Wyandotte Warrior, January 25 – February 23, 2023

Wyandotte’s pet whisperer

Woman has reunited dozens of lost dogs with owners

Dave Gorgon

Two decades ago, Wyandotte resident Deanna Grant went through back-to-back lifechanging events.

In 2002, a successful restaurant/bar/small hotel she coowned near Brooklyn, Michigan, was destroyed by a fire.

The next year, suffering from liver failure – and given six months to live – she underwent a liver transplant.

“I was devastated when the fire happened,” Grant said. “I lived across the street. There wasn’t anything I could do. In the end, it was a godsend. If that didn’t burn, I wouldn’t do the right things to get through the transplant.”

In 2006, Grant moved with her boyfriend Joseph Baffy to Wyandotte. Two years later, while

making improvements to the house, there was a sewer main collapse. All of her belongings that were being temporarily stored in the basement were lost. She remembers wearing only pajamas and socks while going to the store to buy something else to wear.

In 2018, Joe died from a brain aneurysm.

Two years later, Addison, her beloved Labrador retriever, passed away. “Addison was my world,” she said. “We did everything together. She taught me as much as I taught her. She really was an amazing dog. I wish she was still here for another 100 years.”

The deaths left her devastated and depressed. Yet, through it all, Grant has found solace in her love

The best time to talk to a Merrill Advisor? Yesterday.

These markets — they’re a wild ride. But we’ve seen it before. And with a Merrill Advisor, you can do more than just hang on — you can charge forward. Backed by world-class insights. Cutting-edge technology. And a personalized plan to help you thrive. Don’t just ride it out. Ride with the bull. Ride with Merrill. MerrillLynch,!Pierce,!Fenner!&!Smith!Incorporated!(also!referred!to!as!™MLPF&S∫!or!™Merrill∫)!makes!available!certain!investment!products!sponsored,!managed,!distributed!or!provided!by!companies!that!are!affiliates! of!BankofAmerica!Corporation!(™BofACorp.∫).!MLPF&S!is!a!registered!broker-dealer,!registered!investment!adviser,!Member!SIPC!and!a!wholly!owned!subsidiary!of!BofACorp. Investment!products: Are Not FDIC InsuredAre Not Bank GuaranteedMay

Wyandotte Group Leo G. Stevenson, CRPC Senior Resident Director leo_stevenson@ml.com

Lose Value The!Bull!Symbol!and!Merrill!are!registered!trademarks!of!BankofAmerica!Corporation. The!College!for!Financial!Planning!Institutes!Corp.!owns!the!service!marks!Chartered!Retirement!Planning!CounselorSM,!CRPCÆ,!and!the!CRPCÆ!logo,!and!the!certification!marks!Chartered!Retirement!Planning! Counselorô,!CRPCô,!and!the!CRPCô!logo. ©!2022!BankofAmerica!Corporation.!All!rights!reserved. MAP4800316!|!AD-06-22-0489.B!|!472845PM-0622!|!07/2022

Continued from page 1

for dogs and cats. More specifically, she looks out for lost dogs in her neighborhood and has reunited about 30 of the four-legged furry friends with their owners.

Taking Addison for walks introduced Grant to many other dogs and their owners in the neighborhood.

“Dogs provide unconditional love you might not get anywhere else,” she said.

Lost dogs seem to gravitate to Grant’s home near the Jo Brighton Center. Maybe it’s the scent of her own pets that draw them there. Whatever it is, she does her best to reconnect dog and owner.

When she finds a dog, Grant checks for contact information on the animal’s collar and makes a connection with the owner if possible. Meanwhile, she keeps the visiting dogs safe and provides nourishment as they wait.

If no contact info is found, she posts a sign near her home announcing “I have your dog” or something similar. That seems to work, leading to dozens of joyous reunions.

“They need help,” Grant said. “They need somebody to get them back to their family.

They made a mistake and walked out of that yard. I just want them to be home. I think of the little kid that probably is missing his dog at home.

