Wyandotte Warrior, August 24 – September 25, 2023

DAVE GORGON

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer made the Wyandotte Fire Station the place to sign the state’s fiscal year 2024 general fund budget, saying that it includes record funding for infrastructure, economic development, health care and public safety. The Governor said the budget will help achieve the goals of her “Make it in Michigan” plan by growing the economy, lowering costs and SEE TOWN, Page 3

Calling artists for Fall Festival for the Arts

The Creative Arts Society will hold its annual Fall Festival for the Arts from Sept. 29 - Oct. 19 at the Downriver Council for the Arts, 81 Chestnut Street in Wyandotte.

The event will feature a fine art juried show, arts and crafts, small works and crafts and an unframed matted show and sale.

Applications can be found on the group’s website creativeartsociety.org.

The festival is open to artists 18 years or older. Original artwork and crafts (prints permitted for postcards and note cards and unframed artwork). No commercial molds, patterns or kits, no resale of purchased items.

Artwork will not be accepted without a label with the artist name, address, contact info, title, price and medium. No changes will be accepted after submission and all work must be for sale.

The committee reserves the right to reject unprepared entries and questionable work.

Tables will be provided for small items (i.e. jewelry, sculpture, glass, etc.). Artists are responsible for their own insurance. Bins will be provided for the unframed matted artwork section of the show.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS

Fine Art entries: Artists may enter three hanging pieces of artwork and/ or 3-dimensional pieces under 50 pounds. All hanging artwork and 2-D and 3-D artwork will be limited to 160 inches in perimeter (including matte and frame). Hanging artwork must be framed, wired from hooks at each side and ready for hanging. no saw tooth hangers allowed. 3-dimensional pieces must be prepared for proper display. Pictures (larger than16x20) must be framed with Plexiglass, excluding pastels. Please, no copies or prints of fine art entries.

Smaller works and crafts entries: Five pieces of jewelry or craft items (artwork no larger than 36” inches in circumference). Hanging artwork must be framed, wired from hooks

at each side and ready for hanging. no saw tooth hangers allowed. 3-dimensional pieces must be prepared for proper display.

Unframed matted artwork: All unframed matted artwork not to exceed 72 inches in circumference must be in plastic sleeves. Artwork will be displayed in bins.

Entry Procedure

Complete the entry form (found online at creativeartsociety.org ) and mail with non-refundable fee of (for the fine art show, the crafts boutique and /or unframed matted artwork). Entries must be postmarked no later than Saturday Sept. 24. Make check/ money order payable to creative art society and mail to: Jacqueline Walock, 25419 Bohn Court, Flat Rock, Michigan 48134.

Awards

First place ($300); Second place ($200); Third place ($100); Artist Choice ($100); Honorable mention awards ($30). Commission: 25 percent to benefit Creative Art Society

Delivery of Artwork

Saturday Sept, 23 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. to the Downriver Council for the Arts, located at 81 Chestnut, Wyandotte.

Hours of operation

The Opening Reception will be held Friday, Sept. 29, from 6 – 9 p.m. The Fall Festival of the Arts Hours are:

Tuesday 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Wednesday 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Thursday 9 a.m. -8 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

There will be artist demonstrations on Sept. 30, Oct. 7 and Oct. 14 from 2 - 3 p.m. Pick up Artwork

Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. until noon. Work not picked up will be subject to a $20 holding fee.

Show is open and free for the public For more information contact; Maureen Keast

734-777-6109,mkeast1@aol.com or Jackie Walock 313-570-6919 walock@sbcglobal.net or check out our facebook page Creativeartsociety/ downriverartscraftsguild

Website creativeartsociety.org

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investing in Michigan communities.

State Rep. Jaime Churches, who lives in Wyandotte, called it an “honor” for Whitmer to sign the budget in the city. Churches said one of her goals has been to “shed more light on Downriver” and the area’s issues and needs and has been working with the Governor, State Senator Darrin Camilleri and others to make that happen.

“The Governor chose to highlight our Fire Department, our first responders, public safety, Wyandotte and Downriver,” Churches said. “I was really honored. I live in Wyandotte and grew up on Grosse Ile. To have the Governor come here and show the importance of our community, it meant a lot.”

Churches was among the speakers at the Governor’s visit, which took place July 31. She talked about the needs for infrastructure repairs and investments, among other topics. She said more than $50 million has been secured in Downriver appropriations

and budget needs.

“The Governor is listening to all Michiganders, but to have a day when she focused on Downriver was really cool,” Churches said.

“I was a fifth-grade teacher. One reason I ran was I wanted to do things for my community outside the classroom. This job allows us to do that.”

Wyandotte Mayor Rob DeSana, who was on hand with local and state officials, called Whitmer’s appearance a historic event for the city.

“I thought it went well on such short notice,” he said. “The department heads did a great job getting prepared for it.”

Later in the day, Whitmer traveled to Lincoln Park to join the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in launching the “Adelante” program, which received support from the New Economy Initiative.

The program places a full-time chamber staffer in the city to provide technical assistance to Hispanic small businesses. The budget includes $15 million for talent action teams to fasttrack assistance to businesses looking to expand or locate in Michigan.

Everyone’s welcome!

Unite Community Church block party attracts hundreds to Oak Club Park

DAVE GORGON

The goal of the Aug. 6 block party at Oak Club Park in Wyandotte was pretty basic: bring the community together for some free family fun, food and information.

Mission accomplished, said the leaders of Unite Community Church, which hosted the Sunday afternoon event with the Downriver Foster Closet.

Hundreds turned out for free food and beverages, bounce houses, a dunk tank, carnival games, prizes, face painting and more. Children lined up to meet Wyandotte firefighters and get an up-close look at a fire truck and an ambulance

at the park, which is located on 20th Street off Vinewood.

“Our vision is to unite with the community,” said Lead Pastor Chris Pasik. “This was a mutual coming together. Our approach is hey, we want to do something in the summer. Someone in the church said, ‘let’s have a block party.’”

And they did.

Unite Community Church operates out of a facility known as the Kinergy Center, located at 2250 Oak. The “true multipurpose building” also houses a state-of-the-art workout center and

Unite Community Church Campus Outreach Director Beckie Nemcheck (left), Campus Pastor Steve Wesner, Lead Pastor Chris Pasik, First Impressions Jenny Ballard, Kids Director Shadi Al-Afan (holding Lia) and Tracy Malloy.

Lollah Gallaway and Jeannie Denson enjoy pulled pork sliders and face painting. SEE CHURCH, Page 5

CHURCH

Continued from page 4

a couple businesses, Pasik said.

Church services are held at 10 a.m. on Sundays. He said there will be two services in the fall at 9:15 and 11 a.m.

The block party was the latest in a series of community outreach programs. Church leaders partner with agencies to help them reach a goal. In this case, officials at Downriver Foster Closet, a nonprofit agency that assists foster children and families, wanted to hold an event for “their people,” Pasik said. They wanted to get the word out that free backpacks and school supplies were available at the Ford Avenue location.

Unite Church wanted to help make that happen at the block party. Church members distributed fliers to a three-block area of the park and advertised the block party on Facebook in a three-mile radius.

