Adrian Our Town | Fall 2020

From the Editor

It seems hard to believe that 2020 is almost over. It’s been a heck of a year, with a once in a lifetime global pandemic, a looming national election, and disasters like dam breaks and wild res routinely making headlines. I don’t think there are many people who will be sad to see the end of this year.

With those things, especially COVID-19, came a lot of change, change we haven’t seen the last of yet. Football season hasn’t continued in the same way this year, and coming holidays like Halloween, anksgiving and Christmas are all going to look di erent. But that doesn’t mean we can’t nd some good things to enjoy and ways to celebrate safely this fall and winter.

Inside this edition of Our Town, we hope you’ll nd some ways to do just that, including a look at how to have some safe but spooky fun for Halloween, how to juggle traveling for the coming holiday season, and how to look and feel good while doing it.

Just because events like tailgates and parades are di erent this year doesn’t mean what really matters has changed at all. Enjoying time with those you love, creating memories with friends and family, and even starting a new tradition or two are still very possible this year. Yes, 2020 is (thankfully) winding down, but it’s not over yet. And there’s still time to make the most of it. So get out there, have fun, stay safe and make some memories. And if you bring this magazine along for the ride, well, that’s just great, too.

Kate Mitchell Editor-in-Chief

TRAVELING FOR THANKSGIVING?

Stay safe with these expert travel tips.

While there will still be turkey, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole on this year’s Thanksgiving table, there’s no denying the holiday will look very di erent thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you plan to travel this anksgiving holiday or host a gathering in your home, doctors want you to remember three things: Mask up, social distance and practice good hand hygiene.

With the kicko to the holiday season just weeks away, health experts warn that gatherings with friends and family — particularly those who you don’t live with — can increase the chances of you or one of your family members contracting COVID-19.

“What we have witnessed across the country is that any time we have people traveling and congregating, this increases the risk for spread of the disease,” explained Brian Kaminski, DO, vice president of quality and patient safety at ProMedica. In addition, since anksgiving occurs toward the beginning of the cold and u season, Kaminski noted the situation surrounding the holiday could be much worse than in other years with multiple respiratory illnesses circulating that are di cult to distinguish from one another.

So what’s safe and what’s not this anksgiving?

Safety tips for your Thanksgiving gathering

First o , be realistic and as Kaminski said, demonstrate “good citizenship.” If you’re going to spend time with people from outside your household, he suggests limiting the number of people gathering in one place. Everyone attending the gathering should wear a mask, keep a 6-foot distance from others, avoid close personal contact and routinely wash hands. And if weather permits, take the celebration outside.

“Asking guests ahead of time about their health, any symptoms or contacts with known COVID-19 positive individuals is a good way to mitigate some risk prior to having guests arrive on site and prevent having to potentially turn away some guests that either pose a risk or are at risk themselves,” Kaminski said. “As a host, you can de ne expectations ahead of time, so that guests understand what behaviors are required during the event.” In other words, the host can set the tone for the rest of the group to keep everyone as safe as possible.

If you plan on gathering at a restaurant for your holiday meal, Kaminski suggests reaching out ahead of time to make sure the restaurant is separating tables, that all employees are wearing a mask and practicing good hand hygiene.

Finally, protect the most vulnerable.

“For those people with high-risk family members, it is vitally important to thoroughly consider the bene t versus the risk of exposing an elderly or compromised family member for the sake of having a traditional gathering. Consider reasonable alternatives like drive-up visits, virtual visits or other ways to connect without close personal contact,” Kaminski said.

Thanksgiving travel tips in the time of COVID-19

In 2019, AAA reported 1.6 million Michiganders traveled for anksgiving. While the organization reports COVID-19 has signi cantly impacted travel throughout 2020, it remains to be seen just how many will travel this holiday season.

“Americans are venturing out, but cautiously and doing so with a ‘wait and see’ approach,” AAA reports when it

comes to travel in 2020. In addition, AAA experts have found that travelers are making their plans 48 hours to seven days in advance and staying closer to home by taking local or regional trips.

DRIVING: If you do plan on traveling, Kaminski said driving is safest since there is little to no contact with other people, with the exception of stops for gas, restroom breaks and dining.

FLYING: Flying is probably the highest risk according to Kaminski, but airlines are taking additional measures by requiring masking during the entire ight and in some cases, reducing ight capacity. “Additional measures individuals can take are: strictly adhere to mask guidance the entire ight, wipe down the seating area with disinfecting wipes, avoid touching your face and perform frequent hand hygiene during the entire ight,” Kaminski noted.

HOTELS AND HOME

RENTALS:

Hotels and other lodging rentals are generally regarded as safe as long as the hotel or rental is following recommended cleaning and sanitization practices. Kaminski noted additional measures that can reduce risk are online check-in/check-out, digital keys and limited use of elevators and common spaces.

By Rachel Brougham

Safety tips for Thanksgiving travel

AAA o ers these travel tips if you plan on traveling by car this anksgiving.

• Understand the impact COVID-19 has on cities and states you are traveling through and if there are any restrictions in place (i.e., do you have to quarantine upon arrival or return home). To be informed, check out AAA’s COVID-19 Travel Restrictions map at TripTik.AAA.com.

• Travel with all necessary travel documentation, including health insurance cards.

• Plan your trip using AAA’s TripTik to identify if rest stops are open along your route. is varies state to state. Gas stations, which are essential businesses, may be your best option for restroom facilities.

• Consider that restaurants and fast food dining rooms may be closed, though drive-thru and carryout or outside dining could be an option.

• Hotel re-opening guidelines can vary widely, so be sure to contact hotels ahead of time to ensure they are open. Also, for peace of mind, look to see if they have AAA’s Best of Housekeeping award.

• Make sure your vehicle is road trip ready. If needed, take your vehicle to a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility for this service. To nd one near you, visit aaa.com/autorepair. Call ahead to make sure they are open.

• Pack snacks, water and cleaning supplies — not only for the road trip, but to have on hand at your nal destination. is will help to reduce the number of trips to stores. 

Rachel Brougham is a former newspaper editor from Michigan who now works as a syndicated columnist, freelance writer and editor. She lives in Minneapolis.

“Driving is safest since there is little to no contact with other people…”

GRAND OPENING

A look at Promedica’s new Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital

By Drew Saunders

The replacement for ProMedica’s two hospitals at Adrian and Tecumseh was set to hit the ground running for the COVID-19 era when it opened on September 24.

“ is is such a gi for the community,” Nurse Michelle Deeter said when she gave the press from around Lenawee County a tour late last August. “Every day at my job I see headlines about rural hospitals closing. …. And yet we’re building a brand new hospital. It’s such a gi to the community to think that [we have the] ability to have state of the art healthcare right nearby.”

Hickman Hospital’s two hundred thousand square feet of space have been laid out over three oors of Lenawee County’s newest hospital. e state of the art hospital is about 95 percent of the way to completion, and its three oors are being tted out, stocked with supplies, and sanitized before patients are moved into the facility.

When ProMedica’s Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital opens this fall, it will provide a fresh, state of the art facility. Its capacity

will include 10 CCU beds, 20 surgical beds, 8 labor and delivery beds, and more, with a total of 58 acute care beds.

e hospital’s 5640 North Adrian Highway address puts it just about smack dab in the middle of Lenawee County, whose centralized location is intended to make it a much more e cient operation for the whole county than the two hospitals in Adrian and Tecumseh that it is replacing.

“ e biggest enhancement is having two teams under one roof. Operationally this is a huge advantage for us. From a community perspective, I would highlight all of the additional safety features we do not have,” on the two retiring facilities, ProMedica CEO Dr. Julie Yaroch said in an interview via email.

e coronavirus has also added a series of omni-present plexiglass partitions at every counter and between coworkers in multiple locations. Anyone and everyone entering the building has to sign in and look into a touchless medical thermometer before entering the hospital.

“ e timing of this pandemic was an advantage for us in that we could make changes on the new campus from lessons learned during the spring,” Dr. Yaroch said. “Two key features are the UV lights we installed in our heating and cooling units that help with additional puri cation of the air circulating in the facility. e second is that we

are able to go from eight negative pressure rooms — these are the special isolation rooms we need to have to house COVID patients — to y negative pressure rooms. Now these rooms will and can be used for any contagious disease and may have us look di erently at all patients who present with a respiratory illness as a result of any virus, bacteria or other pathogen.”

e State of Michigan recorded 102,468 cases of COVID-19 by the end of the summer, according to the o ce of Governor Whitmer. Cases are leveling o in parts of the country, but the potential for are ups is omnipresent. ProMedica urged people to engage in social distancing of at least six feet, follow guidelines for social distancing and to wash hands as o en as possible.

“I understand masking is not always looked on as convenient or necessary, we have been wearing masks in healthcare for years and studies show these do make a di erence in the spread of the disease so I strongly urge everyone to follow this request to protect themselves, but also protect others,” Dr. Yaroch said.

Safety, e ciency, and easy and direct ows of movement between departments have been integral to the design. As Deter explained to journalists, every oor has been designed around a series of U-shaped hallways, which all loop back to a central, light lled atrium.

e number of people using the hallways has been kept to a minimum through a series of tubes — like the ones you’ve used in a drive thru bank — to send specimen samples to and from the ground oor labs.

