Month: April 2013

All aboard for Railroad Days!

By Melissa Burnor

It’s been nearly 180 years since the Erie and Kalamazoo railways tracks were laid across southeastern Michigan and still the railroad tradition remains ever present in the greater Blissfield community. To celebrate that long, rich history with the railroad the Blissfield Downtown Development Authority/Main Street Program has extended the second annual Blissfield Railroad Days presented by McDonald’s of Lenawee County to a two-day affair Saturday and Sunday, April 20-21.

One can ride the rails on the “Old Road,” explore static displays of a once busy caboose and an engine at the Adrian and Blissfield Railroad, as well as tour shops, local attractions and homes with the attraction of several different model trains and railroads and buy and sell model railroad items at an indoor swap meet on Sunday.

Organizers have extended the event to two days to accommodate the large number of people they expect to visit the village this Saturday and Sunday. To visit most of the exhibits and to keep track of where to go, a $5 ticket can be purchased at the Blissfield Historic Depot on N. Lane St., The Blissfield American Legion, The A & B Railroad and the Blissfield Model Railroad Club. T he event runs from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday and and Sunday. Tickets can be presented to volunteers at each location and punched just as an old-time train passenger ticket would have been.

“The tickets are good for the whole weekend,” DDA/Main street Manager Patricia Rayl said. Organizers have printed 5,000 tickets in expectation of good-sized crowds over the weekend.

There will be three homes open to the public both days where each resident has an extensive model train collection. Frank Baker on S. Monroe Street will again have his large model display running. Doug Tagsold on Danfield Court will show off his HO scale Denver, Front Range and Webster layouts on display that have been featured in “Model Railroader Magazine” This year Clem Krzeczkowski will also open his East Gorman Road home for viewing of his new O sale layout in an “island” layout with a river, bridges, tunnels and other highlights to the display.

Several downtown as well as other village businesses will host different model trains and railroad-related activities. This year there will also be what organizers are calling a garden train in the downtown minipark on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday Engineer Dan will be located in the minipark for photograph opportunities.

The Adrian and Blissfield Railroad will give rides. Each ticket bearer can ride the train twice, once from the East Depot to the West Depot and then on the return trip as part of the ticket cost. Brenda Rice of the A & B railroad said train rides are from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday and from noon-4 p.m. on Sunday. The A & B Railroad will also have a display of a vintage locomotive ad caboose to tour.

Other attractions both days include the Blissfield Model Railroad Club on East Adrian Street that will have its extensive model railroads on display with trains running from 10-4 p.m. both days. Operation Lifesaver will be at the Lane Street Depot to educate the public on rail safety.

Another new feature this year is the Lenawee County Voiture Locale 9997 40 & 8 Chateau Trolley. Rayl said it will have drop off points at the Pearl and Jefferson street parking lot to the American Legion. It will also shuttle people to the area of Baker and Krzeczkowski’s homes. This year there are two events at the at the Blissfield American Legion. On Saturday there will be displays of four modular railroads, Rayl said. On Sunday there will be a sale and swap event for model railroad items.

Britton Deerfield athletic events postponed, cancelled due to weather

Athletic events scheduled for BD schools have been postponed and cancelled due to weather. Both the Britton Deerfield varsity baseball and softball games scheduled for Friday afternoon,
April 19, against Summerfield have been postponed until a later date. The junior varsity baseball game at Deerfield on Monday, April 22, against Sand Creek has also been cancelled. The Pittsford Invitational Saturday, April 20, that both the men’s and women’s track teams were scheduled to compete in, has also been cancelled.

Weather impacts April 19-20 BHS sports events

This from Steve Babbitt, Blissfield High School athletic director, regarding BHS sporting events for April 19 and 20:

Freshman baseball has been cancelled for Friday at Milan and Saturday at St. Mary’s CC.
Varsity track has been cancelled for Saturday at Pittsford
Varsity softball vs. Notre Dame Saturday (home) has been delayed until 1 p.m.
Varsity baseball Saturday (Homerun Pizza Invitational @ home) has been delayed until noon
There is some activity still going Friday: varsity soccer at Adrian at 5:30 p.m. is on as is varsity golf at Ida, 3 p.m.

Whiteford Schools low-level lockdown lifted

OTTAWA LAKE – A “low-level lockdown” at Whiteford Agricultural Schools was lifted early Friday afternoon, April 19. The school district had been in lockdown mode since earlier that morning. Officials said phone threats against some students had been made by another individual. According to the person who answered the phones at Whiteford Schools after 2 p.m., several school officials were in a debriefing session.
It does not appear that students were in any danger and the lockdown was a precautionary measure.
According to the “Monroe County School Emergency Information Guide”, a lockdown takes place when an internal or external threat id identified. No entry or exit will be allowed from the school until an “all-clear”  is announced 

Area sports highlights: The Advance April 17, 2013, edition

Blissfield Baseball

The Blissfield varsity baseball team swept its LCAA adversary Hudson Tigers 5-0 and 4-3 in a double-header April 9. The Royals rallied for three runs in the top of the seventh to clinch the sweep and even their record at 3-3 on the season. Blissfield’s LCAA victory also sparked its pursuit of a 20th consecutive league championship.

Blissfield Women’s Track

The Blissfield women’s track team didn’t need the cold temperatures and light rain to help put the visiting Hudson Tigers on ice 85-43 April 10. The Lady Royals dominated nearly every event on their way to the double-digit win to open their season.

Blissfield Men’s Track

The Blissfield men’s track team was more than the Tigers could handle, as it took down the Tigers 85-28 to open its season.