“If anything would happen to any of my animals, I would just hope somebody would help them – that they wouldn’t be in too much of a hurry to have a chance to lend a hand.”

“Animals are very loyal and I think she loves that,” said Grant’s mother Carol, who lives in Allen Park. “They

are a friend no matter what.”

Following the passing of Addison, Grant moved in two other adult dogs to live with her:

Juelz, a Chihuahua/Jack Russell Terrier mix, and Vinnie, a miniature Doberman Pinscher and Dachshund. She also has a cat.

Grant enjoys taking the dogs for walks and running into other dog owners, to whom she is not shy about giving training advice – especially young dog owners who need guidance about dog walking.

Grant is always on the lookout

for strays and recalled one time chasing a dog for about a mile before convincing “her to come to me and being able to return her to her owners because she did have a name and phone number on her collar.” She has also contacted the Wyandotte Animal Shelter to see if anyone reported a lost dog.

Grant’s kindness to other dogs is amazing, according to close friends and neighbors Jennifer Kankula and Carol Cisco.

“When the word ‘selfless’ comes to mind, I always think of Deanna

Grant,” said Kankula, who works at the Livonia Public Library. “That wonderful woman always puts others, including animals, first. I am blessed and thankful to have her as my bestest friend.”

While Grant is working as a server, bartender and cook at Salute’ Taverna in Taylor, she can rely on Cisco to stop by her house and be her dogsitter, letting Juelz and Vinnie outside, feeding them and hanging out with them.

“I tell you what, Deanna is one of the kindest-hearted people I know, especially to animals,” Cisco said. “Any animals – even animals most people wouldn’t take because they’re old or sickly. She’s amazing.”

Grant went to school for travel and tourism, which led to owning the bar/ restaurant/hotel. She also owned a business that shrink wrapped boats in the cold months.

Maybe her connections to law enforcement makes Grant look out for others. Her father Franklin retired from the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department. Her brother Mark is a former member of the Wayne County rescue diving team and is a member of the Huron Township Police Department. The late Robert Heyer, a former police chief and mayor of Lincoln Park, was a distant relative.

It’s not just dogs and cats that have Grant’s attention.

An animal lover since childhood, she still remembers when her guinea pig had 36 babies. Grant said neighbors call her “the squirrel lady” since she shows kindness to squirrels – so much so that she recognizes them when she sees them and has given each of them a name.

“I’m just a silly animal lover,” she said. “I would have a zoo in my backyard if I could, I swear.”

A true animal lover, Deanna Grant has even named neighborhood squirrels.

Credit Union receives approval for charter expansion

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

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

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

“Under our previous field-of-

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

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

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

Downriver Community announces promotion of Karen Blade

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Karen Blade

Events set for February, March at 2nd Street Performing Arts Center

Several events in February and March are expected to be crowd pleasers at the 2nd Street Performing Arts Center in Wyandotte.

The center, called “the premier performing arts community gathering space” in the Downriver area is home to the Downriver Actors Guild, the Downriver Dance Academy, 2nd Street Sound and the podcast “Curtain Call.”

The facility, which opened on Oct. 14, 2022, is located at the former St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and School at 1123 2nd Street. The 10,000-square-foot theater has room for more than 250 seats and stage, plus an attached studio complex.

For more information on upcoming performances, call the ticket line at (734) 407-7020.

Parent Warning: “Be More Chill” is considered PG-14 for strong language and mature themes and content. It is not recommended for children 12 and under. Parents considering the individual needs of younger audience members are encouraged to listen to the show, available on music streaming services, to get a sense of its content.

THREE MEN AND A TENOR (PROFESSIONAL TOUR)

Great pop vocal music, quick-witted humor and overall likeability make the “Three Men and a Tenor” show a unique musical experience that cannot be matched.