In traditional hospitals, surgical rooms have always been a nightmare to get around in. Equipment brought in on carts and connected through an easily tangled mess of wires connecting around the oors. But in Hickman, this problem has been mitigated by the universal installation of ceiling mounted lights and articulating arms, which come down from the ceiling like a less menacing version of the arms from Marvel’s Doctor Octopus to provide all of the equipment that any doctor would ever need in any of the specialized rooms.

Continued on page 25

“This is such a gift for the community.”

HEALTH FOR

All you need to know about mammograms this Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The replacement for ProMedica’s two hospitals at Adrian and Tecumseh was set to hit the ground running for the COVID-19 era when it opened on September 24.

Every October, cancer- ghting charities and health organizations around the world ramp up their e orts in the battle against breast cancer by promoting Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

is global endeavor stems from the United States’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was rst established in 1985, when, according to pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca’s website, “a collaboration of national public service organizations, professional medical associations and government agencies came together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease and provide greater access to services.”

Charities and organizations that promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month do so for multiple purposes: to increase awareness about the condition, to raise funding towards

By Michelle Siegel

nding a cure and to encourage at-risk populations to undergo preemptive screenings for breast cancer.

e American Cancer Society estimates that in 2020, there will be more than 275,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer and more than 40,000 breast cancer deaths. Just over 2,500 of these new cases and 500 of these deaths will occur in men.

e University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center explains this disparity on their website, noting that it is less so due to women having more breast cells than men than it is due to the fact that female breast cells, unlike male breast cells, “are constantly exposed to the growth-promoting e ects of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.”

While men are encouraged to make an appointment with a doctor if they notice a change in the breast area, only women are expected to undergo regular breast cancer screenings.

e primary screening methodology for breast cancer is the mammogram, which the American Cancer Society de nes as “a low-dose x-ray that allows doctors called radiologists to look for changes in breast tissue.”

A mammogram involves a special X-ray machine with two plates, a top plate and a bottom plate. When a woman gets a mammogram, she is expected to disrobe and place each breast on the bottom plate. A technician then lowers the top plate down onto her breasts, thereby spreading out her breast tissue — a step that makes potential signs of breast cancer, such as solid masses of dense breast tissue and tiny calcium deposits within breast tissue, easier for a low-dose X-ray to catch. Each compression only lasts for the few seconds it takes for the technician to capture an X-ray image. It may cause slight, momentary discomfort, but it should not be painful, and the entire procedure is typically completed in less than 30 minutes.

While these X-rays do expose patients to a low dose of radiation, which necessarily increases one’s risk of developing cancer, a research study published by the journal Radiology in 2011 concluded that for women ages 40 and over, “this risk is small compared with the expected mortality reduction achievable through screening.”

e same cannot be said, however, for men and much younger women with an otherwise average risk of developing breast cancer. A variety of organizations have used this form of cost-bene t analysis to develop guidelines as to when a woman should start getting mammograms, how frequently a woman should get mammograms and when a woman should stop getting mammograms.

Di erent hospital networks follow di erent mammography guidelines. One of the major hospital networks in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan is ProMedica. According to Dr. Jessica Burns, a breast surgery specialist at ProMedica Physicians Breast Surgery in Sylvania, Ohio, ProMedica adheres to the guidelines set forth by the American Society of Breast Surgeons and the American College of Radiology.

e American Society of Breast Surgeons most recently updated their screening mammography guidelines in May 2019, recommending that all women over the age of 25 undergo a formal risk assessment for breast cancer. Such an assessment should account for many factors, such as the presence of a BRCA gene mutation or a family history of breast cancer.

According to Burns, a woman’s risk category can be initially estimated by a primary care physician, advanced

practice provider or obstetrician-gynecologist a er a thorough physical examination and a review of her personal and family medical history. Risk category can be determined with greater certainty upon a review of baseline breast imaging.

“At ProMedica, we have a high risk program in which patients can be enrolled to ensure that they receive the appropriate screening and surveillance once it has been determined that they have a higher-than-average risk of developing breast cancer,” Burns said.

Mammography recommendations di er by risk category. For women at average risk of developing breast cancer, the American Society of Breast Surgeons recommends annual mammography starting at age 40, ceasing only once life expectancy is less than 10 years.

e screening regimen for a high-risk woman, according to Burns, “may include initiation of screening at age 35, as well as the use of adjunctive screening modalities, such as MRI.”

“For women at highest risk, annual MRI and mammography, performed at alternating 6 monthintervals, may be recommended,” Burns said.

Despite the standing recommendations, a large number of women aged 40 and over forgo their regular mammograms. According to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2018, roughly a third of U.S. women aged 40 and over had not received any mammograms within the previous two years — and that was before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused medical institutions across the nation to delay virtually all non-essential procedures, including screening programs.

More than six months have passed since the World Health Organization declared a pandemic, however, and most institutions have been able to resume regular mammography — albeit with additional health protections.

“For women at average risk of developing COVID and potential sequelae of infection, it is now recommended to resume screening mammography as soon as the patient is comfortable,” Burns said. “ e Breast Care Center at [ProMedica] Toledo Hospital is taking an abundance of caution to ensure that patients are safe and well-cared for during their imaging appointment. e entire structure of the program has been modi ed to keep patients physically

The American Society of Breast Surgeons recommends annual mammography starting at age 40.

distanced. Appointment times are now staggered at larger intervals to minimize the number of patients waiting at one time. Chairs are spaced at least 6 feet apart. All surfaces a patient or patient’s belongings may come into contact with are disinfected immediately a er the patient has departed, in preparation for the next person. All personnel in the Breast Care Center are required to wear masks over their mouths and noses at all times.”

Other reasons some women aged 40 and over do not receive regular mammograms vary widely. Some women, for example, believe themselves to have virtually no risk of developing breast cancer, pointing to a lack of breast cancer in their family medical history.

Burns, however, refutes this line of reasoning.

“ e vast majority of patients diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history, or a weak family history, of breast cancer,” Burns said. “While having close relatives who have had breast cancer can increase the risk of developing it, having a negative family history is unfortunately not protective.”

Likewise, Burns rejects the notion that women who have never manifested any breast symptoms might not need to get a regular mammogram.

“ e concept of screening imaging, such as mammography, is centered around the fact that people are asymptomatic at the time the testing is done,” Burns said. “ is is because screening tests can typically detect disease before a patient develops symptoms. With regards to breast cancer, the earlier it is detected, the better the outcome.”

ere are also women who believe that regular selfbreast examinations can be conducted in place of mammograms, but Burns disagrees.

“While women who are pro cient at doing self-breast examinations should not be discouraged from doing so, this practice is not an acceptable alternative for breast imaging,” Burns said. “Mammography can detect breast cancer at the earliest stages, long before it becomes ‘palpable,’ or apparent on self-breast examination. e earlier a breast cancer is detected, the more favorable the outcome is likely to be.”

With all that being said, there are plenty of women who refrain from regular mammograms solely due to the cost they assume to be involved.

In reality, Medicare and Medicaid both cover the cost of mammograms, as do most other health insurance plans.

As breast cancer- ghting nonpro t Susan G. Komen notes on their website, since September 2010, “the A ordable Care Act has required all new health insurance plans to cover screening mammograms every 1-2 years for women ages 40 and older, with no out-of-pocket costs.”

However, note the usage of the word “new.” If a health insurance plan predates the enactment of the A ordable Care Act on March 23, 2010, it may have been able to maintain a “grandfathered” status, making it exempt from these stipulations.

e nonpro t Kaiser Family Foundation estimated in a recent Employer Health Bene ts Survey that in 2018, 16 percent of covered workers in the U.S. were enrolled in a grandfathered health plan.

Moreover, not everyone has health insurance. According to a 2019 U.S. Census Bureau report, 8.5% of the U.S. population went uninsured throughout 2018.

Underinsured and uninsured women ages 40-64 in Lenawee, Hillsdale and Monroe counties can contact the Lenawee County Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program at 517-264-5235 to see if they are eligible for free breast cancer screening services.

Women residing in other counties can locate breast cancer screening services at little to no cost near them by calling the Komen Breast Care Helpline at 1-877-465-6636. is helpline, run through Susan G. Komen, is sta ed Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. EDT. 

The Roaring ’20s

By Arlene Bachanov

AS 1920 DAWNED IN AMERICA, the post-World War I boom was gaining steam, the u pandemic that started in 1918 was nally waning, and the year was to be bookended by two major societal changes. Prohibition began that Jan. 17, a year a er the rati cation of the 18th Amendment, and eight months later women gained the constitutional right to vote when, on Aug. 18, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment.

What life was like in Lenawee a century ago

Lenawee County’s population had changed little in the decade between 1910 and 1920. According to the 1920 U.S. Census, 47,767 (64.3 per square mile) people lived in the county, a decline of 0.3 percent since 1910. But while the population overall had dropped slightly, it’s clear that the movement of people into the cities and towns and away from the countryside had begun.

