Biddle Bowl, an eight-lane bowling center that has been owned and operated by three generations of the same family for 76 years, closed on August 23rd.
Brother-and-sister owners Rob Woelkers and Judy Sadler said they are ready to retire and have sold the bowling center that was founded by their late grandfather, Fred, and then owned by their father, Robert, who is 96 years old.
Woelkers, who lives in Riverview, and Sadler, who lives in Trenton, announced the closing in a July 14th Facebook post that was met with hundreds of responses from saddened bowlers and well-wishing community members.
“Biddle Bowl has been sold!” the owners said in the social media post. “With sadness and joy, we will be closing on August 23rd. No more bowling. We sincerely thank you for all your support and friendship. We are very excited about this new chapter in our lives. Our memories of all of you will be
treasured for the rest of our lives… thank you!”
The new owner is Simeon Investment Co., which is expected to use the space for storage.
“Biddle Bowl is a staple in the city,” said City Treasurer Todd Browning. “They have been there for years… To think they’re retiring, I’m happy for them, but it’s like losing a family member. It’s truly bittersweet.”
The bowling center has provided
recreation and entertainment to countless bowlers since 1948, when Fred Woelkers gave up his job at Chrysler and became his own boss by purchasing what had been created as a recreation center for factory workers.
In 1972, Fred sold to his son Robert Sr., who had helped his father while working at the Genthe bump shop. Robert added a bar and two upstairs
Smedley
$3.95M project begins in downtown Wyandotte
On August 12th, Wayne County Chief of Staff Brian Rinehart, Wyandotte Mayor Robert DeSana, City Council members, and State Representative Jaime Churches gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Downtown Infrastructure Project (DIP). This significant event marks the beginning of a transformative initiative set to revitalize downtown Wyandotte. The $3.95 million project, funded by ARPA dollars through the support of Executive Warren Evans and the Wayne County Commission, aims to rejuvenate the heart of Wyandotte.
The revitalization efforts will focus on enhancing the city’s aesthetic appeal, boosting economic vitality, and improving the overall experience for residents, businesses, and visitors. Key aspects of the project include the development of improved pedestrian walkways, attractive streetscapes, and enhanced accessibility features. These upgrades are designed to breathe new life into Wyandotte’s vibrant core, positioning the city for a remarkable transformation that will benefit the community for years to come.
Photo courtesy of Wayne County
“Save the Girls” charity ride scheduled for September
Soroptimist International of Trenton Area and Downriver Area, which dedicates its volunteer efforts to improving the lives of women and girls, will hold its 20th annual women-sponsored charity motorcycle ride, “Save the Girls,” on Saturday, September 7th, 2024. The Soroptimists are inviting bikers as well as the general public to participate. All proceeds from this event will go to help domestic violence victims, human trafficking victims, awareness events, women’s health issues (with the focus on ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer), education, scholarships, and other Soroptimist service projects.
The ride begins at Motown Harley-Davidson, 14100 Telegraph Road in Taylor. Check in is from 9:30AM–11:30AM. Kickstands up at 11:45AM. The ride will be approximately 50 to 60 miles, with police escorts and road captains from HOG. The ride ends back at Motown Harley with food, beverages, and raffle baskets. 50/50 tickets will also be sold. There will be a special raffle for an outdoor fireplace package valued
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.
at $1,000. Raffle tickets are $20 for one, or three for $50. Pre-registration provided by mail or online. The cost is $25 per rider, $10 per passenger, and $10 for a non-rider for a meal ticket only. The cost the day of the ride is $30 per rider, $10 per passenger. Contact Cathy at (734) 934-8460 or by email: sioftrentonanddownriverarea@gmail.com.
Follow the event on Facebook at “20th Annual Save the Girls Charity Ride.” The Soroptimists have a table at Motown Harley every bike night. Registration and more information for the September ride is available there.
The Trenton and Downriver Area Soroptimist organization meets the first Wednesday of the month. You may contribute to the foundation that the Soroptimists support on krogercommunityrewards.com. If you are interested in learning more about the Trenton and Downriver Area Soroptimists and our other activities, check out our page on Facebook@ SoroptimistInternationalOfTrentonAndDownriverArea or sioftrentonanddownriverarea@gmail.com.