The group has a national touring schedule and has opened shows for entertainment legends such as Jay Leno and the Beach Boys, performed The National Anthem to start the NASCAR FireKeepers 400 and had a national PBS-TV special that was shown from Los Angeles to Nashville. 3MT was voted “Michigan’s best entertainment” four times in 2017, 2016, 2011 and 2006 and twice toured Germany to perform at U.S. military bases for the troops and their families. “Three Men and a Tenor” have regularly sold-out shows at performing arts centers, theaters and festivals and fairs

for more than 30 years with their signature blend of powerful vocal harmonies and feel-good music for all ages of audiences.

Showtime is 7:30 p.m. March 4. Tickets are $30 apiece; $25 for seniors.

PURE IMAGINATION: A MUSICAL REVUE

“Pure Imagination” is a brand new revue featuring songs from Broadway Junior musicals based on adores titles such a “Seussical,” “Shrek: The Musical” and Disney favorites including “Beauty and the Beast” and “Frozen.” Pure Imagination is a wonderful afternoon or evening of entertainment by some of the most talented young performers in the area.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. March 10, 11, 17 and 18 and 3 p.m. March 12 and 19. Admission is $15 per person.

BE MORE CHILL

“More than survive.” That’s all Jeremy wants out of high school. Looking up from the bottom of the social ladder, there’s little hope for the uncool teen. But what if there was an easy way to change all that? Enter the SQUIP, a nonocomputer in the form of an easy-toswallow pill.

The SQUIP will implant itself in your brain and tell you what to wear, what to say and how to act to achieve ultimate coolness. Seems like an easy choice, right? But when things with the SQUIP take an unexpected turn, is Jeremy willing to lose everyone he cares about all in an effort to be more chill? Set to a pop-rock score, “Be More Chill is a hilarious sci-fi tale of high school and a boy’s quest to fit in, featuring a live band.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10, 11, 17 and 18 and 3 p.m. February 19. Admission is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students.

What’s happening at Bacon Library

STORY TIMES

Please register in person, online at baconlibrary.org, or by phone at 734-2468357.

We are sorry for the inconvenience but you will need to register each week.

Babytime/Toddler Tuesday, February 7, 14, 21 at 10 a.m.

Join Ms. Lynne for stories, music, dance, and bubbles! This program is geared for babies and young toddlers.

Family Storytime Tuesday, February 7, 14, 21 at 11 a.m.

Join Ms. Lynne for stories, music, dance and more! This program is geared to families with children of multiple ages.

Make Time for Play is February 28 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

The storytime room will be changed into a playgroup space featuring multiple play and learn stations for children to circulate through. The stations will include dramatic play, large and small motor play, sand table, and a rotating monthly themed station. Families are welcome to come and go throughout the morning.

Registration required.

MAKIN’ AT BACON Kids Programs

Lego Wednesdays is February 1 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Did you know Bacon Library has a huge stash of Legos? Stop in the Maker Space Room every first Wednesday of the month!

February 6-10: Spiky Hedgehogs

Stop by the front desk to pick up a hedgehog craft kit. Kits are limited so grab one quickly!

Slime-the-Makerspace: Chocolate Slime is February 15 from 4 to 5 p.m.

Learn how to make Chocolate Slime. All ingredients and a storage container will be provided. This class is limited in size to ensure the safety of all participants.

Registration is required.

Race the Space: Hot Wheels is February 22 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Build the tracks and race the cars using the library’s collection of Hot Wheels! Vroom.

ADULT/HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Valentine Card Drop In is February 9

from 5 to 7 p.m.

We will have our card making supplies and stamps and stamp pads out for use. Blank cards will be provided. This is not a class. Drop in anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. to create. Room closes at 7:30.

Make and Take Crafts will be available from February 6-11 in the main library.

Bacon Book Club is February 1 at 6:30 p.m.

Read along with us or better yet - meet with us and share your thoughts. We meet the 1st Wednesday of each month. Yearly Booklist will be available on our website.

Poets and Playwrights is February 7 at 6 p.m.

Al Turner Drop In Chess is Every Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Kids and adults of all ages can meet challenging new players every Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Downriver Numismatic Association is Thursday, February 9 at 6 p.m. Monthly coin club meeting.