Adrian’s population went from 10,763 in 1910 to 11,878 in 1920. Also growing in size were:

• TECUMSEH: 2,332 residents in 1910, 2,482 in 1920

• HUDSON: 2,178 residents in 1910, 2,464 in 1920

• BLISSFIELD: 1,474 residents in 1910, 1,906 in 1920

• MORENCI: 1,515 residents in 1910, 1,697 in 1920

• BRITTON: 370 residents in 1910, 383 in 1920

On the other hand, some villages saw their numbers decrease between 1910 and 1920. Clinton dropped from 1,011 residents to 961, while Onsted declined from 398 residents to 323. Addison went from 474 residents to 416 and Clayton’s population decreased from 372 residents to 306. Deer eld had a net loss of exactly one person, going from 443 residents to 442.

e county’s population had also undergone a demographic shi over the decade between 1910 and 1920, the census found. Lenawee in 1910 was 78.3 percent “native white,” 17.2 percent “foreign-born white,” and 0.2 percent “Negro.” By 1920, that mix had shi ed to 92.1 percent “native white,” 7.3 percent “foreign-born white,” and 0.5 percent “Negro.” e census also noted the county’s Asian population: four Indians (compared to 17 in 1910), four Chinese (there were three in 1910) and no Japanese residents in either census year.

Even with the overall population movement heading toward the cities and towns, the county of course remained heavily agricultural. e 1920 census found that there were a total of 5,080 farms (254 fewer than in 1910), most of them between 50 and 174 acres in size. Only one farm was larger than 500 acres.

For those farmers, this rst year of what in popular culture became known as “the Roaring ‘20s” was the start of something much di erent. Agriculture saw a decline in demand a er World War I, with the result, according to longtime Lenawee County historian Charles Lindquist in his 1990 book “Lenawee County: A Harvest of Pride and Promise,” that “hard times for many American farmers began in the 1920s, not the 1930s.”

Still, Lenawee farmers were certainly putting their share of food on America’s tables, producing everything from corn (the biggest cereal crop), oats, and wheat to sugar beets, potatoes, beans, a variety of fruits, and maple syrup and sugar. Livestock farmers were for the most part raising beef and dairy cattle, chickens, sheep and swine. ere were also, however, 27 goats in Lenawee in 1920, and even 2,443 beehives on county farms.

Adrian’s newspaper, e Adrian Daily Telegram (by that time the city’s last surviving paper, owned then by the legendary Stuart Perry), kicked o 1920 with a Jan. 2 edition lled with the usual news of the world, local deaths, notices of various club meetings and other events, the rst baby of the year, and a story titled “Cupid is Kept Busy as Old Year Closes,” informing readers that eight marriage licenses had been issued. Weather-wise, the night of Jan. 1 had been the second-coldest of the season.

Census-takers were ready to do their duty for the 1920 count, and at the Plymouth Church, one Dr. Ferry was to present a “Revival Sermon.” e Lenawee Savings Bank counseled thri in the coming year “to avoid calamity,” the Adrian State Bank suggested starting the new year with a savings account, and it was “A Good Time to Buy An Overcoat” at Kinear, Huebner and Kells store in Adrian. Farmers could buy a new Samson tractor at L.E. Temple & Co. for the princely sum of $950 complete.

Businesses such as the William Hayden Milling Co. of Tecumseh wished readers a happy New Year and the Universal Stores Corp., a grocer and hardware store, reminded customers that “We Have Served You Faithfully.”

e Adrian Bread Co. advertised Gold Crown Raisin Bread as “An Economy Because Children Like It Best Without Butter.” And at Chaloner’s, one could buy newspapers that would bring a reader all the news “From Timbuctoo to Detroit.”

e year ahead was to see the start of a decline in the companies that had made Adrian the “Wire Fence Capital of the World” by 1910. At one time, there were some half a dozen fence companies in town including Page, Peerless, and Adrian Fence, and an article in the March 1, 1920, Adrian Daily Telegram noted that over the previous year there had been 38,255 miles of wire fence made in Adrian. But the demand for fencing lessened as the agricultural downturn took hold, and as the 1920s went on many of these companies closed, moved to other states, or took on new product lines. Auto parts plants, however, began to grow in the county (the county had even been home to two di erent auto manufacturers earlier in the century), and the rise of the automobile meant that people began to take to the road in a whole new way by the mid1910s and the 1920s.

Devils Lake, Round Lake, and the Irish Hills area in general became popular resort areas, and going into “the city” was a favorite activity in this era. According to Lindquist’s “Lenawee County: A Harvest of Pride and Promise,”

… downtowns were in their heyday during this period.

e streets were paved and lighted; the tra c and parking problems still seemed manageable; and the lovely three-story Victorian commercial buildings were lled with stores, o ces, and lodges from top to bottom and from day to night. Certain kinds of stores were especially popular, including department stores like Albig’s, McConnell’s, and A.B. Park’s in Adrian, and dime stores like Kresge’s and Ben Franklin’s. Going downtown on Saturday night became enormously popular in the 1920s. Farmers would drive in to shop and visit, and the local residents would drive or walk downtown. Going shopping, taking in a movie, and stopping for ice cream at a parlor like Fox’s in Adrian or Pete Spadafora’s in Hudson was a regular custom for many.

As far as entertainment was concerned, for more than a half-century already Lenawee County residents had ocked to the Croswell Opera House for lectures, vaudeville shows, touring theatrical productions, and more. But by 1920, a modern form of entertainment — motion pictures — had begun to be all the rage. As detailed in Erik Gable’s 2016 book “Behind the Curtain: 150 Years at Michigan’s Oldest eater,” Adrian alone boasted four movie houses as the year began: the Garden, the Crescent, the New Family, and the Croswell, which in late 1919 had been converted by its new owners, Harry Angell and Robert Codd, into a movie theater. Both the Garden and the Crescent were gone by midyear, however; the Crescent had been purchased and closed by Angell and Codd in the interest of consolidation.

A Dec. 20, 1919, Adrian Daily Telegram advertisement about the Croswell’s grand re-opening in its new iteration touted the theater’s status as “one of the biggest picture play theaters in any town of the size of Adrian in the state of Michigan” and declared that the movies to be seen would be “highclass picture plays with famous stars at prices of admission that will be within reach of every man, woman and child”: 15 cents for the main oor, 10 cents for the balcony, and ve cents for children, plus a “war tax” that was obviously still being collected even a full year a er World War I’s end.

In hyperbolic terms, the ad went on to extoll the virtues of the new movie spot: “ e spot where hearts will beat faster. e spot where the audiences will become one living unit of happiness. e spot where no man or woman can remain isolated. We believe you will be happy when you are here because you will be in touch with the pulsing heart of all humanity. We want this spot to be one where every human being can get in touch with the best fun in the world, the best literature in the world presented in motion pictures.”

“The spot where hearts will beat faster. The spot where the audiences will become one living unit of happiness…”

Indeed, as 1920 unfolded, some of the era’s top movie stars did indeed grace the Croswell’s silver screen, from Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd to Zasu Pitts, eda Bara, and “Fatty” Arbuckle.

But it fell to the New Family eatre to showcase a hometown talent. Priscilla Bonner, a young woman from Adrian, made her professional acting debut in a 1920 comedy called “Homer Comes Home,” and in her honor the local Chamber of Commerce designated June 14, 1920, as “Priscilla Bonner Day” and the New Family showed the movie.

By late summer, the attention of farmers and townsfolk alike was on the county fair, which took place Sept. 20-25 and promised not only the standard agricultural attractions and entertainment but horse racing and even daily performances by a stunt pilot. A story in the Tecumseh Herald reported that the 1920 fair “promises to eclipse all others in number and quality of exhibits. e o cers of the Lenawee County Agricultural society have expended more money, time and e ort this year than ever before in bringing together an elaborate display of the county’s products and entertainment features of the rst caliber.”

As 1920 began to wind down, the trial of Dr. James P. Bland was probably the talk of the town.

e case, which was reported not only by local newspapers but appeared in several papers around the country thanks to the Associated Press, involved the death in 1919 of 19-year-old Katherine Smith at her parents’ home near Round Lake. A er an investigation, Bland, an Adrian physician and the city’s health o cer, was arrested in January 1920 and charged with manslaughter. Bland held that he was not responsible for her death from illness. e case went to trial in October and ended late that month with a deadlocked jury.

By that time, the 1920 election was drawing near. anks to the 18th Amendment’s rati cation earlier that year the county’s women could now vote, and Elizabeth M. Jackal, an accountant for the Wabash Railroad, made history as the rst woman to try for countywide elected o ce when she ran for treasurer as a Democrat.

“It Is Too Late Now To Object To Elizabeth M. Jackal

Because She Is A Woman,” one of her campaign ads in the Adrian Daily Telegram read. “She Has Been Doing A Man’s Job For Over Ten Years.”