Campus Pastor Steven Wesner “is very into barbecuing,” Pasik said, and had the equipment.

Don MacNeil, a chef at Madonna University, is a member of the church and prepared pulled pork for sliders and hot dogs. Another member donated an old dunk tank. Various congregation members manned the carnival games.

“There are so many people with so many great talents in the world,” Pasik said. “In our model, we engage them. We’re going to do massive things with other organizations.

“Our idea is to get up and go. We brought our resources to what they were already doing. We believe they can meet the goals of their event and exceed them exponentially.”

Pasik was born in Taylor and served as a college youth pastor before starting a church on the campus of Eastern Michigan University in 2018. Now he lives in Saline and oversees a church there as well.

“We help people discover and love who Jesus is,” Pasik said. “How we do that is through uniting the community… the community has been really open to us. We can help.”

The church’s “help” has ranged from donating $10,000 to a Lincoln Park family that adopted two

children after both of their parents were killed in a car accident to helping a football program with game concessions. When operators of a school sensory room and a store for special needs kids didn’t have enough funding to finish the project, the folks at Unite Community “came in and finished it,” Pasik said.

Church members poll people in an area to learn their needs. When parents at Lafayette Elementary School in Lincoln Park responded that they would enjoy a night out, the church made that happen by organizing a night of fun and games for children.

“Now people are starting to realize that the church is there for the good of humanity,” Pasik said “How does that grow your church? Everybody goes through tragedy, anxiety and let downs in life and our hope is that through serving they would see the church for what it really is: the hope of the world.”

For more information, visit the website unitecommunitychurch.com or find them on Facebook or Instagram.

Firefighters and EMTs show off the Wyandotte Fire Department’s rescue vehicle to area children.

An honorable farewell

VFW part of efforts to retire 1,000 American flags during special funeral

DAVE GORGON

One thousand old and worn American flags were retired in style and with dignity during a patriotic funeral service, thanks to the efforts of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Southgate and the Michigan Memorial Funeral Home.

The flags were collected from the Veterans Court at the 28th District Court in Southgate and placed in two large cremation boxes. On July 16, dozens of veterans gathered at the VFW on Dix-Toledo Road, where the boxes were placed in a Michigan Memorial hearse and driven in procession to the funeral home in Huron Township.

After a complete funeral service, during which the boxes were strapped together and draped with a large American flag to look like a casket, the flags were cremated onsite.

The events of the day were orchestrated by Bill King, commander of the Southgate VFW, and Craig Roe, vice president and general manager of the funeral home. Participants included dozens of members of the VFW and VFW Auxiliary, the Downriver Veterans

Honor Guard, the VFW District 4 Riders and other interested observers. Some served as pallbearers; some were moved to tears during the ceremony.

“It was treated from beginning to end like a funeral,” Roe said. “It flowed very nicely. Everything tied together perfectly. We’re so happy with how the day went.”

King had approached Roe with the concept, saying it was important for the flags to be retired properly. King said the post wanted to honor the flags’ service.

“As a veteran, you go into the military and pledge your allegiance to the flag when you enlist,” said King, who served 20 years in the Army. “When you’re in the military, you serve that flag. And that same veteran will someday rest under that flag. I think because of those reasons, the flag is very important to the veteran and the flag should be equally important to every citizen.”

King and Roe worked out the details. The Michigan Memorial hearse contained military decals. Motorcyclists from the District 4 Riders served as escorts for the hearse, turning heads of other drivers along the way to the

funeral home. Honor Guard members stood guard. Veterans filled the funeral home during the ceremony. Flags from all military branches flanked the flag-covered boxes of flags. Bill Peters, chaplain of Post 9283, honored the flags with a reading about “Old Glory.” Honor Guard members fired a 21-gun salute and played Taps. After the cremation took place, Michigan Memorial provided food and beverages for the participants.

“Michigan Memorial Funeral Home and its owner are very patriotic and believe in the respect the flag deserves,” Roe said. “We support the veterans and very much appreciate their service to our country. That’s what the flag represents.

“It was a great honor to be asked by these veterans to do this. We feel very privileged to be allowed to be part of this service with them.”

King said the vision of the VFW and the funeral home came together for a wonderful event.

“A couple guys said being there and watching it all take place touched them as much as when they have to go to a funeral for a friend,” King said. “They were really touched by it.”

King said the dignified ceremony was a change from other much simpler ceremonies in which flags are burned. “There was nothing that wasn’t done right,” he said. “Everyone was touched by the reverence and the honor that was afforded the flags… It gave a really good idea that being in the military is more than a guy carrying a gun.”

Bill Schaffer, president of the 4th District VFW Riders, said his members from throughout the Downriver area were honored to participate as both escorts and pallbearers.

“This was a first for us,” he said. “It was nice to see somebody do it right. Frank Mentzer, treasurer of the Downriver Veterans Honor Guard, said “Michigan Memorial really stepped up. It was really, really nice.”

Plans called for at least some of the ashes to be placed by the veterans memorial outside the Southgate post, where bricks honor Southgate veterans who were killed in the Vietnam War.

“I think it’s just one more way to say that those flags served our country, and we will always protect them,” King said. “We will make sure the flag is honored always.”

Participants in the flag retirement ceremony gather around the boxes containing 1,000 flags outside the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Southgate.

Photo by Dave Chapman

Diamonds and Denim event helps fight men’s cancers

The annual Diamonds and Denim fundraiser for the It’s In Your Jeans Downriver cancer awareness group will be held Sept. 8 at Crystal Gardens in Southgate.

The event, which begins with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7, will feature a wonderful meal, music by Wisteria, dancing, raffles and a 5050 drawing.

So dress in your most glamorous jeans attire and join them for a fun night that helps give support to men’s health awareness. Even better, give them a call and offer to be a sponsor of this important event.

It’s In Your Jeans leads the battle against lung, colorectal, prostate and testicular cancer. The group’s mission is to educate men to take responsibility for their health and when to take action. The goal is to educate, promote awareness and to offer financial assistance toward the preventative treatment against prostate, testicular and colorectal cancer to the men in our community.

It’s In Your Jeans is committed to raising awareness of the cancers prevalent to men. In doing so, they have many fundraisers and events to help raise funds to continue our crusade to save the men in our lives. We hope you join us as a guest, sponsor, donor or volunteer. Together, we do make a difference!

The group provides financial assistance toward educational programs and preventative cancer screenings for men in our community. If you or someone you know is battling cancer, please do not hesitate to reach out to It’s In Your Jeans for help.

In addition to screenings, It’s In Your Jeans Downriver is willing to offer assistance toward non-insurance covered expenses, including, but not limited to, transportation, childcare, deductibles, medication and integrative medicine.

CANCER FACTS

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men.

It occurs in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in men that

produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Usually prostate cancer grows slowly and is initially confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. However, while some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or even no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly.

When prostate cancer is found only within the prostate gland, it has the best chance of being cured.

Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer include: Trouble urinating, decreased force in the stream of urine, blood in semen, discomfort in the pelvic area, bone pain and erectile dysfunction.