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!
STRIKES
Continued from page 1
apartments to provide a residence for himself and his wife. He also decided to automate the bowling alley, especially when “pin boys” were becoming hard to find.
Robert’s daughter Judy Sadler has worked at Biddle for more than 50 years. She and brother Rob purchased the center from their dad and shared the workload. They offered leagues for children, adults and groups, tournaments, open bowling and parties to meet the community’s needs. Other family members worked at the center periodically.
Since the community had been so good to Biddle Bowl, the siblings decided to give back to the community. Browning said Biddle Bowl has been the top fundraiser for the Wyandotte Goodfellows, mainly through collecting and cashing in returnable bottles and cans and holding raffles on bowling nights. Woelkers and Sadler have raised more than $110,000 for the organization, including a high of
$15,000 last year.
“A lot of bowlers had stories of how Goodfellows had helped out their families,” Rob Woelkers said.
He said they plan to make one more donation of this year’s fundraising efforts in November before turning over the keys to the new owners in December.
“The friendships we’ve made have been just incredible,” Sadler said. “You feel like you’re part of their life. There’s been so much of a ‘Cheers’ atmosphere.”
Robert Woelkers Sr. thanked the bowling public for so many years of support of “our friendly bowling center” – and especially for supporting
Goodfellows.
“We have had the greatest bowling friends ever,” he said. “I hope there is a bowling center in heaven.”
A sign outside Biddle Bowl announcing the closing reads: “Time to say goodbye after 76 years. Thank you for your love and support. Bob, Judy, Rob.”
Wyandotte’s fall garage sale set for September
Wyandotte is gearing up for its Fall City-Wide Garage Sale, scheduled for the weekend of September 13th-15th. This popular community event invites residents to clear out their closets and garages and participate in a city-wide sale.
Those interested in taking part can find applications on the city website or at the historic Burns Home, located at 2624 Biddle Avenue. Residents can join by paying a $20 registration
fee, which includes a permit and a $5 sign fee. The $5 sign fee is refundable upon the return of the lawn sign by the deadline. Applications will be available through September 10th. The general office hours for submitting applications are Monday through Friday, from 8:00AM to 5:00PM.
For additional information, residents can contact Wyandotte Museums at (734) 324-7284 or email museum@ wyandottemi.gov.
WFD and WPD face off in charity softball game
On August 9th, the annual charity softball game between the Wyandotte Fire Department and Wyandotte Police Department took place at F.O.P. Park. Admission was free but all proceeds from the event were donated to support Robyn Gates, the wife of Officer Gates, as she battles Stage 3 cancer.
Last year’s game saw the Fire Department emerge as the winners. This year, despite a valiant effort, the Police Department fell short in a closely contested match once more, losing 24-21. The event was a testament to the community’s generosity and support for a worthy cause.
Street sweeping operations update
The Wyandotte Department of Public Services (DPS) has implemented a comprehensive street sweeping program that occurs in six phases. The operations are designed to ensure clean and safe streets throughout the community, following a clockwise route. Street sweeping occurs in 6 phases. On trash day, street sweeping operations will be moved to the
next area on the schedule, and then return the next work day to complete the area. However, it’s important to note that several factors, including staffing levels, weather conditions, and equipment maintenance, may impact the timing of when each phase is completed. Please take note of the phase map.
Wyandotte resident reflects on 51 years of Biddle Bowl memories
By DAVE GORGON
Wyandotte resident, Ray Walters, was 14-years-old when he started working at Biddle Bowl as a pin-setter. He has bowled on Monday nights for 51 years straight.
For Walters, Biddle was a family affair. At 17, he joined his brother Ken’s team. He bowled with his father, Leo, and continues to bowl with his son, Ray Jr., recalling with pride how Ray Jr. bowled a perfect 300 game on lanes 7 and 8 a dozen years ago.
At 18, Ray Sr. enjoyed his first “legal drink” at Biddle, pulling out his wallet on his birthday. In between, Walters provided pinball machines for the Biddle bar, which was so successful that it led to him started a gaming business.