But her election was not to be, for Republicans swept the county elections as part of a GOP tide that on the national level saw Warren G. Harding elected president. Historian Lindquist, in a March 18, 1995, Daily Telegram column titled “Su rage ght had local ties,” wrote that Jackal did, however, beat her opponent in Adrian itself by 260 votes and earned the second-most votes of any Democrat on a countywide level.

e year drew to a close with the usual community Christmas activities all over the county and yet another round of “Happy New Year” newspaper advertisements from local businesses large and small. Unfortunately, year-end parties that year were likely more subdued than in previous years. A er all, as the Adrian Daily Telegram reminded its readers, thanks to Prohibition, “it will be a dry New Year’s Eve.”

Research assistance provided by the Adrian District Library and the Lenawee County Historical Museum. 

FALL FASHION

ith fall 2020 in full swing, people are putting away their shorts and sandals, and reaching for their sweaters and boots. But this time, there are fewer places to go.

Needless to say, the coronavirus pandemic has changed nearly every aspect of people’s lives, and style is no exception. Fashion trends have evolved as people are staying at home, resulting in a not-so-typical fall. In other words, your pumpkin spice latte run out t may be as simple as a cozy sweatshirt and a pair of leggings.

e season for sweater weather is a beloved time in fashion, but amid the changes in people’s routines, trends have shi ed from dressy to casual.

“Most people do love fall,” says Gloria Kuntz, owner of Passion 4 Fashion, a boutique located in Adrian. “It seems to be one of the favorite seasons, but there has been a shi due to more people working from home or the inability to go out and do things as much as they used to.”

According to Kuntz, loungewear such as joggers and denim reign supreme, as well as other basic items, including sweatshirts, long-sleeve shirts, and athletictype leggings. Moreover, you would be hard-pressed to

How the Pandemic is Transforming People’s Style

By Anissa Gabbara

nd people sporting anything restricting, such as high heels or sti , formal attire.

“ ere is a big trend in clothing made from very so material, because people just want to be cozy,” she says. “ ere are still people who have the occasional wedding or unfortunately a funeral, and they come in to look for those out ts, too.”

Like Passion 4 Fashion, customers at Maurices, a women’s retail shop also located in Adrian, are buying more joggers and sweatshirts, especially back-to-school shoppers. And, with some kids going to school virtually this fall, it is understandable why comfy apparel is the preferred choice.

“ ey are looking for things that are just more cozy, but can still be worn if they choose to go back to school in person,” says Kassi Crawford, store manager at Maurices.

Face masks are 2020’s staple fashion accessory, and likely will continue to be incorporated into people’s personal style this fall.

“People are looking for comfort in face masks, especially since they have to wear them all day long at their jobs,” says Kuntz. “ ey also want it to be fashionable with their apparel.”

As face masks are being accepted as the new norm, people are starting to embrace them by adding a touch of personality.

“We sell silly masks that have a dog’s mouth on it, and it was probably one of our top sellers,” says Kuntz. “It’s just a way to li people’s spirits during this time. Even teachers are looking for fun masks for their students to make them smile.”

Retailers everywhere are selling face masks with fun designs on them, and there is something for everyone. According to Kuntz, styling them with your favorite fall out ts is simple.

“Your basic black mask is a necessity for your wardrobe — kind of like a basic black top because it goes with everything,” she says. “Leopard and snake print is still a very hot trend for fall, and you can wear them as an accessory with whatever you are coordinating with your out t.”

Kuntz says sales have sky rocketed since reopening her store in Wauseon, Ohio, back in May.

“ e foot tra c in our store in Wauseon is unbelievable. We only have 7,000 residents compared to the 21,000 in Adrian,” she says. “Unfortunately, Adrian is not seeing that same trend yet, but I do believe and feel that there is a shi now more than ever to support local businesses because they want you to be there, and they want you to survive.”

According to Crawford, many customers are spending the same amount of money but on di erent items, especially back-to-school shoppers. “A lot of people are apprehensive about what’s going on and don’t want to spend too much money,” she says. “Even teachers are thinking that at some

As more people are recognizing the need for face masks in their day-to-day lives, they are naturally seeking a variety of designs for greater styling options, as well as sustainability.

“We sell masks here in di erent types of patterns, and they have de nitely been moving up the shelves,” says Crawford. “People don’t want to necessarily wear something plain — they want something that they can wear with di erent out ts, and something that they can reuse.”

Most retailers would have never anticipated face masks being their hottest selling item in 2020, but Kuntz believes that this will be the case at Passion 4 Fashion this fall.

“I do think masks are going to be big, and to be honest, they are probably going to be the number one item,” she says. “But there are still other great items that are selling very well, like basic cardigans and long-sleeve tees.”

At Maurices, graphic tees are a customer favorite.

“ ey are comfortable, but they have a little bit of personality to them,” says Crawford. “Customers don’t feel like it’s just a plain T-shirt. ey can match it up with joggers or jeggings, and a lot of people are pairing it with oversized, comfy plaid because that is a trend right now.”

point, they are going back to virtual classes, so people are de nitely more cautious and are buying in small chunks right now.”

Many people have adapted to the new trends birthed by the pandemic, which poses a common question: will things ever go back to normal?

“A lot of companies have realized that they can have people working from home, but I think that the people who are going to be returning to the o ce will eventually get back to business-casual attire,” says Crawford. “I do think that the way people are dressing, and the things that are socially acceptable for businesses right now are all a product of the circumstances we are currently in.”

Kuntz has a similar prediction for the future.

“I don’t know exactly what things will look like when this is over, but I think there will be an uptick again in dressier things because people will be able to go out again.” 

Kassi Crawford, Manager at Maurice’s

“They are comfortable, but they have a little bit of personality to them…”

Museum Celebrates Veterans

Historical Museum Exhibit Honors Lenawee’s Veterans Of All Past Conflicts

By Bob Wessel | Lenawee Historical Society Vice President

AS VETERANS DAY APPROACHES, it is tting to remember the sacri ces and service of those brave men and women who donned the uniform of one of the armed forces and sel essly served their country, both in times of war and in times of peace. Lenawee County residents have served in every war and military con ict since the county was organized in 1824. Many perished in the process. Although not all veterans served during a war, that does not diminish the importance of their service and their willingness to stand ready to protect the freedoms we enjoy today.

A popular exhibit on the main oor of the Lenawee County Historical Museum aims to honor those veterans. Many survived their terms of service and have long since passed from this life. We at the museum strive to honor them all. e exhibit features artifacts ranging from a Civil War era Gatling gun to captured German weapons and equipment from the Second World War and a program from the rededication of the Vietnam War Memorial in 2010.

When you visit the museum, you will see transcribed letters to and from Lyman E. Hoagland of Ridgeway, who served in the 13th Michigan Infantry during the Civil War. Displayed with the letters are an original wool uniform, a canteen, a musket, and a leather backpack worn by Union soldiers in that war.

Adjacent to the Civil War uniform is an army signal corps uniform from World War II and a U. S. Navy uniform belonging to Midshipman R. W. Swigert, who served as a boiler room reman during that same war.

In addition to uniforms you will see rank insignia, campaign medals and medals awarded for heroism (including a Purple Heart, an Air Medal, and a Silver Star), and commemorative ribbons from annual veterans reunions where vets would gather and old comrades would renew friendships and reminisce about their wartime experiences. ere are also “Mothers Hats” issued by veterans’ groups to be worn by mothers of World War II veterans.

weapon that it would essentially put an end to war.

We have a standard infantry canteen from the Spanish-American War, tank goggles from World War II and a trench knife from World War I. e collection includes side arms and a (dummy) hand grenade used for training, along with an aviator’s life vest and a very unusual canteen used in the SpanishAmerican War. And, there is a massive framed composite photo from 1898 containing the photos of all Spanish-American War soldiers from Lenawee County.

Although most of the men who carried this equipment died long ago their legacy of freedom lives on. Take the time to visit the museum and to remember those who served in the past and their contributions to today. Today’s living veterans will re ect on their own sacri ces as they peruse artifacts from years gone by.

As a side note, the museum accepts donations of artifacts that connect service men and women from Lenawee County to any con ict, especially the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Grenada, and the more recent con icts in the Middle East.

No military exhibit would be complete without a few representative weapons. is display is no exception. Individual weapons from the civil war through World War II provide examples of the technological changes to warfare over the years. On display is an 1863 Spring eld Ri ed Musket, complete with its bayonet and powder horn, commonly used by infantry soldiers. Cavalry weapons include a .32 caliber Spencer Carbine and a sword. ere is also a cartridge box used by the Adrian Light Guards c. 1850. e Adrian Light Guards were the Army National Guard of the day.

Interestingly, the Gatling gun, invented for use in the Civil War, was considered by its inventor to be such a horrible

e Lenawee County Historical Museum is located at 110 E. Church Street in Adrian and is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. Changes in hours due to COVID-19 will be posted on its website at lenaweehistoricalsociety.org or you can send an email to lenaweemuseum@yahoo.com. 

Bob Wessel is vice president of the Lenawee County Historical Society.

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GRAND OPENING

Continued from page 11

And any equipment that does need to be brought in from elsewhere will be able to be plugged in all in one location from an arm that descends from the ceiling, containing a row of common household plug outlets, eliminating the danger of tripping on wires underfoot.

Patients of all types have been thought of in the design. Sexual assault victims have a very private, out of the way room to be treated by SANE —Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner — nurses.

