The loss, the first of the year for the Bucs, left the team with a final record of 12-1 and the number of wins matched that of the 1997 team for the most in a single season.

The Bucs, with a largely rebuilt roster after last year’s graduation losses, won the Huron League title

for the third year in a row, as well as district and regional championships.

Goodrich, after defeating Riverview, advanced to the state championship game at Ford Field the day after Thanksgiving and the Martian’s high-flying offensive ways came to an end as they lost to Grand Rapids South Christian 28-8

On page 25

Riverview girls looking for more showcase hardware

Coach Rob Sauter’s team won the Huron League championship, a district title and a regional crown before falling by 11 points to Wayne Memorial in

gobigmultimedia.com/grosse-ile-grand

Kaitlyn Molnar is state diving champion

...Kaitlyn Molnar is the first state champion in diving in Grosse Ile history – male or female.

gobigmultimedia.com/riverview-register

the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state quarterfinals.

Winning is nothing new for this program as its four straight district titles will attest. The names in the scorebook change from season to season, but the winning style of play is ingrained in each succeeding class.

Gone to graduation from last year are leaders Ryah Kolbusz, Olivia Stergiadis and Maelyn Sorenson. Into the breach steps this year’s seniors Elyssa Kincaid and Cady Kaminske. Kincaid and Kaminski, who were part of a twoyear undefeated junior high team, have been on the varsity since they were freshmen. They have been contributors from the start. Now they are unquestioned leaders...

On page 27 gobigmultimedia.com/southgate-star

Santa’s Magic Forest raises funds for Fish & Loaves food pantry

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Santa’s Magic Forest has returned to the Heritage Park Activity Building in Taylor. Everyone is invited to check out thousands of lights and dozens of animated holiday displays Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18.

The Magic Forest is a major fundraiser for the Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry, which provides food throughout the year to hungry people in the region, including Southgate. In fact, Fish & Loaves is Michigan’s largest client-choice pantry, serving families in need of either emergency or long-term food assistance.

“We’re in a challenging position with increasing food prices and increasing demand for food assistance,” said Executive Director Stephanie McNees, a Southgate native. “The Santa’s Magic Forest display is one of our main fundraisers to support the pantry and our mission of ‘Ensuring No One Goes Hungry.’

Former church is new home to Downriver Actors Guild

A more than half-million-dollar investment has transformed the former St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and school into the 2nd Street Performing Arts Center in Wyandotte.

The center – touted as “the premier performing arts community gathering space” in the Downriver area – is a place for performing arts, dance, music and visual arts. It’s home to the Downriver Actors Guild, the Downriver Dance Academy, 2nd Street Sound (an A Capella group) and the podcast “Curtain Call.”

Located at 1123 2nd Street, the new facility opened on Oct. 14 after a more than $500,000 investment to transform the former church and attached school into a 10,000-square-foot state-ofthe-art theater with room for more than 250 seats and stage, plus an attached studio complex.

Housed in the studio complex are a dance studio, costume shop, scene shop, rehearsal space and storage for props, costumes and set pieces.

Audiences have already been entertained by “Legally Blonde, the Musical” and “The Little Mermaid.”...

On page 20

“We’re on track to distribute over 2.2 million pounds of food this year to hungry families in the Downriver area and Dearborn Heights. We continue to rely on the outstanding support of our community to help us keep up with demand for food assistance.”..

On page 13

Trenton Recreation looking forward to 2023

Here at Trenton Parks & Recreation, we wanted to take a moment and thank everyone in our community for making 2022 such a wonderful return to recreation. From the Marshmallow Drop to the Summer Festival, volunteers tending to parks and gardens, murals being installed, and holiday events still to come, we’ve enjoyed seeing the growing sense of connectedness in our city.

On page 10

Trenton’s mighty hockey team bolts from starting

... The Trojans, who went all the way to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 state finals where they lost to Hartland in overtime, have opened up a new campaign the way they usually do – by winning games.

Like Us On Facebook :

gobigmultimedia.com/trenton-times

Students attend MHSAA Sportsmanship Summit

...For more than 20 years the MHSAA has provided a Sportsmanship Summit experience to students across Michigan.

This year new breakout topics, more interaction within the sessions, and additional time was provided for students to present ideas to other students.

In their first six outings the Trojans posted a 5-1 record. Among Trenton’s victims were Michigan Interscholastic Hockey League rivals Warren DeLaSalle and Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook. The Trojans also posted three straight shutouts in their first six games.

The traditional home game against Cranbrook the day before Thanksgiving was a thriller this year with the Ttrojans scoring a 4-3 victory...

