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Community embraces new ‘Dotte mural Michigan communities.

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Dr. Marla Price has enjoyed the reaction to the new mural, titled “the Dotte,” on the outside of her iconic Byrd and Wyandotte Eye Clinic building at 100 Oak Street in Downtown Wyandotte. She said patients, passersby and everyone who gets a look at the mural gets a kick out it.

“Everybody loves it,” Price said. “When all the patients come in, they say ‘Oh my God.’ I tell them how the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts) and the DDA (Downtown Development Authority) were involved with it. It’s so cool.

“It’s absolutely beautiful.

It’s very humbling that they chose my building to do it.

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Price also called it an honor for her to buy the building in 2008 from Dr. David Barsky, “an ophthalmology forefather,” who wanted to sell the place

to someone who maintained a family practice. When the DIA and DDA approached her about creating a mural as part of the 2023 Partners in Public Art (PIPA) community project, she

couldn’t wait until it was finished.

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WYANDOTTE WARRIOR > December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024 < Page 3

MURAL

Continued from page 1 attraction for residents and passersby alike.”

Each PIPA project begins with residents and business owners completing a survey to assess interest and preferences for a public art project. The survey results are incorporated into the final design in a highly visible work of art.

“At the DIA, we take immense pride in bringing art to our communities that support us,” said Julie McFarland, executive director of public affairs and engagement at the DIA. “Through our collaboration with the city of Wyandotte, community members could actively contribute to creating of a mural that captures the spirit of their beloved city.”

The program aims to help people explore, express

and build a stronger sense of community through a communal art experience.

Fel300ft, the Wyandotte artist who was chosen to create the mural on location, said he selected scenes to include – the street art fair, the gazebo, the clock tower, the water, the seasons of the year and others – because he thought they were important and helped show his love for the community.

“Wyandotte’s blossoming art scene has filled us with pride as we join the city’s

artistic movement,” fel said.

“This mural is a testament to Wyandotte’s lively energy and unique charm. It’s an absolute pleasure to collaborate with the DIA and its PIPA program, which allows us to spread the beauty of public art to communities around us.”

The partners joined city and state officials and people from the local art community during the ribbon cutting on October 30.

Wyandotte Mayor Rob DeSana thanked Dr. Price for “allowing the beautiful

mural that symbolizes so many landmarks of our City of Wyandotte on her building, thanked the DIA for funding the mural through the tri-county art millage and credited fel with doing “a wonderful job.”

Everyone who looks at the mural seems to have a different favorite part of it.

DeSana said seeing the city’s utility company and a lineman on a utility pole on the piece is a “special touch.”

Jeremy Hansen, gallery director of River’s Edge on

Biddle Avenue, praised fel as “having a pretty substantial background himself in the arts,” coming from the world of graffiti, murals and street art. He said fel has displayed his art at River’s Edge.

“To have him represent that in Wyandotte and to have the DIA actually be aware of the Downriver art community, it’s a good steppingstone,” Hansen said.

Chris Ammons, a local photographer who was on hand for the ribbon cutting, said “it’s a beautiful piece to look at. It’s great for the people of Wyandotte… I like how the little pieces of the community appear in the little letters” of the word “Dotte.”

Hansen, Ammons, State Senator Darrin Camilleri, State Rep. Jamie Churches, fel and even Dr. Price all said they are looking forward to more public art in the city.

“It opened my eyes,” Price said. “I’d like to put another mural on the building.”

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Page 4 > December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024 > WYANDOTTE WARRIOR

Nic DiSanto starts as true freshman

Division 1 Eastern Illinois improves from 2-9 to 8-3 in one season

BY DAVE GORGON How big of an impact did Nic DiSanto have as a true freshman playing Division 1 college football?

As a true freshman at Eastern Illinois University, a year removed from Gabriel Richard High School in Riverview, DiSanto not only cracked the starting lineup at offensive right tackle in his second-ever college game, but he also impressed his coaches so much that they let him start nine of the season’s 11 games.

An EIU team that went 2-9 in the 2022 season finished 8-3 this year as DiSanto and his teammates nearly made the playoffs in the FCS, the Football Championship Subdivision of NCAA Division 1 football. It was the school’s best record in a decade.

In fact, the Panthers stunned Tennessee State University, 30-17, in the next-to-last game of the season to eliminate the Eddie George-coached team from playoff contention. One of the nation’s leading tacklers, who played for TSU, was shut down by Eastern Illinois’ offensive line.