Discuss your particular situation and the benefits and risks of screening with your doctor.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women in the United States. It is estimated that more than half of all cases could be prevented by regular screenings.

Colorectal cancer nearly always starts with noncancerous growths called polyps, which would typically be identified and removed during a

colonoscopy. This important screening can actually prevent the development of cancer.

Signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer include: Dark or bright red blood in stool, abdominal pain, unexpected weight loss.

Beginning at age 50, both men and women should have a colonoscopy every 10 years, or even every 3-5 years if polyps are found. Screening may be earlier based on family history.

While a colonoscopy is the recommended screening, your doctor may offer a simple take home test to look for hidden blood in the stool. If blood is found, then a colonoscopy would be recommended.

Talk with your doctor about your history and schedule the colorectal cancer screening type that is best for you.

Testicular cancer occurs in the testicles, which are located inside the scrotum. It is the most common cancer in American males between the ages of 15 and 35. Those with a history of an undescended testicle have a higher risk.

Compared with other types of cancer, testicular cancer is rare, but noted to be the most curable cancer with excellent survival rates.

Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include: A lump or enlargement in either testicle, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, a dull ache in the abdomen or groin, a sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum, pain or discomfort in a testicle or the scrotum, enlargement or tenderness of the breasts, back pain.

There is no way to prevent testicular cancer.

To determine whether a lump is testicular cancer, your doctor may recommend testing with an ultrasound, screening blood-work and possibly surgery.

Lung cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men. Naturally, active smokers are at highest risk as well as those who have been exposed to asbestos.

Second-hand smoke and even nonsmokers still can develop lung cancer.

Signs and symptoms of lung cancer include: New cough unrelated to infection, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, unexpected weight loss with large smoking history.

If you are undergoing cancer treatment and could use some help and support, contact It’s In Your Jeans Downiver at info@ itsinyourjeansdownriver.org.

New Rouge River Book Placed in 75 Libraries in River’s Watershed

The Colina Foundation of Grosse Ile, Michigan believes that children are our hope for the future, education is the key to life improvement, and the environment is a resource to be cherished, respected, and conserved.

Living up to its mission of helping children, the Colina Foundation provided a grant to place copies of the new book titled “Rouge River Revived: How People are Bringing Their River Back to Life” in 75 libraries in the river’s watershed.

The Rouge River flows through metropolitan Detroit and for over 50 years was considered one of the most degraded urban rivers in the country.

Then in the mid-1980s a “tipping point” occurred that would change everything.

First, an odor problem in Dearborn and Melvindale was discovered to be massive amounts of raw sewage decomposing in the Rouge River, resulting in depletion of dissolved oxygen in the river that produced hydrogen sulfide – the smell of rotten eggs.

Second, a 23-year-old man fell into the river, swallowed water, and died of a waterborne disease called leptospirosis, or rat fever. The source again was raw sewage being discharged into the river. Health departments had no choice but to warn the public to avoid contact with the river.

This book is the story of the response to that mid-1980s “tipping point” – how people overcame apathy and are working together to bring their river and its watershed back to life.

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calls it “a model for river restoration.”

“Rouge River Revived” is edited by John Hartig and Jim Graham, with chapters written by environmentalists, community activists, and others intimately involved in the day-today process of river restoration. It was published by the University of Michigan Press press.umich. edu/12059356/rouge_river_revived.

The story of this dramatic ecosystem turn-around was written for all to understand and with a particular interest in making sure that

the environmental lessons from the past are not lost but indeed passed on to the next generation. It is a story that will inspire and give hope to all who care about the watershed or place they call home.

One of the important lessons taught in the book is that we are all part of an ecosystem.

The difference between environment and ecosystem is like the difference between house and home. A house is something that is external and detached – it sits across the street or down the block. In contrast, a home is something we see ourselves in even when not there.

We all must remember that we live in an ecosystem and what we do to our ecosystem we do to ourselves.

“The book’s well-documented and well-told stories are beacons of hope in difficult environmental times,” notes Dave Dempsey, senior adviser to the nonprofit advocacy group called For the Love of Water.

Copies of the book have been placed in 75 libraries in the Rouge River watershed to inspire a sense of wonder and a stewardship ethic for this urban waterway. Funding to place copies of the book in the libraries was provided by the Colina Foundation to the University of Michigan- Dearborn. Additional funding for a book tour was provided by the Americana Foundation. The Americana Foundation prioritizes agriculture and natural resources, including protecting, preserving, or restoring the Great Lakes.

Distribution of the books to libraries was accomplished by The Library Network – the largest library cooperative in Michigan.

On Aug. 7, John Hartig gave a talk on “Rouge River Revived” and led a discussion at the Northville District Library in Northville, Michigan. More than 20 people participated.

Schools, libraries, community organizations, or businesses interested in scheduling a presentation and discussion on “Rouge River Revived,” may contact co-editors John Hartig, johnhartig1@gmail.com or Jim Graham, riverguy2524@gmail. com.

Nature, right outside your classroom door

JOHN HARTIG

While watching civilization expand into the countryside in the 1800s, the great American author and naturalist Henry David Thoreau recommended every town have a forest of 500 to 1,000 acres for conservation instruction and outdoor recreation.

Southgate, Michigan agrees with this precept and while it’s short of Thoreau’s threshold, it has created a significant 41-acre nature center adjacent to Southgate Anderson High School.

There were challenges to be sure.

The site was farmed between the 1940s and early 1970s and then sat vacant for a time before becoming a dumping ground for tires and debris. But teachers and community organizers were not to be deterred from saving this land from development.

The idea for the Southgate Nature Center was conceived in 1996 when several of the high school’s teachers, including John Nasarzewski, met with then superintendent Stanley Mazur to share concerns about the loss of open space due to the rapid development of every inch of available land in the city.

The teachers proposed that the school district designate 18 acres west of the school as a nature preserve.

The purpose would be to provide citizens and students with a natural area for hiking, an appreciation of wildlife and habitat, and environmental education where students and adults could be inspired with a sense of wonder and develop a stewardship ethic.

A committee was then formed with representation from government, education, conservancy groups, and community members.

Students from Southgate Anderson High School immediately got involved. A computer-aided design class mapped the site, while students in environmental science classes conducted field studies that inventoried wildlife and vegetation. Technical assistance came from an expert from an environmental consulting firm called Wade Trim.

In 1999, the nature center was expanded with an additional 23 acres thanks to a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant of $525,000. That same year, both the city and school signed a management service agreement accepting joint responsibility for stewardship and operation of the nature center for 99 years.

In 2000, 8.2 acres of wetlands were restored as part of a deal to compensate for the loss of wetlands in the construction of a Meijer supermarket. Then in 2004, the Southgate Anderson Ecology Club and the Downriver Stream Teams joined the Wayne County Department of Public Services’ Environmental Services Division to begin a water monitoring program.

This program helps local communities meet the federal Clean Water Act requirements for stormwater and has been ongoing at the site nearly

20 years.

Over time, students have been involved in surveying, monitoring, habitat restoration, cleaning up debris and trash, watching for illegal dumping, trail building with trailheads and learning kiosks, programming, and community education. They have also placed benches along the trails and this nature oasis is now a unique destination along the regional Downriver Linked Greenway system.