Biddle Bowl closed this month, leaving many regulars with holes in their recreation lives.
“It’s going to feel weird on Monday nights not coming down here when you’ve done it for 51 years,” Walters said. “When you stand here and look around and think of all the people you’ve met. You get to know them well and wonder where they are all going to go. I may never see them again.”
Walters has been affiliated with Biddle for so
long that he has known all four members of the Woelkers family that have been owners. This dates back to the late Fred Woelkers, who hired him as a pin-setter, long before the present-day electronic machines and scoreboard were in place. When bowlers knocked down pins, Walters had to set them up for the next ball.
When Walters was 19, he told Fred’s son, Bob Sr., about the pinball machine he had in his basement. Bob told him to “bring it in and we’ll split the money.” That led to a second machine, which led to five more being placed at Westside Bowling, and ultimately, to starting a gaming business.
“I made a living with the games,” Walters said as he was about to remove the last ones from Biddle. “I started here and ended here.”
He also spotted future wife, Kathy, who used to play pinball games with her brothers. The couple – then teenagers – has now been married 39 years.
Walters stored his bowling ball in a Biddle locker, making it convenient to show up, grab the ball, and head for whatever pair of the eight lanes he and his teammates were competing on that night. He played for “lucky strike” and “nine pin” jackpots that rewarded a lucky bowler.
He became president of the original Monday St. Joe’s League and served for a decade. His bowling average reached a high of 182 one year and he has twice bowled a “back 11” game at Biddle, meaning he rolled strikes in the first 11 frames before falling just short in the 10th frame, once finishing with a 290.
“I’ve never really been a great bowler,” Walters said, “but I’ve had a lot of fun.”
Bowling buds: co-owner Judy Sadler, Ray Walters, and coowner Rob Woelkers.
Mayor and Council Members
Mayor Robert A. DeSana mayor@wyandottemi.gov
Mayor Pro Tempore Kelly M. Stec kstec@wyandottemi.gov
Council
Todd Hanna thanna@wyandottemi.gov
Council
Rosemary Shuryan rshuryan@wyandottemi.gov
Council
Chris Calvin ccalvin@wyandottemi.gov
Council
Robert Alderman ralderman@wyandottemi.gov
Council
Kaylyn Crayne kcrayne@wyandottemi.gov
27th District Court
Chief District Judge, The Honorable Elizabeth L. DiSanto Phone: 734-324-4475
Email: 27DC@wyandottemi.gov
Animal Control Department Phone: 734-246-1328
Assessor
Ted Galeski, City Assessor Phone: 734-324-4510
Email: assessor@wyan.org
City Clerk
Lawrence S. Stec, City Clerk Phone: 734-324-4560
Email: clerk@wyandottemi.gov
Community Development
The Community Development Office
Phone: 734-324-4566
Email: tdrysdale@wyandottemi.gov
Council and Commission
Meetings at Wyandotte City Hall
August 27
6:00 pm Police and Fire Commission
Repeats monthly on 4th Tuesday, until 12-24-2024
September 5
6:00 pm Beauti cation Commission
Repeats monthly on 1st ursday, until 12-05-2024
September 10
5:30 pm Downtown Development Authority
Repeats monthly on 2nd Tuesday, until 12-10-2024
6:00 pm Police and Fire Commission
Repeats monthly on 2nd Tuesday, until 12-10-2024
September 11
5:00 pm Fire ghters Civil Service Commission
Repeats monthly on 2nd Wednesday, until 12-11-2024
September 12
6:15 pm Cultural and Historical Commission
Repeats monthly on 2nd ursday, until 12-12-2024
September 16
7:00 pm Council Meeting
September 18
9:00 am Retirement Commission
Repeats monthly on 3rd Wednesday, until 12-18-2024
September 19
6:00 pm Beauti cation Commission
Repeats monthly on 3rd ursday, until 12-19-2024
6:30 pm Planning Commission
Repeats monthly on 3rd ursday, until 12-19-2024
City Department Contacts
Downtown Development Authority
Joseph Keller Gruber, Downtown Development Authority Director Phone: 734-324-7298
Email: dda@wyan.org
Department of Public Service
Jon Allen, Superintendent Phone: 734-324-4580
Email: dps@wyandottemi.gov
Engineering and Building Department