For DiSanto, who lives in Wyandotte, getting an early start and never quitting paid off with a stellar season. He said players bought into what Head Coach Chris Wilkerson was saying when he adopted the motto “flip the switch” and the Panthers did just that.

“Everyone wanted it more,” DiSanto said. “We were predicted to finish eight of 11 in the (Ohio Valley) conference and we finished third.”

Once DiSanto reached his goal of signing with a Division 1 college, he couldn’t wait to get started. He got to campus on June 11, enrolled in a class and “worked out with them and ran every single day.”

Coming from a high school of about 250 students to one of 110 players on a college football team, DiSanto admitted he was “a little fish in a big pond” who didn’t know what to expect, but he wasted no time learning the system.

“I knew what I had to do,” he said while being back Downriver during the Thanksgiving break. “I had to grind every single day.”

Photos by Sharna Wilkerson Photography

He went from third string in fall camp who had hoped to make the travel squad as a freshman to being ready to go when a starting lineman bruised his hamstring. When Assistant Coach John Cannova called him into his office and said he would be starting against Bowling Green, word got out and about 40 Downriver family members, friends and fans made the trip to Ohio for the game.

The Panthers lost, but after a week out of the starting lineup, DiSanto started all the rest of his team’s games – eight games in a row.

While coaches originally considered redshirting the 6-foot-5, 320-pounder his first season, DiSanto had other ideas.

“I was thinking if I’m able to do it, then do it,” he said. “If the coach had confidence in me and I have confidence in them and they trust me to play, then I’m going to play.

DiSanto stayed after practice and got in extra work, learning the plays and practicing his steps and sets.

“I just wanted to be different,” he said. “I didn’t want to be like everyone

else. I wanted to continue to play and improve my season to build on that for next season and the seasons after that.”

“The last five weeks I played the best football I’ve played.”

Eastern Illinois offensive linemen are graded on how they guard and protect the quarterback and running backs. They are faulted if there is a sack by the opposing defense or missed assignments or tackles for loss or quarterback pressure, he said. On the plus side are “pancakes” (how many opponents are put on the ground) and knockdowns. DiSanto’s numbers improved throughout the season.

They also watched film to help prepare for players they would go up against. The player projected to be the most imposing was Tennessee State’s Terrell Allen, who would go on to be named his conference defensive player of the year, recording one of the best individual seasons in TSU history after recording 65 tackles (44 solo, 21 assists), leading the conference in sacks, tackles for loss, forced fumbles and a conference record 28 tackles for loss.

His worst game of the year came against EIU. Allen had no sacks, no tackles for loss and only four tackles against DiSanto and the Panthers.

“Nic has been an awesome addition to the team,” Assistant Coach Cannova said. “He surpassed our expectations.

To start nine games as a true freshman on the offensive line doesn’t happen very often. He’s fired up to be with us.

He’s been great…

“He’s extremely competitive – that always helps. He is very confident in what he could do. He wasn’t cocky about it. He worked every single day and got better throughout the season.

“He’s a real special football player.

He’s got a great head on his shoulders and he works his ass off. You can’t ask for more from a guy… He had a huge impact on our season.”

Nic’s parents, Joe and Elizabeth, were able to see all but one of his games, including the home games in Charleston, Illinois, which is about 400 miles southwest of the Downriver area and about three hours downstate from Chicago. They saw how hard he worked and how much he improved – how much pride he had in his play and how successful he was in the classroom.

“He was just very fun to watch,” said Elizabeth DiSanto, a judge in 27th District Court in Wyandotte. “It’s one thing for people to say they’re going to play Division 1 football or any sport, but until you’re in it, you don’t realize what the commitment is and you don’t realize how much more work and time is required than your sport was in high school. To see all of that and to see how he has been focused and locked in and performing and analyzing and preparing, it’s just been phenomenal to watch.”

Nic, she said, “I think surprised a lot of people with how locked in he was and how he was able to hold his own against guys with five years of experience and five years of muscle strength as well. Were also surprised there were 24 linemen on the team.

He’s coming in as a freshman and has to learn all the plays and the strength they need.