On page 19

Downriver West Kiwanis group looking for helpers

Workshop sessions focused on sportsmanship both on and off the court and featured hands-on activities including one session developed and instructed by members of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council...

On page 7

Downriver West Kiwanis is a community service organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and our communities one at a time. We partner with local schools, churches, soup kitchens, senior groups, The Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, veterans groups, and other service organizations to make a big impact and positive difference in our community.

We are a motivated group of volunteers that achieves what one person cannot accomplish alone. We focus on providing services and filling community needs in the Brownstown Twp, Flat Rock, Huron Twp, and other Downriver communities.

On page 26

City honors junior football champs

Dave Gorgon

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.”

The freshman Indians wrapped up the title on Nov. 12 with a 26-7 victory over Riverview in a game played in Taylor.

The City of Wyandotte “recognizes the value of youth sports and the important role it plays in the future of our youth and commendation is due to all team members, coaches and parents for their hard work, commitment, dedication and sportsmanship,” the certificate reads.

Members of the freshman team can be ages 7, 8

and 9 and can weigh no more than 125 pounds. The entire Wyandotte Indians football and cheerleading program is open to boys and girls, ages 6 to 13, who live in the city or attend school in the Wyandotte School District.

The proclamation said the purpose of the program is to “build character, citizenship and a spirit of cooperation and sportsmanship among teams and players, both on and off the field, and to provide the youth an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the game of football.”

Christmas gift ideas

The Downriver Council for the Arts has holiday shopping ideas. Holiday editions of art grab bags – “great stocking stuffers” – are filled with all sorts of handmade artful items. Each bag is different and worth “definitely way more than” the $5 charge for each. Proceeds go toward fundraising for special exhibits and events at the DCA, located at 81 Chestnut in Wyandotte.

The arts council Gift Shop is full of artisan products for sale. The shop is open during regular business hours and special events. Items created by artists are available for purchase online as well. Gift certificates for classes are also available.

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.downriverarts. org and click on the exhibit.

Adult classes at the Council for the Arts

A variety of classes is offered at the Downriver Council for the Arts.

Hatha Yoga Flow is offered for all levels from 5:30 to 8:30 Tuesdays. The focus is on linking breath to movement, deep stretching, building more strength and improving balance and overall well-being. Beginners and experienced students are welcome. Bring your own yoga mat.

The drop-in fee is $10 a class. A

punch card for four classes is $38.

Acrylic and oil painting classes facilitated by Darryl Froehlich take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sessions include one-on-one coaching, occasional demonstrations and group interaction. Students bring their own supplies. The drop-in cost is $15 per class.

Painting and drawing classes facilitated by Bruce Tims are scheduled Tuesdays from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sessions for all skill levels include one-on-one coaching, occasional demonstrations and group interaction. Students bring their own supplies. The drop-in cost is $20 per class.

Trim a tree and raise money

The Downriver Council for the Arts is selling handmade ornaments donated by artists. The ornaments are hanging on the tree at the DCA, 81 Chestnut Street, Wyandotte. All money raised will be used for the galleries at the arts council.

Open studio time at the DCA

Drop-in studio time is available at the Downriver Council for the Arts.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, no instruction will be provided, but like-minded artists can offer tips and advice if needed. Admission is $5 for DCA members and $10 for non-members. Artists need their own supplies.

From noon to 4 pm. Thursdays are drop-in sessions to create and socialize. The time is free to DCA members and $10 for non-members.

Wyandotte Martial Arts

WMA, held at the Downriver Council for the Arts, teaches traditional Korean Tang Soo Do, an art that features exercise, reduces stress and teaches self-defense in a fun and friendly class environment. A Little Dragos class for ages 4 to 6 is from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays. Kids classes for ages 7 to 12 are from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Adult Karate for ages 13 and older is 7 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays.

Reimagining our waterfront Downriver residents urged to continue to mull new ideas

Susan Pinkowski

On November 2 the graduate students, who are part of the Public Design Corps at Taubman College University of Michigan, continued the conversation about the possible futures of Trenton’s Waterfront in their quest to learn what the public would like to see developed in the future.

You may recall the previous article asking for your opinion through an online questionnaire.

Well, 265 of you graciously gave them the information that the students recently presented to a group of about 25 people at the Trenton Veterans Memorial Library, where participants

were able to voice what’s working and not working on Trenton’s waterfront.

Among those in attendance were Councilwoman Wendy Pate and Councilwoman Dora Rodriguez, along with scientist John Hartig and Pat Hartig, a former mayor of Trenton.

The handouts that the students had prepared were first class – two large multi-colored accordion-folded brochures that listed the results of the questionnaire – and explained the legacy of environmental pollution in the brownfields and superfund sites along the waterfront.