Library Board Meeting is February 13 at 3:30 p.m.

Bacon Reading Challenge 2023 pickup begins Saturday, February 18

Have you always wanted to participate in a Reading Challenge? Give our challenge a try! We’ll make it easy peasy for you. Every month is a new reading challenge and if you register every month, we’ll pick a book to meet that challenge. You can also pick up a challenge calendar and do it on your own.

Friends of the Library Meeting is February 27 at 4:30 p.m.

Join with this dedicated group of volunteers to enhance the library experience! New members are always welcome.

True Crime Book Club is February 25 at 10:30 a.m.

We meet 10 times a year and each month is a different true crime selection. Check our website for the yearly list!

• Best Romantic Dining

• Best New Restaurant

• Best Dining Experience

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

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

The Teller’s Room

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

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

ThVl’

If you haven’t yet been to The Vault, you owe yourself a visit. Their hours are: Monday through Thursday 11:30am to 9:00pm Friday and Saturday 11:30am to 10:00pm Closed on Sundays.

Built on honesty and integrity, the owner’s goal was to make an allergy-friendly fine dining experience in downtown Wyandotte.

Delicious food and cocktails filled with flavor and creativity.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options!

All allergy-friendly with no compromises.

The upbeat setting of downtown balances the old roots of the bank you can still see today.

Neoliberalism is not a good thing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Evidence is mounting that

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

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

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

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

Efficiency takes you to materials that explain a lot.

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

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

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

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

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

towns that serve each community.

It is by design. A 50-year plan.

It is brilliant, it is evil.

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

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

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

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

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

Written article: ilsr.org/communityis-central/

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

PETER ROSE

This is Mars who lives in Wyandotte we also call him the gentle giant he just loves everybody. His owners are Diana and Jay.

This is Coco who lives in Wyandotte with her humans Lisa and Larry. She will be 10 in January but will always be our puppy. She loves giving kisses and playing with her many toys. She loves snuggling up in her UM blanket and rooting for the Michigan Wolverines to win! Go Blue! Go Coco!

This is Walter. He’s a 6 year-old rescue tabby cat and lives in Wyandotte with his parents, Kevin and Cassandra Bono. He loves spending time with parents and getting all of the wet food and treats.

I was wrapping presents and went to grab ribbon, and found Buddy my 2 1/2 year old cat was laying in the ribbon bin. I had been wondering where he was, cause he’s wild.

This is Bella, a 9 year old white lab. She loves to go for walks!!! We live in Wyandotte!!!

Oddfellow Concert Lounge to feature local performers

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

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

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

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

Concerts begin January 28.

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

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

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

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

like us on

New staff member at the International Refuge

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#36958A

#26470A

$29,559

$33,559

4D Crew Cab

2022

2015 Chevrolet Equinox LT 1LT

#26321B • $13,995

2020 Chevrolet Blazer LT • 40,941 Miles

2020 Jeep Compass Latitude • 38,237

On Facebook

Bears wrestlers second at own invitational

Led by three individual champions and two runners-up, the Roosevelt wrestling team powered its way to a second-place finish at the 25th annual Wyandotte Wrestling Invitational on Jan. 7.

The tournament developed into a daylong battle at the top of the standing between host Roosevelt and eventual champ Belleville. Belleville won its last match of the day and with it the title, edging the host team 191.5187.

Fenton (181) was third, Tecumseh (130.5) was fourth, Dearborn High was fifth (111), Southgate Anderson (88.5) finished sixth, Fordson (76) tied Saline (76) for seventh and Riverview Gabriel Richard (66.5) wrapped up in ninth place in a field of 19 total teams.

It was a fine day for the Bears, who had 12 wrestlers place among the top eight in their weight classes.

Roosevelt’s meet champs were Desmond King, Christian Byrne and Steve Andreone. Michael Stathakis and

Gabe Gibbons were runners-up.