“Our goal from the outset of this project has been to create a nature center that would become part of the community fabric,” said Bruce Szczechowski, a teacher at Southgate Anderson High School. “We want this to be a place where residents, visitors, and

students can experience and enjoy nature, and all its ecological, contemplative, restorative, and health benefits.”

Indeed, the Children & Nature Network has shown that the well-being of children and wild places are inextricably linked. While research tells us regular time outdoors is essential for children’s healthy development, today’s kids are less connected to nature than ever before. Southgate Anderson High School is an exception to that rule. Southgate Nature Center sits in the heart of Downriver and is bounded by the high school on the east, Dix-Toledo Road on the west, Leroy Street on the north, and property now owned by Christ the King Lutheran Church on the south. Key features of the property include forestland Frank & Poet Creek, 8.2 acres of mitigated wetlands, including several ponds, and prairie.

Students can literally walk out their school door and into nature.

Think of Southgate Nature Center as equal parts nature playground and fodder for the high school curriculum.

Over the past two decades, Szczechowski and his students have documented over 140 bird species on the property. Based on tips from birders and E-bird entries, Southgate Nature Center is now considered a birding hotspot by BirdingHotspots.org. Even a beaver recently showed up. What a testament to the conservation efforts of so many.

Southgate Nature Center is open daily during daylight hours. Parking is available at both Southgate Anderson High School and Southgate Regional Center off Pennsylvania Road. If you want to experience a respite from urban life or see a model for connecting students with nature, then this is clearly worth putting on your bucket list.

Reprinted, with permission, from Great Lakes Now.

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!

Detroit River Hawk

entering 41st year

The Detroit River Hawk Watch (DRHW) is excited to announce the upcoming 41st year of monitoring diurnal raptor and turkey vulture migration at the mouth of the Detroit River beginning Sept. 1. This season will be the 26th year of consistent coverage at the Lake Erie Metropark and the seventh season the DRHW is welcoming back professional hawk counter Kevin Georg.

Last season, with the help of dedicated volunteers, Kevin conducted 573 hours of data collection over 87 days and tallied an astounding total 145,577 turkey vultures and raptors across 15 different species. This total was 16% above the Long-Term Average (LTA) of roughly 125,048 raptors counted by the Detroit River Hawk Watch at Lake Erie Metropark between 2013-2022. We compared this season’s totals to the respective LTA for each species since 1998.

In 2022, turkey vulture (26%), broad-winged hawk (13%), American kestrel (10%), merlin (59%), and peregrine falcon (28%) were the only species counted above the LTA. Osprey (-84%), bald eagle (-42%), northern harrier (-12%), sharp-shinned hawk (-2%), Cooper’s hawk (-77%), northern goshawk (-87%), red-shouldered hawk (-24%), Swainson’s hawk (-100%), redtailed hawk (-4%), rough-legged hawk (-88%), and golden eagle (-52%) were lower than their respective LTA. Two northern goshawks and zero Swainson’s hawks were counted this year. There were no “unknown” raptors counted this past season.

Because DRHW is located in a major flyway, our site’s numbers represent only a sample of the overall migration. A lower count at DRHW may mean an elevated count at a neighboring site! Raptor count data are entered into a database managed by the Hawk Migration Association of North America to facilitate collaboration and allow more accurate estimates of raptor population health than assessing one raptor count site alone could offer.

You can visit the Detroit River Hawk Watch daily from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30 near the boat launch at Lake Erie Metropark located at 32481 West Jefferson, Brownstown, MI 48173.

Watch

The Detroit River Hawk Watch 2022 Season Summary is available for viewing at detroitriverhawkwatch. org/. Results for individual species are presented, as well as non-raptor and monthly highlights and photos and narratives from the Detroit River Hawk Watch Facebook page at facebook.com/ groups/detroitriverhawkwatch.

DRHW is a community science initiative of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. It is a partnership among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, International Wildlife Refuge Alliance and the Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority. More information on DRHW is available online at: detroitriverhawkwatch.org/.

For additional information, contact Wildlife Biologist Jessica Fletcher at (734) 362-3729.

For more information about the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, please visit the refuge website: fws.gov/refuge/Detroit_River.

ABOUT FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit fws.gov.

Turkey vulture numbers were up 26 percent in the 2022 count.

Waterfowlers event slated for Sept 16-17

One of the longest running outdoors events in the state of Michigan is gearing up for another season.

The 75th annual Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival will be Sept 16-17 at the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, 37205 Mouillee Rd.

This family-friendly event has been a Downriver tradition since 1947. Nature lovers truly enjoy the outdoor events such as dog jumping competitions and archery challenges. The event proudly supports the conservation efforts to protect the Pointe Mouillee State Game area. All proceeds will benefit habitat at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area which is the largest freshwater marsh restoration project in North America located in the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. So spend a day or two with us and bring the family to enjoy a day with Mother Nature at the Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival. Be sure to bring along the little ones as the Huron Clinton Metroparks will be sponsoring a Kid’s Tent featuring games, face painting, crafts and popcorn.

Here are just some of the fun things to see and do at the event.

Duck Hunter’s Tournament

In 1947, a small group of duck hunters were discussing who cou;d

shoot the best, who can set decoys the fastest, row and punt the fastest etc., and after this friendly competition, the Michigan Duck Hunters Tournament was born!

Things have changed a bit, but the premise is the same. This is the most unique and oldest shooting event

around so come out and test your skills in our family-friendly, fun event!

Boats are provided and all participants must use the shells (12ga and 20ga) provided.

Senior entries are $20 and come with a box of shells and a hat. Junior entries are $10 and also include a box

of shells and a hat.

There is a maximum of 60 shooters. All proceeds will benefit the habitat at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, which is the largest freshwater marsh restoration project in North America located in the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.

Lake Erie Championship Layout Shoot

This simulates duck hunting out of a layout boat. It’s designed for you to work on your skills as a layout shooter. Shooters will get a box of she;lls and then 25 clay birds will be thrown at them.

Seniors (ages 16 and older) get a box of shells and a hat for $20, Juniors get a box of shells and a hat for $10. Because of youth duck season, shooters can sign up at anytime, during the event, but there field is a limited to 100 shooters

Waterfowl Works has donated an NXT GEN UFO Layout Boat (A $1650 boat!) as the grand prize to the winner of the Lake Erie Championship Layout Shoot!

Be sure to check out this website at layouthunting.com/

SEE EVENT, Page 15

EVENT

Continued from page 14

Arts and craft show

This year will be an outstanding time to view and purchase wildlife artwork and crafts. Up-and-coming artists will display and sell their version of wildlife art as well.

This year’s show will include:

~ Paintings

~ Hand carved decoys

~ Memorabilia

~ Taxidermy displays

~ Antique decoys

~ Crafts

~ Photography

~ Reference literature

~ Wildlife art and originals

~ Plus many other related items and supplies

Trading post

This is likely the largest outdoor swap meet of outdoor items that you are ever going to find. It is your onestop-shop for all hunting and outdoor items imaginable. Things such as:

~ Duck calls

~ Hunting boats, layout boats, etc.