They also prepared a series of maps and a video summarizing the project so far. All this information and more

is in the website at storymaps.arcgis. com/stories

The results of the Community Questionnaire revealed that 70 percent of those responding visit the waterfront parks at least once a month, with, of course, Elizabeth Park being the most visited.

That number is only going to increase with Covid getting behind us and the festivals and concerts coming back.

The respondents would like to see improvements in the public facilities, more parks and public space, more activities and more water access opportunities. They are also interested in ways to reduce pollution and

increase environmental stewardship. They all agree on wanting more access to the river all year long.

The survey also inquired about residents’ use of the greenways (walking, biking, skating) and blueways (kayaking, canoeing, fishing).

The Downriver Linked Greenways is the most used trail, but residents would like more retail along all three trails and more public amenities. This is the idea promoted by the Great Lakes Way, a network of interconnected blueways and greenways from Lake Huron through Lake Erie.

As students pointed out, with almost seven miles of shoreline along the Detroit River, the city of Trenton has a critical role to play in this project. Maybe a coffee shop or restaurant to while away the time and enjoy the view? How about a museum on the shipbuilding history of Trenton? Bike and kayak rental? Maybe a hotel and convention center where the multitude of birdwatchers could congregate in our world-class migratory birding corridor?

Another suggestion was made to recreate what Port Huron did 20 years ago when they re-envisioned their waterfront – a major investor put up a coffee shop and a boat viewing platform to watch the freighters and other boats glide by.

Another person suggested that we link up to the metroparks as their trails are very user friendly.

The ideas were flowing!

But of course, one hitch in the plan is that some land along the way is privately owned, so a workaround would have to be figured out. Participants were keen on sharing their ideas and expectations about the future transformation of the waterfront.

The blueways are not as widely used as could be because access is limited but that could change in the future. Ideas that were offered up were the possibility of a yearly rowing regatta.

The canal that loops around Elizabeth Park could be opened up, and a kayak company or club could form and get more people out on the water. A larger marina would accommodate larger boats and could be a hub of activity on the water.

While a seasonal pastime, the fishing in this area is of major importance.

Someone mentioned that more fish are taken out of Lake Erie than all other lakes combined. It has perfect spawning capabilities and anglers from all over the world come here to fish. Being so close to the mouth of the Detroit River, surely, we can capitalize on that!

The quality of the water has tremendously improved over the years, thanks in large part to the work John Hartig has done. Industrialization

has gone way down so maybe it’s time for more recreational and environmentally sound retail and commercial businesses to take their place near the shoreline. The waterfront is a fantastic asset of Trenton and should be put to better use.

The bottom line is that Trenton lost a lot of its tax base when the large industrial complexes went out of business and left behind brownfields where future reuse will require costly environmental clean-ups.

We must welcome year-round revenue generating light industry back into the city, in an environmentally sound way. A mixed-use riverfront could encompass all the ideas listed above.

The last activity in the public session invited participants to prioritize all of these ideas about possible sites’ futures into short and long-term priorities. The assembled group created a mid-term category as well, all of which broke down as follows:

Short term goals

Technology jobs, robotics and other technological industries, service jobs, public art, industrial jobs, constructed wetlands, retail jobs, energy production, bike trails and related infrastructure, recreational programming, cultural programming, constructed wetlands, environmental recovery storytelling, more fishing piers, meadows and bird watching.

Mid-term goals

Small parks, large parks, playgrounds, indigenous peoples’ center/tours, kayak/canoe/waterrelated activities, retail development, green energy production, green infrastructure, and environmental jobs.

Long term goals

Hotels and other tourist infrastructure, museum/galleries, light industry, high tech industry, convention center, office jobs, research jobs, educational jobs, environmental jobs, and maybe a Trader Joes retail store with jobs for local residents.

What can you envision in Trenton? What would you like to be enjoying in five years? Ten years?

The students are continuing to compile information as the project continues.

Make your voice heard!

Wyandotte pets

Ian

This is Ian. He’s 8-years-old and lives in Wyandotte with his human Danny Quaine

Molly

This is Molly. She is 3-years-old and she lives in Wyandotte with her human Rich Vary. She likes to go for walks and likes meeting new friends.

Hooch

This is Hooch, who lives in Wyandotte with his human Joseph Urbiel. He is a 6-yearold Staffordshire Terrier rescue. He is completely blind but very resilient and sweet as can be. Urbiel said, “He has touched so many lives along the way and he is a perfect dog.”