Roosevelt had a trio of third-place finishes, thanks to Blake Schroeder (113), Zachary Fritz (138) and Max Biundo (157).

In fifth was Tyler Mayville (165), while Oscar Burns (114) and Zachary Tomczyk (190) both placed sixth and Caleb Andzelik (120) was seventh.

The Bears will host the Downriver League meet beginning at 9 a.m. on Feb. 4.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association state tournaments are right around the corner. Team districts start Feb. 8 and individual district are Feb. 11.

Wyandotte will host a team district tournament and they will get a shot at revenge as Belleville is one of the teams in that district. Woodhaven is the other team in the district.

For individual districts, Roosevelt will travel to Westland John Glenn High School.

Photos by Dave Chapman

Bears give Marauders a scare

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.ForresterLawO

It’s been a rocky start to the 2022-23 basketball season for the Roosevelt Bears, but the team keeps battling and on Jan. 18 the team went to Gibraltar to tangle with Carlson. The Roosevelt squad gave it all it had, but in the end, the Marauders were just a little too much and the Bears lost 58-50. It was Roosevelt’s eighth loss of the season against just two victories. The Bears have beaten Downriver League rivals Southgate and Taylor. They have dropped league games to Carlson, Dearborn Edsel Ford, Allen Park and Lincoln Park and non-league games to Grosse Ile, Huron, Flat Rock and Monroe. Catch the Bears next at home on Jan. 26 when Trenton comes to call.

Photo by Dave Chapman

Like Us On Facebook

There have been peaks and valleys for Bear skaters

It has been a season of highs and lows for the Wyandotte hockey team.

The Bears started the 2022-23 campaign by winning seven of their first nine games. But since Dec. 17, the Bears have gone just 2-5.

During the current stretch, Wyandotte has claimed wins over Woodhaven and Riverview. Just before the Christmas break Roosevelt hosted and beat Woodhaven 7-3.

The game was close through two periods and Wyandotte trailed 3-1 heading into the final period, but an avalanche of six Wyandotte goals turned the tide.

In that game, Luc Hill and William Heskett did all the scoring for the victorious Bears. Hill had four goals and Heskett, who is having a monster offensive year, scored three. Heskett, who had 33 goals and 43 points through 16 games, is far and away the Roosevelt leader in both those categories.

Gavin Daum, Willie Ballantyne, Marcos Gonzalez and Brendan Bayon notched two assists each and goalie Jadn McGowan stopped 13 of 16 shots for the win.

Roosevelt’s next win came Jan. 11 when the Bears hosted Riverview and won 6-4.

Again, it was a tight game. The teams were tied 2-2 after one period and 4-4 after two, but

Wyandotte got the only two goals of the third period to put the game in the “win” column.

Roosevelt fired 48 shots at the Riverview goal and six of them found the mark. Heskett was the main marksman as he scored five times. Gonzalez had the other goal.

McGowan stopped 31 shots to earn the win.

In addition to the Woodhaven and Riverview wins, Roosevelt fell to Grosse Ile, Dearborn Divine Child, Utica Ford Unified, Allen Park and Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard during the past month.

The Bears faced Carlson Jan. 19 and Plymouth Jan. 21. They return to the ice at Kennedy Recreation Center in Trenton to face a rematch with Riverview on Jan. 24.

After the second Riverview meeting, Roosevelt will have just six regular-season games left, four of them at home.

The Bears will close at Ann Arbor Pioneer on Jan. 28, home against Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central Feb. 1, home against Grosse Ile Feb. 4, at Trenton Feb. 8, home against Utica Ford Unified Feb. 11 and home against Dearborn Divine Child Feb. 15.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association state tournament begins with regional on Feb. 20.

The Bears, a Division 2 team this year, will start the playoffs with a regional tournament in Trenton. Also there will be the host Trojans, who were Division 2 state runners-up last year, Adrian, Allen Park, Carlson and Bedford.