~ Decoys

~ Clothing

~ Antiques

~ Fishing supplies

~ Ropes

~ Hunting boots/waders

~ Guide services

~ Anything you need for your hunting adventures!

Archery and BB gun shoot

This fun and free event is for all ages and is kid-friendly. The event will always have trained supervision at all times. This fun event shows the skills of archery in these areas:

~ BB gun skills

~ Archery shoot

~ Slingshot

~ Stop by and watch or even participate in this exciting event!

Duck calling contest

During the Festival, the Monroe Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will present “Live Duck” Calling Contest. This is a contest for everyone!

Open Live Duck (Main Event)

~ Open to all callers $40 entry fee.

~ 1st and grand prize is $500, plaque and Pointe Mouillee

Waterfowlers hat

~ 2nd place $40, plaque and PMWF hat

~ 3rd plaque and Hat

The contest will follow the Open Two-Man Live Duck.

Open two Man Live Duck

~ Open to all callers. $60 per team entry fee.

~ Limit of two teams per person, per each calling event.

~ 1st for the Open Two Man Live Duck is $500, plaque and PMWF hat

~ 2nd $40, plaque and PMWF hat

~ 3rd plaque and PMWF hat

For much more information

about the 75th annual Pointe Mouillee Waterfowlers Festival, visit their website at ptemouilleewaterfowlfestival.org.

Pick up that something special at the live auction

As usual the Waterfowlers Festival will feature a live auction that is the perfect place to pick up that special outdoors item for yourself or for someone you love.

The live auction will be held Sept. 16 from 4-9 p.m. in the art tent. Here some of the things that will be up for auction: A taxidermy mount, fishing charter trip, Spring walleye fishing trip, camo paint from Kush Paint, custom handmade carved knives by Mighty Sharp Cuts, a musky rod, Fighting Island hunt raffle ticket, duck prints, gifts baskets and much, much more.

There will also be some specialized items that came from donors including:

~ Herman Koch 1940s and 50s decoys, H.H. Ackerman Bluebill Decoy – donated by Karen Koch and family, Gibraltar.

~ Jim Foote working 1948 Hen Bluebill decoy - donated by Jim Trombley, Riverview.

~ Ed Myers signed Canvasback decoy, wood duck, Jim Pinkstaff Drake Mallard decoy, Swan Decoy, 2002 Goose decoy signed by Charles Jobes – donated by Carl D Fischer, Grosse Ile.

~ Two smelt nets, framed G. Wykes Wood Ducks print, framed Cynthie Fisher print – donated by Chuck and Eileen Przybylo, Brownstown.

~ Diamond Jack’s four-person narrated Detroit River Tour.

Like Us On Facebook : WYANDOTTE WARRIOR

Protecting a city’s ‘golden geese’ is not a game

Every now and then, the topic of food trucks arises in conversations with brickand-mortar restaurants, or with people defending those restaurants.

Not being in the food business, I can’t know what it feels like directly, but here’s my guess: There is absolutely a time and a place for food trucks, and most restaurateurs don’t hate them. What they have a really hard time with is having them show up at events in their city so as to make more money for the thirdparty event producer while siphoning off some of the business they ordinarily get.

Sometimes, events are planned and executed in a downtown for the profit of an event-planning business, without regard or the remotest concern for the wellbeing of the restaurants whose owners have huge investments. They take place with active, paid support of the powers that be of those cities (Mayors and Councils and DDAs and such).

Such events that hurt brick-and-mortar businesses seem to be seen by those decision makers as more important than damages suffered by the businesses that make their cities what they are, yearround, contributing to the tax base and creating a draw to the city.

It is not the food trucks per se that exasperate the restaurants, it is that indifference, that tone-deafness despite repeated voiced concerns and complaints that deflates and rankles.

Deflating and rankling don’t really come close to describing it, though.

You know, it’s one of those “if you

have to explain it, there’s no point in explaining.” It makes one weary to keep addressing the problem, and yet, there is no other recourse. If it happened to you, you’d understand.

I visited a food truck park in Sisters, Oregon last summer. The entire park was a business, part of which was a (very cool) bar/beverage building that could accommodate the food truck patrons in inclement weather.

They had a playground, fenced in, and controlled, and it featured three food trucks (there was room for more). Lights strung across the yard over picnic tables and smaller tables, a small, covered stage for small musical acts or poetry readings. Otherwise, Spotify or some other music source.

I thought it was awesome.

It was operated by a landowner with a business that he augmented on his property. It was unique and compelling (although we ate at a restaurant). and, a very different environment for evaluating food truck viability.

There are places Downriver that would easily accommodate such an idea, and there are local entrepreneurs that would do well to copy that model. Food trucks are not allowed under normal conditions, and should not be allowed, period, in such environs.

There are circumstances when food trucks are great. For weddings or parties, who the heck would think anyone could judge one way or the other? It’s like criticizing a bride for her dress, fer crying out loud.

Personally, I would prefer it if the owner had a local brick and mortar as well, but at least it can be said that for such occasions, the food trucks are not the invasive species that they are seen as

Cuteness Overload

in cities with restaurants.

I’ve actually seen it happen that food trucks are placed right in front of restaurants during a special event. I’ll tell you this: It would be intolerable to me if it happened in the clothing business, a truck parked in front of my store. They wouldn’t want to stay there, let’s leave it at that.

Here’s a different tangent of the same basic topic: Protecting and nurturing indie businesses.

Last month, I wrote about the crucial element of city leadership being staunch, avid activists for all things local when it comes to businesses in the towns they govern. It means that local businesses are protected and advocated for by those who make the rules. It means that independent businesses that give cities and towns their flavor and charm (and magnetism that draws shoppers and diners) are seriously loved and treasured and advocated for, openly and consistently by the town’s leaders, who are, after all, cheerleaders for the towns they serve.

Well, Plymouth is in the news these days, and not in a way it should be (Hometimelife.com). With no inclusion or warning, their City Commission discussed raising sidewalk café fees by 900 percent, and restaurateurs got wind of it.

Mind you, there are no national chains in downtown Plymouth, so fees like this come right out of the revenue stream of the local and independent restaurants that make Plymouth a cool city to eat and shop in.

In Plymouth, there are also additional flat fees for outdoor cafes. Some of those that would be affected by these changes say that now, after having invested in the

tables and barriers and décor to create their vibe outdoors, they would be better off not being outdoors at all.

Also being discussed there is demanding the shrinkage of space restaurants can use, and again, after the restaurants were permitted and greenlighted earlier. All of this makes clear that this Commission not only doesn’t love their businesses; they couldn’t care less if they are successful or not. Or if they fail or not, leave or not.

I was on the Wyandotte DDA board for a few years, and a few years back. One of the board members then wanted to go so far as to compel restaurants to be out on the street – it’s that much of a reason to stop and do business there (and I know that from personal reaction in cities I visit). That didn’t fly (and it shouldn’t), but the point made was strong. How do you get people to stop as they drive through a town? How do you elevate the “cool factor,” and most to the point: How do you help businesses flourish in the town you govern?

The answer is crazy simple, and it applies no matter what city we’re talking about, and yet… it is also crazy elusive.