Blissfield Softball

The Blissfield varsity softball team split its league opener in a double-header against the rival Hudson Tigers April 10. The Royals were bested by the Tigers 2-0 in the first game before responding with a 6-0 win in the second.

Blissfield Soccer

The Blissfield varsity women’s soccer team split a pair of games last week to open its season. The Royals downed Stockbridge 1-0 April 9, followed by a loss to Riverview Gabriel Richard 2-1.

Blissfield Golf

The Royals’ varsity golf squad hosted the Blissfield Jamboree April 9. Dundee, Onsted, Erie Mason, Columbia Central, Ida, Hillsdale and Hudson hit the course with the Royals to open up the 2013 season. Blissfield finished in sixth place for the competition with a team score of 192.

Britton Deerfield Women’s Track

The Britton Deerfield varsity women’s track team won every event Tuesday April 9 in a non-league track meet against an extremely small Lenawee Christian Team 111-14.

Britton Deerfield Men’s Track

The Britton Deerfield men’s track team placed first in 14 of 17 events to easily defeat a small Lenawee Christian team 108-24. There were 10 individual winners including three freshmen. The Patriots also won all four relays on a cool but nearly dry afternoon April 9 at home.

Britton Deerfield Baseball

The Britton Deerfield Patriots mercied the Addison Panthers in five innings to open up their baseball season on the road with a score of 13-1.

Whiteford Women’s Track

The Whiteford Lady Bobcats had a solid afternoon as they opened the track season April 9 in a five-way meet at Summerfield. Whiteford had 78 points. Pittsford finished first with 122 points, Addison had 61, Morenci, 60 and Summerfield had 29 points.

Whiteford Men’s Track

The Whiteford men’s varsity track team finished fourth of five team at a five-way meet in Summerfield April 9. Summerfield finished first with 141 points. Pittsford had 81, Addison 63, Whiteford 34 and Morenci 32 points.

Whiteford Women’s Track

The Lady Bobcats were fifth of eight track teams competing at the Trojan Relays Friday afternoon. The team netted 35 points. Chelsea and Macomb Lutheran North tied for first with 102 points apiece.

Whiteford Softball

The Whiteford women’s varsity softball team took a loss in their season opener to Evergreen 6-5.

Whiteford Baseball

Despite leading by three runs early in the game the Whiteford Bobcat varsity baseball team lost their season opener across the board April 9. The final score against Evergreen was 7-3.

For the complete stories, individual results and more photos, please see the April 17, 2013, edition of The Advance.

Blissfield’s Thomas Jackson on his way to a first in the hurdles. Copyright 2013, River Raisin Publications, Inc./Chad Hutchinson Photo

Kiwanis Pancake Supper Thursday, April 18

The Blissfield Kiwanis Club will host its annual pancake supper from 4:30-7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, in the Blissfield High School cafeteria.

The bevy of breakfast foods on the menu include pancakes, french toast, sausage, coffee, apple sauce and white and chocolate milk.

Proceeds from the fundraiser are used by the Kiwanis Club to fund several charities involving local children. These funds have been used for scholarships, as well as the annual dictionary donations made to third-graders in Blissfield and Deerfield elementary schools.

Marisa Vince

ADRIAN — Marisa Vince, 84, of Blissfield, passed away on Monday, April 15, 2013, at Provincial House under the care of Hospice of Lenawee. Marisa was born on August 5, 1928 in Rome, Italy to Umberto and Teresa Cristofani. During WWII she met Alex Vince of Sand Creek, and they married on August 15, 1952 in Trieste, Italy. Marisa worked for 30 years at Bixby Medical Center in the dietary department, and was a faithful member of Light of Christ Parish in Blissfield. She enjoyed playing cards and cooking meals for her family. Marisa is survived by her children Alex (Shelley) Vince of Blissfield, Terrie Vince of Modesto, California, and Ronnie (Stacey) Vince of Aurora, Colorado; grandchildren Michael and Samuel Vince; and two great grandchildren, Isla and Adley; twin sister Gianna (Bruce) Monroe of Blissfield, sisters Pina Maraschi, and Anna (Sergio) Maraschi of Rome, Italy, and several nieces, nephews and sister-in-laws. Marisa is preceded in death by her husband Alex Vince, brother Giovanni Cristofani and his wife Silvana, and brother-in-law Franco Maraschi, and several brother and sister-in-laws. Services for Marisa Vince will be on Friday at Wagley Funeral Home Tagsold Chapel, in Blissfield at 1 p.m. with Rev. Jack Loughran officiating, burial will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Lenawee or the Lenawee Humane Society. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHome.com.

Blissfield: U.S. 223 lane closure this week

As of Monday evening, the outside westbound lane on U.S. 223 in Blissfield from Maple Street to just east of Monroe Street is closed. Michigan Department of Transportation is working in Blissfield to replace curbs on that side of the street that include the removal of driveaways from the former Smith property. Work is expected to last approximately three days, weather permitting.

Yockey, Benham safe after Boston Marathon

Local runner Jay Yockey who competed at the Boston Marathon today (Monday) reported to the Advance at 3:30 p.m. that he is safe after reports of at least two explosions at the finish line of the race course. Yockey said the hotel he is staying in is on lockdown this afternoon.

Another local runner Dr. Kent Benham, Ottawa Lake, also participated in today’s marathon. Word has been received that he too is safe after the race.

For Melissa Burnor’s complete interview with Jay Yockey while he was still in Boston, please see the April 17, 2013, edition of The Advance.