Greg Mayhew, City Engineer Phone: 734-324-4550
Email: engineering1@wyandottemi.gov
Finance and Administration
Todd Drysdale, CPA, City Administrator Phone: 734-324-4545
Email: tdrysdale@wyandottemi.gov
Fire Department
Tom Lyon, Fire Chief Phone: 734-324-4404
For Emergencies Call 911 Email: tlyon@wyandottemi.gov
Municipal Services
Paul LaManes, General Manager Phone: 734-324-7100
Email: talk2wms@wyandottemi.gov
Police Department
Chief Brian Zalewski, Chief of Police Phone: 734-324-4405
For Emergencies call 911
Email: bzalewski@wyandottemi.gov
Recreation, Leisure and Culture Department
Sheryl Riley, Superintendent of Recreation Phone: 734-324-7295
Email: recreation@wyandottemi.gov
Treasury
Todd Browning, City Treasurer Phone: 734-324-4570
Email: treasurer@wyan.org
Operation Manoomin: Restoring Wild Rice along the Detroit River
By John Hartig
Manoomin (mah-NOO-mehn) or wild rice was once very common in coastal marshes along the Detroit River and has always been sacred to First Nations. As Detroit became settled by Europeans, the river’s shoreline hardened with concrete breakwaters and steel sheet piling for commerce and industry, and the river’s water quality deteriorated from pollution, wild rice diminished greatly. Today it is listed as a threatened species in Michigan and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi wants to restore this species in the Detroit River and to identify it as an indicator of ecosystem health.
Wild rice is the only grain native to North America and was once common across the Great Lakes region. It is found in shallow waters of inland lakes, slow-flowing streams, and Great Lakes embayments and coastal areas. It usually occurs in water less than two feet deep in areas with a slight current over a mucky or silty bottom. There are actually two species of wild rice in Michigan—Zizania palustris that is adapted to cooler climates and Zizania aquatica that is adapted to warmer climates.
Early Indigenous peoples lived along the banks of the Detroit River and viewed wild rice as sacred and a gift giver. Historian George Cornell in his description of Indigenous life at Wawiiatanong — which roughly translates to “the place on the curve or bend of the [Detroit] river” — noted: “The river course and wetlands were also excellent mediums for wild rice where the water levels were consistent over time. Wild rice was an important foodstuff since it had the capacity to be stored for long periods of time in pottery vessels or bark containers.”
walls and fill material. By 1982, 97% of the coastal wetlands on both sides of the Detroit River had been lost to development, and including wild rice. Numerous islands in the Detroit River, like Belle Isle and Grosse Ile, had wild rice growing in the marshlands surrounding them. Located just off the mouth of the Detroit River in western Lake Erie is Pointe Mouillee State Game Area. Reports from 1910 noted that there were substantial beds of wild rice. Unfortunately, high water levels in the 1940s had a devastating impact on this emergent vegetation marsh. Seven species of emergent aquatic plants, including wild rice, disappeared and were replaced by submerged aquatic plants. Reports noted that wild rice tried to make a comeback but was outcompeted by invasive cattails. By 1949, emergent plants had reestablished in one-fifth of the marsh,
cultivate resources like wild rice carefully and to be good stewards, while also providing a harvest for their families.
In December 2023, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer designated wild rice as the state grain. The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi played an important role in advocating for this designation, since 2017.
In response to the substantial loss of wild rice, tribes, including the Nottawaseppi, are leading a statewide effort to revive this Michigan state grain.
“The Nottawaseppi want to re-establish our presence along the Detroit River,” said Harris. “One of the ways we want to do this is to re-establish a variety of wild rice called river rice that is adapted to flowing waters.”