WYANDOTTE

Photos by Emily Caruso

Marcos Gonzalez (26)

Story by Dave Gorgon

Wyandotte’s Nic DiSanto signs with Division 1 football team

DiSanto signed a letter of intent to attend Eastern Illinois University about a week after announcing his intentions in dramatic fashion during a commitment ceremony in the Gabriel Richard gymnasium before family members, the student body, coaches, teachers and school officials.

“Playing Division 1 football has been my goal,” DiSanto said. “Ever since the end of my sophomore year, I was really determined to play at the next level. Knowing Division 1 is the highest level for college, why not strive for the best?”

DiSanto, the son of Joe and 27th District Court Judge Elizabeth DiSanto, has starred for the Pioneers in football, ice hockey and lacrosse.

At 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, DiSanto was a two-way lineman for the GR football team, blocking for the quarterback and running backs on offense and going after the opponent as a nose guard on defense.

Coach Dionte Allen said DiSanto made his presence felt on and off the field, twice earning All-Catholic honors while serving as a leader on the team and at school.

“It’s a beautiful day for the school,” Allen said during the commitment ceremony. “It’s a phenomenal day… I’m so proud of him.”

Eastern Illinois is located in Charleston, nearly 400 miles southwest of the Downriver area and about three hours downstate from

Chicago. Several alumni have gone on to play in the National Football League, including Tony Romo, a 14year veteran with the Dallas Cowboys and currently the lead football analyst for CBS Sports; Jimmy Garoppolo, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers; and coaches Sean Payton and Mike Shanahan.

John Cannova, an assistant coach for the Panthers, said the staff was pleased to sign DiSanto, who has been targeted to play offensive line for the Cardinals since the end of his junior season. Cannova said DiSanto will receive a full scholarship from the university, calling the young player “a diamond in the rough.”

“Nic is athletic, physical, versatile –

a developmental offensive lineman,” Cannova said. “He’ll play guard or tackle on the offensive line. He has been a priority for us. We’ve enjoyed getting to know him and his family. We’ve been to campus a few times.”

Cannova said staff liked the idea that DiSanto plays on the Gabriel Richard varsity hockey team as well as football and watched him play on the ice in a game against Trenton.

“He would be the first lineman recruited that’s also a hockey player,” Cannova said. “He can really move on skates, which isn’t typical of a guy who is 6-foot-5 and over 300 pounds.

“We’re excited about him and his

After making his commitment to Eastern Illinois University, Nic DiSanto poses with sister Nina, dad Joe, mom Elizabeth and Uncle Jeffrey Johnson, who helped train him.

DISANTO

family. They’re awesome people. We look forward to getting him here next summer.”

Joe DiSanto credited his son with working hard to put himself in a position to play college football. Nic worked with his uncle, trainer Jeffery Johnson, in the offseason, lifting weights five days a week while working on speed and agility.

“Hard work pays off,” Joe DiSanto said. “Nic is humble, but he’s a leader. He found a great institution and is going to fit right in there. He has coaches who believe in him. He can get a great education and an opportunity to play some great football.”

DiSanto said he is looking to study in a medical field, perhaps in physical therapy.

“He set a goal, worked hard and achieved his goal,” said Elizabeth DiSanto, who was emotional during the commitment ceremony. “He’s one of those humble leaders that surprises you at the end.”

Gabriel Richard Athletic Director

and basketball Coach Kris Daiek said DiSanto going to play Division 1 football is big news at the high school.

“It means everything,” Daiek said. “They’re getting a great kid, not just a great athlete. He exemplifies everything we do at school. He’s a three-sport athlete (football, hockey and lacrosse). He’s a great representative of the school. What a great, outstanding young man.”

Before unveiling his college choice before a raucous crowd in the GR gym, DiSanto displayed four baseball caps from Eastern Illinois, Hope College, the University of Finley and Wayne State University. He teased, maneuvering from one cap to the next before revealing his true choice as the crowd erupted.

DiSanto said the coaching staff at Eastern Illinois seemed to have the most interest in him and was in contact with him the most throughout the recruiting process.