And in the event that someone should be brought into the ER room with a mental health emergency, their private room and bathroom has been out tted with furniture that is designed to make it nearly impossible to self-harm. A window directly across from a nurses station allows sta to keep an eye on them while the proper specialists are called in, anything sharp or toxic is kept behind a retractable metal garage door and things like coat hooks and door knobs have been designed to give way if more than a certain weight is put upon them.

e hospital, however, doesn’t have a dedicated mental health facility. A nation-wide shortage in psychiatric care providers makes a system that pools resources more workable for ProMedica. Some patients who need

inpatient treatment will get transferred to the hospital system‘s facility in Monroe. Others, like those in need of help with substance abuse, will remain in Lenawee and be sent to a liated centers upon discharge.

Security guards at the front door and in front of the entrances to the departments with the most vulnerable patients will be able to monitor the entire building with a vast network of cameras.

e humble pagers familiar to doctors, nurses and anyone who’s seen a hospital show on TV are also gone from this facility; replaced by a series of hospital iPads, which allow for much more immediate information. Any time a patient needs something — from assistance going to the bathroom, to medical assistance, to an extra pillow — will be able to contact their nurse directly.

Natural light radiates through the building. e green roofs that can be seen from the waiting lounge on the second oor at the center of the building, are designed to provide a soothing and even reassuring atmosphere for anyone who visits the hospital either as a patient or a visitor. is is enhanced by the inclusion of photography of local nature from around Lenawee County, which can be found throughout the building.

And because every patient will get their own room, privacy will be greatly improved. Rooms come with large beds, notrip showers and couches that can be made into beds for loved ones wishing to stay with patients overnight.

Security has also been a priority in the design. A security camera footage will allow security to see who comes and goes both in the hospital and through the four main entrances, which were intentionally kept to a minimum. Almost all of the parking is in one big lot in between the hospital and North Adrian Highway. Every department of the building will be locked and only accessible though sta keycards, or by ringing a doorbell.

e o ces were decidedly more cramped compared to the operating theaters and patient rooms. e patient rooms and surgical suites are all much larger than the two hospitals that are closing.

e hospital has also planted twice as many trees as they removed during construction, according to Michelle. e back of the property is also being put to use with a helipad, for helicopter ambulances, and an organic farm. A walking trail is also planned for an unspeci ed time in the future, as soon as they gure out how to get rid of a tick problem. e tick problem does not appear to be a ecting the building.

e Grace Crispin O ce Building will continue to serve as an o ce building and radiation oncology center until a future o ce building is built in the new campus. Groundbreaking is scheduling to begin in 2021. 

CELEBRATING CULTURE

Observing National Hispanic Heritage Month with the Sunnyside Center for Peace and Justice

By Michelle Siegel

Did you know that the United States observes National Hispanic Heritage Month between September 15 and October 15 each year?

President Ronald Reagan signed the commemorative month into law in 1988, thereby expanding upon the existing Hispanic Heritage Week, which President Lyndon Johnson had signed into law 20 years earlier. September 15 was selected as the annual start date because ve Latin American countries — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua — all declared their independence on that date in 1821. Several other Latin American countries also celebrate their independence days later in this month, including Mexico (September 16), Chile (September 18) and Belize (September 21).

National Hispanic Heritage Month is an especially important occasion to recognize in and around Adrian, where individuals identifying as Hispanic or Latino make up nearly 20% of the population.

According to documentation prepared for the Historic American Landscapes Survey, Mexican-Americans rst came to Lenawee County in the 1920’s to work in the sugar beet elds around Bliss eld. While initially only migrating for the eld season, by 1940, several hundred Mexican-Americans were living in the area year-round.

With World War II came the rise of defense plants in the Adrian area. ese factories o ered work that was “steady

and better-paying” than what could be found within the sugar beet industry, so many of Lenawee County’s Mexican-American workers took on factory jobs in the Adrian area.

Consequently, these Mexican-American workers le their Bliss eld area settlements and acquire housing closer to their new jobs. Many initially moved into temporary facilities that had been set up at the Lenawee County Fairgrounds, but the living conditions there were abhorrent, and so, as the HALS document puts in, “most families sought out more permanent housing as soon as they could.”

Unwelcome in most other area neighborhoods, a large number of these workers found themselves settling in Sunnyside, a residential subdivision originally platted in 1906 in Madison Township, just east of Adrian proper.

Over the course of the decades that followed, Sunnyside developed into a tight-knit community of MexicanAmerican families.

e unique cultural identity and the “close family feel” of Sunnyside was palpable, as described by Laura Parra Codina. Parra Codina, who identi es as chicana (a woman of Mexican descent raised in the United States), grew up in the neighborhood, working in the elds from the age of 8.

“When I was around 10 or so, my mom would send me to the [Mexico City] Bakery to go get sweet bread for us kids, and chocolate mexicano,” Parra Codina said. “So I would go over there to purchase those things and bring them to our house, and be able to share with a lot of the

neighborhood kids that would come over to my house every Sunday, and we would have … what my greatgrandmother would call tardeadas, which were… maybe a dance party? So we had dance parties there every Sunday at my house, serving chocolate mexicano and pan dulce [sweet bread] from Mexico City Bakery.”

By this time, many years had passed since MexicanAmericans rst settled in the area — and yet, the white majority in Adrian still refused to welcome Sunnyside’s residents within city limits.

“ ey didn’t want to see our faces there,” Parra Codina said.

Parra Codina le Sunnyside to study at the University of Michigan, then moved to San Antonio, Texas, in the early 1980’s, where she remains based today.

“My mom and my brothers and sisters were there [in Sunnyside] — that’s what kept me going back, to visit them, but that was the only thing,” Parra Codina said. “And when I’d go to visit, I would hardly leave my neighborhood — our home and our environment.”

Even growing up, Parra Codina generally limited her trips out of Sunnyside to around one a week — typically to go to downtown Adrian stores with her great aunt.

“Growing up, it was just like a di erent world outside of the barrio [neighborhood],” Parra Codina said. “I remember going downtown with my great aunt when I was a kid, and being followed around by the clerks and such — the sta of di erent stores. And closely, like, harshly — thinking that we were going to steal… it didn’t even occur to me! You know, to steal — I mean, I was a kid! And I had money in my pocket, you know?”

Down in San Antonio, Parra Codina spent decades involved in community activism e orts, including serving on the board of the city’s Esperanza Peace and Justice Center between 1990 and 2000.

As Parra Codina recounted in the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center’s 30th Anniversary booklet back in 2017, her time at the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center —

plus, a fortuitous dream of a place wherein the Adrian area’s Hispanic and Latino residents could share “the joy of expressing the happiness, sadness, anger, confusion that they have survived” — led her to established the Sunnyside Center for Peace and Justice.

According to Parra Codina’s article, the Sunnyside Center for Peace and Justice was incorporated under the Michigan Department of State in 2014, then classi ed as a tax-exempt nonpro t public charity (501c3) a year later.

On the Sunnyside Center for Peace and Justice’s o cial website (sunnysidecpj.org), the nonpro t is described as being “devoted to providing opportunities to develop understanding and appreciation for the history and culture of Hispanics in the area in and around Adrian.”

ough still in San Antonio much of the time, Parra Codina serves as the Sunnyside Center for Peace and Justice’s executive director.

e nonpro t’s deputy director is Pete Vargas, who also serves as state organizing director for the Michigan chapter of the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, a nationwide nonpro t organization that is — according to its mission statement on its o cial website (rocunited.org) — “ ghting to improve wages and working conditions for the nation’s restaurant workforce.”

Vargas grew up in Adrian, as his family, who he described as “indigenous to the southwest United States,” moved to the city just a er World War II. at said, he has been advocating as a cultural and social justice organizer since rst becoming a union organizer at the age of 20, so his activist e orts have since taken him all over the state and country.

Vargas associates heritage with self-identity, values and “a lot of unity.” As such, he and Parra Codina strive to ensure that the Sunnyside Center for Peace and Justice continues to not only help local people of color embrace their unique heritages, but also to enable a greater understanding of heritage among the local community at large.

Left to right; Ada Rodriguez Community Action Agency Migrant Clinic Coordinator, Adrian Mayor Angie Sword Heath, Rudy Flores Southeastern Michigan Migrant Resource Council, Miriam Ramos Southeastern Michigan Migrant Resource Council.

To this end, the Sunnyside Center for Peace and Justice makes it a point to both celebrate culturally signi cant events, including Cinco de Mayo, and connect with students of color at local educational institutions.

In recent years, the Sunnyside Center for Peace and Justice has also hosted rallies, protests and vigils, with Vargas highlighting the ceremony held by the nonpro t a er 29-year-old Omar Mateen killed 49 people — most of them Hispanic or Latino — at a “Latin Night” held by Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016.

Such in-person endeavors are currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Sunnyside Center for Peace and Justice nonetheless remains committed to ghting against climate change, systemic racism and other forms of social injustice.

According to Parra Codina, we can begin to heal as a society by embracing song, dance and art — all forms of self-expression and cultural engagement that she described as “tools to express our reality and our hopes and visions for our future.”