The Nottawaseppi are interested in partnering on a demonstration project to restore wild rice in protected areas in and along the Detroit River. Possible river locations include:
• Belle Isle
• Celeron and Stoney Island Units of Pointe Mouillee State Game Area
• Humbug Marsh, Calf Island, Sugar Island, Mud Island, Grassy Island/Mama Juda Shoal, Gibraltar Bay, or Gibraltar Wetlands Units of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
• Six Points property owned by the Wyandot of Anderdon Nation
• Grosse Ile’s Gibraltar Bay
Huron and Potawatomi villages were located along the Detroit River near the confluence with the Rouge River. Wild rice was common in this area and provided food for tribal members. It also attracted ducks that provided sustenance to Indigenous peoples.
During the 18th Century, coastal wetlands were extensive along the Detroit River, growing up to a mile wide along both sides of the river. Vegetation types included submersed marsh, emergent marsh, wet meadow and shrub swamp, swamp forest, and lakeplain prairie — a type of wetland on seasonally wet ground of glacial lakeplains. Since 1815, the Detroit River ecosystem has undergone dramatic changes through shoreline and channel modifications like dredging that destroyed habitats and substantially reduced wetlands. The largest habitat change was human encroachment into the river and hardening of the shoreline by the addition of steel sheet piling, concrete break-
but heavy browsing by muskrats and uprooting of these plants by carp were suspected of diminishing the abundance of wild rice and soon it disappeared from Pointe Mouillee.
According to Kevin Harris, cultural specialist of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, for Indigenous peoples, wild rice is viewed as a gift from the Creator. It has been harvested as a staple food for hundreds of years and is used in ceremonies and as medicine. It is a culturally significant plant to the Anishinaabek (Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi). However, it remains in danger from habitat loss and degradation, climate change, uninformed harvesting practices, water pollution, and other human threats.
“Wild rice is sacred to the Potawatomi,” Harris said. “In our Creation story, we have been told to find the food that grows on water and this is home.” Harris said, that the Nottawaseppi have a spiritual connection to clean water, fish, waterfowl, and wild rice. These natural resources connect current tribal members with their ancestors and the Creator. In respect for the Earth, the Nottawaseppi strive to
Wild rice is also considered an indicator of ecosystem health. It is like the canary in the coal mine. Wild rice grows in emergent wetlands with high water quality. When water quality declines, so does wild rice. The Nottawaseppi also want to see this important plant species identified as an indicator of ecosystem health for the Detroit River and included in the next ecosystem health assessment performed by partners under the State of the Strait Conference.
John Hartig is a board member at the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. He serves as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Windsor’s Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research and has written numerous books and publications on the environment and the Great Lakes. Hartig also helped create the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, where he worked for 14 years as the refuge manager. This article was originally published by Detroit Public Television’s Great Lakes Now.
Kevin Harris of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi push poling during wild rice gathering. Photo courtesy of Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi
2024 beautification award
Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Wyandotte Beautification Awards! With 61 residential and 11 business nominations, the committee noted that selecting the top 15 homes and the 5 leading businesses was no easy task. A special thank you goes out to all the nominees who contribute to making Wyandotte a beautiful place. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to take a drive around the city and admire the outstanding efforts of this year’s winners.
Residential:
• 445 Cherry
• 465 Elm
• 908 4th
• 1280 13th
• 1483 20th
• 1714 Davis
• 1831 Vinewood
Commercial:
• Epic Property Management
• Luxe Studios
• The Coffee Lounge
• 2119 Davis
• 2266 23rd
• 2311 Davis
• 2392 20th
• 2452 23rd
• 3656 3rd
• 4074 23rd
• 4100 18th
We are excited to start this journey with you! Our mission is to create a fun
We hope you get as excited about it as we are. At the Tipsy Fish, we believe our sta , colleagues, and customers are the key to success. Meet the owners and operators of the Tipsy Fish: Rob and Rosanne Bruner.
e Bruners are successful restaurateurs; they own and operate Mister Nick’s,
the classic neighborhood destination located in the heart of Trenton, MI. With Nick’s thriving, Rob and Rosanne decided they wanted to expand their wings and open a second restaurant. Within this new business, they want to capture the community a ection of Mister Nick’s and add a new sense of a one-of-a-kind experience. So, they are manifesting their dream, e Tipsy Fish. YOU WILL LOVE IT!
Thank You for Your Support!