“They just believed in me from the start,” he said. “They wanted me.”

“It still hasn’t really hit me yet,” he added. “I’m going to move away and play Division 1 football.”

Like Us On Facebook

Gabriel Richard students applaud after Nic DiSanto announces his choice of Eastern Illinois University to play Division 1 college football.

A poster showing Nic DiSanto in his GR football uniform attached to the table during the commitment ceremony at GR

What’s happening ...

Take it outside Photo Contest

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

AAUW scholarships

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

Architectural Historian

The Downriver Genealogical Society Meeting will meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Copeland Center, 2306 Fourth St., Wyandotte. Tyler Moll’s talk is entitled “How to date your historic house/building.” For more information, visit downrivergenealogy.org or call 734-365-9815 or 313-382-3229.

Salvation Army Weekly Events

Golden Agers Bingo, Mondays, 10 a.m. to noon, $1. Downriver Music, Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m., kindergarten and older. Downriver Youth, Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., kindergarten and older. Downriver Bible Study, Wednesdays, 5-6 p.m., 16 and older.

The Salvation Army Downriver Corps Community Center is located at 1258 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte. For more information, call 734-282-0930.

Night at the Movies

A rare film screening of the 1957 sci-fi flick “Invasion of the Saucer Men” will be held Jan. 21 in Lincoln Park, home of one of the film’s stars, Lyn Osborn. The screening will be preceded by an alien-themed costume contest. The event is free and open to the public at Lincoln Park’s Memorial Park Band Shell building, 3240 Ferris Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available for sale.

For more information, contact the Lincoln Park Historical Society at 313-386-3137 or lpmuseum@ gmail.com.

VIP Support Group (Visually Impaired Persons)

Taylor Community Library, Taylor. Jan. 25, from 12 – 1 p.m. In Person, Virtual, or Call-in. VIP Support is a monthly support group for people experiencing vision loss and their caregivers. Each month, we meet to discuss important topics and connect over shared concerns. Call 712-775-7031, Access Code: 965803 or join virtually by visiting bit.ly/TCLbtbcall. For more information, call 734287-4840.

Taylor Garden Club

Meets the 3rd Thursday of the month September through June. Meetings are held at Taylor Senior Activity Center. Hospitality at 6 p.m., meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Guests are welcome to attend once for free. Membership fee is $15 per year. You do not have to live in Taylor to join the group. For more information, contact Nancy Smith at 734-2876851 or by email at smithnan88@yahoo.com.

gobigmultimedia.com/grosse-ile-grand

New store manager at Dingell Visitor Center

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

On page 38

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

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

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

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

On page 15

What’s happening Grosse Ile ...

Take it outside Photo Contest

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

AAUW scholarships

The AAUW Wyandotte-Downriver Branch

Businesses line up for retail marijuana retail permits

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

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

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

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

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

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

As experienced cultivators and providers, we understand the profound benefits cannabis can bring to our lives– both as individuals and as a community. And we’re passionate about bringing those benefits to as many people as we can On page 17

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

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

gobigmultimedia.com/riverview-register

managers the opportunity to share their thoughts with her directly.

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

On page 1

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...

After the opener, five 27-minute breakout sessions followed that covered the following topics: Social media, Athletic Director’s perspectives, respect for officials, student sections and parental support and etiquette at events.

On page 7

Trenton Recreation looking forward to 2023 We’ve been focused on expanding our senior and youth programming, as well as opening our facilities back up for rentals. If you are interested in renting out the Westfield Center or Cultural Center for a family or organizational event or if you’d like rent ice for a party at the Kennedy Recreation Center, please give us a call at 734-675-7300.

And stay tuned for more opportunities to get involved and get moving! With everything from park builds to holiday events to jamborees and showcases, there will be something for everyone. We’re truly approaching 2023 with a renewed appreciation for the good times – which we can’t wait to host and celebrate with you...