“We must use those expressions created by today’s youth to guide us to use ALL the resources that we have collectively

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to CLEAN UP the planet — Our Home — so that humanity does have a future,” Parra Codina said in an email.

Vargas, meanwhile, placed his emphasis on political activism.

“ e best thing that we can be doing is educating our communities on how to stay safe during COVID, educating our communities on how to transfer their voices of outrage into voices of votes, and, in this election, to encourage folks to register as absentee voters, and also to become good allies to our BIPOC [Black, Indigenous and people of color] community and our Black lives, and to li up their voices,” Vargas said. “ ere is a time where we need to step aside, and to join our forces, and to li up the voices that need to be heard — and, at this moment, those voices are Black lives.”

Vargas welcomed anyone interested in learning how they can vote safely during this election year — especially people of color — to text “ROC” to 79606 or visit rocmivote.org.

“Whether we’re in a COVID environment or not, our goal is not to get things back to normal, because normal wasn’t good enough for us to begin with,” Vargas said. “We have to reinvent a new normal that is much more inclusive, and create a platform for equity and inclusion.”

Planet Fitness Welcomes You Back!

As an industry leader, the health and safety of Planet Fitness’ members and team members is a top priority and we are thrilled to begin welcoming our members back to the Judgment Free Zone®. In preparation for reopening our club in a safe and responsible way, Planet Fitness Adrian has taken several steps to strengthen existing cleanliness policies and procedures, in an e ort to protect the health and well-being of members, team members and the local community. Some changes include:

• All team members will have completed extensive training related to our enhanced cleanliness and sanitization policies and procedures

• Team members will receive daily temperature checks when they arrive to work each day

• Increased, thorough cleaning will be conducted using disinfectant on the EPA list e ective against COVID-19, including 20-minute walk arounds by our team to continually clean and sanitize high-touch areas

• Increased sanitization stations will be available throughout the gym floor and members will continue to be asked to wipe down equipment before and after use

• Touch less check-in is available via the free Planet Fitness app. Simply download the app in advance and scan in at the front desk

• Some pieces of cardio equipment will be temporarily marked out of use to enable Social Fitnessing™ and create additional distance between members

• New signage has been placed throughout the club that highlights sanitization and Social Fitnessing™ guidelines

Now more than ever it’s important to stay active, in order to stay healthy, and we look forward to safely and responsibly welcoming our members back to Planet Fitness. See you soon!

OUR TOWN Maple City Tips Consumer ?

The following pages feature useful tips on a wide variety of subjects. Everything from selecting a Cabinet Maker to selecting an HVAC company. We take pleasure in being able to offer consumer tips to local residents. Look for more topics in upcoming issues.

Local SPOTLIGHT ADRIAN

CAR SALES IN THE TIME OF COVID SUBURBAN CHEVROLET PRIORITIZES SAFETY AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AMID CORONAVIRUS

By Lorie Beardsley-Heyn | Contributing writer

Nearly every aspect of life has changed throughout the course of 2020. ough the car buying experience is no exception, Josh Holly, the general manager at Suburban Chevrolet of Clinton, has worked hard to make certain that the quality of that experience remains high at the dealership.

In April, the dealership was forced to close to the public due to the uncertainty surrounding containment of the pandemic. At that time, Holly manned the dealership entirely on his own, responding to all inquiries, viewing pictures of potential trade-ins and completing the nancial aspects involved in the sales. One driver continued to work with Holly to make deliveries of vehicles and paperwork and to bring back trade-ins. e driver took clean, new pens to the clients with the paperwork in a vehicle which he sterilized upon exiting, and sterilized the trade-in vehicles before entering and returning to the dealership.

As May progressed, Holly was able to add members of the sales sta back slowly. By June he was able to open the dealership and the service department once again. e cascade e ect of auctions being shut down and dealerships being closed led to limited inventory through much of the summer. Holly said he has been in the process of rebuilding his inventory and is pleased with the selection of vehicles that are available on his lot at this point. He is particularly pleased to be rebuilding his inventory of trucks, which are popular in Clinton and the surrounding rural communities.

ough the closure did cause him to make some changes in sta ng, the dealership and service department are both functioning smoothly with both online and in-person options available for car shopping. “We are doing face-toface interactions with clients,” Holly said. “We needed to add regulation equipment such as the plexiglass guards between sales sta and clients.”

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Holly noted that some members of the sales sta de nitely prefer direct interaction with clients while he and other members of the sta have adapted more uidly to the online driven market. A virtual buying experience is now available to clients via a technology called Roadster.

As is the case with Roadster, Holly believes that other necessary changes that have increased customer safety and convenience at the dealership have been positive and will remain. One such change is the touchless drive through. e touchless drive through is set up in such a way that customers can clearly see instructions from the street to assist them with pulling in to obtain their vehicle or complete their transaction. e drive through area is covered and is protected from the elements. In the colder months, it will be heated and will be free of ice and snow. Holly noted that clients are used to pulling in for service to their vehicle so the transition to pulling in for purchases is nearly a natural transition.

In addition to the more traditional, in person buying experience and the touchless drive through option, Suburban Chevrolet of Clinton still o ers delivery of vehicles to clients’ homes or businesses.

Whether clients have their vehicle in for service, or whether shoppers are looking for a vehicle, Holly wants everyone to know that Suburban Chevrolet of Clinton is taking every necessary safety precaution to keep the community in good health and to make their experience convenient and pleasant.

For additional information about the dealership, call 517-4564181 or visit them online at suburbanchevroletofclinton. com. Suburban Chevrolet of Clinton is located at 1070 West US Highway 12, Clinton. For a map and directions as well as for sales or service hours, visit: suburbanchevroletofclinton.com/HoursAndDirections

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GET THE FACTS ON LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES

Few people want to face their own mortality when they are in the prime of their lives. However, thinking ahead and making advanced plans can save family members considerable heartache. Life insurance policies can help men and women make things easier for their spouses, children or siblings. Life insurance provides nancial security in the event of a person’s death. Such insurance is a key element of estate planning and something all adults must consider. It’s smart to purchase life insurance at a relatively young age because the cost can be lower. Some people put o the process because it can be overwhelming. But Forbes magazine advises that once a person does a little research and learns the terminology associated with life insurance, choosing a policy is not so di cult. Determine the amount of insurance you will need. Make a list of expected expenses

a er you pass away. ese may include any residual mortgage payments, school tuitions, automotive payments, or funeral expenses. In addition, approximate how much your family will need to live comfortably in your absence. Online calculators can help determine life insurance coverage needs.

e New York Life Insurance Company says a quick way to gure out how much coverage you may need is to take your annual salary and multiply it by eight.- Decide on the type of policy. Life insurance policies come in two broad categories: term and whole life. Term life insurance may be less expensive upfront, as it only provides coverage for a set number of years. It will only pay out if the policy holder dies during this ‘term.’ Whole life insurance, also called ‘cash value,’ usually costs more, but accumulates a cash value that can be borrowed against, and it pays out whenever a person passes away.- Choose among reputable companies. You want to ensure the life insurance company you pick will be around for years and has a strong reputation, so give ample consideration to each company you explore before making a final decision.

MAINTAIN INDOOR AIR QUALITY ALL YEAR LONG

Metro Creative Feature

Winter can be dreary for people con ned or sheltering in place indoors as temperatures drop, and poor air quality in a home can add to that dreariness while adversely a ecting individuals’ health. Air quality tends to su er most in winter, but there are ways to ensure the air inside a home stays healthy all year long.

1. Get an inspection of your HVAC ducts.

Ductwork is used to deliver warm or cool air in homes with heating and air conditioning systems. e U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that much of the dirt in air ducts adheres to the duct surfaces without ever entering living spaces. However, the EPA notes that homeowners should consider having their ducts cleaned if an inspection uncovers substantial visible mold growth. In addition, the EPA recommends homeowners consider cleaning if ducts are infested with vermin or clogged with excessive amounts of dust or debris.

2. Avoid strong chemical cleaning products.

Chemical cleaning products may be great at disinfecting dishes, counter tops and other areas in the home, but such items may be toxic and adversely a ect indoor air quality. For example, chemicals such as bleach and ammonia, which are used in many commercial cleaning products, can linger in the air, irritating the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Homeowners concerned about the quality of air in their homes also can avoid scented products, such as air fresheners and scented detergents, which the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health notes may release volatile organic compounds into the air.

3. Inspect bathrooms for mold growth.

Mold can grow on surfaces that are routinely wet, and that makes poorly ventilated bathrooms common sources for home mold infestations. Mold can adversely a ect indoor air quality when mold spores are released, potentially triggering allergic reactions, asthma attacks and respiratory conditions. A er bathing in bathrooms without vents, men and women can open windows so the room dries before mold can grow. In bathrooms with vents, make sure vents are running during baths and showers and a erward until ceilings, walls and oors appear dry. Poor indoor air quality can be easily addressed by a professional to ensure individuals stay healthy throughout the year.

NO HOMEOWNER WANTS TO LOOK AT THE EXTERIOR OF HIS OR HER HOME & SEE ROOF DAMAGE.

Such damage may lead homeowners to think they need a new roof, a potentially costly expense that can quickly throw household budgets into a state of disarray.