Lucy

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

Would you like to see a photo of your pet published in an edition of our monthly publications? Simply send a photo to Sherry@gobigmultimedia. com and we will do the rest. Be sure to include the pet‘s name, your name and the community in which you live.

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Estate Planning 101 Which plan do you need?

Time to clear up the confusion about Estate Planning ... The following definitions lack legal precision, but makes it easier to get a clear picture of what may be needed in your case.

■ Will – letter of intent of where you want your personal property to go – or not go.

■ Living Will – Documents your wishes during your final days including final healthcare choices and possibly your burial wishes.

■ Trust – This is a “company” that you start, and you become the CEO, “Trustee” and “Settlor.” The company outlives you, but continues to manage your assets as if you were alive by the successor CEO – whom you designate.

■ Power of Attorney – Financial and Healthcare – you need both – the first so someone can pay your bills, the second, sometimes called a Patient Advocate, designates someone to make “hallway at the hospital” decisions to take the stress off the family.

■ Ladybird Deed – probably the best thing that has happened to owning a home. I love these deeds – you grant yourself a life estate – in your own property - but retain the power to sell or borrow against the property. If you do not sell before you pass, this “springs” the house out of your estate, and your heirs have instant ownership, subject to any mortgage or taxes owed or similar.

Again, this is just a general description of the more popular terms – no one choice is a “silver bullet” but depending on how your estate gets planned out you can expedite a clean and clear process for the assets you worked a lifetime to save. Why wouldn’t you want to do that? Stop by or call and make an appointment and I’ll tell you what you’re going to need to do this right.

To my numerous former clients – thank you for allowing me to draft your estate plan!

www.ForresterLawOffice.com

GET GREAT NEW GLASSES, SAVE SOME MONEY!

Many people - most, perhaps - go to an optometrist, get an eye exam and then follow the lady in the white coat over to the wall of frames and pick out a new set of glasses.

The story ends with the customer paying way more than he or she ever expected.

If that pretty much describes you, Bob Schmittou says there is something you should know: He can save you money, maybe lots of money.

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.

After slow start, Bears’ offense explodes

It was a bit of a rocky start to the 2022-23 season for the Roosevelt hockey team, which was blown out in its opening two games against Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard and the Bay Reps, in the following three games, the Bears’ offense has been unstoppable.

Wyandotte followed up its 0-2 start with wins over Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, Troy Unified and Grand Rapids Christian. In those games, Roosevelt outscored its three opponents 22-5.

SMCC fell 10-2, Troy 8-0 and GR Christian 4-3.

Leading the way for the Bears has been red-hot senior William Heskett, who scored 12 of his team’s 22 goals in the three victories. He had six against SMCC, four against Troy and two more against Grand Rapids.

Connor Wilson and Luc Hill also scored in the Grand Rapids win.

Others notching goals against SMCC were Jason Pente and Willie Ballantyne, who posted a three-goal hat trick.

Against Troy, Ballantyne had two more goals and Hill and Brendan Bayon had one each.

Jadn McGowan was in goal for the Troy and Grand Rapids wins and freshman Cooper Schafer backed the Bears to the win over SMCC.

The Bears got back into action against Ann Arbor Pioneer on Dec, 7 and played a rematch with Troy on Dec. 10.

They next face a busy threegame week with road games at Anderson Dec. 14, at Livonia Franklin Dec. 16 and at Grosse Ile Dec. 17.

After that, Wyandotte faces just one game – Dec. 21 at home against Woodhaven – before breaking for the holidays and returning to the ice Jan. 7 at nonleague Utica Ford.

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Schedule

Dec. 14 at Southgate Dec. 16 at Franl;in Dec. 17 at Grosse Ile Dec, 21 Woodhaven Jan. 7 at Utica Ford Jan. 11 Riverview Jan. 14 Allen Park Jan. 17 at AA Richard Jan. 19 at Carlson Jan. 21 at Plymouth Jan. 24 at Riverview Jan. 28 at AA Pioneer Feb. 1 SMCC

Feb. 4 Grosse Ile Feb. 8 at Trenton Feb. 11 Utican Ford Feb. 20 Regionals at Trenton

Goalie Jadn McGown makes one of his 33 saves against Grand Rapids Christian. Those saves helped the bears to a 4-3 victory.

Photos by Emily Caruso

Still time to get help from Wyandotte Goodfellows

Dave Gordon

While the main toy and voucher distribution has taken place, it’s not too late to get assistance from the Wyandotte Goodfellows this year and it’s never too late to make a donation to the organization that has provided assistance to needy city residents for decades.

Goodfellows Treasurer Todd Browning said the group will meet its goal of “no child without a Christmas,” thanks to the hard work of volunteers and the generous donations of local residents. He said the internal goal is “to serve more families than ever before.”