Local and independent needs a leg up; needs boosting and love, and local and independent do not have stock market pockets.

You have no idea of how much money it takes to operate a restaurant. You have no idea if the restaurant is in business only because the owners are not taking a paycheck, or a reduced amount.

Paving the way for success beats toll booths and obstacles. And being a paver fosters love and support in return, not to mention a greater resolve to knock it out of the park in the city that loves them dearly.

Submitted for your approval:

Mina, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel at the Mackinac city dock getting ready to get on the ferry for Mackinac Island.

I’m

I

celebrated my 1st birthday! My crazy parents Angela and David from Wyandotte had a little party for me with presents and cake. I’m a border collie and I love chasing balls and will do it all day long! I like watching TV, too. Especially when there are other dogs on there.

PETER ROSE

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 2,000 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.

Take The Ride of Your Life:

Max Flight offers a variety of tours that show off different parts of the city and range from 10 minutes to over an hour. From downtown Detroit to Grosse Ile, downriver and even to Ann Arbor, there is much to explore! Sunrise to sunset, 7 days a week, 365 days a year—Max Flight is ready to take you for a joy ride!

From Downtown…

Soar over the City of Detroit to experience its rich history, beauty, and skyline in a new light. With so much to explore downtown, the only way to see it all is up and away. Our pilots and tour guides will share deep knowledge of iconic buildings and landmarks and take you to see highlights of the city including Ford Field, Comerica Park, Belle Isle, the Renaissance Center, Grand Central Station, the Ambassador Bridge and more!

To The Burbs…

Breeze through beautiful suburbs around Metro Detroit. Depart from Grosse Ile Airport in a state-of-the-art Robinson R-44 helicopter and develop a curated flight path to view areas like Novi, Birmingham, Southfield, and tour the Grosse Pointe mansions.

To

The Big House…

Are you a Michigan fan or just love the quaint beauty of Ann Arbor? Take a tour to see the University of Michigan campus with incredible views of The Big House, main street, and Lake Erie. Perfect for U of M fans and alumni!

Considering a Lease Buyout?

Here Are Four Things You Should Know!

By Mark Tremper, Vice-President, Downriver Community Federal Credit Union

If you’ve been driving a leased vehicle and you’re nearing the end of your lease, a lease buyout could be a great option! Now you may be asking, “but how do I know if it is a good option for me?” Well, everyone’s situation is different, so here are a few things you should consider before you make that decision:

1. Know your wants and needs

If you love the vehicle you’re driving and can’t see yourself in anything else, there can be significant advantages of retaining the vehicle you’re already familiar with, including first-hand knowledge of your vehicle’s maintenance record and your own comfort level with the various features and amenities. Although, you should be sure to consider any potential life changes on the horizon that could affect your future needs! If you are expecting a new addition to the family, have teenagers who will be driving soon, or will be taking on a new job that would require a longer commute, then you may need to consider turning in your lease and getting a different vehicle!

2. Know the terms of your lease agreement

Does your lease agreement have a disposition fee, and if so, what are the criteria for that fee to be imposed? Are you subject to mileage overage fees if you’ve gone over the allowable number of miles? Does your vehicle have excessive wear fees due to any “unique” driving habits that you may have? Does your lease contract even allow for an endof-lease buyout? Be sure to carefully review your lease agreement for all of these important details, as they are crucial factors when deciding whether or not to buy your vehicle at lease-end.

3. Know what your vehicle is worth

Once you have determined what the lease buyout amount will be—normally established in your lease agreement and is based on the forecasted residual value at the end of your lease—you need to find out your vehicle’s market value. An estimated market value can be found online from sites such as Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com) or Edmunds (www.edmunds.com). If the lease buyout amount is lower than or comparable to what you could buy a similar vehicle from the used car market, then a lease buyout could very well be a financially smart decision!

4. Know your budget requirements

Leasing a vehicle has been a popular option because it provided the opportunity to drive the latest models without the long-term commitment of owning a vehicle or the oftentimes higher payment of financing the full purchase of a vehicle. Unfortunately, even though you may be comfortable with your current lease payment, lease terms aren’t as attractive as they once were, so your monthly car payment could be going up regardless of whether you take on a new lease or finance a lease buyout. Reviewing your budget ahead of time is the best way to be prepared for making an informed decision when comparing the various lease and financing options available to you.

Do you still have questions, or are you ready to get started on your lease buyout? Please contact one of Downriver CU’s Member Services Representatives by calling 313-386-2200, Option 4, and they would be happy to discuss your financing options!

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Neighboring Grosse Ile explores toll bridge purchase

BILL STEVENSON

On a small island, word spreads like ... you live on a small island. The big talk around town is that the Township is considering the purchase of the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge. Indeed, at their July 24 regular meeting, the Grosse Ile Township Board of Trustees approved and authorized the execution of an exclusivity agreement with the Grosse Ile Bridge Company.

Under the terms of this exclusivity agreement, both the Township and the Company, “agree to continue discussions regarding a potential transaction involving the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of the Grosse Ile Bridge Company.”

“The Company will negotiate exclusively with the Township in respect of the Transaction, during the ‘Exclusivity Period,’ beginning upon the execution of this Agreement and continuing through 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on October 15, 2023.”

But before residents and others with business on the island get too excited, the clear understanding is that the Township Board is exploring the possibility of buying the toll bridge.

Township Supervisor James Budny explains, “We are in the beginning stages of this process. The exclusivity agreement means they will not look for anyone else (to purchase the bridge) while we do our due diligence. It is going to be something that will take a long time to study, and we certainly want

to do it right—for all the reasons mentioned by citizens in their public comments.

“This impacts Grosse Ile. It does give us some benefits, but it has to work all the way around. It cannot be an impediment but an asset to our community. We will spend our time and our money in doing that properly.”

Budny continued, “We are also bound by a confidentiality agreement, which does not allow us to say too much at this time. But down the road, long before anything happens, as we are able, we will make matters public.”

Under the exclusivity agreement, in conducting their due diligence of the Bridge Company’s assets and liabilities, the Township will be given, “reasonable access at all reasonable times to the Company’s personnel, facilities, machinery, equipment, inventory, and other assets and to the Company’s contracts, agreements, and financial, legal, tax and other data and information.”

According to a history of the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge, provided by the Company, “The toll bridge was financed, designed, and constructed between 1912 and 1913 by the Grosse Ile Bridge Company. The GIBC was established as a Michigan corporation on May 1, 1912 with Grosse Ile land owner and business magnate Edward W. Voigt as its primary incorporator, majority stockholder, and founding president. Voigt directed the construction of the Toll Bridge and opened the span to the general public on

November 27, 1913 (Thanksgiving Day). The Toll Bridge was the first automobile bridge to the Island.”

The current president and owner of the GIBC is Paul J. Smoke, Edward Voigt’s great-Grandson. Island residents are well aware of the consequences of the year and a half closure in 2020-2021 of the Wayne County owned “Free Bridge” which still stings recent memories. There are major concerns with a projected 2025 or 2026 date for further pier replacement and bridge maintenance by Wayne County.