According to the Home Advisor, the average homeowner spends a little more than $7,600 installing a new roof. Various factors, including the size of a home and the type of roof homeowners prefer, will a ect the cost of a roof replacement. In addition, homeowners who see roof damage can rest assured that not all roof problems will necessarily require a replacement roof to be installed. Curled shingles are a problem many homeowners have encountered. is particular problem is not always indicative that a roof is on its way out. In fact, the home improvement resource is Old House notes that, as asphalt shingles age, their corners o en

begin to curl downward or upward. Homeowners who notice this early enough can repair the curled section of each shingle that’s beginning to curl. Moisture and poor ventilation may be contributing to curled shingles as well. Homeowners with attics in their home may see curled shingles on their roofs because moisture is building up in their poorly ventilated attics. In addition to causing damage such as curled shingles, a poorly ventilated attic allows moisture to build up, potentially contributing to mold growth. Mold presents a host of additional problems, including some that can adversely a ect the health of a home’s inhabitants. Improper roof installation also may be the culprit behind curled shingles. When a roof is not installed correctly, shingles may not be aligned or nailed down in the right way. is might be what’s causing shingles to curl on recently installed roofs.

Curled shingles are unsightly and can pose a signi cant threat to a home if not addressed promptly. Homeowners can protect themselves and their roofs by working with skilled roo ng professionals, who can diagnose issues like

OUR TOWN Tips

MUST-HAVES FOR AN AMAZING KITCHEN REMODEL

Kitchen remodels are among the most popular home renovation projects, whether they consist of swapping out cabinet hardware or doing major demolition. Due to the sheer amount of time families spend in the kitchen, not to mention the number of tasks performed in this space, it is easy to see why Remodeling magazine consistently ranks kitchen renovations as projects that will enable homeowners to recoup a high percentage of their investments. In the magazine’s 2018 ‘Cost vs. Value’ report, midrange major kitchen remodels recouped 59 percent of that investment.

When investing in a kitchen project, it is important to incorporate items that are coveted.

1. Deep, double sinks: Having a double sink enables you to soak dishes in one side and then wash on the other. It also makes it easy to wash and prep produce for meals.

2. Kitchen island and bar stools: Even though many meals are enjoyed around the table, there’s something to be said for the convenience of a kitchen island and some wellplaced bar stools for quick breakfasts or snacks.

3. Smart kitchen storage: Work with a contractor to include storage solutions built into cabinetry and the pantry. Slideout shelving, nooks for a paper towel roll and customdesigned areas to store stand mixers and other necessities can make kitchens more functional.

4. Outdoor access: If possible, design a kitchen so it is easy to access the backyard via sliding doors. is can make outdoor entertaining or even co ee on the deck much easier.

5. Under-cabinet lighting: Fixtures installed under cabinets provide both ambient lighting and task lighting. Such lighting makes it easier to see what you’re working on as well, as even well-placed overhead lighting can fail to illuminate dark corners and spots on the counters.

6. Convenient warming drawer: is appliance provides backup to the oven. It’s a slide-out drawer that can keep prepared foods out of the way and warm until they are ready to be served. is is particularly handy for holidays and other entertaining.

7. Beverage station: Designate one area of the kitchen to beverages, such as co ee and tea. Or make the area an informal bar. is can limit tra c in the kitchen to a single area. Kitchen remodels are exciting to envision, and several choices can make these high-tra c spaces even more coveted.

Local SPOTLIGHT

WINTER IS COMING Get your home ready for cold weather WITH SHOEMAKER HEATING AND PLUMBING

By Lorie Beardsley-Heyn |

e autumn color is peaking through, and a chill has already visited the night air. Autumn is near with winter close behind. Are you prepared?

Kevin Shoemaker, owner of Shoemaker Heating and Plumbing in Palmyra, o ered the following advice for homeowners regarding preparedness and prevention of issues with heating systems: “Have your system serviced annually by a quali ed tech, the rst reason is that you want to make sure that the equipment is safe to operate.”

He emphasized the importance of making sure the inspection is performed by a technician who is certi ed and properly trained. e inspection should certainly include making sure the chimney and venting are clear and free of obstructions, and ensuring that the heat exchanger is working properly.

His second reason for having an inspection prior to the onset of the cold weather is to ensure that the system is good enough to make it through another season.

“Most furnaces have an estimated lifespan of 15 to 20 years. e older the furnace is, the more likely you are to have an issue during the season,” he said.

While that may seem obvious, even if your system is relatively new it is ideal to have that inspection. Most homeowners cannot detect issues merely by observing their unit as it sits in their basement or other location in the home.

While every heating system will wear out eventually, according to Shoemaker most systems are being replaced not because they don’t work, but because they’re not energy e cient. “In order to be energy star rated, e ciency needs to be above 95%,” Shoemaker said.

Shoemaker Heating and Plumbing sells only Bryant High E ciency products. e process of choosing the correct heating and cooling system for a home can involve a great

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deal of technical jargon. Is a two-stage or a multistage system right for you?

Shoemaker mentioned the Bryant multistage system that is “always exactly the right size” as technology has allowed for the unit to know what the temperature is both inside and outside and to know several other factors about the home’s environment, such as whether or not a humidi er is in use.

“ e better that the heating capacity matches it’s load, the longer the piece of equipment will last. e better the piece of equipment is sized to capacity the more comfort you’ll have throughout the home,” Shoemaker said.

Whether you are looking to replace a heating and cooling system, or whether you are considering investing in a tankless or on-demand water heater, it is his ultimate goal to have a conversation with you and make certain that your needs are met in the systems that you choose.

“I recommend a system for clients based on how I would do it for my own home. Sometimes the other systems are more pro table. I don’t need to sell a product just to sell it. I’ll make that recommendation based on what they tell me,” he said.

He has 40 plus years of experience in the industry but values development: “We at Shoemaker Heating try to stay on top of the technology. I would have never guessed that e ciency would have changed that much over the years.”

Shoemaker can be heard during a brief segment on WLEN each Wednesday morning. He concludes that segment, and would like to conclude this pro le, with this suggestion: “If I touched on anything that’s important to you, pick up the phone and give us a call at 517-263-9940.”

You can also visit Shoemaker Heating and Plumbing online at yourbryantman.com to see a detailed list of products and services that they o er.

We’ll help you keep your whole home warm this winter.

As the weather cools down, it’s good to have equipment you can rely on, serviced by a team you can trust. At Shoemaker Heating & Plumbing, we bring attention to detail, the right tools, and experience straight to your door. Whether it’s a quick fix or a new system featuring Perfect HumidityTM technology, we’ve got Bryant products to solve almost any problem at any budget.

It’s only going to get colder this winter. When it comes to bringing your whole-home comfort, we’re ready to do whatever it takes.

CLEAN AIR LEADS TO A HEALTHIER HOME

The award winning REME HALO® whole home in-duct air purifier is the next generation of indoor air quality (IAQ) technology and capable of purifying every cubic inch of air that your central air conditioning system reaches. Designed to eliminate sick building syndrome risks by reducing odors and air pollutants, the REME HALO® whole home in-duct air purifier is the best solution for whole house and building air purification.

You can now reduce common allergy triggers from particulates such as pollen, mold spores, dander and dust. Thoroughly tested on airborne and surface bacteria & viruses, such as MRSA, e-coli, and Norwalk, to name a few. Say goodbye to odors from cooking, pets, dirty socks, diaper pails, and musty rooms.

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OUR TOWN Tips

Complete these home improvements over the weekend

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Home improvement projects ramp up when the weather turns cooler and as homeowners begin to think about holiday gatherings. Large-scale renovations can greatly a ect a home, but smaller projects can yield impressive results and be completed over the course of a single weekend. If time is of the essence, these weekend or one-day projects may satisfy homeowners’ desires to x up their homes.

1. CREATE AN ACCENT WALL. Painting a focal wall in a home can create a serious impact. e bonus is it will not take as long or require as many materials as painting an entire room. Accent walls frequently feature a bold color, so decide on placement and tackle this project in less than a day.

2. DRESS UP THE ENTRYWAY. An entryway is a guest’s rst impression of a home. Many entryways can use a minor overhaul, both inside and outside. Paint the front door a di erent color so it pops from the curb. Install a new mailbox or decorative house numbers. A new welcome mat can change the look as well.

Inside, consider laying a new oor. Resilient vinyl tiles come in many di erent patterns and can mimic the look of wood, travertine or marble. Installing a oor can take a day or two.

3. CREATE A GALLERY ON THE STAIRCASE. Gather and arrange framed photos, artwork or wall accents so that they ascend the wall of a staircase. is creates a designer touch and can dress up an o en barren area of wall space. Home renovations do not need to take weeks or months. Many projects can be completed over the course of a weekend.

Kylee Van Brunt is an Onsted resident and a graduate of Michigan State University. Kylee received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design. Kylee is a specialist and has a love for nding items that are a little dinged up and transforming them and giving them new life. Kylee has joined the sta of the Old Mill in Adrian and Hudson to help locals with decorating, home improvement, selecting paint colors and restoration projects. ee Old Mill is located at 507 College Ave. in Adrian, Michigan. Kylee looks forward to assisting you by providing free a consultation and helping you with all your paint and interior design needs.