SEE DISANTO, Page 5

WYANDOTTE WARRIOR > December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024 < Page 5

DISANTO

Continued from page 4 “I credit him for going down in June and giving the time to get acclimated and learning more as well to be prepared as much as he could be. Even when he was home, he was hitting the gym and doing yoga… Its definitely an around the clock job.”

Nic, who also played hockey at Gabriel Richard, asked during the season if he could bring his hockey equipment to the arena and play – and he did. Judge DiSanto said “his hockey is integral with the footwork he’s been able to maintain, given his side. At the tackle position, footwork is huge. He doesn’t want to lose that.”

So many people have noticed Nic appears much more muscular than he did when he left Downriver.

“He’s toned up everything,” his mom said. “He was a bigger kid to begin with in stature, but he’s much more muscular than when he left.”

Nic is required to include study hall into his weekly classroom schedule and “definitely learned how valuable

time management skills are,” she said.

The player communicates regularly with his uncle and local trainer Jeffery Johnson, who works out with him during visits home “and is a constant source of support for him,” she said.

The most recent visit came during the Thanksgiving break, when Nic brought home a teammate from the west coast home for dinner. While Nic was home, he reconnected with Downriver friends and even took in a Gabriel Richard hockey game.

“People look at me when I say we’re going to a game in Illinois,” Judge DiSanto said. “They say it’s such a long drive. But some of these players miss being home. Even if they can see you for 20 minutes after a game, that’s a good sense of home.

They can tell you they’re doing OK, but it’s also good to lay eyes on them.”

Judge DiSanto said the coaches and other parents on the team “have been great and very welcoming to us.”

“The families we have met have been fantastic,” she said. “We’ve had a very positive experience on all of it from the tailgates, to hanging out and the friendships we’ve made.”

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

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■ 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.

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Page 10 > December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024 > WYANDOTTE WARRIOR

Lincoln Center Gratitude Parade

Event draws students from across the Wyandotte District

It is something that takes place every November at The Lincoln Center.

It’s a parade called The Gratitude Parade.

Typically the parade is held outdoors, however, due to weather it had to be moved indoors this year.

It is a time for students, staff, families and community to come together.

Photos by Dave Chapman

Students from The Lincoln Center alongside their peers from Monroe Elementary, Wilson Middle School and Roosevelt High School create posters which they carry in the parade as an expression of gratitude.

The Lincoln Center school mascot is Lincoln Lion so of course he was in attendance, however we also had several other guest appearances such as Santa

himself and Roary from The Detroit Lions.

Music was provided by The Roosevelt High School marching band,under the direction of Mark De’Angelo.

The program Administrator is Bill Bolton and the program supervisor is Jamie Lopez.

WYANDOTTE WARRIOR > December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024 < Page 11

A space for makers at Bacon Memorial Library

BY WILLIAM GRAY TORRENCE “It’s all good praise for this place,” said Steve Shubert, 41, of Wyandotte.

Every week, Shubert takes his two children, ages 7 and 10, to The Bacon Memorial Library, located on 45 Vinewood Street, to enjoy the offerings of its Makerspace, a craft area geared towards children and teens.

“It’s a transformative space the kids can lose themselves in,” said Shubert.

“I’ve seen kids with nowhere else to go get out of the cold and spend many hours in that space. It’s nice to see that kind of hospitality.”

Makerspace occupies the Edwina de Windt Room of the historic Ford-Bacon home, originally built in 1897, and is equipped with a variety of tools, such as two button-press machines, a die cut

machine and embossing machine, as well as enough crayons, markers and glue to supply an art school.

The supplies are free and the machines are readily available to use, except for the heat press, which must be checked out from the front desk. A heat press is similar to an iron that creates heat transfers of designs onto materials that you provide.

The space is available to both residents and non-residents, according to Laura Gramlich, library director.

Although Makerspace was first created nearly five years ago, it was closed, along with the library, during the pandemic. Since its reopening, its popularity has surged, according to Paula Evans Neuman, library board member.

Gramlich agreed. “The response (to

the space) has been great,” she said. “It sees near constant, everyday use.”

Many themed events and workshops are on the calendar for interested participants for the rest of the year. No need to register for a spot. The space is open from 10 a.m. until fifteen minutes before the library closes. The library is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is closed on Sundays.

Not interested in working within the themes of some of the events? Utilize the space and create at your will during the rest of the week.

Have anything you want to make with outside supplies or materials? Feel free to bring those in as well.