Another issue that impacts a possible purchase of the Toll Bridge is the redevelopment of the former McLouth Steel site, currently owned by Crown Enterprises, the development arm of the Moroun companies. There is talk about a proposal to build an intermodal shipping port on the McLouth site. And, of course, among all the myriad factors under consideration is the cost—on a whole gradient of levels.

The possibility of the Township purchasing the Toll Bridge poses one of the most complex and complicated decisions facing the health, safety, and welfare of all the citizens of Grosse Ile.

Budny reiterated, “At this time all I can say is we are doing our due diligence on looking into the possible acquisition of the toll bridge. We need to know if it is feasible and that it will make sense for the community.”

Out for Trout

Something special always seems to happen at the stream

Still rarer these days is the opportunity to trout fish with my boys, who live out west with wives of their own. We only get to fish together every few years, but it’s a tremendous thing when it happens.

more ingredients folded in.

With the hot afternoon sun finally beginning to sink toward the western horizon, my brother Jimmy and I were headed into the woods to do a little trout fishing before darkness arrived.

For me, there are several types of trout fishing, and each has its own appeal, while differing greatly in its feel and approach.

There’s trout fishing by myself, which usually offers great moments of introspection, solace and peace.

I experience all the various stimuli nature has to offer – from the touch of cold waters to the smell of summer blossoms, the ebullient and delightful songs of the river and the birds to the sights and tastes of the seasons, like blueberries, blackberries and apples.

There’s also hitting the stream banks with my longtime brook trout fishing buddy, the Coaster King. The camaraderie we share is truly special to me, as we continue to pursue our childhood-borne pursuit of small-creek brook trout fishing.

Another, rarer pleasure is fishing with the Queen of Sheba, my lovely wife. While she is often too busy to follow this trout bum out into the woods, when we do get to arrange a day on the water together, we have a wonderful time.

She often catches more fish than I do, and I am happy to clean them.

I taught them how to fish when they were very young, like my dad and mom taught me. It’s very rewarding to know that they still love to fish themselves and do so often, chasing fish like cutthroat trout that I’ve never seen in real life, much less caught.

I recall one summer when they came here to Michigan for a visit, we spent a few days in the western part of the peninsula, fishing for trout and spending evenings at a cabin we’d rented.

On that trip, I taught the boys how to pan-fry their brook trout and how to debone the fish once they were cooked. They helped clean up afterwards and participated in the whole process, from tying on and baiting their own hooks to giving the countertop a last wipe.

I was proud of them then, and I am proud of and impressed with the men they have become. I just wish we lived a little closer to each other. I hope to get to help teach my grandchildren to fish, too.

I used to love to fish with my dad, but those days are gone. He’s now leaving me a spot next to him along the big trout waters in the sky. I wonder who he’s getting to clean his fish for him now that I’m not around.

Finally, there’s fishing with my brother. Fishing with him is kind of like a mixture of some of all the other types of trout fishing I just talked about, with a few

We used to fish together all the time when we were young boys. He is four years younger than me. Our boyhood fishing ended abruptly when our parents got divorced when I was 13.

He moved to Canada with my mom and my two sisters, and I stayed in Michigan with my dad, the only child old enough to decide. Though we did fish a couple of times during those “missing years,” it wasn’t like the old days.

But when we get together now, it is.

As I used to do in those now-ancient times, I often serve as the guide, trying to find my little brother a good place to fish. I know that if he gets fish, he’ll be happy and that will make me happy.

It will also make my fishing experience better.

In some ways, I see a lot of my dad in my brother when fishing. Like my dad, he seems to be more bothered by mosquitoes than I am and gets frustrated more easily.

However, like my dad, he still toughs it out and is willing to stay out there as long as I am – which is usually a very long time. My brother also enjoys horrible puns. Clearly, he is his father’s son and his nephew’s uncle.

We parked my Jeep and got out, splitting up to each find a trout hole to fish. I urged my brother to head downstream, and I went upstream.

In any fishing partner pairing, I am most often SEE TROUT, Page 23

JOHN PEPIN

Deputy public information officer, Michigan DNR

TROUT

Continued from page 22

the one to be using a spinner or other lure of some type. But tonight, before leaving the house, I decided to toss a container of Canadian crawlers into my bag, just in case.

I decided to start with a worm, as there happened to be a hook tied on the end of my line from the last time I was out. In about a half-dozen casts, I had three or four bites from small trout.

Just as I was realizing that there was nothing of any real size biting in this hole, my brother called out to me from the road beyond a big green wall of trees.

“Are you there?”

“Yeah, what are you doing?”

“There’s a couple of nice-sized fish over here that I can’t reach with my lure. I thought you might be able to get them with a worm.”

I followed him back downstream, and with two casts, I had both fish in my bag. I was obviously pleased with the beautiful catch, and he was happy to have been my guide to the fish.

“The roles have been reversed for once,” he said.

In a few more minutes, I landed another nice trout, and he hadn’t caught any yet.

I told him that it looked like a night for crawlers, and he should consider switching up his offering to the brookie trout gods.

He put a worm on his hook and was soon catching fish and catching up to me.

By the time we had moved to a couple more places on the creek, I had caught my limit of five trout. My brother had two.

I was now in guide mode once again, putting my fishing pole away in the Jeep.

I suggested he get down very low to the ground to be able to sneak a cast over some branches and into a deep hole.

When he said he didn’t think he could get his line in there without snagging it, I offered to cast it for him. I was surprised he accepted the offer. I casted and then quickly handed the rod off.

On that first cast, a fish hit, but got off the hook on the retrieval. A few more casts led to a few more hits, but no trout landed.

We moved on to the next hole, where Jimmy put another fish in his basket.

With the nighttime approaching, he said we could quit now, and he’d be fine with that.

I urged him to continue. I said we could pass a few less-than-premier holes to get to one that I often had great luck with, especially as night was falling.

He agreed to follow me through the brush.

Arriving at the hole, he took one cast and then another. I think it was the first or second cast that he got his first bite. He then snagged his line on a submerged log.

He tried to pull the hook free, and his line snapped loudly, the concussion rippled through the warm, night air. Again, he was ready to call it quits, as it was getting darker, but I told him I could see just fine and would tie another hook on for him.

I baited that hook and he casted his line into the hole. Within a few short minutes, he had landed two more beautiful trout. The last one was our biggest fish of the night.

We both had caught our brook trout limit. I led us back through the woods to the Jeep, my brother trailing me with a flashlight.

It was great fun and reminded me so much of the times I would fish as a kid along the creek banks near our house, with my little brother tagging along.

On the drive home, several woodcocks flew up off the dirt road, and a great horned owl afforded us a chance to see it with a flashlight trained on it.

At home, my brother headed for the shower and left me to clean our sink full of fish.

“Like father, like son,” I mumbled as I got my fillet knife out of the drawer. But I didn’t really mind.

It’s been about a week since that night, and time has since enveloped the entire evening within a memory packed away tightly inside our hearts and heads.

Demands and commitments of the dizzying world have once again crept in and consumed us, cementing the importance of taking the time to get out fishing together when we can.

Even just a couple of hours can prove to be incredibly fulfilling and helpful to our spiritual, psychological and physical well-being.