• Best All-Around Restaurant
• Best Burger
• Best Dining Experience
• Best Fine Dining
• Best Seafood Restaurant
• Best Steakhouse
The Teller’s Room
Book your next party in The Vault’s private banquet room. Up to 20 people
Th V lt’
The Vault’s exceptional menu features prime cut meats, wild-caught seafood, locally raised chicken, locally-sourced baked goods, an extensive wine list and craft cocktails. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner six days a week and there is a lunch
featuring a $14 Wagyu beef burger. If you haven’t yet been to The Vault, you owe yourself a visit. Their hours are: Monday through Thursday 11:30am to 9:00pm Friday and Saturday 11:30am to 10:00pm Closed on Sundays.
NEWS FROM OUR NEIGHBORS
gobigmultimedia.com/grosse-ile-grand
Putting on a show Country Club dazzles as host of annual MICSA swim championships
... The theme for the event was “On Island Time” and the attire of the competitors and spectators reflected the theme.
The meet brought 13 other country clubs from all over Metro Detroit for the annual swim competition. On a daily basis, more than 1,200 spectators and 600 young swimmers came to Grosse Ile. It was the largest event ever held at the country club. Over the course of three days, guests enjoyed great hospitality, featuring an island tiki bar, tropical grill, island salad station, and food trucks provided by Galindo’s, Elizabeth Perk, and Kona Ice.
Many guests from other clubs said the event was “the best show ever.”
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Abundant
blessings
St. James Episcopal Church to launch “Blessing Box”
How many times have we heard the aphorism, “It’s better to give than to receive?” Or, have been poignantly reminded to “Count our blessings?” Well, the good people of St. James Episcopal Church have taken those sentiments to heart, and are putting words into action. Literally. They are installing a “Blessing Box” on the north side of their historic chapel to serve the needs of those who need it most. The Blessing Box is an outdoor mini-pantry that is stocked with non-perishable food as well hygiene items to help community members
in need. The box will be stocked, unlocked, and available for anonymous use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Reverend Phil Dinwiddie, Rector of St. James explains, “For over 30 years the people of Saint James volunteered once a week at the Spirit of Hope soup kitchen in Detroit. When it closed we knew we needed to find new ways to feed the hungry. This Blessing Box is one of those ways!”
“Church cannot only be about meeting spiritual needs. We also have to care about people’s practical needs. As Jesus said in Matthew 25, those who enter into the ‘joy of the Master’ are those who feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and imprisoned.”...
On page 11
Band, both of whom are highly popular local entertainers. The concert was kicked off by returning local acoustic guitar talent, Mr. Steve Washburn. A new addition to this year’s concert was a small car show featuring 2003/2004 Ford Mustang Supercharged Cobras from the Motor City Terminators Car Club, adding an extra layer of excitement for car enthusiasts in the crowd.
Concertgoers enjoyed two delectable dinner options: Poppo’s BBQ and Celly’s Food Truck. For those with a sweet tooth, Serendipity Cakery & Ice Cream Shoppe provided delicious ice cream. The Riverview Highlands Golf Course ensured that adult beverages were available to quench the thirst of those 21 and over.
Nearly 500 attendees enjoyed three hours of familyfriendly entertainment, making it a memorable evening for all who came. The event would not have been possible without the support of several generous sponsors, whose contributions were crucial to the concert’s success...
On page 15
Riverview senior transportation now available
Great news for Riverview seniors! Senior Transportation has returned to Riverview and the Recreation Department is ready to transport you. The Recreation Department offers curb-to-curb transportation for Riverview seniors aged 60 and over who are unable to drive. This service will assist you in getting to doctor appointments, the pharmacy,
grocery store, and more. If you are under 60 and have a disability that prevents you from driving, you may also be eligible for this service with a physician’s verification.
The service area includes Riverview, Southgate, Taylor, Trenton, Woodhaven, and Wyandotte. Please note that the boundaries may not cover all parts of these cities.
The cost for standard transportation within the service area is $5.00 each way, while the wheelchairaccessible service is $20.00 each way...
