Month: April 2013

Cinco de Mayo 5K Sunday in Blissfield

After the success of and large turnout for the Wassail Festival 5K Run, the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program committee realized one thing: to have a successful run, you need a good theme with some added fun.

The third annual spring run will this year be The Cinco de Mayo 5K Run as it is scheduled for Sunday, May 5. A special Cinco de Mayo treat will be included in runners’ bags from Mexibilly’s in Blissfield, which is co-sponsoring the event with pageant sponsor Borchardt Brothers Market.

There will be prizes for best costume and best team costumes.

The event is a 5K run/walk to benefit the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program.

The race will this year begin beside the scenic Arch Bridge in Blissfield’s Ellis Park.

“We have created a scenic early May run to take runners from near and far around some of what we consider high points of our village at a beautiful time of year as the trees are budding, grass is greening and flowers are blooming,” said Marcia Loader, executive director of the Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Program. “We chose to begin at the river and end at the river in our beautiful park system. We want to encourage people to not only enjoy our parks and the entire community with its many unique dining experiences, but also visit our downtown where we have seen some exciting new developments over the winter. In other words, come for the race, but make a day of it, too.”

Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and the 5K starts at 1 p.m. The 5K is open to all ages 6 and over, and winds throughout the village. Fees are $25 for the 5K Run/Walk; $12 for kids 6-15; or $60 for a family (limit two adults per family; additional adults $25; children must be with parents). The deadline for shirts has passed and no shirts will be available for those registering this week or on race day.

An awards ceremony will follow the race with medals to the overall male and female and top 2 finishers in each male and female age division: 6-12 13-15, 16-20, 21-35, 36-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70+. Presenting the awards will be Miss River Raisin Festival Charlotte Squires of Britton. Many of the contestants for the July 12 Miss River Raisin Festival Scholarship Pageant will work at the event.

To download a PDF of the race form, please visit the Blissfield River Raisin Festival website, www.blissfield.net and go to the Cinco de Mayo Race section, or email advance@cass.net for one to be sent via email reply.

Local sports results – April 22-27

Following are local sports results from the May 1, 2013, edition of The Advance. For the full stories and individual stats, please see the May 1 Sports pages. Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc.

By Melissa Burnor and Chad Hutchinson

Local women’s track competitors shone at the Addison Relays last Friday. The Whiteford women’s team placed third overall. Blissfield was fourth and Britton Deerfield placed seventh out of 11 teams.

BLISSFIELD

The Blissfield varsity golf squad shot its best team total of the year at the LCAA Jamboree at Deme Acres on April 22. The Royals took 7th place with a team score of 172. Dundee took the top spot with 160, followed by Erie Mason with 163 and Ida with 165.

The Blissfield varsity softball team went 2-1 last week. The Lady Royals dropped the first game of a double-header at home against Columbia Central 3-2 before heavy rains canceled the second game. Blissfield bounced back Friday by sweeping Addison at home 10-1 and 4-3 in a double-header.

The Blissfield women’s track team stormed over the visiting Columbia Central Golden Eagles April 23 before high winds and heavy rains brought the meet to an early close. The Lady Royals clipped the Golden Eagles 66-7 in the contest.

The Blissfield varsity baseball team had an up-and-down week, as the Royals triumphed over Columbia Central 2-1 April 23 before dropping a double-header 6-5 and 10-0 to Riverview Friday night.

The Blissfield varsity women’s soccer team split a pair of games last week, blasting Onsted 7-2 before falling to Manchester on a duet of late goals 5-3. The Lady Royals were led by two hat tricks from Corrine Domschot and Emily Loar. Domschot found the opposing net for three goals against Onsted while Loar had the golden foot with three goals against Manchester.

BRITTON DEERFIELD

The Britton Deerfield men’s track team placed fourth at the Addison Relays Friday afternoon. The Patriots scored 73 points in a field of 11 teams. Only nine points separated them from the second-place team.

The Lady Patriots softball team came up short in three games last week, losing to Webberville 9-5, Dansville 11-1 and Madison 15-3.

WHITEFORD

Whiteford women’s track came up short against two of the Tri-County Conference mainstays. The Bobcats lost to Sand Creek 107-30 and Madison 93-43 in a double-dual meet April 23.

The Whiteford Bobcat men’s track team competed against the two TCC power houses on a rainy, gloomy Tuesday last week where their sprinters stood out. Whiteford as a team lost to both Madison and Sand Creek with identical scores of 118-18.

Autumn Garfield prepares for a race in a tri-meet with Whitmore Lake and Summerfield that was eventually called off due to weather. Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc., Melissa Burnor Photo

Corrine Domschot sets up for a shot during the Royals’ home game against Manchester April 25. Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc. Photo by Chad Hutchinson

Some solid Bobcats bats propelled the Whiteford varsity softball team to an impressive 10-1 win over Sand Creek on Friday. The Whiteford varsity softball team split a double-header with Madison April 22 Whiteford took the first game 6-4. Madison won the second game 8-6 in what was considered a non-league contest.