Some of the upcoming events include Bead it at Bacon on Nov. 29, where

you can create your own jewelry with or without provided patterns; Lego Wednesday on Dec. 6, where you can take advantage of the library’s huge stash of Legos and build some of your own ideas from scratch; and Race the Space: Hot Wheels on Dec. 20, where you can design and build your own custom racetracks and race the library’s collection of Hot Wheels cars.

With a nod to the upcoming holidays, one event to keep an eye on is Reindeer Sweater-making on Dec. 10, where you design an original sweater for a reindeer.

Be sure to get in while supplies last.

For more information on tools, events and dates, be sure to check out their online page at baconlibrary.org/ makinatbacon.

Page 12 > December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024 > WYANDOTTE WARRIOR

WYANDOTTE WARRIOR < December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024 < Page 13

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WYANDOTTE WARRIOR < December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024 < Page 15

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.

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WYANDOTTE WARRIOR < December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024 < Page 17

A photograph of Winkleman’s women’s clothing store in Downtown Detroit showed up on Facebook recently. Of course, it ignited a train of thought for me.

Winkleman’s was one of the competitive driving forces of Willow Tree in the 1970s. Along with Gantos, they were PETER watched carefully by ROSE my parents as they grew Willow Tree from a basement segment of Chelsea (in the basement that soon became The Downunder Shop) to a full-fledged operation that they grew to a 16-store chain before market forces contributed heavily to a period of retraction in the 1990s that ultimately brought us back to our single, original store, along with Chelsea (which reached a total of seven stores in Metro Detroit during the same period of time.

Hindsight isn’t exactly 20/20. I guess if one could sit here today and look back, understanding everything that happened that contributed to the sea change in the consumer realm of the United States economy and looking forward to charting a course with one’s past and accurate vision of the future, one might have a chance. I don’t have that capacity, but I can look back and analyze what happened to my company and thousands of others across the nation.

I’ve processed my stream of consciousness with writings for 6 ½ years now. I don’t wallow, but I do hash it over in my head, trying to make sure my take on things is accurate. I don’t

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feel sorry for myself, for instance; I feel sorrow about what happened to America over the course of my nearly 52-year career.

I happened to be in the same crosshairs that destroyed over a century of real retail, and I can’t let it go because that experience informs where we go from here.

Not just Chelsea and Willow Tree, but all retail. It’s important to not shy away from how bad things became, not so I can bemoan it, but strategize for the short- and long-term future.

I’ve told you about many experiences of shopping at independent stores, from various towns I visit in my travels for business and pleasure. I’ve shared positive impressions and rushes of discovery that we don’t get when we shop at national options. I’ve talked with a lot of store owners, seeking perspectives that may differ from mine, but that can help me understand more, and therefore be able to explain more to you and others I encounter.

Mind you, the vast majority of people that are in my stores are just that: In my stores, shopping locally.

For these good folks, my mission is not to cajole them to “shop local”. What I want them to hear is the tangential aspects that they may not focus on.

The ripple effect, the echo shopping that happens with the same dollars they spend at one locally owned store. It’s no joke, it’s no small thing.

Independent business owners are generally on the same page as I am, expressing the sentiment that they just don’t spend money and national chains or online. That means that for each one that feels that way, very little money

leaves the state as cash taken in and profitability are sent to the headquarters elsewhere.

My wife Janelle and I took a circuitous route on a return trip from Lansing for the showing of one of our brands for (ack) Fall, 2024. It was too late to go back to Willow Tree and Chelsea, so we took our time, driving smaller roads through many small towns. The last one we stopped at was Milan.

Now, Milan has a much smaller downtown than Wyandotte or even Trenton’s original area on Jefferson.

But they’ve done a very good job of banding together to create a quaint twoblock area where there are no lighted store signs, just “old-town” stick out signs, all the same general theme with personal variances. We stopped in to one, nosed around and bought some Christmas decorations that we had wanted to find but hadn’t thought of Milan for getting them.

As we were leaving, we told the owner that we’re retailers that seek out indie shopping areas and shops in particular. With fondness, she made sure we knew to check out a few specific shops before we left town, shops that were unique and interesting and special.

What is that worth? We did do that, and we did spend more money in Milan as a result.

That happens here as well. It’s what we do all the time, and it’s what our neighboring businesses do as well.

Each one of us is a “brand” ambassador for the Wyandotte brand, and for other indie shops and restaurants in our entire Downriver area.