On page 10

...Former Detroit Red Wings standout and fan favorite Darren McCarty was our featured guest speaker and he rocked Crystal Gardens with his stories of his four Stanley Cup winning teams and the ghts he got in.

A sold out crowd laughed and cried to his amazing stories

On page 26

Like Us On Facebook

Trenton holiday memories:

Former Red Wing McCarty wows at veteran event

Roosevelt senior third in VFW District

DAVE GORGON

One of the best and brightest students in the senior class at Roosevelt High School finished third in the district level of the Voice of Democracy sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Eliana Pettigrew, who is in the running to become valedictorian at Roosevelt, earned a $100 scholarship and a trophy for her speech on “Why the Veteran is Important.” She received her prizes during the 76 th annual awards banquet on January 7 at the VFW post in Southgate.

The Fourth District covers all of Wayne County. Pettigrew, daughter of Sarah and Doug Pettigrew, actually followed in the footsteps of her mother, whose speech years ago gave her a post-level championship when she was a student at Allen Park High School.

Eliana, who learned about the Voice of Democracy from a poster hanging at school, said she wrote her speech “from the heart.”

“The veteran is a member of the community who never really stops giving back,” she said in the closing paragraph of the speech. “To protect the ideals that we as Americans hold so dear demands great sacrifice, and it takes an extraordinary person to take on this task. In more than just a passing parade, on more than just one federal holiday, we must be thankful for these heroes among our community. Let us not take these veterans, or the freedoms they protect daily, for granted. Our veterans, these important the selfless citizens, are the protectors of the values we hold so dear.”

The lifetime Wyandotte resident said she enjoys writing, so the annual contest was in her wheelhouse. She said she was privileged to be recognized as the top speech at VFW Post 1136 in Wyandotte and then was thrilled to be announced as the thirdplace recipient at the district banquet.

“I was really excited,” Pettigrew said. “I’m honored to be selected.”

With a grade-point average over 4.1, Pettigrew is one of the top-ranked students in her class. She also has won a scholarship from the Soroptimist Club.

It would be a challenge to find someone more active than Pettigrew

in and around Roosevelt High School.

She is president of the school’s Amnesty International Chapter, which she founded as a junior. The group holds meetings and participates in letter-writing campaigns, especially on behalf of people incarcerated around the world. They plan events in communities and participate in vigils and protests. Recently, members held a bake sale fundraiser on behalf of Ukrainian refugees.

In fact, she plans to major in fine arts when she goes to college and use her degree to create messages as a vehicle for continued activism.

“I really care about social issues, and this is a way to empower young people to stand up for their beliefs,” Pettigrew said.

Pettigrew also holds highranking positions in music-related organizations at Roosevelt.

She is president of the Tri-M Honor Society (the music version of the National Honor Society), president of the United Sound chapter, president of the high school band and has been leader of the flute section for the marching band.

She participates with Modern Music Masters and is among the performers in the symphony band that mentors children with special needs, teaching them how to play instruments leading to an end-of-the-year concert.

Pettigrew is chapter president of the National Honor Society at Roosevelt and is a member of the Science Olympiad team, the Science Club, the National Art Honor Society and Book Club.

Outside of school, she volunteers

of Democracy contest

with her mother’s soup kitchen, Waynewright Community Meals – commonly known as the “Wyandotte Soup Kitchen” – at First Congregational Church in Wyandotte.

VFW Voice of Democracy Fourth District Chair John Fleming said 17 posts in Wayne County sponsored speeches by high school students. Fourteen posts sponsored essays in the

Patriots Pen contest for middle-school students.

A second Roosevelt senior, Michael Makuch, was judged to have the top speech at VFW Post 4230 in Rockwood. Benjamin Demmer, an eighth-grader at Wilson Middle School, was judged to have the top essay at Post 1136.

Catholic Schools Week is Around the Corner

By: Lily Paschke, GR Senior

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

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.

ìI am kind of like what the pharmacy is to your doctor,î Schmittou said. ìYour 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.î

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.

Like Us On Facebook