Blissfield Visitor’s Guide in this week’s Advance

In the May 1, 2013, edition of The Advance, find the spring and summer guide to Blissfield Village and its activities. The guide will also be available in several Michigan Welcome Centers and area businesses.

Find a spring and summer calendar; get the first peek at plans for the 30th anniversary of the Blissfield River Raisin Festival July 10-13; learn of things to see and local resources, too.

Open house honors Koppelman

The Blissfield Elementary School is hosting an open house from 2-5 p.m. Saturday to honor fifth grade teacher Gary Koppelman who was recently awarded the Shell National Science Teaching Award. Koppelman recently returned from Texas where he received the award. He will also be honored yet again by Shell with a thank you to him on the Shell car at the Brickyard 400 Koppelman’s award-winning video will be on display at the open house. There will be refreshments and an opportunity to speak with Koppelman

 

Schiermyer returns to Lenawee County as Blissfield varsity football coach

By Chad Hutchinson

After much anticipation, Blissfield High School has announced Adam Schiermyer as the next head coach to captain the Blissfield varsity football program. Schiermyer is no stranger to the area as he is a graduate and former football and baseball standout at Morenci High School and Adrian College.

Schiermyer will bring his experience and knowledge from years of playing along with more than nine years of coaching experience to the program. Schiermyer is leaving his post as a high school physical education teacher and head football coach at division-two Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley, Ariz.

After only one season at the helm as varsity head coach, Schiermyer said his move to Blissfield was a pleasant surprise.

“I’ve always had a goal to get back to Lenawee County. It’s always been the area I wanted to go to, I just didn’t know it was going to happen so fast,” he said. Along with taking the position as head coach, Schiermyer will also be a full-time physical education teacher at the high school.

Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc. For the complete story, please see the May 1, 2013, edition of The Advance.

Whiteford School voters go to polls May 7

Voters in the Whiteford Agricultural School district will go to the polls Tuesday, May 7, to vote on the renewal of the current no-homestead tax levy.

This levy is for operating funds and applies to vacant land, commercial and industrial properties, rental properties and vacation homes within the school district.

This renewal does not increase taxes on any primary residences or qualified agricultural or forest property. The renewal would generate approximately $821,047 for educational funding in 2014.

According to an information sheet provided by the Whiteford School District, the proposal will allow the district to levy 18 ills on all property except principal residences and other exempt property required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance. It renews the current millage that expires with the 2013 tax levy. The district is asking for a five year renewal for the years 2013-2018. All properties are subject to the six mills levied state-wide but the non-homestead property is also subject to the local 18-mill levy as written into Proposal A of 1994. With the adoption of Proposal A in 1994 all Michigan school districts receive a foundation grant for operations revenue from the state. If districts do not pass the 18 mills on non-homestead properties they do not receive the full foundation grant. The levy represents approximately 14 percent of the district’s total operating revenue according to the district’s website.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and are located at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 5790 W. Temperance Road, Ottawa Lake. Absentee ballots can be obtained by contacting the township clerk’s office at 734-856-5383.

Robert Knaggs

Robert O. “Bob” Knaggs, 86, of Blissfield, passed away Thursday, April 25, 2013, at The Toledo Hospital. He was born July 22, 1926, in Ottawa Lake, to parents Ludy and Lucy (LaPointe) Knaggs, the union produced 17 children. Bob worked for many years as a ceramic tile setter. He served with the United States Navy during W.W. II. He loved being outdoors, especially working in his beautiful garden. Bob will also be remembered as a passionate fisherman. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Geraldene (Greene) Knaggs; daughters Sharon L. Johnson, Kathleen S. Howard, Michelle M. (Ronald) Sulier, and Janet R. (Steven) Clements; 10 grandchildren Heidi, Heather, Melanie, Amy, Rachel, Robert, Susan, Steven, Rebecca, and Sarah; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters Letha Holup and Joan Young; brothers Arnold, Melvin, Roy, and Howard Knaggs. He was preceded in death by his son Bruce Robert Knaggs; sisters Jeanne and Alice Knaggs, Donna Cousino, Mary Scheuer, Anna LaVigne, and Rose Brosamer; and brothers Raphael, Paul, Larry, and Donald Knaggs. Visitation was at the Reeb Funeral Home, 5712 N. Main St. Sylvania, Ohio, on Monday., where funeral services were yesterday (Tuesday) at 11 a.m. Bob will be laid to rest, with military honors, at Whiteford Union Cemetery. Those wishing to give memorials in Bob’s honor are asked to consider the St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be offered to Bob’s family at www.reebfuneralhome.com Bob was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He will be dearly missed!