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Do you think anyone at national chains does that?

We don’t expect pats on the back, that misses the point altogether. It makes us happy to say nice things about other independent businesses. Not just me and Janelle, but most of our fellow business owners, everywhere we go.

Spending money with any of us often results in the spending of more money at other local businesses.

Christmas time in particular is a time for spreading cheer. Indies love our businesses and love talking to people, love sharing, love taking advice and giving advice for where to go next. All of us believe in the power of personal touch, and shared experiences.

Shopping for Christmas gifts is supposed to feel warm and joyful, and independent stores make sure our visitors feel that way about their trip to our own quirky stores and the fact that they got nice, neighborly treatment and advice while they were with us.

After 52 years of plying this trade, I still get a lot of satisfaction from doing what I do as well as I can. Of always trying to find the weak links in my shops; Of laughing with people, letting them take a moment to truly enjoy their shopping time with a store owner that says Thank You and means it.

I’m not unique among indie operators, you all know that. But I like being among that good company. We all share the cheer; it’s what we do.

Thank you to those that know why I’m thanking them. To all of the rest of you (there must be several dozen out there), I invite you to come visit and find out why your neighbors do.

Merry Christmas, friends.

Would you like to see a picture of your pet in one of our monthly community newspapers?

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Just send a photo of your pet, along with your name and the city you live in and we will get it published. Send information to Sherry@gobigmultimedia.com and we will do the rest. Thank you and have a grrrrreat and purrrrrfect day!

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Page 18 > December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024 > WYANDOTTE WARRIOR

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Page 20 > December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024 > WYANDOTTE WARRIOR

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

gobigmultimedia.com/grosse-ile-grand Happy campers Fifth-graders learn life lessons at Storer Camp ...On arrival, they were divided into groups of a dozen or so in their assigned bunk house, accompanied by their high school student counselors. While they may have had a friend with them in their rooming assignments, the challenge of “learning to live with others” became very real, and a part of their personal growth.

And, that’s one of the goals.

Meridian Principal Nicole Garza explains, “Grosse Ile schools have had tremendous success throughout the years in the 5th grade camp. Our camp tradition not only enhances our educational standards, but strengthens interpersonal relationships, promotes independence, and instills critical values in our students as they actively participate in outdoor experiences.”...

On page 1 Christmas with Dickens Charity event to support needy at holiday time ...If you missed some of the holiday festivities earlier in the month of December, on the eve of Christmas Eve – Dec. 23, folks from near and far can enjoy an evening of entertainment and in the meantime “know how to keep Christmas well,” by helping those less fortunate during the holiday season. A “Christmas with Dickens” will be offered

at seven o’clock that evening at historic St. James Episcopal chapel.

About to re-don “the Inimitable” top hat this year, “Mr. Dickens” allows that the cause underlying his performance will be the weekend food program in partnership with the Grosse Ile Township Schools which is designed to help alleviate childhood hunger on Grosse Ile. According to Mary Ann Danville, coordinator of the program, “Every Friday a delivery of healthy, pre-packaged food is sent home with needy students who are identified by school principals as food insecure. The students remain anonymous to us, and we hope to expand this program to more needy families. Again and with the goal of “raising funds as well as consciousness,” “Mr. Dickens” believes that 2023 reflects the axiom “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”...

On page 14 Katie Molnar All-State – again!

Grosse Ile multi-sport star takes bronze in diving ... Last year, Molnar became the first state champion in diving in Grosse Ile or the Downriver area – ever.

Male or female.

This past spring, she won the Division 2 long jump with a school record leap of 18’5.75”, improving on her third-place performance the year before.

With her third-place performance this year, she has solidified her position in the annals of GIHS sports as a two-time All-State athlete in two different sports!

At the diving state meet, competitors complete dives 1-5 of varying difficulties in the preliminary event, dives 6-8 in the semis and dives 9-11 in the finals...

On page 22 gobigmultimedia.com/riverview-register

RCHS Students Attend Mental Health Legislative Forum ... Students in Ms. Lince’s Government classes had the honor to meet Ms. Cassandra Phipps (Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network), Ms. Carol Zuniga (Hegira Health), and Mr. Kari Walker (The Guidance Center) at a Legislative Forum at Crystal Gardens on Oct. 30, 2023.