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OUR TOWN Tips

FOUR FALL LAWN CARE TIPS

Spring and summer may be the seasons most o en associated with landscaping and lawn care, but tending to lawns and gardens is a year-round job. If lawn and garden responsibilities dip considerably in winter, then fall is the last signi cant chance before the new year that homeowners will have to address the landscaping around their homes. According to John Barrett, Barrett’s Garden Center, “Cool nights and warm days make fall an ideal time to plant trees and shrubs or to maintain your lawn by over-seeding and fertilizing. Fall lawn care di ers from spring and summer lawn care, even if the warm temperatures of summer linger into autumn. Homeowners who want their lawns to thrive year-round can take advantage of the welcoming weather of fall to address any existing or potential issues.

1. Keep mowing but adjust how you mow. It’s important that homeowners continue to mow their lawns so long as grass is growing. But as fall transitions into winter, lower the blades so the grass is cut shorter.

2. Remove leaves as they fall. Much like apple-picking and foliage, raking leaves is synonymous with fall. Some homeowners may wait to pick up a rake until all of the trees on their properties are bare. However, allowing fallen leaves to sit on the ground for extended periods of time can have an adverse e ect on grass. “Local experts can guide you thru all the necessary steps to get your lawn and

landscape ready for the upcoming winter season.  “We can help with planting, trimming, bed preparation, lawn care and the many fall home projects that you are faced with”, says Barrett.

3. Repair bald spots. Summer exacts a toll on lawns in various ways, and even homeowners with green thumbs may end up with a lawn lled with bald spots come September. Autumn is a great time to repair these bald spots. Lawn repair mixes like Scotts® Patch Master contain mulch, seed and fertilizer to repair bald spots, which can begin to recover in as little as seven days. Before applying such products, remove dead grass and loosen the top few inches of soil. Follow any additional manufacturer instructions as well.

4. Aerate the turf. Aerating reduces soil compacting, facilitating the delivery of fertilizer and water to a lawn’s roots. While many homeowners, and particularly those who take pride in tending to their own lawns, can successfully aerate their own turf, it’s best to rst have soil tested so you know which amendments to add a er the ground has been aerated. Gardening centers and home improvement stores sell soil testing kits that measure the pH of soil, but homeowners who want to test for nutrients or heavy metals in their soil may need to send their samples to a lab for further testing. Fall lawn care provides a great reason to spend some time in the yard before the arrival of winter.

HAVING A HAPPY HALLOWEEN AMID COVID-19

This October 31 will mark the rst Halloween of the COVID-19 pandemic — and so, for better or worse, it is bound to be a night to remember.

Will house parties be legal by then? In Michigan, most likely not. Executive Order 2020-160 has been limiting statewide indoor gatherings to 10 people or fewer since July 31, and there appears to be little chance of it being rescinded anytime soon — especially not with health o cials reporting Michigan’s highest one-day spike of COVID-19 cases in more than four months as recently as September 11.

Ohio’s guidelines are a bit more vague, stipulating that gatherings “at a household or family residence should be limited to close friends and family and are recommended to be 10 visitors or less,” but the implication is clear — throwing a “rager” would de nitely be frowned upon, at this point.

e acceptability of trick-or-treating, on the other hand, is debatable. While families would, in theory, be able to mask up and stay six feet away from other trick-ortreating families while on the sidewalks, trick-or-treating will almost inevitably put children into relatively close contact with a wide variety of strangers.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hasn’t yet issued guidance on the subject, but Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has, advising residents who want to trick-or-treat to limit homes visited, tell children to stay further away from treat givers and maybe hold bags for your smaller kids, and wipe down candy wrappers when returning home. Perhaps we all will see a Halloween in which everyone sets bowls of goodies on their front porches and hopes that each kid will take a fair share?

However, if trick-or-treating does end up being banned for 2020, your family does not have to settle for baking holiday

By Michelle Siegel

cookies and watching Halloween movies. Maple City Our Town has you covered with some alternative plans that could be fun for everyone involved. Here are our top three:

Decorating: Go wild with the Halloween accessories! Fog machines and scary yard decorations are big hits — but, then again, many people have found themselves strapped for cash this year. If your family is cost-conscious, consider painting banners, carving jack-o’-lanterns, or building scarecrows. e neighborhood can even pitch in to make a competition out of it, with little treats for all participating children and several ranked prizes for the adult contenders.

Booing: is practice — also commonly called “ghosting” (not to be confused with the relationship ending taboo) — involves sneaking up to the porches of neighbors and friends, dropping o a bag of goodies with a note declaring something along the lines of, “You’ve Been Booed,” and running o into the night, leaving no trace of your identity. A booed family is expected to both hang a ghost in their window (to show that they have already been booed) and boo others who have yet to be booed. People are generally booed between late September and Halloween night.

Candy Hunting: Why should we leave the candy hunts to Easter? Bring the scavenging festivities back for your household on October 31! No need to bring out the plastic eggs — just stash treats wherever your kids might have a good challenge nding them. Instead of making a single Easter basket the grand prize, though, consider hiding multiple plastic jack-o’-lantern buckets, each lled to the brim with treats. 

THINGS TO DO IN LENAWEE COUNTY

Editor’s note: Although we have made every effort to bring you the latest information, due to the COVID-19 outbreak events listed below may have been cancelled or rescheduled. Please check with the venue.

OCTOBER

1-3 Run for the Hills! 5K/1 Mile Walk-Run, Hidden Lake Gardens, 6214 W. M-50, Tipton, anytime the Gardens are open. Participants walk or run a marked course and can post their times and pictures online. Information at canr.msu.edu/ events/run-for-the-hills-5k-1-milewalk-run or 517-403-5358

2 Adrian First Friday: “Fall Harvest,” 5-8 p.m., throughout downtown Adrian, facebook.com/adrianfirstfridays/

8 “Lake Michigan Bathtub Adventure,” Facebook Live event sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library featuring Victor Jackson, author of “Crossing Lake Michigan in a Bathtub,” 7 p.m., for details: tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

16 “World War II: Story of a 10th Mountain Division Soldier,” Facebook Live event sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library featuring John Jackson, author of “Mail to Mountain: The Story of a 10th Mountain Division Soldier’s Climb to Glory,” 7 p.m., for details: tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

22 “Same Time, Same Channel: Detroit’s Classic Kids Shows” with Tim Kiska of the University of Michigan and Ed Golik of detroitkidshow. com, 7 p.m., Facebook Live event by the Tecumseh District Library, tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

26 “Prisoner No. 4578: A Michigan True Crime Story,” Facebook Live event sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library featuring author Tobin Buhk, 7 p.m., for details: tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

NOVEMBER

6 Adrian First Friday: “Give Thanks,” 5-8 p.m., throughout downtown Adrian, facebook.com/adrianfirstfridays/

10 “Palliative Care 101, ” Facebook Live event sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library featuring Dr. Justin Voorhees, Hospice of Lenawee medical director, 7 p.m., for details tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

11 Wassail Festival, downtown Blissfield, blissfieldmainstreet.com

13 Yuletide Festival, downtown Blissfield, blissfieldmainstreet.com

“Welcome to Whoville!” Tecumseh’s Holiday Open House/ Streetscape Lighting Ceremony, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., downtown Tecumseh, downtowntecumseh.com/events

14 Yuletide Festival, downtown Blissfield, blissfieldmainstreet.com

“Welcome to Whoville!” Tecumseh’s Holiday Open House, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., downtown Tecumseh, downtowntecumseh.com/events

15 Yuletide Festival, downtown Blissfield, blissfieldmainstreet.com

19 “Meditation and Mindfulness for Adults,” Facebook Live event sponsored by the Tecumseh District Library featuring massage therapist Charlotte Rozich, 7 p.m., for details tecumsehlibrary.org or 517-423-2238

DECEMBER

4 Promenade Candlelight Home Tour, 5:30-8 p.m., sites around Tecumseh, downtowntecumseh.com/events or 517-423-3740

Christmas Parade, 7 p.m., downtown Tecumseh, downtowntecumseh.com/events

5 Holiday Festival, 4-8 p.m., Hidden Lake Gardens, 6214 W. M-50, Tipton, canr.msu.edu/events/ holiday-festival-1 or 517-431-2060

Promenade Candlelight Home Tour, 5:30-8 p.m., sites around Tecumseh, downtowntecumseh. com/events or 517-423-3740

6 Evening of Lights, 5-8 p.m., Hidden Lake Gardens, 6214 W. M-50, Tipton, canr.msu.edu/ events/evening-of-lights-1 or 517-431-2060

12 Evening of Lights, 5-8 p.m., Hidden Lake Gardens, 6214 W. M-50, Tipton, canr.msu.edu/ events/evening-of-lights-1 or 517-431-2060

Parade of Lights, South Lane Street, downtown Blissfield, blissfieldmainstreet.com

13 Evening of Lights, 5-8 p.m., Hidden Lake Gardens, 6214 W. M-50, Tipton, canr.msu.edu/ events/evening-of-lights-1 or 517-431-2060