“If you know of somebody who may need some help, contact us,” said Browning, who is also the city treasurer. “If you would like to donate to help others, send donations to Wyandotte Goodfellows, P.O. Box 392, Wyandotte, Michigan

The Wyandotte Goodfellows are a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.

Browning said he refers people to

the Wyandotte Goodfellows Facebook page for details. When referring people to the organization, don’t share their personal information on social media, he said.

“We do monitor the Facebook page,” he said. “The application is on Facebook. You can print and mail it. As long as we get it before Christmas, we’ll do what we can to help them out.”

He said the Goodfellows follow federal guidelines for income purposes. Vouchers can be sent out from Shoppers Valley and Meijer. The vouchers cannot be used on alcohol or tobacco products.

A Facebook post by Theresa Jamula said qualified recipients will need to provide a driver’s license, birth certificates of children ages 17 and younger, proof of income (Social Security info, a paycheck stub, last year’s income tax papers), utility bills and mortgage/rent documents.

Toys and vouchers were distributed Dec. 5, 6 and 8. In a conservative year, Browning said, the Goodfellows

will spend $20,000 on vouchers; in a truly needy year, like this year, it could be upwards of $30,000.

“This year will reach a high mark,” he said. “We think the need is out there.”

Fundraising has been successful. Browning said the Goodfellows collect money at the City Hall parking lot during the Wyandotte Street Art Fair. The Goodfellows newspaper sales take place during the Wyandotte Christmas Parade and on street corners.

The largest individual fundraising business is Biddle Bowl, an eightlane bowling center that really came through when donations from larger businesses were down. This year, primarily through collecting returnable bottles and cans and fundraisers in the bowling alley, Biddle donated $14,000 – and has contributed about $74,000 since starting 16 years ago. (See related story.) Biddle Bowl also hosts an end-of-the-season appreciation dinner.

Wyandotte native Mark Knope

donates proceeds from a November comedy show at the Knights of Columbus. And then there are individual donors throughout the year.

“We want to thank the loyal donors who contribute every year,” Browning said. “People are very dedicated and passionate and they know there’s a need out there. The Wyandotte Goodfellows are very dedicated to our generous donors.”

Money collected this time of year will be used to provide for families in 2023, Browning said.

“The money we collect this year sets our budget for next year,” he said. “The money I’m spending now actually came from donations we received last year. We always know what our budget is. We never want to overspend.”

Browning praised his processor, the late Andrew Swiecki, for setting up the system.

“When Mr. Swiecki turned this over to me, he had it in sound financial standing,” Browning said. “He was a great mentor to me.”

Photo by Larry Caruso

Florida Keys Vacation!

Beautiful Two Bedroom Condo in Key Largo $295*

Night From Only

Ahhhhh, you’re on vacation…

Your morning in paradise starts with sipping your coffee sitting at your nautical teak table overlooking lush tropical landscaping on your private balcony or taking a short stroll to the tiki hut at the end of the pier to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic.  The perfect start in paradise.

After a fun filled day of boating, fishing, scuba diving or soaking up the sun relaxing by one of the largest pools in the Florida Keys or relaxing by the pool overlooking the marina and Atlantic ocean, or even sinking your toes in the sand like the song says “only worry in the world is the tide going to reach your chair” on our private upland sunning beach.  There is always something for everyone!

Paradise isn’t over yet as you walk through your own private courtyard, a bricked patio garden with relaxing furniture, then up just one flight of stairs, your private oasis awaits you…where you can unwind from a fun filled day.  You can cook your fresh day’s catch in your fully equipped new kitchen with lots of natural light glistening off the solid surface countertops and the stunning stainless steel appliances and eat in comfort.  Or go “out on the town” and relax in some of the best restaurants in the area where you are pampered as your fresh catch is being prepared to your specifications as you relax drinking a glass of wine watching the beautiful Florida Bay Sunset.  The perfect end to a wonderful day in paradise.

After dinner retreat to your 1480 sq. ft. Newly Decorated Beautiful two bedroom townhouse with a smart open floor plan, 14’ vaulted ceilings.  Relax with ELEGANT Tommy Bahama furnishings and a 65” HDTV in the great room.

Now time for a perfect night’s rest as you enjoy a wonderful view from the master bedroom giving the feeling of nestling in the trees.  A beautifully tropical draped four-poster, king size bed with ultra comfort mattress assures a perfect night’s sleep and offers the ideal spot to view the 48” flat screen TV.  An en suite bath features a corner spa tub, the perfect way to end a day of sightseeing.

Welcome to 901 Mariners Club!

We are glad to have you here!