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gobigmultimedia.com/southgate-star
Running for World Peace
The Sri Chimnoy Oneness-Home Peace Run once again passed through Southgate on August 1st. Founded in 1987, the Peace Run is a biannual worldwide relay run. Runners carry an Olympic style “Peace Torch” that is passed from hand to hand, person to person, and from nation to nation.
Over the 37 year history of the run, the Peace Torch has been carried over 370,000 miles. Over 7 million people have held the Torch in over 150 countries and on all seven continents. The Torch has also passed through the hands of numerous international figures, including: Pope John Paul II, President Nelson Mandela, Carl Lewis, Mikhail Gorbachev, Mother Teresa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Queen Elizabeth II. In 1996, Cosmonaut Gennady Strekalov carried the Peace Torch into outer space and presented it to the American astronauts on the Space Station “Mir.” Mir is the Russian word for peace.
The Peace Run is dedicated to building bridges between people of all religions and cultures to strengthen the human bond that connects all people from all backgrounds. Founder Sri Chimnoy (19312007) dedicated his life to the fulfillment of the
dream of world peace. He was highly regarded for a variety of creative accomplishments that promoted peace and harmony through music, art, and poetry....
On page 1
Officer Kresslein awarded purple heart
Officer Jacob Kresslein was given the Purple Heart Medal and Ribbon for his exceptional bravery in the line of duty.
This recognition follows an incident on the night of July 30th, 2023. At approximately 10:30PM, Officer Kresslein was investigating a disabled vehicle on Northline Road. While he was conducting his investigation, in a fully marked patrol vehicle with overhead lights activated, an intoxicated driver crashed into the rear of his patrol car.
The collision resulted in Officer Kresslein sustaining a thoracic spinal fracture, which required invasive spinal surgery and months of intensive physical therapy. Despite the severe nature of his injuries, Officer Kresslein showed remarkable resilience and unwavering dedication to his duty. This award acknowledges his courage and the sacrifices Officer Kresslein made while serving his community, exemplifying the highest standards of law enforcement.
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gobigmultimedia.com/trenton-times
Healthcare System opened the first-ever Downriver VA Outpatient Clinic on June 3rd, 2024. The clinic is located at 1640 W. Fort Street in Trenton in the Professional Art Centre building just south of King Road. It will offer a full scope of primary care services and be connected to their network of specialty care providers and services.
“We are so thrilled to bring care closer to Veterans in the Downriver community,” said Chris Cauley, Detroit VA Executive Director. “This is part of an effort by VA to lessen the drive time for Veterans to their VA appointments in the region.” Detroit and Ann Arbor are the only other two closest locations for service.
Sherri Gramlich, Army Veteran, Chaplain for the American Legion, Post 426 in Trenton, and Squad Leader for EXP Realty’s Veterans Network for Michigan noted the importance of this location: “It especially makes it better for seniors! Assisted living facilities will be able to transport some of the older Veterans which is a godsend. Those that are not able to drive often have to find someone to take them for even the most routine visits. This is amazing for all of us!” Trenton resident Susan Phillips agrees, “Driving to Ann Arbor has gotten much more difficult with the aggressive drivers and with us getting older. This will be fantastic.”....
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Trenton Parks and Recreation 2024 Recap
... As the weather started to warm up, the recreation department took advantage. The gardeners took to planting the veggie and flower gardens. They hosted their first-ever Spring Roundup, inviting new and seasoned gardeners alike. All in all, we ended up with many new gardeners whose hands have been helpful to our volunteer team.
Summer has been busy for us in Parks and Recreation. The Aquatic Center opened June 15th to mark the start of summer. Our pool has been buzzing from the swimming lessons, Trenton Swim Club and the daily open swim sessions. The Friday Night Pool Parties were a blast with visits from mermaids to the Red, White & Blue fun to so much more! Our weekly food trucks have been a delicious addition to our Friday Night Pool Parties as well.
Whether you’re an elementary school student or a senior citizen, we had something to keep you busy in Trenton! We offered several craft options for kids of all ages, from creating fairy gardens to crafting by the pool. Mrs. Segedi taught many baking and art classes at the cultural center. We held sessions for adult pickleball and youth/adult tennis....