New U.S. 23/223 detours to be implemented

The Michigan Department of Transportation anticipates reopening the southbound entrance ramp from U.S. 23 from U.S. 223 later today. The ramp has been closed for two weeks for reconstruction.
This will reopen but on Friday there will be a major change implemented on U.S. 223/St. Anthony Road. According to a press release from MDOT a stage change involves shifting all traffic on U.S. 223 to the south sid of the roadway, while construction shifts to the north half of the U.S. 23/U.S. 223 interchange. Construction includes building roundabouts along the north half of the interchange at the raps. This stage, including the ramp closures, is anticipated to take approximately 28 calendar days.
Two-way traffic will be maintained on U.S. 223 between Whiteford Center Road and the northbound U.S. 223 exit ramp using temporary signals. Two lanes of traffic also will be maintained on U.S. 223 one lane in each direction from the southbound U.S. 23 entrance ramp west along U.S. 223. One lane of westbound U.S. 223 traffic will be maintained on the bridge over U.S. 23 between the northbound and southbound ramps. And finally one lane of eastbound U.S. 223 traffic will be maintained u pto the southbound U.S. 23 entrance ramp.
After that point, eastbound U.S. 223 traffic will detour along southbound U.S. 23 to Consear Road to northbound U.S. 23 where traffic will be allowed to turn onto U.S. 223/St. Anthony Road.
Closures in affect starting Friday:
Southbound U.S. 23 exit to U.S. 223 closed. Detour: South on U.S. 23 to Consear Road to northbound U.S. 23, back to U.S. 223
Northbound U.S. 23 entrance ramp from U.S. 23 closed. Detour: Motorists must travel west on U.S. 223 to southbound U.S. 23 to Consear Road to northbound U.S. 23
Whiteford Center Road at St. Anthony Road – closed – Detour: Utilizes Erie Road and Whiteford Road
 Bacon Road at U.S. 223 closed. Detour: Utilizes U.S. 223, Sylvania-Petersburg Road, and Samaria Road.


Blissfield names varsity football coach

Blissfield High School athletic director Steve Babbitt has announced that Adam Schiermyer is taking the reins of the Blissfield Varsity Football program.

Schiermyer, a high school physical education teacher  and head football coach at Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott Valley, Arizona, said he is excited to be returning to Lenawee County to continue his teaching and coaching career, Babbitt said. A graduate of Adrian College, he majored in physical education and played both football and baseball.

After receiving his degree, Schiermyer attended the United States Sports Academy, where he earned his masters of sport science degree in 2003. Before serving as head football coach at Bradshaw Mountain, he had been a teacher and assistant football coach at Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona, for six years, and at Highland High School, also in Gilbert, for two years.

Babbitt said the new coach will move to the area after Memorial Day weekend, once school ends in his current district. He has “plans of being actively visable before our school year ends here in Blissfield,” Babbitt reported on the Blissfield Community Schools website.

He will arrive in Blissfield with big shoes to fill; those of Ron Estes, who stepped down after this past season after racking up an impressive run at the Royals’ helm, including the runner-up spot to the state championship a few years ago when Blissfield emptied out to follow their Royals to Ford Field.

Samuel Tibbs

Samuel J. Tibbs, 50, of Blissfield, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, April 21, 2013.

Sam was born on July 26, 1962, in Adrian, the son of James W. and Evelyn Jeanette (Rigdon) Tibbs.  He graduated from St. John’s Academy of Toledo in 1980, attended Western Michigan University, and worked as manager and Vice President of the former Tibb’s IGA store in Blissfield.  Sam was a lifelong resident of Blissfield, and was a member of the Blissfield Presbyterian Church.  He was a two time Past Master of the Palmyra Masonic Lodge #184 F&AM.  He also was a member of the Knight’s Templar Adrian Commandry #4, and the Zenobia Shrine of Toledo.  Sam traveled to many Masonic Lodges in Michigan, assisting them with fundraising.  He also assisted many other charities with their fund raising efforts as well.

Surviving Sam are his parents, James and Jeanette Tibbs of Blissfield; sister Jeana Tibbs Jordan of Adrian; nephew and niece Christopher Jordan and Kathleen Jordan of Adrian; and three aunts, Jane Clark of Manitou Beach, Chris Tibbs of Manitou Beach, and Jacki (Richard) Hayes of Mariposa, CA.  Sam was preceded in death by his brother in law, Mark S. Jordan; uncles Jack Tibbs, Herb Clark, and Truman (Moose) Rigdon; and grandparents, Jack and Theresa Tibbs, Vivian (Robert) Nichols and Truman Bissell.

A memorial service for Sam will be held Saturday, April 27, 2013, at 11:00 a.m.at the Wagley Funeral Home, Tagsold Chapel in Blissfield with Rev. Bob Bidwell officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery in Blissfield. Visiting hours will be Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. A Masonic Service will be held Friday evening at 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Blissfield Presbyterian Church, the Daily Bread of Adrian, Hospice of Lenawee or to the charity of the donor’s choice.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.  Online condolences are welcomed to the family at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com