Thank you to the Southern Wayne County

Chamber of Commerce for organizing the forum, and especially Michael Ceaser of Ceaser Capital Management, Riverview Mayor Andrew Swift, and the Soroptimist International Trenton & Downriver Area for sponsoring our three tables and lunch!

The presenters spoke about mental health issues across the country.

Mr. Walker told us about legislation sponsored

by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow establishing certified behavioral health clinics that anyone can use without restrictions such as insurance or severity of mental issues.

He explained that the LGBTQ community are those most likely to commit suicide, and that anxiety and depression are the most frequent symptoms for mental illness, followed by substance abuse disorders....

On page 7

WYANDOTTE WARRIOR < December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024 < Page 21

The children were thrilled to get their own copy of the book.

Spookley looks “different” than the other pumpkins, but sometimes our unique differences can help others!

On page 8 Middle Schoolers enjoy trip to STEM camp ...Students attending the summer camp eagerly immersed themselves in a world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The students were actively engaged in many different hands-on lessons involving 3-D printing, 3-D rendering, laser cutting, biology, environmental science, drones and liquid nitrogen.

These hands-on experiences allowed the students to gain knowledge and fueled their curiosity. We are certain that the students who participated created memories that will last a lifetime.

We look forward to participating in this program in

the future and providing our students with highquality STEM experiences for years to come.

On page 9

of course, was Santa Claus, who set up shop in the park to hear the wishes of the train-riding children.

On page 1

gobigmultimedia.com/southgate-star

gobigmultimedia.com/trenton-times

Kid power Kindergartners star in art show at Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry For the second straight year, kindergartners in Southgate were stars of a food-themed art show held at the Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry in Taylor.

Thirty-six pupils painted or colored various food items on paper during art classes at Fordline,

Trenton Goodfellows Charitable children’s organization seeks community help ...On behalf of the Trenton Goodfellows, I wish you a Merry Christmas and ask for your continued support of our mission to ensure that no child in the City of Trenton goes without a Christmas.

We have all been through some very challenging and difficult times as of late, but we have successfully helped many families with children over the last 90-plus years. We could not have accomplished our mission without the very generous help of our community.

Please find it in your heart to help us deliver a Merry Christmas again this year to those children who could use some extra joy this season.

There is an envelope inserted into this edition of our annual paper, and in addition, to make sure we cover the city, students from Trenton Public Schools are distributing our envelope door-to-door on Saturday, Nov. 18.

There is no donation too big or too small; every little bit truly helps...

On page 3

Grogan, Shelters and Allen elementary schools. The shapes and colors were transported to the pantry on Northline Road in time for a show on Nov. 8.

The artwork hung on walls of the warehouse portion of the pantry, which provides food to residents of Southgate and other Downriver communities, “ensuring no one goes hungry.”...

On page 1 Welcome Christmas Southgate residents did not let a cold drizzle dampen their spirits and Mayor Joseph Kuspa threw the switch and lit the Christmas tree at Kiwanis Train Park on Dec. 1. Kiwanis Train Park is home to The Great Lakes Live Steamers, who had their trains up and running during the weekend to give train rides around the decorated park. Also on hand,

‘No child without a Christmas’ Stories highlight the history of one of the community’s oldest service groups, which dates back to the mid-1920s. Joining men in communities across the country, local city and business leaders, many of whom had paper routes in their youth, ‘sold’ a newspaper on street corners in exchange for donations.

Looking back at the group’s nine decades of service, Goodfellows president, Trish Gearhart, is proud of the fact that organizers have evolved with the times to keep the tradition alive.

As the years went by, residents of all ages got involved in many aspects of the holiday mission.

Local students delivered the papers door-to-door, women took an active role in the process, businesses welcomed Goodfellows to sell the paper at their entrances, preschools collected coins to provide turkeys, there were marathon shopping days for toys, and crafty residents created special gifts to tuck in the baskets, which were packed by Scouts and senior groups...

On page 7

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GSRP students find out ‘different’ is okay Riverview Community School District School Board President Tim Bohr visited the district’s ECLC in October.

Bohr sponsored 54 GSRP students and each received their own copy of “Spookley, the Square Pumpkin” to take home.

President Bohr read the book to RCSD GSRP preschool students.

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Page 22 > December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024 > WYANDOTTE WARRIOR

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Page 24 > December 14, 2023 – January 22, 2024 > WYANDOTTE WARRIOR

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