Though we’re older now, and perhaps a little gruffer around the edges, it’s incredible to be able to spend times like these together again – out for trout.

Us

NEWS FROM OUR NEIGHBORS Go to... GoBigMultimedia.com to read more news on our digital publications.

Slip Mahoney’s bar -- has undergone dramatic remodeling and appears to be close to opening. Also on the primary ballot were candidates running for Mayor and City Council.

gobigmultimedia.com/grosse-ile-grand

Art on the Ile

... The goal of the program is to install 33 permanent and rotating public art works along Macomb.

Grosse Ile DDA’s “Art on the Ile” initiative first launched in 2022 and wraps in 2024. The project aims to install a mix of 33 murals, rotating and permanent sculptures, historical markers, student artworks, and crosswalk paintings over the course of 2022, ‘23, and ‘24.

In 2022, organizers successfully installed two murals, six rotating sculptures, and one permanent “G.I.” sculpture. The murals were painted by local artists Dustin Cook and Michelle Tanguay.

the year it holds charitable events benefiting local non-profits.

Whether it’s digging in the dirt, planting, nurturing, caring for the earth, educating yourself and the public about best gardening practices, they are always busy helping to make this a better world.

The Grosse Ile Garden Club is a member of The Michigan Garden Club and the National Garden Club and benefits from the classes and opportunities offered by the state club. Membership to both is only $30 per year.

For the past six years, the club has given a scholarship to a deserving Grosse Ile High School senior.

On page 11

gobigmultimedia.com/riverview-register

In the Mayoral race, incumbent Andrew Swift topped the voting with 1,770 votes. Councilman Chuck Norton drew 1,339 votes and resident Edmond Maas recorded 158 votes. Swift and Norton will meet in the general election with the winner becoming mayor.

This year, the Grosse Ile Downtown Development Authority has plans to complete three more murals downtown, including a mural on the Grosse Ile Hardware Store, on Lloyd’s Bar & Grill and on Zubke’s Plumbing....

On page 7

Grosse Ile Garden Club … we get around

...Started in 1927, this organization has a long history of beautifying the community, and during

Weed wins!

Riverview residents approve retail marijuana sales; Swift vs. Norton for mayor; six seek council seats

That ballot proposal went down to defeat on election night 1,758-1,599, meaning marijuana sales will remain legal in Riverview and shops may open as soon as the licensing and paperwork are complete.

One shop -- Kinship Provisioning. in the old

In the council race, 10 people ran and the top six will appear on the general ballot in November.

The top six council vote-getters were incumbent Suzanne O’Neil with 1,334 votes, former councilman Elmer Trombley (1,012), Brian Webb (945), David Pray (872), Nicole Clark (848) and Heather Smiley (770).

On page 1

Happy 100th, Riverview City will celebrate its centennial in September

... The event honors the founding of the Village of Riverview in April 1923 all the way up to the present-day City of Riverview. Current and former residents and employees are invited to attend. Most of the free family-friendly activities will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 23, in and around the community center in Young Patriots Park:

• A Riverview meet and greet will be a gathering place for past and present Riverview teachers, elected officials and other notable persons from the community, along with local faithful interested in interacting with them. Longtime Riverview historian Gerald N. Perry will be on hand to sell and autograph special 100th anniversary commemorative copies of his book Riverview Michigan – From its origin to the 1970s.

NORTON SWIFT

• Riverview’s own Bob Guiney, who earned fame on the TV show “The Bachelor,” will be in town to serve as host. Famed football coach Lloyd Carr and other Riverview personalities have been invited to attend.

•Special presentations will take place to the oldest Riverview resident, longest married Riverview couple, person with the oldest Riverview tree and oldest known house.

•There will be a chili cook-off, classic car show, dog contest, Riverview trivia contest and, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., old-time games for children. Entrants in the car show will receive dashboard plaques. Prizes will be awarded to contest winners...

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Anderson’s Bridget Godbout is figure skating state champion

Bridget Godbout put an exclamation point on her sophomore year at Southgate Anderson High School by earning a state championship in varsity figure skating.

Godbout took first place in one event and was runner-up in a second event during the U.S. Figure Skating high school state finals in Lansing. She was honored at a recent Southgate Board of Education meeting along with other figure skaters and dozens of other student athletes.

At age 15, Godbout has been skating for 14 years. As a one-year-old, she was taught to skate by her parents, Chad Godbout and Jennifer Rouse, who had competed in MidSectionals as ice

dancing partners. She has improved ever since under the guidance of Anderson figure skating Coach Julie Goddard and just completed her second season with the combined Anderson/Gabriel Richard varsity team, the highest level in which she has skated.

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Anderson/Richard figure skaters cap big year

Eight members of the combined Southgate Anderson/Gabriel Richard team earned a bronze medal in the Michigan High School Figure Skating state championship competition in the spring at the Suburban Ice Center in East Lansing.

He plans to major in environmental science at U of M-D en route to becoming a wildlife biologist.

Swiney started playing ball when he was 4 years old in the Southgate Parks and Recreation program. He played both for school teams and travel teams in his journey to college baseball.

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gobigmultimedia.com/trenton-times

No cell phone rule has changed culture at AMS

The Level C team placed third out of 14 teams from all over Michigan. Skaters on the team were Adelynn Hales, Brianna Hales, Abbie Juco, Aidan Kennedy, Madelyn Reiss, Rebecca Smith, Lilly Truel and Maizey Urbanek.

The C team placed first, second and first and won the district championship for the 2022-2023 season with a strong lead of four points above the other teams.

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Anderson’s Swiney signs with U-M Dearborn

Southgate Anderson High School graduate Connor Swiney has signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Michigan-Dearborn and play for the college baseball team.

Swiney, 18, played baseball and soccer at Anderson. He played outfield and pitched for the baseball team, where he batted .300 and had a sub-2.00 earned run average on the mound. The Titans lost in the district championship game to Woodhaven, although Swiney made the all-district team.

Swiney had a 3.2 grade point average and was a member of the National Honor Society at Anderson.

...Reduced distractions: Cell phones can be a major distraction for students. Without cell phones, students are less likely to be tempted to use them for non-educational purposes during class time. This can lead to improved focus and concentration on academic tasks, ultimately enhancing learning outcomes.

Improved classroom engagement: Without the constant presence of cell phones, students may be more engaged in classroom activities, discussions, and interactions with teachers and peers. They are more likely to actively participate in class, ask questions, and contribute to a collaborative learning environment.

Promotes face-to-face communication.

Reduced cyber bullying and social pressures.

Reduced academic dishonesty...

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Trenton Summer Fun Continues

We’ve got our free August Concert Series coming up at the Cultural Center, more information opposite page.

Like Us On Facebook :

If you’re looking to book an end of summer pool or rink party, or if you want to see about renting the Cultural Center or Westfield for an event, give us a call at 734-675-7300.

Stay tuned for updates on themed skates, end of summer pop ups and more!

If you aren’t following us on Facebook, we’re always posting and sharing.

You can also head to trentonmi.org/parskandrec to sign up for our newsletter, view the monthly ice schedule and register for fitness classes!

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